- 4 hours ago
- #igaspedforairheheldher
I Gasped for Air, He Held Her
Liz dates Ethan for three years, believing his fear of physical contact. Yet an elevator accident exposes his lie. Betrayal, stolen designs and vicious sabotage follow. As she rebuilds her life, the regretful Ethan tries to make amends. Can broken trust ever be mended?
#IGaspedForAirHeHeldHer
Liz dates Ethan for three years, believing his fear of physical contact. Yet an elevator accident exposes his lie. Betrayal, stolen designs and vicious sabotage follow. As she rebuilds her life, the regretful Ethan tries to make amends. Can broken trust ever be mended?
#IGaspedForAirHeHeldHer
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Rain slammed against the glass walls of Walton Tower hard enough to shake the building.
00:03Then the elevator jerked violently and froze between floors.
00:07Mr. Walton, I hate elevators.
00:09It's okay.
00:10I stared at him. He never sounded like that with me.
00:13Then my chest tightened.
00:15I reached for my inhaler automatically and realized it wasn't there.
00:18I'd moved it into the side pocket of my bag that morning.
00:21Ethan, my inhaler.
00:25Please.
00:27You're scaring Teresa.
00:30Hey, look at me.
00:33I've got you.
00:34Vanilla perfume filled the elevator.
00:37The exact smell he said he hated.
00:39By the time maintenance forced the elevator doors open, my vision was already fading.
00:45I dated Ethan Walton for three years.
00:48In those three years, he never touched me.
00:50Not once.
00:51He told me the first time I leaned in to kiss him.
00:54Perfume gives me headaches.
00:56He told me he had severe contamination anxiety.
00:58He hated perfume, hated physical contact, hated the smell of skincare products on the skin.
01:04I believed him.
01:06Why wouldn't I?
01:07Ethan looked like the kind of man nobody questioned.
01:10I stopped wearing perfume.
01:12Changed the bedsheets every day because even laundry detergent bothered him.
01:15A mask was pressed over my face.
01:17Oxygen.
01:19Where's her inhaler?
01:20I pointed weakly toward my bag beside Ethan's feet.
01:23It's her personal stuff.
01:24I didn't know where it was.
01:25Even the paramedic looked stunned.
01:27When my best friend Rue arrived at the hospital, I was already hooked to a floor in the emergency room.
01:32The doctor asked Ethan to sign paperwork.
01:35He stayed outside the curtain.
01:36I'm not her family member.
01:38But she listed you as her fiancé.
01:40She's a friend.
01:41Rue looked at him like he'd lost his mind.
01:44Ethan Walton, she's been with you for three years.
01:47Teresa's frightened.
01:48I'm taking her home first.
01:50Then he walked out with Teresa in his coat.
01:52I woke up the next morning to a text message.
01:55Teresa cried all night.
01:56Don't make this harder for her.
01:58I stared at the screen silently.
02:01Rue snatched the phone from my hand.
02:03Babe, stop looking at him before I do something illegal.
02:05I laughed weakly.
02:07Rue handed me her phone.
02:08Someone from Walton's had posted a picture in the company group chat.
02:11Ethan standing outside the hospital.
02:13Teresa in the passenger seat wearing his coat.
02:16His watch on her wrist.
02:17I touched that watch once.
02:20Ethan shoved me back so hard I almost fell.
02:22Keep your hands off my watch.
02:25When I returned to Ethan's apartment that evening.
02:30Oh, Miss Brown, you're back.
02:35You just got discharged.
02:36Go shower first.
02:39You think I'm disgusting?
02:41That's not what I said.
02:43Miss Brown, it's not like that.
02:45I got a fever after the storm yesterday,
02:47so Mr. Walton let me stay the night.
02:49Why is she wearing my slippers on her feet
02:52and my necklace around her neck,
02:54enjoying everything that belongs to me?
02:56Oh, Miss Brown, it's not like that.
02:57They're slippers, Liz!
02:59I'm sorry, I didn't know they were yours.
03:01Whatever.
03:03They're ruined now anyway.
03:06The inhaler was beside your feet.
03:08Teresa was panicking.
03:11What about me?
03:12You know how to handle asthma.
03:15She doesn't.
03:16Ethan Walton, we're done.
03:18You really think your business survives without the Waltons?
03:21You'd be broke in a month.
03:25The next morning, I still went to Walton Group with my presentation.
03:29My studio's final payment from Waltons was due next month.
03:32Without it, I couldn't pay salaries.
03:34I walked into the meeting room and only saw Teresa,
03:37like she already owned the place.
03:39Miss Brown, Waltons usually goes for something more current.
03:44Remake it.
03:45The collection launches in two weeks.
03:48Work faster.
03:50Sorry, Miss Brown still smells like a hospital.
03:53It's making me a little dizzy.
03:57Open the windows.
03:58Give Teresa some space.
04:03While I was packing up to return to the studio,
04:05Teresa came in.
04:06As she passed the sample rack,
04:08coffee splashed across the rack.
04:10Dark coffee splashed directly across the centerpiece garment of my collection.
04:13My mother made that fabric before she died.
04:16What the hell?
04:18Sorry, I burnt my hand.
04:21Jesus, Liz.
04:23You could have hurt her.
04:24At this point, you're crossing a line.
04:26Your studio's off the project temporarily.
04:30Teresa's stepping onto the project.
04:32She'll assist with the transition.
04:33Back at the studio,
04:34my employees kept asking when Walton's payment was coming.
04:37I locked myself in my office and stared at the accounts until midnight.
04:41Then Ethan came in.
04:43Give Teresa the velvet collection.
04:48What?
04:48She's entering the emerging designers competition.
04:51She needs a real shot at winning.
04:53I actually laughed.
04:55You want my work handed to your intern?
04:58Liz, stop making everything emotional.
05:00The velvet collection wasn't just work.
05:02No.
05:03My mother made that fabric.
05:04You already have a business.
05:06Because of who?
05:07A voice message suddenly played from his phone.
05:10Mr. Walton, please don't fight because of me.
05:13She's being nicer to you than you've ever been to her.
05:15I actually laughed.
05:17Was he hearing himself?
05:19I went to shower because I needed a shower after that conversation.
05:22When I came back out, the study drawer was open.
05:25The file box containing my original velvet sketches was gone.
05:28I ran downstairs just as his car pulled away.
05:31I arrived backstage at the emerging designers competition.
05:34Teresa stood beneath bright camera lights holding my sketch box against her chest.
05:39My box.
05:40One of the most exciting young designers this year.
05:42The interviewer announced excitedly.
05:44The crowd applauded to push for them immediately.
05:47Teresa Shaw!
05:49Teresa's expression changed the second she saw me.
05:52You stole my work, my collection.
05:54Was anything ever enough for you?
05:56Or do you need my life too?
06:00Don't touch me!
06:01People were already staring.
06:03Phones out.
06:04Cameras recording.
06:06My mother's things are inside that box.
06:08For a second.
06:10Then suddenly she let go.
06:11The box slipped from her hands straight into a huge vat of red dye.
06:15I dropped to my knees instantly and grabbed the fabric before it disappeared under the dye.
06:19Teresa whispered softly enough only I could hear.
06:22I know exactly what's inside that box.
06:24Then Ethan arrived.
06:27Mr. Walton, Liz suddenly grabbed me.
06:30Ethan pulled her protectively behind him.
06:32That's enough.
06:34Check the surveillance footage.
06:36No, don't!
06:37I don't want to make a scene!
06:39Delete the footage.
06:40The manager hesitated.
06:42I'll handle it.
06:43I stared at him.
06:44He chose her again.
06:46Right in front of me.
06:48Then I slowly stood up holding ruined velvet against my chest.
06:51Outside the venue, giant screens lit up the night sky.
06:54Teresa Shaw, most promising young designer of the year.
06:57Inside the audience, Ethan applauded for her.
07:00That night, Ethan finally texted me.
07:03Don't be so dramatic.
07:04I'll buy you another studio.
07:10Stop being dramatic.
07:12I'll buy you another studio.
07:14I stared at the message for a long time before turning my phone face down on the table.
07:19Typical Ethan.
07:21The apartment felt strangely empty without him there.
07:24Or maybe I'd been alone the whole time.
07:26I walked into the study and turned on the printer, Walton's collaboration termination forms.
07:31Page after page slid slowly into the tray while rain tapped softly against the windows.
07:35The next afternoon, I gathered everyone from the studio together.
07:38I used my savings to pay everyone's severance.
07:41After everyone left, I sat alone in the empty office.
07:45The fabric was still stained red.
07:47My mother's stitching was barely visible now.
07:49I could barely see her stitching anymore.
07:51I placed it carefully on top of the breakup papers anyway.
07:55Rue was waiting downstairs when I finally walked out carrying one suitcase.
07:59Damn, you're really leaving him.
08:02Rue didn't try to stop me after that.
08:04She just walked with me toward the car together.
08:06On the way to the airport, Ethan was blowing up my phone.
08:09Twelve missed calls.
08:11Three years.
08:12I waited for that man to fight for me.
08:14At the boarding gate, I opened our message thread one last time.
08:17Then I typed, Ethan Walton, it's over.
08:20I pressed send without shaking, then went to the airport.
08:27Hotel first?
08:28I need to switch my number.
08:30Liz, are you really throwing everything away?
08:34I just can't go back anymore.
08:36I just can't keep living like that.
08:38Southport was the city where I interned during college.
08:40For the first time in years, I was somewhere Ethan couldn't reach me.
08:44I rented a tiny storefront in the old neighborhood near the fabric market.
08:48The entire place barely fit one sewing machine and a cutting table.
08:53What kind of business are you opening?
08:55Clothing, repairs, and laundry, too.
08:58That still pays the bills?
09:01Business was slow at first.
09:03I wasn't making much.
09:04I spent entire afternoons hemming school uniforms, fixing sleeves, shortening pants for elderly customers.
09:11One afternoon, two months later, I went to the fabric market to restock materials.
09:16An older vendor was measuring linen for me when I heard a familiar voice behind me.
09:20Do you have vintage silk jackapod?
09:25Vintage floral jack wear.
09:27I turned slightly.
09:29Ethan stood a few feet away wearing a dark coat.
09:31He looked like he hadn't slept in days.
09:33Mr. Walton, we've searched three cities already.
09:35The fabric she used in the velvet collection.
09:38Some weaving techniques disappeared decades ago.
09:41What you're looking for isn't fabric anymore.
09:44It's someone's memories.
09:45And once those are destroyed, doesn't matter how rich you are.
09:49You still want the linen, miss?
09:52Yes.
09:52Two meters.
10:01Ethan suddenly looked toward my direction.
10:04I was wearing a mask.
10:05My hair was shorter.
10:06Still, his eyes stayed fixed on me for several long seconds.
10:09So I turned and walked away first.
10:12Back at the shop, my hands shook the rest of the afternoon.
10:15The next morning, my shop received the biggest order I'd gotten so far.
10:19A company needed performance outfits altered for a corporate event and specifically requested
10:23on-site measurements.
10:24I almost refused.
10:26Then I thought about rent.
10:27So I said yes.
10:29An hour later, I walked into a conference room.
10:32The door opened behind me, and Ethan Walton walked in.
10:37I froze.
10:38So did he.
10:40Mr. Walton, this is the tailor I mentioned.
10:43Her work is excellent.
10:45If Mr. Walton feels uncomfortable, you can replace me.
10:49No need.
10:50I kept my distance while taking measurements.
10:52The tape brushed across his shoulder line.
10:55My fingers barely got close before he suddenly spoke.
10:58Your voice sounds familiar.
11:01People say that all the time.
11:03He lowered his eyes toward me slowly.
11:05I pulled the tape back immediately.
11:07After finishing the measurements, I turned to leave and Ethan spoke behind me.
11:11Send me the fabric supplier's info.
11:14I had barely reached my shop when my landlord called.
11:20Liz, come back quickly.
11:21The whole street's getting redeveloped.
11:23What?
11:24They said Walton Group bought the property nearby.
11:27Most of us may have to leave.
11:28That night, I started packing the shop quietly.
11:32They might not kick us out right away.
11:34Don't panic.
11:35I was thinking about moving somewhere quieter anyway.
11:38I don't understand relationships between young people.
11:41But that Walton man came yesterday.
11:43He just stood out there staring at the shop.
11:46Never came in.
11:47He asked me if you were doing well.
11:51I told him you finally started looking alive again, so he should stop bothering you.
12:00The next morning, I left Southport before sunrise.
12:03My new shop tucked into a quiet neighborhood street.
12:06Every morning, the first customers were usually mothers bringing school uniforms for alterations.
12:11The sleeves are too long.
12:13The waist doesn't fit anymore.
12:15My son needs this tomorrow.
12:17Can you rush it?
12:18I never turned them away.
12:19After a while, older customers started coming in too.
12:22One grandmother brought me an old wool coat and carefully placed it on the table.
12:26My husband loved this coat on me.
12:29But the buttons broke.
12:31I replaced them one by one while she watched.
12:34When I handed it back, she smoothed her hand over the fabric again and again.
12:39Young lady, old things still matter.
12:43Take care of them, and they last.
12:46People throw things away too easily now.
12:49That evening, the shop door opened again.
12:55Liz, so this is where you disappeared to.
13:00How did you find me?
13:02People talk?
13:03Your work's good?
13:05I'm here as a customer.
13:07That's not a problem, is it?
13:09I'm not taking your order.
13:12Liz, relax.
13:13I'm not here to fight.
13:16I came here to apologize.
13:18The competition.
13:20I know I crossed a line.
13:22But at the time, I wanted one real opportunity.
13:26So you stole my work?
13:27You had everything.
13:29Talent, studios, Ethan.
13:31You were already chosen.
13:33I had nothing.
13:34Most people would have stayed broken.
13:36But you just keep starting over.
13:38You always land on your feet somehow.
13:41How do you always survive?
13:44Did you know my mother's fabric was destroyed while Ethan was clapping for you?
13:48Liz, people move on.
13:50Ethan's not doing well either.
13:53He's still looking for you.
13:55If you really believed he chose you, you wouldn't be sitting in my shop trying to see whether
13:59I still care.
14:00You want to know if I still hate you?
14:03If I still hurt?
14:04If I still react when his name comes up?
14:06You act so above this!
14:08But if you truly moved on, why won't you even touch my clothes?
14:13Because I think they're dirty.
14:15Get out.
14:16Small businesses survive on reviews, don't they?
14:20I'm just saying, you should be careful who you piss off.
14:28Three hours later, local marketing accounts started reposting my shop information online.
14:33Then screenshots from a local Facebook groups appeared on local forums.
14:36She ruined my dress and refused compensation.
14:39Terrible attitude toward elderly customers.
14:42None of the damaged clothing belonged to actual orders from my shop.
14:45I filed reports immediately.
14:47The platform response was automatic.
14:49This may take several business days.
14:52At 11 that night, Rue called me.
14:56Liz, those posts are spreading fast.
14:58People online are saying they're coming to your shop tomorrow.
15:01Call the police.
15:02I will.
15:04But if Teresa's doing this, this isn't about reviews anymore.
15:07You really think it's her?
15:10Besides Teresa, nobody else would spend money trying to ruin me.
15:14The next morning.
15:15Look at this, everyone.
15:17This place ruined my dress.
15:21$3,000 gone.
15:23And she refused to pay for it.
15:25I pulled the metal shutter open fully.
15:28That dress was never altered here.
15:30You hear that?
15:31She's denying it already.
15:34Every customer order is registered.
15:36Names, numbers, everything's documented.
15:39Tell me when you place the order and I'll check it right now.
15:41And who knows whether you deleted the records beforehand.
15:44Bet she scams people all the time.
15:46Knew this place looked shady.
15:49Oh, now you want police?
15:51Everyone look.
15:52She's threatening customers now.
15:56Former designer dropped by Walton Group after plazerism controversy.
16:01Everything around me blurred for a second.
16:03I thought I'd escaped that story.
16:08What?
16:09Feeling guilty?
16:10Someone suddenly threw a bucket of filthy water toward the storefront.
16:19Don't touch those.
16:20A man shoved into the store and yanked open one of the cabinets.
16:24Maybe she hides stolen clothes in here.
16:26If you touch anything else, I'll press charges.
16:30Yesterday, the old man handed it to me carefully.
16:33My wife's memorial ceremony is next week.
16:35She always liked me dressed properly.
16:38Blood spread across my hand instantly.
16:39But I barely felt it.
16:41Because one of the garments lying on the floor was an elderly customer's funeral jacket.
16:47This one.
16:48You can't touch this one.
16:49Everyone seeing this?
16:50She's protecting it this much.
16:52Looks suspicious to me.
16:55How much did they pay you to come here?
16:58Don't accuse people of things you can't prove.
17:00Then stay here when the police check your bank transfers.
17:07Stop changing the subject.
17:09Either you compensate me today or get on your knees and apologize.
17:14And maybe I won't let them destroy your shop.
17:19I didn't do anything wrong.
17:21Tear the place apart.
17:23A hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder and slammed him hard against the wall.
17:27Someone ripped the live stream phone out of the woman's hand and shut it off.
17:30What the hell is this?
17:31You can't just take my phone?
17:36Full order records.
17:38Surveillance backups.
17:39Records showing who got paid.
17:41They've already been submitted to the police.
17:43And if you touch her again, you're going to jail.
17:46Ethan finally looked at my bleeding hand.
17:48His voice dropped lower.
17:50Liz.
17:52Don't call me that.
17:55The police began separating people for questioning while the lawyers photographed the destroyed shop and documented everything.
18:01The live stream woman was still trying to defend herself while officers questioned her.
18:05I was just helping consumers protect their rights.
18:07She received payment through burner accounts.
18:09We also recovered messages instructing participants what to say during the live stream.
18:14She organized fake complaint groups and coordinated the live stream harassment.
18:19I'm just hired staff.
18:21I didn't know it would become this serious.
18:24We already traced who paid everyone involved.
18:26Teresa Shaw.
18:28Of course it was Teresa.
18:29Nothing about this surprised me anymore.
18:31Ethan couldn't look me in the eye.
18:33For the first time since I met him, I saw something close to disgust directed at himself instead of me.
18:37I'll handle this.
18:41No.
18:42Your people already got what they came for.
18:44You can leave now.
18:47Let me see your hand.
18:49Don't.
18:52You used to act like I was dirty.
18:56Now it's my turn.
18:59In the elevator that day, I saw your inhaler.
19:05I knew you couldn't breathe.
19:07I could have helped you.
19:08But I chose not to.
19:10I watched you struggle.
19:12So?
19:13So I don't have an excuse.
19:15I was cruel.
19:18I'm not a germaphobe.
19:21At least not the way you thought.
19:25What now?
19:26You want me to feel sorry for you?
19:28No.
19:28I'm going to tell you I was wrong.
19:31My mom used to wear this perfume.
19:33After she left, I couldn't stand the smell anymore.
19:37And after that, for years, certain smells just made me angry.
19:41I pushed everyone away.
19:43His fingers tightened at his sides.
19:45I called it contamination anxiety because it sounded easier than admitting I was broken.
19:49And I said nothing.
19:50So everyone around me adjusted.
19:53What about Teresa?
19:56At first, I thought she made me better.
19:59Turns out I was wrong.
20:00She cried about being abandoned.
20:02Needed reassurance constantly.
20:04Looked at me like I was saving her.
20:05And I liked it.
20:07I liked being needed.
20:08Liked feeling important to someone weaker than me.
20:10But after you left, I realized I wasn't healed.
20:15I was just feeding the ugliest parts of myself.
20:21Competition footage.
20:22They missed the cloud backups.
20:24The files deleted on site were only local copies.
20:27There's footage of Teresa taking your designs.
20:31The payment records.
20:32The fake review accounts.
20:33Everything.
20:34Everything.
20:38It'll all be released publicly.
20:40I know it won't replace the original.
20:42I didn't know what else to do.
20:43Small stitch swatches attached page by page.
20:46I opened it slowly.
20:47The very first page held a recreation of my mother's fabric pattern.
20:51Ethan, it's not just the fabric that can't be restored.
20:53I said, What about the background?
20:53I can read the house.
20:54I heard that.
20:56I can read the house.
20:56I can read the house echo.
20:56I see that.
20:56I can read the house on Instagram.
20:57There is so much help.
20:57I can read the house.
20:57You
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