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Short filmTranscript
00:00In college, I bought myself a boyfriend.
00:02Be with me, and I'd pay for his grandfather's surgery.
00:05The broke kid from Brooklyn stayed four years, swallowing his pride.
00:08Then my family lost a mob war.
00:12Overnight, I lost everything.
00:14When I ended it, he didn't blink.
00:15Now I'm waiting tables in a nightclub, drowning in debt.
00:18He's a Southside arms dealer.
00:20The old money princess from our class is on his arm.
00:22He asks,
00:23Any regrets?
00:25No.
00:28I have one.
00:30I never thought I'd see him again.
00:32Paradiso Club, VIP Room 7.
00:35I walked in with a fruit platter.
00:37Bow one's head deeply.
00:38Adrian Cross sat in the center of the sofa.
00:40Suit razor sharp, cuff-linked silver skulls.
00:43The skull was the mark of the Cross family.
00:45One of the five mafia families running this city's underworld.
00:49Vivian Chase clung to his side.
00:50Diamond earrings.
00:51Couture gown.
00:52Old Connecticut money.
00:54Server.
00:55His voice was flat.
00:56Cut the oranges.
00:57I turned my back and sliced.
00:59A long time ago, when I loved oranges, Adrian used to cut them for me.
01:04His knife work was perfect.
01:06Every slice the same size.
01:08A skill he'd picked up running errands for the family at the bottom.
01:11Back then, I thought he loved me.
01:14Later, I learned it was just a habit.
01:15When he cut oranges, he thought about everything in the world.
01:19Just not me.
01:21Four years.
01:22Felt like a lifetime.
01:24The guests started talking about college relationships.
01:27Heard Mr. Cross had a girlfriend all four years?
01:30My hand paused.
01:31Adrian made a sound.
01:32Four years.
01:33Must be hard to forget.
01:35Silence.
01:35Then Adrian laughed.
01:37Soft.
01:37Not really.
01:40Adrian would have hated her, if anything.
01:43We went to the same school.
01:45That girl made things so hard for him.
01:47If it weren't for her, we'd have gotten together years ago.
01:50Her family's finished anyway.
01:52Her dad owes half the burrow.
01:53Probably buried in a ditch somewhere.
01:55Right.
01:56Miss Chase is a princess.
01:57No comparison.
02:01Wanting out.
02:02The knife slipped.
02:04I hissed.
02:05What's your problem?
02:06Vivian snapped.
02:07Sorry.
02:08I'll get a fresh plate.
02:09I started for the door.
02:11Hold on.
02:12Adrian's voice stopped me.
02:13Turn around.
02:15I froze.
02:16The floor manager appeared.
02:17Family old guard.
02:18She knew who I was.
02:19Had been looking out for me.
02:21New girl.
02:22Clumsy.
02:23Plates are on the house tonight.
02:25She shot me a look.
02:27Go.
02:29I got out.
02:30Later she told me.
02:32Stay sharp.
02:33That room is all VIPs.
02:35The young one in the middle.
02:36Adrian Cross.
02:37Three docks in Southside.
02:39The commission respects him.
02:41We don't cross him.
02:42Can you take the oranges in for me?
02:46Sure.
02:47I exhaled.
02:48If there was anyone in this world who'd crossed Adrian Cross completely,
02:52it was me.
02:52I was the ex he was talking about.
02:55Freshman year.
02:57Adrian stood in the sea of new students in faded clothes that had been washed one too
03:01many times.
03:02He was visibly poor.
03:04No family backing.
03:05Clawing his way up.
03:07Visibly dangerous, too.
03:09I loved the cold clarity of his voice.
03:12Like a blade across ice.
03:14Adrian needed money.
03:16His family, a small operation in Brooklyn, had sent him to college as a pawn.
03:20They couldn't pay for it.
03:21He worked for everything.
03:23One night after class, I cornered him.
03:28Adrian, be with me.
03:30My family's got reach in this city.
03:34He turned me down.
03:38But I'd never been told no in my life.
03:40My father was the biggest loan shark in the city.
03:43Half the gambling dens paid us tribute.
03:45I didn't understand failure.
03:48Then his grandfather, the man who raised him, got cut up bad in a territory dispute.
03:53Needed surgery.
03:54His family couldn't cover it.
03:56I took the money from my father's safe.
03:59Adrian finally said yes.
04:01I thought I'd done something good.
04:03Took me a long time to understand.
04:05I got him.
04:05But I destroyed him, too.
04:08On campus, the whispers started.
04:10They said he was my cleaner.
04:12My hired muscle.
04:13Someone called him the Rossi Girl's dog to his face.
04:16I was too naive to see it.
04:17I told him not to listen.
04:19I lived in my own bubble.
04:20Never realized he was fighting alone.
04:22Senior year, my family fell.
04:24My father picked the wrong side in a power war.
04:27Someone set him up.
04:28Accounts frozen.
04:29Partners gone.
04:31Creditors everywhere.
04:3218 years in federal.
04:34I didn't tell Adrian.
04:35I called him out and said,
04:37We're done.
04:38Why?
04:39I'm bored.
04:42Okay.
04:42Just like that.
04:44That day I pulled my SIM.
04:46Wiped my accounts.
04:47Got on a Greyhound West.
04:49Came back three months ago.
04:51My father got out early.
04:53Health destroyed.
04:54Creditors still circling.
04:56Adrian looked good.
04:57Four years out of college.
04:59From a Brooklyn nobody to Southside's arms broker.
05:02Vivian was our class's IT girl.
05:04Guess they ended up together.
05:05Good for them.
05:06I got off at 4 a.m.
05:08Lights were already out.
05:09Elevator off.
05:10I stabbed the button.
05:11Make a call.
05:12A voice said behind me.
05:15The elevator was tight.
05:17You work this late every night?
05:19Till the last guest leaves.
05:21I kept my head down.
05:23He made small talk.
05:24Glanced at his watch.
05:27My girlfriend's waiting.
05:28She gets clingy.
05:29I felt it.
05:30You?
05:31No one picking you up this late?
05:34I live close.
05:36The doors opened.
05:37I bolted.
05:38Running?
05:39His voice was calm.
05:41Then it wasn't.
05:43Where are you going to run, Elena Rossi?
05:46Vanishing for four years.
05:48Fun?
05:50He stepped closer.
05:52Same sharp jaw.
05:54But the softness was gone.
05:56Now it was all blade.
05:58Accounts wiped.
06:00Number dead.
06:01Even your father's old contacts couldn't find you.
06:04Impressive.
06:05I looked up.
06:06I'm sure you heard.
06:08Why didn't you tell me?
06:10I went quiet.
06:12Too proud?
06:13Big Rossi princess?
06:15No.
06:17Vivian appeared.
06:19Elena?
06:20Oh my god.
06:21Isn't that from junior year?
06:23It's falling apart.
06:24I used to wear things once.
06:27I still use it.
06:29She pulled a card from her bag.
06:30If you're struggling, take it.
06:32Don't pay back.
06:33No.
06:35I looked at her.
06:37Then at Adrian.
06:39I'm getting married.
06:41You'll come, right?
06:42The words landed.
06:44Adrian's face went blank.
06:46The club was my side job.
06:48Days I worked at a data security firm.
06:51Monday, a client came in.
06:52Heard he's a Southside arms broker.
06:54Built that whole system to find someone.
06:56Find who?
06:57Ex-girlfriend, apparently.
07:00My stomach dropped.
07:01I walked into the meeting room with paperwork.
07:04Adrian's voice carried through the door.
07:06I'll think about the deal.
07:08I set the files down.
07:10Adrian stared.
07:12What are you doing here?
07:13Working.
07:14My boss looked between us.
07:16You two know each other?
07:17I said carefully.
07:18We've met.
07:19Adrian's jaw tightened.
07:20That's all?
07:21He pointed at me.
07:22I'll sign.
07:23On one condition.
07:24Elena comes to my team as my assistant.
07:27My boss agreed before I could speak.
07:28At 5pm, I grabbed my bag.
07:31Adrian blocked the door.
07:32I didn't dismiss you.
07:33I have somewhere to be.
07:35Where?
07:38Delivering.
07:39He stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
07:43I used to be too spoiled to touch takeout.
07:46College.
07:47Adrian ran errands for the family after class.
07:50His dinner was whatever the dispatch gave him.
07:52I found him once in some warehouse in Brooklyn,
07:55hunched over a styrofoam container with the other low-level runners.
07:59You eat this?
08:00His face was tight.
08:02Does it matter?
08:04Come on.
08:05Let's get steak.
08:07He stood outside the restaurant for a long minute.
08:10Then he took off his jacket,
08:11the one that smelled like oil and sweat,
08:14and came in.
08:16After my family fell,
08:17I understood how that moment felt.
08:20Snow.
08:21I slipped.
08:23The delivery spilled.
08:24The customer cursed me out over the phone.
08:27My palm was bleeding,
08:28cold making it worse.
08:30I kept apologizing.
08:32Adrian appeared,
08:33righted my bike.
08:35I didn't know how long he'd been watching.
08:37I hid my hand.
08:38He caught it.
08:39His voice was rough,
08:40eyes red at the rims.
08:43Go clean that.
08:45I have to deliver.
08:47Get in.
08:48I'll drive.
08:51The customer lived on the first floor.
08:53When I handed it over,
08:54the guy muttered,
08:55Since when do Porsche guys deliver?
08:57I had another order.
08:59Stop.
09:00I need the money.
09:03Then I'm buying.
09:05The app pinged.
09:07He'd placed an order.
09:10I'm buying your night.
09:13Adrian drove to his place.
09:14Townhouse in Manhattan.
09:16Security tighter than any place I'd seen.
09:19I stopped at the entrance.
09:21Vivian will be upset.
09:23Look around.
09:24Does this look like a woman's been here?
09:27You don't live together?
09:29I'm not with her.
09:31He threw a contract at me.
09:33Pure business.
09:35She ran money through his operation.
09:37In return, she played girlfriend.
09:39Kept the families from shoving women at him.
09:42He hated that.
09:44On his shelf,
09:45unopened boxes of hand cream.
09:47My old brand.
09:49I asked around at your work today.
09:50You're single.
09:51Said so yourself last week at the team thing.
09:53You lied to me.
09:54I didn't.
09:55Show me a picture.
09:57Then.
09:58Of him.
09:59Don't have one.
10:01You used to take pictures of everything.
10:04You're right.
10:05I'll take one.
10:06I'll show you next time.
10:07That got a laugh out of him.
10:09A frustrated one.
10:11He braced his hands on the sofa behind me.
10:14Caging me in.
10:15I bought your time.
10:16You know what that means?
10:17I'll refund you.
10:19I'm getting married.
10:20His hand traced down my arm.
10:22Stopped at my wrist.
10:24Getting married?
10:25Still wearing your ex's bracelet?
10:26That's appropriate?
10:28The chain was dull now.
10:31His first gift to me.
10:3319.
10:34A whole week I barely saw him.
10:36He was running all over the borough.
10:38Working every job he could get.
10:40Birthday.
10:41My parents threw a party at some expensive restaurant.
10:44I told him.
10:45He didn't come.
10:47I waited.
10:48Finally he called.
10:49Said he was outside.
10:50Snow.
10:51He stood straight in it.
10:53Jacket filthy.
10:54Like I'd been that night.
10:56I was too young to understand.
10:58I just complained he was late.
11:00He ruffled my hair.
11:02Got you something.
11:03The bracelet wasn't expensive.
11:05But it was more than he could afford.
11:07I put it on.
11:08Never took it off.
11:10My parents called me over.
11:11They didn't like him.
11:12A nobody from Brooklyn.
11:13No family to speak of.
11:15When I looked back, he was gone.
11:17I wondered sometimes.
11:19At 19, maybe he loved me.
11:21He'd run through snow for that bracelet.
11:24Fell probably.
11:25Like I had tonight.
11:27Still kept going.
11:28But now, he pinned me down.
11:30Kept my old things at his place.
11:32Did he miss me?
11:33Or did he want me to hurt?
11:35I couldn't tell.
11:37My eyes burned.
11:38Adrian saw.
11:39Panic flickered across his face.
11:41Don't cry.
11:43I'm sorry.
11:44I was just...
11:44It's your birthday.
11:4626.
11:46I got you a new one.
11:48He wiped my face with clumsy hands.
11:50What?
11:51I'd forgotten.
11:53My own birthday.
11:54He pulled out a box.
11:56You like it?
11:57He reached for my wrist.
12:00Elena, can we just...
12:02The doorbell rang.
12:03Daniel stood in the doorway.
12:05Cigarette between his lips.
12:06Elena, let's go.
12:08Who are you?
12:08Her fiance.
12:10She didn't mention me?
12:12Adrian went still.
12:13The bracelet hit the carpet.
12:16I left with Daniel.
12:18He chain-smoked windows up.
12:19I'd known him before.
12:21He'd asked me out when my family was still something.
12:23I turned him down.
12:25Every time.
12:26Last week, he showed up again.
12:28Said if I married him, he'd clear my debts.
12:31Why?
12:32To prove you picked wrong.
12:34Only I can save you.
12:35That broke kid would have just dragged you down.
12:38He wanted to marry me for his own pride.
12:40Tonight, I asked him for one thing.
12:42A call.
12:43An excuse to leave.
12:45He showed up himself.
12:47Why are you pretending?
12:48What's the difference?
12:49It's happening anyway.
12:51I haven't said yes.
12:52What other choice do you have?
12:53Wake up.
12:54Your father's out, but he's not well.
12:55Those creditors?
12:56Who else is going to take you?
12:57That guy?
12:59Your college boy.
13:00He's back to rub it in.
13:02You kept him on a leash then.
13:03Now you've got nothing.
13:05He's probably getting off on it.
13:06Not your business.
13:07It is.
13:08He took what was mine once.
13:10I get to take it back.
13:11I'm not yours, Daniel.
13:15I got out.
13:16He didn't stop me.
13:19You sure about that?
13:20Think about your father.
13:22Four years in, he can't take much more.
13:25Word got around that I was back.
13:27My old roommate, Rachel, reached out.
13:29She was getting married.
13:31Wanted me as her maid of honor.
13:33Our old promise.
13:34Wedding day.
13:35Old classmates everywhere.
13:38Rachel looked at me with tears in her eyes.
13:40Why'd you disappear?
13:42We could have helped.
13:43I looked at my feet.
13:45I didn't know how.
13:47My whole life fell apart.
13:48I couldn't face anyone looking at me like I was something to pity.
13:52So I cut everything.
13:53Every connection.
13:55Adrian lost his mind looking for you.
13:57What?
13:58He tried everything.
13:59Called everyone.
14:00Almost filed a missing persons report.
14:02When he couldn't find you, he went to your house.
14:04She saw my face and kept going.
14:05He was terrified of your parents, but he went anyway.
14:08Your whole family was gone.
14:09That was the first time I saw him break down.
14:12Sat on your front steps.
14:13Cried like a kid.
14:14Later, he heard you might be on the west coast.
14:16Went out there.
14:18Came back with nothing.
14:19That's when he started building that data system.
14:22To find you.
14:23I didn't understand.
14:24Senior year, I'd overheard him with a friend.
14:26You gonna marry Elena after graduation?
14:29No.
14:30That was what I remembered.
14:31Then my family fell.
14:33I ended it.
14:35He let me.
14:36But he'd been looking.
14:38Rachel tossed the bouquet.
14:41I wasn't paying attention.
14:42It landed in Adrian's hands.
14:45Somebody's next!
14:46Who's the lucky girl?
14:48Adrian didn't answer.
14:50He walked toward me.
14:52Held out the flowers.
14:55You've met my fiancé.
14:56I said, though he wasn't.
14:57I don't believe your taste got that bad.
15:01Maybe it did.
15:04Fine.
15:04Even if he's real.
15:06He leaned in, close enough that I felt his breath.
15:08Dump him.
15:10Come back to me.
15:11The words hit like something I couldn't name.
15:13After the ceremony, the old classmates pulled me in for drinks.
15:16I had too many.
15:17I ended up in the stairwell.
15:19Quietest place in any building.
15:21Adrian found me.
15:22What are you doing here?
15:23I turned.
15:24Mouth twisted.
15:25And I started crying.
15:27Adrian.
15:28I'm tired.
15:31He drove me home.
15:32I was crying too hard to walk, so he carried me.
15:34I'm so tired every day.
15:38When does it stop?
15:41Someone threw a drink on me last night.
15:44It wasn't even my fault.
15:46I want salmon and sweet shrimp.
15:49I'm forgetting what they taste like.
15:51I was drunk.
15:52Saying anything.
15:53He carried me to his couch.
15:55He asked.
15:55What do you see in that guy?
15:57I was barely awake.
15:59He's paying my debts.
16:01I can pay them.
16:02I know you, Elena.
16:04What you like.
16:05What you need.
16:06Just...
16:07His voice cracked.
16:08Don't disappear again.
16:09Please.
16:11I don't remember anything after that.
16:13Morning.
16:14I woke up in Adrian's bed.
16:18The table was set.
16:20Sashimi.
16:21Sweet shrimp.
16:23A plate of oranges.
16:24Cut into perfect slices.
16:27Adrian said.
16:28Took the day off for you?
16:29I sat, then shot up.
16:31You called my boss?
16:32Yeah.
16:33He's going to think.
16:36There's nothing to think.
16:38Everything between us is true.
16:40I didn't have an answer.
16:41I asked around.
16:42You switched out of engineering to make time for side jobs.
16:46Engineering pays more, but it's all over time.
16:49I make more doing three jobs than one.
16:51He peeled shrimp.
16:52Dipped it.
16:53Put it in my bowl.
16:54Just like before.
16:56Next month, you go back to engineering.
16:58Drop the rest.
17:00I don't remember the code.
17:02It's been too long.
17:04I'll teach you.
17:05In college, I wasn't great at programming.
17:07But having a genius boyfriend helped.
17:09It's really all gone.
17:12Basic stuff.
17:13I'll walk you through.
17:14He scribbled a few lines on paper.
17:16Sat next to me.
17:18After I went home.
17:19Took the train.
17:20A message came through.
17:21Stop hurting him, Elena.
17:22I stared at it.
17:24What?
17:25He's been trying to pay you back all these years.
17:28Pay back what?
17:29Money.
17:30A screenshot came through.
17:32Adrian and his college group chat.
17:35Finally paid it off.
17:36What a relief.
17:39Congrats.
17:39That's been weighing on you.
17:41My phone buzzed.
17:42Collection notice.
17:44Balance cleared.
17:45Paid by Adrian Cross.
17:48My blood went cold.
17:50I went back through everything.
17:52Finding me.
17:53Giving me the assistant job.
17:54The raise.
17:55Every word.
17:56Every move.
17:57Last night.
17:58All of it.
17:59Paying a debt.
18:00Vivian had said he hated me.
18:02Maybe that was the truth.
18:04Adrian didn't like owing anyone.
18:06That was all I'd ever been to him.
18:09A debt.
18:10My fingers shook as I typed.
18:12You paid my debt without asking?
18:14Now you don't have to work three jobs.
18:17I don't want it.
18:19You're stubborn.
18:20I should have done it sooner.
18:22Your grandfather's surgery too.
18:24I always meant to.
18:26I'll pay you back.
18:28Every dollar.
18:31Don't contact me unless it's business.
18:33He called.
18:34I didn't pick up.
18:35I took another day off.
18:36Stayed in bed.
18:38Next morning my mother said he was outside all night.
18:41I took the train to work.
18:43Adrian left his Porsche and rode with me.
18:46Night shift at the club.
18:47He took a small booth.
18:49Sat at the entrance.
18:50Watched me come and go.
18:52Days of this.
18:54I snapped.
18:56Stop following me.
18:58If I don't, you disappear.
19:01He counted on his fingers.
19:02Disappear to another city.
19:04Disappear into a stairwell.
19:06I disappear from calls.
19:07I can't relax.
19:09I said I'd pay you back.
19:11That means I'm staying.
19:13His jaw tightened.
19:14I don't want you to pay me back.
19:16He kept following.
19:18Then Friday.
19:19He didn't show.
19:21Vivian's voice was sharp on the phone.
19:24Adrian just beat someone's face in.
19:27Old Rossi had a daughter.
19:30Beautiful thing.
19:31Hard to get back then.
19:33Easy now.
19:34She's got debts.
19:35I said I'd clear them.
19:36She came running.
19:37Worth every cent.
19:38Daniel didn't see him there.
19:39Started talking.
19:40Adrian's fist connected before Daniel finished the sentence.
19:43In front of everyone.
19:45Adrian built himself from nothing.
19:48At the clinic, Vivian confronted me.
19:50No family.
19:51No backing.
19:53And now because of you.
19:55He's making enemies.
19:57She was angry.
19:58Elena.
19:58If you're not going to help him, at least stop destroying him.
20:03Destroying him?
20:05Vivian.
20:06What gives you the right to say that?
20:08She blinked.
20:09You're business partners.
20:10You said no strings.
20:12He told you that?
20:13Her face crumpled.
20:14She started crying.
20:16Real tears.
20:17Elena.
20:18I love him.
20:20You were gone.
20:21Just stay gone.
20:22Leave him to me.
20:24You love him.
20:26Yes.
20:27I let that sit.
20:29Then why were you the one who started the rumors about him in college?
20:33Vivian's face went white.
20:35I left.
20:37I didn't forget.
20:38Her eyes were wide.
20:39After Adrian and I got together,
20:41you cornered me in the bathroom.
20:43Remember what you said?
20:46How much are you paying him, Elena?
20:48I don't remember that.
20:50The name they called him.
20:52Rossi's dog.
20:53That came from you too, didn't it?
20:56No.
20:57No.
20:58You're lying.
20:59I wonder what your family's business partners would think.
21:02If they found out Vivian Chase was a bully.
21:06In college?
21:07To someone whose family had nothing.
21:09Her voice went shrill.
21:11You're making this up.
21:12I can find witnesses.
21:14Please.
21:15Please.
21:16Don't tell him.
21:17I was young.
21:18I was stupid.
21:19I love him now.
21:21I can make it up to him.
21:22She broke.
21:23You still think that was about him?
21:25You hurt me too, Vivian.
21:27I shook my head.
21:28Then I'm sorry.
21:31Just don't tell him.
21:32Don't let him know what I did.
21:34Please.
21:35I want him to see me the way he does now.
21:38The clinic curtain slid open.
21:40Adrian stood there.
21:42He'd heard everything.
21:45Vivian left like she'd been gutted.
21:47Adrian never forgot those rumors.
21:48He wasn't about to forgive.
21:50Amy.
21:52You okay?
21:53I asked.
21:54His cuts were shallow.
21:55Is this going to cost you business?
21:57He smiled.
21:58Daniel doesn't have the reach to touch me.
22:00There you are.
22:02What?
22:05The real you.
22:07Haven't heard you talk like that in a long time.
22:10Say some more.
22:11I want to hear.
22:13Screw these people.
22:15All of them.
22:16All the deals.
22:17All the games.
22:19Keep going.
22:20Everything's too expensive.
22:22I'm tired.
22:25I want to stay home and watch TV.
22:27That one sounds like it's about me.
22:30It's not.
22:31I wouldn't dare.
22:33You would.
22:35You're the only one.
22:36Sunlight on snow.
22:38We walked.
22:39I let everything out.
22:40Everything I'd held in.
22:42And then I was crying.
22:43Wait for me.
22:45I'll pay it all back.
22:46Adrian looked lost.
22:48Why are you upset?
22:48I'm sorry I paid it without telling you.
22:51But you can't just cut me off.
22:55You treated me like a debt.
22:57How am I supposed to...
22:59A debt?
23:00His face darkened.
23:01Who told you that?
23:05Vivian.
23:06Wait.
23:08I showed him the messages.
23:09He read them.
23:11His expression didn't change, but something in him went cold.
23:14That's not what I was talking about.
23:17He pulled up his own messages.
23:20A business debt.
23:21An overdue payment to a vendor.
23:24Nothing to do with me.
23:25Someone had taken the screenshot.
23:27Cut it.
23:28Made it mean something else.
23:30How did she know you were paying my debt?
23:32She deals with this stuff.
23:34I asked her how to do it without you finding out.
23:36I didn't want you to know.
23:37His jaw set.
23:38He drove us to his place.
23:41Let's clear this up.
23:42He poured coffee.
23:43I have questions.
23:44Go ahead.
23:46Why did you end it?
23:48I was a liability.
23:50Creditors.
23:51Prison.
23:52My family was finished.
23:53It made sense.
23:55Not because you were bored?
23:56I went quiet.
23:58Bored.
23:59That was what I'd said.
24:00He'd walked away after that word.
24:02I thought I was a game to you.
24:03He said slowly.
24:05Four years.
24:06Then you got tired.
24:08Your family fell.
24:10I couldn't help you.
24:11So you threw me out.
24:13I opened my mouth.
24:14He kept going.
24:16Like he was afraid of the answer.
24:18I...
24:19Even if that's true, I don't care.
24:22He showed his hand first.
24:24Elena.
24:26I've made peace with it.
24:28Even if I'm just a game to you.
24:31I want to stay in it.
24:34His eyes were dark.
24:35The same as when we were young.
24:37I processed what he said.
24:39You got it wrong.
24:41Yeah?
24:42I was angry.
24:44I never thought you were a game.
24:45I was serious about you.
24:47Angry about what?
24:50Graduation.
24:51I heard you tell someone you weren't going to marry me.
24:54He went still.
24:55Then he laughed.
24:56Not happy.
24:57Just realizing something.
24:58I said I wasn't ready.
25:00I had nothing.
25:02Family debts.
25:03No money for a ring.
25:05I was looking at rings.
25:06I just couldn't afford one.
25:08Piece by piece we fit it together.
25:10We'd both been wrong.
25:12Because we'd both been too far apart.
25:14He thought I paid his way because he was entertainment.
25:17I thought he stayed with me because he felt he owed me.
25:20Neither of us believed the other could love back.
25:24Why take help from Daniel?
25:26But not from me.
25:27He looked at me now.
25:28Because I love you.
25:31I didn't want that between us.
25:32I stopped.
25:33Now you get it.
25:34He nodded.
25:34Wait.
25:34When I told you I liked you, you liked me back?
25:37Yes, before you.
25:38The first day.
25:38You said your name.
25:39Elena Rossi.
25:40I never forgot.
25:43He'd loved me first.
25:44I just beat him to saying it.
25:45And I'd said it wrong.
25:47I offered him the thing he had the least of.
25:50Made it a transaction.
25:52So he couldn't open up.
25:53He'd said it.
25:54Plenty of times.
25:56That he loved me.
25:57No one believed him.
25:59Everyone thought it was survival.
26:01Buttering up the rich girl.
26:02Eventually I believed it too.
26:04Maybe he started to as well.
26:06Did he love Elena?
26:07Or did he love not being poor?
26:09After so many whispers.
26:11So many reminders of the gap between us.
26:13Even Adrian didn't know anymore.
26:15He cut an orange.
26:16Slowly.
26:17I thought about that night at the club.
26:20The things you said that night.
26:22You said what you said.
26:25So I said what I said.
26:27You disappear for four years.
26:29Don't answer anyone.
26:31I'm not allowed to be angry.
26:32Fair.
26:33Vivian said you hated me.
26:37He laid the last slice down.
26:39That's on me.
26:40I didn't correct her.
26:42Because I thought you were really done with me.
26:45Snow outside.
26:46Heat inside.
26:47And I understood.
26:49All that time.
26:50He'd been walking toward me.
26:52I just couldn't see it.
26:56College anniversary.
26:57We went back.
26:58Adrian was the keynote.
27:00Nothing had changed.
27:01The faces were just younger.
27:03My name tag fell.
27:05A senior picked it up.
27:06Wait.
27:07You're Elena Ramizes?
27:09You know me?
27:10I intern at Cross's firm.
27:11You're kind of famous there.
27:12I'd been to his office once.
27:14Sat in the lobby.
27:15The receptionist had the same reaction.
27:18The original code for the system.
27:20There's a line in it.
27:21You can see it if you work on that part.
27:23If you ever meet Elena Rossi, tell her I love her.
27:27Anyone who works that code sees it.
27:29The kid said.
27:31He finally found you.
27:32That's good.
27:33I stood there for a long time.
27:35After the speech, Adrian and I walked the old paths.
27:38Yes, we stopped at the library.
27:41You asked me out right there.
27:43He said.
27:44I was brave back then.
27:46He looked at the tree like he could see us there.
27:52Adrian, were you happy in college?
27:55He'd struggled, been mocked, lost things.
27:57I was happy.
27:58He said.
27:59Because of you.
28:00I thought the answer would be no.
28:01The hard parts were easier because of you.
28:04My turn now.
28:05He turned, looked down at me.
28:07Nine years.
28:08Give me a chance.
28:11I smiled.
28:13Happy New Year.
28:14Take care of me.
28:15Happy New Year, my boy.
28:17Happy New Year, my youth.
28:18We were broken.
28:19But we were still us.
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