- 4 weeks ago
My Secret Online Boyfriend is Esports God
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I'm a freshman computer science student at H University, who is considered the most innocent girl on campus, but I
00:07have a secret.
00:08Every night at midnight, someone sends me voice messages, he calls me baby, remembers my period before I do.
00:15Fight strangers online who trash talk me and begs to meet in person while I keep saying no.
00:20Until I saw the live stream of Julian Blackwood, who is the country's most arrogant and popular esports god.
00:27He took my favorite tulip. His long eyelashes looked damp.
00:32Baby, I know you're watching. Stop hiding in my headphones and let me be yours in the flesh.
00:39It all started here. After a fight with my parents, I ran away from home to seek refuge with my
00:45brother.
00:46Alexander Hayes had no choice but to bring me back to his training base.
00:50A few boys who were originally playing games immediately gathered around.
00:55Alexander, you're such a dog. How could you lay your hands on someone so young?
01:00Alexander kicked the boy.
01:03Shut up. This is my actual biological sister.
01:06My brother gently rubbed my head.
01:09Chloe Hayes, say hi.
01:12Hello.
01:13I spoke obediently, quietly fixing the bangs that Alexander had messed up.
01:18The boys instantly turned into cavemen.
01:20Oh my god, her voice is so sweet. My heart is pounding like crazy.
01:25Alexander waved them off in disgust, shielding me behind him.
01:29Go pound somewhere else.
01:30My sister's voice is naturally like this.
01:33The door to the training room was pushed open.
01:36Julian Blackwood is here.
01:38The boys instantly dropped their smiles, returned to their seats, and put on their headsets.
01:43Seeing who it was, my brother's expression changed slightly.
01:46The man's gaze lingered on my pink pleated skirt for a few seconds, his voice as cold as his looks.
01:52Everyone, three hours of extra practice.
01:54No one dared to make a sound.
01:56The atmosphere fell into dead silence.
01:59Fly team captain, Julian.
02:01The country's top eSports star, with a face that rivaled...
02:10Sensing the man's gaze, I bit the bullet and stepped forward.
02:15Sensing the man who just told me to stop acting...
02:16Julian lowered his eyes, his voice flat.
02:19Speak properly. Stop acting cute.
02:22I stood there, frozen.
02:24His words hit like ice water.
02:27But I couldn't look away from that face.
02:29Then my pocket buzzed.
02:3399 new notifications.
02:36All from the same pinned contact.
02:37My online boyfriend wouldn't stop messaging me.
02:41And the man who just told me to stop acting cute was still staring at me like I was something
02:45disgusting.
02:47After Julian left, Alexander patted my shoulder comfortingly.
02:52Chloe, don't take it to heart.
02:54Julian isn't a bad guy.
02:55He just naturally dislikes girls with sweet styles.
02:58The others chimed in.
03:00Don't be sad.
03:02Julian hates the cutesy voice and princess dresses, but...
03:05We all love them.
03:06Yeah, you're so cute.
03:09Let's add each other on WhatsApp.
03:11Alexander went into defense mode again.
03:14Final warning.
03:15My sister just started her freshman year of college.
03:20She's very innocent, so don't even think about it.
03:23Then he looked at me, speaking with earnest intent.
03:26Chloe, ignore these punks.
03:28If they're friends with your brother, they can't be any good.
03:30The others curled their lips.
03:33Maybe your sister already has a boyfriend and just hasn't told you.
03:36My heart skipped a beat.
03:38I gripped my phone tightly, blocking the endless stream of new messages popping up from my online boyfriend.
03:46That night, I stubbornly refused to go home, and Alexander was worried about me staying in a hotel alone.
03:52He found an empty bedroom at the base and set it up simply for me.
03:56Chloe, I'm staying right next door.
03:59Call me if you need anything.
04:00Okay, thanks, Alexander.
04:02After closing the door, I finally dared to open my phone.
04:06The unread messages from my pinned contact showed 99+.
04:10Baby, we haven't played our duo matches today.
04:13Baby, it's been two hours.
04:15I, I miss you a little.
04:17Baby, did you go eat dinner?
04:19It's okay, I'll wait for you.
04:22Baby, someone on the forum just said that if a girlfriend doesn't reply for over three hours, it means she
04:28found someone new.
04:29They're crazy, they're crazy, I don't believe that at all.
04:33I was just feeling quite relieved.
04:35I clicked on the next voice message.
04:38The man's deliberately deepened, raspy voice sounded.
04:42Baby, is that guy better than me?
04:44Will he buy you a full set of skins?
04:47Can he remember your period?
04:49Does he have an eight-pack?
04:53Transfer, 1314.
04:56Transfer, 5200.
04:58Baby, do, do you still want me?
05:01I quickly typed to comfort him.
05:04Don't overthink it.
05:04I went to see my brother and didn't have time to check my phone.
05:07He was so excited that he made several typos.
05:11Hehe, I knew baby still loves me.
05:13Baby, why do you seem a bit unhappy?
05:15Although I didn't know how he could tell I was in a bad mood from just one short sentence.
05:20I had a fight with my parents, and my brother's friend seems to hate me a little.
05:25He was filled with righteous indignation.
05:27Does he hate you?
05:28Does he even deserve to?
05:30How could anyone be so blind?
05:33What he needs right now is to take a piss and look at his own reflection.
05:37Next time that guy runs his mouth, I'll curse him out for you.
05:42My online boyfriend's trash-talking skills were the best I had ever seen.
05:47During the summer break after the college entrance exams, I played games with a vengeance.
05:53After winning over a dozen matches, I was matched with a small group.
05:57Their skills were absolute trash.
05:59I played my heart out.
06:01But I still couldn't turn the tide.
06:03After a narrow defeat, the group accused me and another guy of dragging them down.
06:08I had never been good at arguing.
06:10I barely managed a few words before they harshly cut me off.
06:14Just as I was about to swallow my anger once again, the guy who had been silent spoke up faintly.
06:20I've seen toilets and bathrooms, but I've never seen one in someone's mouth.
06:25The group got anxious.
06:28Why are you cursing at people?
06:30I'm not cursing at people.
06:32The group was sarcastic.
06:34You're defending her so much.
06:35Are you her simp?
06:36Well, you guys are so good at tossing the blame.
06:40Are you chefs?
06:41The man fought one against three, not losing ground in the slightest.
06:45The group was roasted so badly they apologized dejectedly before leaving.
06:50Later, we bumped into each other a few more times by chance and naturally added each other on WhatsApp.
06:57I realized something about the man.
06:59Although he had a sharp tongue, he was actually a sweet puppy who knew exactly how to coax people.
07:05After a long silence, he suddenly acted cute.
07:09Baby, I want to see you.
07:11I tried to change the subject.
07:13You said you have an eight-pack, is that true?
07:15He sent a shy sticker.
07:17If I do, can we meet?
07:19I hesitated.
07:21What if you don't like me after we meet?
07:23How is that possible?
07:24Am I crazy?
07:25Baby, no matter what you look like, definitely, I will first and for being for first sight.
07:32He had begged to meet at least a dozen times, and I had brushed off every single one with half
07:38-hearted excuses.
07:39I hesitated for a long time, not knowing what to reply.
07:43Looking at my low battery, I decided to go find my brother to borrow a charging cable first.
07:48I opened the door and bumped right into a wall of a man.
07:52I looked up and met Julian's cold eyes.
07:55The hallway was dark.
07:58It was just the two of us.
08:00At such an intimate distance, the visual impact of the man's exquisite features was incredibly strong.
08:06Thin eyelids, thick and delicate eyelashes, and a tiny mole on his high-bridged nose.
08:11Striking and bold, my heart was still pounding from the collision.
08:15I could smell the faint scent of his shower gel, clean and sharp.
08:19Bro.
08:21Hello Julian.
08:22I changed my words at the last second.
08:25Glancing nervously at my Lotso Bear slip nightgown and the matching bow in my hair.
08:30It was the standard sweetheart outfit he hated the most.
08:34His gaze swept over me from head to toe.
08:36That one look made me want to sink into the floor.
08:40I held my breath.
08:41He didn't say anything else.
08:43He just turned and walked away, leaving me standing there in my ridiculous nightgown, heart still racing.
08:51Julian's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
08:55Chloe, you can live here, but we need to set some ground rules.
09:00Okay.
09:02I blinked, surprised that he actually knew my name.
09:06First, don't try to get close to me.
09:10I have no interest in making friends with kids.
09:13Second, unless necessary, keep communication and encounters to a minimum.
09:20I nodded.
09:22Third, don't act cute all the time.
09:26I watched Julian's back as he headed toward the bathroom.
09:30My brother came out of his room after seeing my message and handed me the charging cable.
09:36Chloe, was Julian mean to you again?
09:38I shook my head.
09:41Alexander yawned.
09:42Julian just doesn't know how to speak softly.
09:44A lot of girls who confessed to him in the past ended up crying from anger.
09:49Be a good girl, let's just ignore him from now on.
09:54Go to sleep.
09:55Julian disappeared into the bathroom.
09:58The same bathroom where my boyfriend always sent his voice messages from late at night.
10:04Back in my bedroom, my online boyfriend sent a photo.
10:08Long, slender fingers lifted the hem of his shirt, the knuckles tinged with a faint pink.
10:14Under the dim light, his abs looked even more defined.
10:17Further down, the image grew darker, showing a distinct bulge.
10:22As a good girl who grew up in a village with her grandparents.
10:30Flushing, I buried my face in the pillow.
10:33Only after a long while did I offer my praise.
10:37It's very big.
10:39Alexander had been obsessed with working out recently,
10:42occasionally asking me to feel if his biceps were big.
10:45So, praising a guy for having big muscles shouldn't be wrong, right?
10:51It's alright, just 18.
10:52I was confused.
11:00Or was I overthinking this whole thing?
11:02I stared at the chat screen, my face still warm.
11:07The screen kept showing my online boyfriend was typing.
11:14Baby, so, you actually care about this?
11:17Actually, what I meant just now was the dormant.
11:20State.
11:2121 isn't impossible if I try hard enough.
11:23You can inspect the goods after we meet in person.
11:26If I'm lying, I won't be able to lift my head for the rest of my life.
11:30And I don't mean the head up.
11:33Looking at this completely disjointed conversation,
11:36I finally realized what he meant.
11:39The heat in my cheeks, which had finally gone down, flared up again.
11:43I silently cursed.
11:45What a closet flirt.
11:47I hurriedly typed back,
11:49Good night.
11:51That night, I didn't sleep well.
11:57In my dream, under the relentless pleading of my online boyfriend,
12:01I agreed to meet in person.
12:03But when I arrived at the private cinema,
12:05he was nowhere to be seen.
12:07Just as I was getting unbearably anxious,
12:10someone suddenly patted my shoulder.
12:13I turned around happily,
12:14but I didn't see my clingy puppy.
12:16Instead, I saw Julian's fierce, handsome face.
12:20I subconsciously tried to escape,
12:22but the man pulled me back into the seat,
12:24trapping me between his arms.
12:26And slowly leaned in,
12:28an overwhelming sense of dominance completely enveloped me.
12:32Chloe, want to inspect the goods?
12:36I jolted awake.
12:37While washing up,
12:38I didn't know if it was the lingering effect of the nightmare.
12:42But I couldn't shake the feeling that the base's bathroom
12:45looked unusually similar to something.
12:47The background of the abs photo my online boyfriend,
12:50sent last night.
12:52During advanced math class,
12:54my brother sent a WhatsApp message.
12:57Chloe, Julian is treating us to a big meal today.
13:01Don't go to the cafeteria after school.
13:03I'll come pick you up later.
13:05Thinking of my three-point agreement with Julian,
13:08I was just about to politely decline.
13:11Alexander sent a voice message.
13:13My phone is about to die.
13:14Don't wander off from the gate.
13:16I'll be there soon.
13:17I had no choice.
13:22Julian stopped in front of me,
13:24drawing envious glances from many passing students.
13:27I had no mood to admire the luxury car,
13:30looking around for Alexander's electric scooter,
13:32until the owner of the luxury car rolled down the window
13:35and spoke coldly.
13:37Chloe, your brother got detained for not wearing a helmet.
13:40Even with sunglasses on,
13:41Julian was still recognized.
13:43A few nearby students screamed his name and rushed over.
13:49Julian!
13:50It's actually Julian!
13:51I'm your fan!
13:55Get in.
13:56I was just about to pull the passenger door open
13:59when the man reminded me.
14:00Get in the back.
14:01After I took my seat,
14:03Julian lightly stepped on the gas pedal
14:05and made an apologetic gesture to the fanatic fans.
14:08The passenger seat is reserved for my wife.
14:13It sounded like an explanation,
14:15but also like a flex.
14:17Oh.
14:18I nervously pinched the bow on my skirt,
14:21racking my brain for a response.
14:23She must be very beautiful, right?
14:26The man stayed silent for a moment,
14:29his voice deep.
14:31She's quite shy.
14:32We haven't met in person yet.
14:35But no matter what she looks like,
14:37she's the most beautiful in my heart.
14:39My brother once mentioned that Julian
14:41came from a prominent family with immense wealth.
14:44Playing esports was purely a personal hobby for him.
14:47For a princeling like him to have a relationship
14:50without ever meeting,
14:51it must be an arranged business marriage.
14:54There's no way he's doing the online dating thing like me.
14:58Seeing Julian look a bit lonely,
15:00I clumsily comforted him.
15:02Maybe you've already met,
15:04you just didn't recognize each other.
15:06Impossible.
15:08People in love have a connection.
15:10I would definitely recognize her at first glance.
15:13Talking about his girlfriend,
15:14the corners of Julian's lips curled up slightly,
15:18revealing a faint smile that was drop-dead gorgeous.
15:21But when his gaze fell on me,
15:23the temperature suddenly dropped.
15:25Alexander said you're a fan of mine?
15:29How could my brother,
15:30that big mouth,
15:32blab about everything?
15:33Find another esports player to like.
15:35I hope you understand.
15:37My girlfriend
15:38definitely wouldn't want me having a female fan
15:41who stares straight at me
15:42for more than 10 seconds every time.
15:46Sorry.
15:48I awkwardly looked away.
15:50We arrived at the dinner spot in silence.
15:53After getting out of the car,
15:54the boys surrounded me.
15:56Without Alexander to block them,
15:58their attentiveness left me a bit overwhelmed.
16:03Chloe,
16:04while your brother isn't here,
16:05let's add each other on WhatsApp,
16:07okay?
16:07I recognized him as the guy
16:09who had been the most enthusiastic toward me
16:11when we first met,
16:12Jason Smith.
16:14The others let out meaningful laughs.
16:16Julian,
16:16we're reporting this.
16:17There's a toad hitting on Chloe.
16:19I also instinctively looked toward Julian for help.
16:22Dating isn't banned on the team.
16:24No need to report to me.
16:25Julian didn't even bat an eyelid,
16:27his well-defined fingers tapping on his phone screen.
16:30At the same time,
16:32my WhatsApp kept popping up with messages
16:34from my online boyfriend.
16:36Baby,
16:36you forgot your good morning kiss today.
16:41By the way, baby,
16:42I recently met a girl
16:44whose voice sounds a bit like yours.
16:45But don't worry,
16:46I never even looked her in the eye.
16:48My finger hovered over the screen.
16:50A girl whose voice sounds like mine,
16:53he never even looked her in the eye?
16:55My boyfriend's next messages
16:57came through one after another.
16:59She's obviously putting on a cutesy voice on purpose.
17:02It's nowhere near as nice as my baby's natural voice.
17:05I thought of how Julian told me to stop acting cute.
17:08How he refused to look at me.
17:10How he had no interest in making friends with kids.
17:12A strange feeling crept into my chest,
17:15but I shook it off before it could take shape.
17:17There was no way.
17:18Absolutely no way.
17:20Baby,
17:21aren't I amazing?
17:22Can you reward your good boy with a hug in person?
17:26Day N of wanting to meet you in real life.
17:28I stared at the screen for a long time.
17:31Somewhere in this city,
17:32my boyfriend was counting the days
17:34until we could finally meet.
17:36And I still had no idea that we already had.
17:39Or that the man who told me to stop acting cute
17:41was counting them too.
17:44Waiting for the food was incredibly boring.
17:46Jason and the others suggested playing a round of a game
17:50and invited me to join.
17:51My polite refusal failed,
17:53so I had to pause the chat with my boyfriend.
17:56I'm out with friends right now.
17:57I'll text you later tonight.
17:59The other side instantly turned into a whiny baby.
18:02Baby,
18:03how many friends?
18:05Guys or girls?
18:06It's okay,
18:06I'm not jealous,
18:07just asking casually.
18:08Me,
18:09five or six?
18:10All guys?
18:12The next second,
18:13Julian suddenly stood up from his chair with a swoosh,
18:16startling me.
18:17A teammate turned to Julian,
18:19suggesting he add me as a friend in the game
18:21and play a round together.
18:23I couldn't help but feel a bit expectant too.
18:25As a former fan of his skills,
18:27I couldn't resist wanting to seize the chance
18:30to play a game with my idol.
18:31I don't play casual matches.
18:34I showed my game screen,
18:37trying to prove myself.
18:38Actually,
18:39my skills are okay.
18:40I bow-heat drag you down.
18:42Take a look.
18:44Sorry,
18:44I don't add the opposite sex.
18:47Also,
18:48don't forget our three rules.
18:51Julian didn't even deign to glance at my phone.
18:54But his gaze did drift toward it for a split second.
18:57My screen was still lit up from my last message to my boyfriend.
19:02Baby,
19:02I miss you so much.
19:04I quickly turned the phone face down on the table.
19:07Did he see that?
19:08He got up and went outside,
19:10showing off his self-discipline in this manner.
19:12This answer was expected by the teammates.
19:16Don't be sad,
19:16Chloe.
19:17Even without Julian,
19:18the rest of us can carry you.
19:20Jason noticed my disappointment
19:22and leaned in close to my ear
19:23to comfort me in a low voice.
19:25I subconsciously dodged him.
19:28I don't really like close contact with people
19:30I'm not familiar with.
19:31Chloe,
19:32Alexander said you never play games,
19:34so let's start with the easiest.
19:36Jason stopped mid-sentence
19:37and looked at me in disbelief.
19:39Wait,
19:40Chloe,
19:41your in-game playtime
19:42is even longer than mine.
19:44I play in secret.
19:47Don't tell my brother.
19:48Jason's mouth twitched,
19:50and he gave a dry laugh.
19:53You're quite a unique good girl,
19:55aren't you?
19:56The match ended.
19:58The boys looked at me
19:59with a mix of excitement
20:00and astonishment.
20:02Holy crap!
20:03It's like watching Juliet
20:04uproot a weeping willow
20:06in real life.
20:07Chloe,
20:08with such an innocent face,
20:10how is your play style so brutal?
20:13You've got a bit of Julian's vibe.
20:16It's a pussy Julian didn't join just now,
20:18otherwise he'd definitely
20:20change his mind about you.
20:21Alexander arrived late,
20:23holding a traffic ticket
20:24and a newly bought green helmet.
20:26The boys loyally changed the subject,
20:29not mentioning a word
20:30about my gaming,
20:31after we had our fill
20:33of food and drinks.
20:34Back at the base,
20:36everyone gathered in twos and threes,
20:38laughing and messing around.
20:40Only the air around Julian
20:41was terrifyingly heavy.
20:43Ever since he got back,
20:45he had been staring at his phone,
20:47looking as if he wanted
20:48to burn a hole through it.
20:50Alexander was clueless.
20:52Who pissed off Julian?
20:54No idea,
20:55but anyone who can make
20:56our Julian this flustered
20:57is definitely a badass.
20:58I worship him.
21:00Let's all be careful today.
21:01Nobody walk into the line of fire.
21:03Alexander looked at me and warned.
21:06Especially you, Chloe.
21:07Stay out of Julian's way.
21:10By the way, Chloe,
21:12you've been out for a few days now.
21:14When do you plan to go home
21:15and apologize to mom and dad?
21:17I hung my head,
21:19staying silent.
21:20Alexander sighed.
21:22Chloe,
21:23you've always been the most obedient
21:24since we were kids.
21:25Why do you have to be
21:26so stubborn about this?
21:28Alexander,
21:29I'm a little sleepy.
21:30I gave Alexander a sweet smile,
21:32then headed straight back
21:34to the bedroom.
21:35In just the time it took to eat,
21:37my online boyfriend
21:38had sent over a dozen messages.
21:40I patiently typed back
21:42to each one.
21:43He sent a crying meme.
21:45Baby wifey,
21:46I lied.
21:46I'm jealous,
21:47I care a lot,
21:48and I'm super duper
21:49incredibly unhappy.
21:50The wild men out there
21:52are all bad news,
21:54absolutely do not
21:55give them your contact infos.
21:57Too late,
21:58Jason had already
21:59added my WhatsApp.
22:00Besides,
22:01wasn't he also a wild man
22:03who relentlessly pestered me
22:04for my WhatsApp back then?
22:06He forgot his roots so quickly,
22:08my online boyfriend
22:09was so mad
22:10he couldn't even type properly.
22:12Why didn't anyone
22:13help you reject the harassment?
22:14If I were there,
22:15I definitely wouldn't
22:16have let him succeed.
22:19During the party,
22:20I secretly drank
22:21quite a bit of the whiskey
22:22Julian brought.
22:23I wasn't usually a drinker,
22:25but everyone kept toasting.
22:28Julian's teammates
22:29were so enthusiastic.
22:30I lost track
22:32of how many glasses I'd had.
22:33By midnight,
22:35my head was spinning,
22:36in the early morning,
22:37my mouth was terribly dry.
22:39I went to the living room
22:41to pour a glass of water.
22:42Half asleep,
22:44I gradually pushed open
22:45the ajar bedroom door
22:46and prepared to go back to sleep.
22:48The sheets felt different,
22:50cooler.
22:50They smelled faintly of cologne.
22:52My drunk brain
22:53didn't register any of this
22:55when I rolled over,
22:56my arm bumped into something hard.
22:58Following a muffled groan,
23:00I was forcefully lifted
23:01from the bed
23:02like a little chick.
23:03Forced awake,
23:04I looked around
23:05at the luxurious decor.
23:07Then at the man's gloomy face,
23:09my hungover brain
23:10instantly sobered up.
23:13Julian was only wearing shorts.
23:15The muscle lines
23:17of his bare upper body
23:18were as smooth
23:19and handsome as a sculpture.
23:21A silver necklace
23:22at his collarbone
23:23gleamed with a cold light,
23:25further highlighting
23:26his long, fair neck.
23:28His Adam's apple
23:29even had a faint pink flush.
23:31His lean waist
23:32didn't have an ounce
23:33of extra fat.
23:34And further down was.
23:36I squeezed my eyes shut.
23:38I looked at my own palm,
23:40still feeling the phantom sensation
23:42of what I'd touched.
23:43Recalling the sensation
23:45just now,
23:46a layer of cold sweat
23:47broke out on my forehead.
23:49The number 21
23:50inexplicably popped
23:51into my head.
23:53Chloe.
23:54Julian casually grabbed
23:55a white t-shirt
23:56and pulled it on,
23:57every word seemingly
23:58squeezed through his teeth.
24:02I'm sorry.
24:03I think I walked
24:04into the wrong room.
24:05My legs went weak
24:06from fear.
24:07My brain completely
24:08short-circuited.
24:09I could only mutter
24:11I'm sorry
24:11over and over again.
24:13Get out.
24:14Julian forced down
24:15his emotions.
24:16I had just touched
24:17the doorknob
24:18when Alexander
24:19pushed open
24:20the bedroom door.
24:21I quickly darted
24:22back to Julian's bed,
24:24covering myself
24:24tightly with the blanket.
24:26Julian,
24:27that batch of air-freated
24:28tulips you bought
24:29is almost here.
24:30The boss wants you
24:31to give him
24:32a specific address.
24:33Hiding under the covers,
24:34I didn't even dare
24:35to breathe.
24:36Got it.
24:37Julian,
24:38you've never liked
24:39flowers and plants.
24:40Alexander's footsteps
24:41suddenly drew closer.
24:43Don't tell me
24:44you're giving them
24:45to a girl.
24:46Julian gave a soft.
24:48Hmm.
24:49As if he had just
24:50stumbled upon
24:51the juiciest gossip,
24:52Alexander flopped
24:53onto the bed in shock,
24:55crushing my foot.
24:56What the hell?
24:57It moves!
24:58Julian,
25:00did you get a pet?
25:02None of your
25:03damn business.
25:05Get lost
25:06and go train.
25:08Alexander had just
25:09started getting
25:09suspicious when
25:10Julian forcefully
25:11shoved him out
25:12the door.
25:13The man pulled
25:14back the blanket.
25:15My face was
25:16flushed red
25:17from holding my breath.
25:18My hair was
25:19a tangled mess
25:20and I gasped
25:21heavily for air.
25:22How long are you
25:23planning to stay
25:23in my bed?
25:25I didn't mean to.
25:27Julian's expression
25:28shifted slightly.
25:30Acting cute
25:30won't work.
25:31Pack your bags
25:32and move out
25:33before tonight.
25:33After such a huge
25:34misunderstanding,
25:35even if Julian
25:37didn't kick me out,
25:38I wouldn't have
25:39the face to keep
25:40living under the
25:40same roof as him
25:41anyway.
25:42When my brother
25:43found out I was
25:44moving out,
25:45he just assumed
25:46I had figured
25:46things out.
25:47That I had finally
25:48stopped throwing a
25:49tantrum at our
25:50parents.
25:51Chloe,
25:53let's keep in touch.
25:55Jason reluctantly
25:56waved his phone,
25:57revealing my tulip
25:58profile picture.
25:59Alexander rolled up
26:01his sleeves.
26:02Oh, you're dead,
26:03Jason.
26:03You've got some nerve
26:04hitting on my sister
26:06behind my back.
26:07She's just a kid.
26:08The two of them
26:09chased each other
26:10around, and the
26:11others simply stopped
26:12training altogether.
26:13When one person is
26:15in trouble, everyone
26:16else just adds to
26:17the chaos.
26:18I silently backed
26:19away from the
26:20battlefield.
26:20When people feel
26:22helpless, they
26:23automatically revert
26:24to kindergartners
26:25waiting to be picked
26:25up, subconsciously
26:27seeking comfort from
26:28the person they like.
26:29Staring at the chat
26:30window with my
26:31online boyfriend, I
26:33gathered my courage
26:34and slowly typed,
26:35I've thought about
26:36it.
26:36Do you want to
26:37meet?
26:38I'm at H
26:39University.
26:40Just as I was
26:41about to hit send,
26:42a familiar voice
26:43suddenly drifted out
26:44from the nearby
26:44bathroom.
26:46The voice from the
26:48bathroom was recording
26:49a voice message.
26:51Boo-hoo, wifey,
26:52give me a hug.
26:53I got spooked
26:55today and need a
26:56kiss to feel
26:56better.
26:58That tone.
27:00That exact
27:01phrasering.
27:02Every single
27:03word was identical
27:04to the voice
27:04messages sitting
27:05in my pinned
27:06chat.
27:07Baby, I bought
27:09your favorite
27:10tulips.
27:11Can you give
27:12me a chance
27:13to give them
27:14to you in
27:14person?
27:15Julian, the
27:16person in that
27:17bathroom was
27:18Julian.
27:19Julian's inherently
27:20intimidating face
27:21overlapped with
27:22my online boyfriend's
27:23deep, raspy
27:24voice.
27:25The world
27:26tilted sideways.
27:28My blood
27:28ran cold.
27:29The boy who
27:30texted me good
27:31night, baby
27:32every single
27:33night.
27:33The boy who
27:34sent me jealous
27:35paragraphs just
27:36hours ago.
27:37He was the same
27:38person who told me
27:39to pack my bags
27:40and get out.
27:41My hand trembled,
27:42and the drafted
27:43message was sent.
27:44Without a second
27:45of hesitation, I
27:47immediately chose
27:48to unsend it.
27:50The sound of a
27:51phone dropping
27:52came from the
27:53bathroom.
27:54Julian's smile
27:55vanished before
27:56it could even
27:56fully form.
27:58I jogged all
27:59the way back
27:59to the bedroom,
28:00grabbed my
28:01suitcase, and
28:02headed straight
28:03for the base's
28:03main gate.
28:04My hands were
28:05shaking so badly
28:06I could barely
28:07zip it shut.
28:08My heartbeat
28:09and breathing
28:10were a complete
28:11mess.
28:11That day's
28:12nightmare had
28:13actually come
28:13true.
28:14Even though
28:15Julian and my
28:16boyfriend sounded
28:17similar, I always
28:18thought my
28:19secretly passionate,
28:20clingy online
28:21boyfriend and
28:22the aloof,
28:23ascetic Julian
28:24were different.
28:25Completely
28:25different species.
28:27The difference
28:28between them was
28:29bigger than that
28:29between a human
28:30and a dog.
28:31But the exact
28:32same voice message
28:34coming from my
28:34pinned contact
28:35forced me to
28:36face this cold,
28:37hard truth.
28:39Alexander let go
28:40of Jason's
28:41collar and stopped
28:42me.
28:45Chloe, why are you
28:46leaving in such a
28:47hurry?
28:47I'll have mom
28:48and dad drive
28:48over to pick
28:49you up.
28:49My phone kept
28:50pinging with
28:51notification sounds.
28:52Julian was
28:53sending a relentless
28:54stream of messages.
28:56Baby, I saw it.
28:57Why did you
28:58unsend the message?
28:59Did I do
28:59something wrong?
29:01Baby, where are
29:02you right now?
29:02Can we talk?
29:04Anything is fine,
29:05just don't ignore
29:06me.
29:06Don't you love
29:07your most loyal
29:08puppy anymore?
29:09Even through
29:10the screen, I could
29:11feel his helplessness
29:12and panic.
29:13I was actually a bit
29:14curious about something.
29:16What would that
29:17pitiful, shattered
29:18expression look like
29:19on Julian's
29:20usually proud face?
29:22Forcing down this
29:23bizarre thought,
29:24I gently shook
29:25my head.
29:26Alexander, don't
29:27call mom and dad.
29:28I'm just going to
29:29take a cab
29:30straight back to
29:31campus.
29:32That works too.
29:33Alexander nodded.
29:35I'll ask Julian
29:35for some time off
29:38and go with you.
29:39It's okay.
29:40I can go by
29:41myself.
29:41Halfway through
29:42my sentence,
29:43Julian's low,
29:44cold voice suddenly
29:46rang out above
29:46my head.
29:48I'll take you.
29:49Everyone was a bit
29:50stunned.
29:51Alexander's eyes
29:52seemed to say,
29:53since when did
29:54Julian become so
29:55tender toward
29:56women?
29:57I hung my head,
29:59avoiding eye
30:00contact with the
30:01man.
30:01I don't want to
30:02trouble you to
30:03make a special
30:04trip.
30:04Julian domineeringly
30:06took my suitcase.
30:07The faint,
30:08elegant scent on
30:09him was exactly
30:10the same as the
30:11smell on the
30:12blanket.
30:15Don't overthink
30:16it.
30:16It's just on the
30:16way.
30:17I'm heading to
30:18H-University
30:18too.
30:19His indifferent
30:20tone made me
30:21secretly hope for
30:22something, that he
30:23could remain this
30:24arrogant and untamed
30:25on the day he
30:26learned the truth.
30:27I was never good
30:28at rejecting people
30:29to begin with.
30:30Even as Julian
30:31put my suitcase
30:32into the car, I
30:33couldn't manage to
30:34articulate a proper
30:35refusal.
30:36I could only bite
30:37the bullet and sit
30:38in the back seat.
30:42Chloe, you're a
30:43freshman in the
30:43computer science
30:44department at
30:45H-University.
30:46Yeah.
30:48Among the
30:48freshmen at your
30:49school, is there a
30:50girl with a
30:51tuplet profile
30:52picture whose
30:53game ID and
30:53WhatsApp name are
30:54both love's
30:55iced cola?
30:56I gripped the
30:56hem of my skirt
30:57tightly.
30:59I don't play
30:59games.
31:00I don't know
31:00her.
31:02Julian rarely
31:03softened his
31:04tone, sounding
31:05almost pleading.
31:07If you get any
31:08news about her,
31:09could you tell me
31:09immediately?
31:10She is my
31:11lover.
31:11The word lover
31:13smashed heavily
31:14against the bottom
31:14of my heart.
31:15I had planned to
31:16stay silent the
31:17whole way, but I
31:18couldn't help asking.
31:20Do you care a lot
31:21about this online
31:22relationship?
31:23Of course.
31:25She is the first
31:26person I've ever
31:26liked and she will
31:27be the last.
31:29She had alting
31:30agreed to meet me
31:31but now she
31:32ignoring me.
31:33Julian's voice
31:34gradually lowered,
31:35almost muttering to
31:36himself, the corners
31:37of his eyes turning
31:38slightly red.
31:40I tactfully hinted.
31:41People change.
31:43Julian's tone
31:43was firm.
31:46After she
31:46appeared in my
31:47life, everyone
31:47else paled in
31:48comparison.
31:49In this life, I
31:50will only love
31:51her.
31:52It's impossible
31:53for me to ever
31:54fall for anyone
31:55else.
31:55Oh, then I'm
31:56afraid you're
31:57destined to die
31:58alone.
32:00After arriving
32:01at the school,
32:02Julian offered to
32:03add my WhatsApp
32:04so we could
32:04exchange information
32:05anytime.
32:08Sorry, my
32:09social circle
32:10is very small.
32:11I probably
32:11won't cross
32:12paths with
32:12your girlfriend
32:13so I can't
32:14help you.
32:15After saying
32:16that, I
32:17dragged my
32:17suitcase and
32:18walked toward
32:18the dorm
32:19building without
32:20looking back.
32:21I didn't
32:21notice Julian
32:22standing rooted
32:23to the spot,
32:24staring at my
32:25back with a
32:25swirl of complex
32:27emotions in his
32:27eyes.
32:28After I had
32:29completely calmed
32:30down in my
32:31dorm room, I
32:32unlocked my
32:32phone.
32:33Julian had
32:34been sending
32:35me new messages
32:36almost non-stop.
32:37Memories of
32:38sweet moments
32:39with my online
32:40boyfriend flashed
32:41in my mind.
32:42Alternating with
32:43the image of
32:43Julian fiercely
32:44telling me to
32:45stop acting
32:46spoiled.
32:47After a moment
32:48of hesitation, I
32:49blocked the
32:49pinned contact
32:50on WhatsApp.
32:53I've always been
32:54someone prone to
32:55running away.
32:56When I was two
32:57years old, my
32:58parents left me
32:59with my grandparents
33:00and took my
33:00brother to the
33:01city.
33:01I never complained.
33:04Everyone called
33:04me sensible and
33:06obedient.
33:06But the truth
33:07was simpler.
33:08I ran away from
33:10everything I
33:10couldn't face.
33:12In middle school,
33:13I hid web novels
33:14inside my textbooks
33:15while teachers
33:16praised my
33:17diligence.
33:17My classmates
33:19never suspected
33:20that the quiet
33:20top student was
33:21breaking every
33:22gaming record in
33:23school.
33:24When my
33:24university acceptance
33:25letter arrived,
33:26my parents finally
33:28learned the truth.
33:29Their docile
33:30daughter hadn't
33:31chosen the teaching
33:31degree they wanted.
33:33And now, now I was
33:35doing it again,
33:36blocking him instead
33:37of facing him.
33:38I would never
33:39change myself for
33:40anyone, not even
33:41for the boyfriend I
33:42loved the most.
33:45That evening, when
33:46my dorm president
33:47returned, she gave
33:49me a warm hug.
33:50We were in the
33:51same class, and she
33:52was the very first
33:53friend I made when
33:54the semester started.
33:56Chloe?
33:58Why didn't you
33:58watch Julian's
33:59livestream today?
34:01You've never
34:01missed a single
34:02one before.
34:03She unlocked her
34:04tablet and placed
34:05it between us on
34:06screen.
34:07Julian logged
34:08out of his main
34:09gaming account, and
34:10logged into an
34:11obscure alt
34:11account.
34:12Seeing that
34:13familiar username
34:14and profile picture,
34:15my heart skipped
34:16a beat.
34:17Why does Julian
34:18look so pitiful
34:19today?
34:19My dorm president
34:20also looked
34:21puzzled.
34:22What happened
34:22to his usual
34:23you're all just
34:24peasants arrogance?
34:25Julian adjusted
34:26his headset, his
34:27long eyelashes
34:28looking slightly
34:29damp.
34:30I know you're
34:30watching.
34:31Both my dorm
34:32president and I
34:33froze.
34:34From my online
34:35boyfriend's
34:35perspective, he
34:37shouldn't have
34:37known that I
34:38loved watching
34:39Julian's livestreams.
34:40Unless, unless
34:41he had always
34:42known exactly
34:43who was
34:43watching.
34:46Baby, I told
34:47you before that
34:48if I ever saw
34:49you, I'd
34:50recognize you
34:50immediately.
34:51I was too
34:52full of myself.
34:54It's true that
34:54people in love
34:55have a special
34:56connection, but
34:56that doesn't
34:57change the fact
34:58that I'm a
34:58massive idiot.
35:00The live
35:00chat exploded
35:01with comments.
35:02Is this still
35:03my arrogant,
35:04invincible Julian?
35:05And who
35:06the hell is
35:06baby?
35:07Whoever you
35:08are, get out
35:09of our Julian's
35:09body right now.
35:10Oh my God,
35:11is Julian begging
35:12his girlfriend
35:13for forgiveness?
35:15Heartbroken, I'm
35:16literally his
35:17girlfriend Stan.
35:18Julian looked
35:19up, his gaze
35:20meeting mine
35:21right through
35:21the screen.
35:23How could I be
35:24so stupid?
35:25You were right
35:26by my side this
35:26whole time and I
35:27only just realized
35:28it.
35:30Baby, my messages
35:31aren't going
35:31through.
35:34I really had no
35:35other choice but to
35:36talk to you through
35:36this live scream.
35:37Julian choked
35:38up slightly.
35:39Baby, even
35:41though I've
35:41already met you
35:42many times as
35:42Julian, but I
35:44want to see you
35:45one more time as
35:46your most loyal
35:46puppy, okay?
35:48The more I
35:49listened, the
35:50more something
35:50felt off.
35:51I unlocked my
35:52phone and found
35:53that my brother
35:54had sent me a
35:55WhatsApp message a
35:56few hours ago.
35:57Chloe, Julian
35:58asked me for
35:59your WhatsApp
35:59earlier, but the
36:01moment I opened
36:02it, he took one
36:03look at your
36:03profile picture and
36:04nickname, then
36:06immediately locked
36:06himself in the
36:07study.
36:08It was so weird.
36:10Oh right, he
36:11also seemed to
36:12interrogate me about
36:12why I said you
36:13didn't know how to
36:14play any games back
36:14then.
36:15I was telling the
36:16truth.
36:17I really don't know
36:18what's wrong with
36:19Julian.
36:20Everything suddenly
36:20clicked, so Julian
36:22already knew I was
36:23his online girlfriend.
36:24I had thought this
36:25would be exposed
36:26sooner or later.
36:27I just didn't
36:28expect it to be
36:29this fast.
36:31The number of
36:32viewers in the
36:32live stream kept
36:33growing.
36:34Hashtag eSports
36:36God volunteers
36:36do be a puppy.
36:38This trending
36:39topic was climbing
36:40fast.
36:41I hesitated for a
36:42moment, then
36:43pulled Julian out
36:44of my blacklist.
36:45No matter which
36:46identity, rule
36:47number two of our
36:48three-point
36:49agreement.
36:51Minimal
36:52communication,
36:53minimal meetings.
36:54You said that
36:55yourself.
36:57Julian was
36:58filled with
36:58remorse.
36:59Baby, that
37:01three-point agreement
37:01was the absolute
37:02worst decision I've
37:03ever made in my
37:04life.
37:04I must have been
37:05kicked in the
37:05head by a donkey
37:06to suggest something
37:07so ridiculous.
37:10I'm regretting it
37:11so much my guts are
37:12turning green.
37:13Can we just pretend
37:14everything I said
37:15before is void,
37:16please?
37:17Me.
37:18You don't like
37:19sweethearts, but my
37:21closet is full of
37:22little dresses.
37:23Meeting up will only
37:24add to the annoyance,
37:25so let's just forget
37:26it.
37:27He kept typing.
37:30Baby, please, give
37:32me one chance, just
37:33one.
37:34I'll wait outside
37:35your dorm until
37:35you're ready to see
37:36me.
37:37I stared at those
37:38words for a long
37:39time, one chance.
37:41The man who told me
37:42to stop acting cute
37:43wanted one chance.
37:44The same man who
37:46claimed he had no
37:47interest in making
37:48friends with kids.
37:49I locked my phone
37:50screen and tossed
37:51it onto my bed.
37:52Not today, maybe not
37:54tomorrow either.
37:55He needed to learn
37:56what it felt like to
37:57be on the other
37:58side of that cold
37:59wall he'd built.
38:02Julian was so
38:03anxious he wished
38:04he could type 800
38:05words a second,
38:06sending over a bunch
38:07of typos.
38:09After that, he opted
38:10to just send voice
38:11messages.
38:12Baby, how could I
38:13not like it?
38:14Back then in the
38:15game you just said
38:16a few soft words
38:17and had me mesmerized
38:18like an idiot.
38:19I just kept
38:19no, you were my
38:20tulip girlfriend.
38:21I just kept feeling
38:22like you were too
38:23similar to her.
38:24Your voice, your
38:26personality, even
38:27your outfits.
38:28I felt like those
38:29traits belonged
38:29exclusively to my
38:30girlfriend, which is
38:31why I acted like I
38:32didn't like them.
38:37Baby, is my
38:38explanation terrible?
38:41I'm sorry, I
38:42shouldn't have been
38:42fierce with you.
38:43Can you just pretend
38:44I went crazy after
38:45getting bitten by a
38:46dog or got poised by
38:48eating hallucinogenic
38:49wild mushrooms?
38:50Baby, I'm
38:51downstairs at your
38:52dorm.
38:53It's cold, but I'm
38:55not leaving until
38:56you look at me.
38:59Hearing this, I
39:00pulled back the
39:01curtains and took a
39:02look.
39:02The autumn nights in
39:04the north were cold.
39:06Julian was dressed
39:07thinly, standing under
39:08the streetlight, casting
39:09a long shadow.
39:11Just standing there, he
39:12looked like a scene
39:13straight out of a
39:14melodrama.
39:15I threw on a fluffy
39:16coat and went
39:17downstairs.
39:18A bright light
39:19flashed in the man's
39:20cold eyes, and he
39:21took the steps two at a
39:22time to greet me.
39:25Baby, why are you
39:27wearing so little?
39:28Are you cold?
39:29I shook my head.
39:31Julian rarely smiled
39:32like such a fool.
39:33He deliberately
39:34sneezed a few times.
39:36I'm not cold either,
39:37really.
39:37Though, if we could go
39:38somewhere indoors with
39:39just the two of us, it
39:41might be a bit warmer.
39:45But it's okay, baby.
39:46I really don't need to.
39:48You'd better just call me
39:49Chloe.
39:51Baby, why are you
39:52being so cold to me?
39:53The corners of Julian's
39:54lips gradually sank,
39:56looking incredibly
39:57wronged.
39:57Didn't you say not to
39:59act cute at the drop
40:01of a hat?
40:02You broke the rules.
40:04Julian looked as
40:05uncomfortable as if he
40:06had swallowed a fly.
40:07I was wrong, baby.
40:11Please don't hold it
40:12against a stupid pig
40:13like me, okay?
40:14The word idiot
40:15inexplicably hit my
40:17funny bone.
40:17I tried so hard to
40:19hold back my laughter
40:20that my whole body
40:21trembled, and I
40:22accidentally stepped on
40:23the edge of the stairs.
40:24Just as I was about
40:26to hit the ground,
40:27Julian caught me in
40:28his arms in time.
40:29The man's clothing
40:30was thin, and his
40:31blazing body heat
40:33was scorching.
40:33I could hear the
40:35sound of his
40:35heartbeat.
40:37Even though I
40:38repeatedly insisted
40:39I was fine.
40:41Julian was still
40:42worried and dragged
40:43me to the hospital
40:44for a checkup.
40:45In the end, not
40:46only did they find
40:47absolutely nothing
40:48wrong, but we
40:49also missed the
40:50dorm curfew.
40:51Left with no
40:52choice, I had to
40:53follow Julian back
40:54to his base.
40:55Along the way, the
40:56man kept apologizing
40:58and admitting his
40:58fault.
40:59If I hadn't seen
41:00the corners of his
41:01lips twitching upward,
41:02harder to suppress
41:03than the recoil of
41:04an AK, I might
41:06have actually
41:06believed it wasn't
41:07on purpose.
41:08Julian completely
41:09dropped his usual
41:11aloofness.
41:11He was talking an
41:13absurd amount.
41:14I finally realized
41:15that a clingy puppy
41:16online could be so
41:17suffocating in reality.
41:19Perhaps my annoyance
41:20was too obvious.
41:22Julian actually
41:23shut his mouth for
41:24the second half of
41:24the trip, looking
41:25incredibly wronged.
41:27After arriving at
41:28the room, I looked
41:29at the tulips
41:30filling the bedroom.
41:31I gently stroked
41:32the petals, they
41:33were as thin as
41:34cicada wings.
41:35My gloomy mood
41:37was lit up bit
41:37by bit.
41:38Julian suggested
41:39playing games
41:40together.
41:41You told me
41:41before in each my
41:42esports Eichel,
41:43and then I like
41:44the APY team.
41:45We are their rival,
41:47so we'd better
41:48not together.
41:50I sat on the
41:51edge of the bed.
41:52Julian maintained
41:53a half-kneeling
41:54posture, looking
41:55up at me.
41:56He looked like
41:57he was about to
41:58shatter, his voice
41:59teary.
42:01Baby, let the
42:02past die with
42:03yesterday, and let
42:04the future be born
42:05with today.
42:07Huh?
42:08The me of yesterday
42:09is not the me
42:10of today.
42:12Just pretend the
42:13previous Julian
42:14has disappeared.
42:16Let me be your
42:17fan now, okay?
42:20Or I can change
42:21my team's name
42:22to APY.
42:25Chloe, I...
42:25I really don't
42:28know what to do
42:28anymore.
42:29Listening to
42:30Julian's sophistry,
42:32I felt both amused
42:33and heartbroken.
42:34Julian wiped away
42:35the moisture seeping
42:36from the corners
42:37of his eyes.
42:39Baby, I like
42:40you.
42:41Give me a chance
42:42to woo you again,
42:43please.
42:44No matter Saul,
42:45you push me away.
42:47I bowie give up.
42:48While I was
42:49dazed, Julian
42:50boldly hugged
42:51my waist.
42:52Or you can yell
42:53at me to vent
42:53your anger.
42:54Rubbing his fluffy
42:55head against me.
42:56Julian.
42:57Here.
42:58I cleared my
42:59throat, trying
42:59to keep my face
43:00expressionless.
43:04Don't you think
43:05you're acting like
43:05a clingy simp
43:06right now?
43:07It was my first
43:08time being mean
43:09to someone
43:09and I had
43:10no experience.
43:11As soon as the
43:12words left my mouth,
43:13I realized they
43:14might have been
43:15a bit too harsh.
43:16At that moment,
43:17Julian gave
43:18a crisp reply.
43:19What?
43:20Then he crawled
43:21onto the bed
43:21on all fours
43:22pinning me beneath
43:23him.
43:24His eyes
43:25were dead serious.
43:27I was left
43:28speechless by the
43:29man's shameless
43:30attitude.
43:32As long as you're
43:33willing to talk
43:33to me, baby,
43:35I can be a cat
43:36or a dog.
43:37I can do
43:38anything.
43:39Julian's tone
43:40turned ambiguous.
43:41I just noticed
43:42that the man
43:42had deliberately
43:43worn a slim-fitting,
43:45semi-transparent top
43:46with a wide
43:47neckline that put
43:47his perfect figure
43:48on full display.
43:49His eyes were
43:50like hooks,
43:51staring at me
43:52without blinking.
43:53He was the
43:54spitting image
43:55of a male fox
43:56spirit.
43:57Seducing me
43:57is a foul.
43:58I thought to
43:59myself,
43:59but what came
44:00out of my mouth
44:01was,
44:01Take it off.
44:05Julian hesitated
44:06for a moment,
44:07then slowly
44:08took off his top.
44:10And?
44:11Now it was
44:11the old rogues
44:12turn to be stunned.
44:14Since you can
44:15do anything,
44:16you might as well
44:17show off your
44:17advantages.
44:18I blew into
44:19Julian's ear
44:20with wicked
44:20intentions.
44:22Julian chuckled
44:23helplessly.
44:25Baby,
44:26does Alexander
44:26know his
44:27well-behavedable
44:27sister has
44:28this side to her?
44:29Just as Julian
44:30placed his fingers
44:31on his belt,
44:32A bit sleepy,
44:34going to bed?
44:34I stretched,
44:35lay down on
44:36Julian's bed,
44:37and closed my eyes.
44:39Julian stood
44:40there hunched
44:40over,
44:41frozen in place.
44:43After a long
44:43while,
44:44he stood up
44:44straight,
44:45closed the door
44:46for me,
44:46and went to
44:47take a cold
44:48shower.
44:49The next day,
44:51the boys gathered
44:51together to discuss
44:52who the goddess
44:53was that could
44:54turn Julian
44:55into a whining
44:55mess.
44:56There were simply
44:57too few women
44:58around Julian.
44:59It didn't take
45:00long for their
45:01investigation to
45:02surprisingly point
45:03right at me.
45:04Julian had been
45:05buying tulips.
45:06Julian had been
45:07smiling at his
45:08phone like an
45:08idiot.
45:09Julian had been
45:10in a weirdly
45:11good mood ever
45:12since that girl
45:12showed up at
45:13our base.
45:14Alexander and
45:15Jason blurted
45:16out in unison,
45:18Bullshit!
45:19My sister hasn't
45:21even held a guy's
45:21hand.
45:23Besides,
45:23they aren't
45:23even each
45:24other's type.
45:25Woken up by
45:25the noise,
45:26I gradually
45:26pushed the
45:27door open
45:28and walked
45:28out of
45:28Julian's
45:29bedroom.
45:30Alexander
45:30rubbed his
45:31eyes,
45:31nearly losing
45:32his footing.
45:33Hey,
45:34you,
45:34help me look.
45:35Is there
45:35a person
45:36standing there?
45:37Yeah,
45:37your sister.
45:38Alexander's
45:39hanging heart
45:39snapped and
45:40died completely.
45:43Chloe,
45:44why are you
45:44in Julian's
45:45bedroom?
45:46I hesitated
45:47for a moment,
45:48dodging the
45:48main issue.
45:51The bedding
45:52in the room
45:52I stayed
45:52in before
45:53was all
45:53cleared out.
45:55It's
45:55unlivable.
45:56Then you
45:56could have
45:56asked me
45:57to book
45:57a hotel
45:57for you.
45:58Before
45:58Alexander
45:59could finish,
46:00he was
46:00interrupted
46:01by Julian,
46:02who hurried
46:02over.
46:03What hotel?
46:04Weren't you
46:05guys just
46:05guessing who
46:06the girl I
46:06like is?
46:07No need
46:07to guess.
46:08I like
46:09Chloe.
46:09Just a few
46:10simple words,
46:11but Alexander's
46:12brain seemed
46:12to overload.
46:14You must be
46:14mistaken,
46:15Julian.
46:16Didn't you
46:17and your
46:17girlfriend
46:17meet in
46:18a game?
46:19But our
46:20Chloe only
46:20loves reading.
46:21She doesn't
46:22play games
46:23at all.
46:23After saying
46:24that,
46:24he feigned
46:24a relaxed
46:25look at
46:25the others.
46:26Julian is
46:26just a fan
46:28joking around
46:28early in the
46:29morning.
46:30Julian didn't
46:31say a word.
46:32He just
46:32looked at me.
46:33The silence
46:34between us
46:35was louder
46:35than anything
46:36Alexander could
46:37have said.
46:38One of the
46:39boys patted
46:40Alexander on
46:41the shoulder.
46:45At this
46:46point,
46:46I won't
46:47hide it
46:47anymore.
46:48Your
46:48sister's
46:48rank this
46:49season is
46:49even higher
46:50than yours.
46:51Alexander's
46:52lips trembled.
46:54Chloe,
46:54you played
46:56games behind
46:56the family's
46:57back and
46:58even got
46:58into an
46:58online
46:59relationship?
47:00How could
47:00this be?
47:02You've
47:02always been
47:03the most
47:03obedient,
47:03sensible,
47:04since you
47:05were little.
47:06Julian stepped
47:07in front of
47:07me.
47:08Whether she
47:08obeying
47:08water,
47:09she is
47:10Chloe.
47:10She does
47:11what she
47:11likes and
47:12she doesn't
47:13have to
47:13answer to
47:13anyone.
47:14Alexander
47:14slowly
47:15regained
47:15his
47:15composure.
47:17Julian,
47:18online dating
47:18is so
47:19illusionary.
47:20How can
47:20you be
47:20sure you'll
47:21still like
47:21her just
47:21as much
47:22offline?
47:22Actually,
47:23this was
47:23also a
47:24question I
47:24had always
47:25doubted.
47:26Julian
47:26didn't
47:26hesitate
47:27at all,
47:28enunciating
47:28every word.
47:29I like
47:30Chloe.
47:32I like
47:32everything
47:33about her.
47:33Not
47:33recognizing
47:34her before
47:34was my
47:35own
47:35blindness.
47:36Being
47:37fierce to
47:37her was
47:37my fault,
47:38and I
47:38will use
47:39practical
47:39action to
47:40pay for
47:40my
47:40mistokes
47:40until she
47:41accepts
47:41me.
47:42Alexander
47:42opened his
47:43mouth but
47:43couldn't say
47:44anything,
47:45looking at
47:45me past
47:46Julian.
47:47The
47:47unspoken
47:47understanding
47:48between
47:48siblings made
47:49me realize
47:50he was
47:50saying,
47:51Chloe,
47:52are you
47:52sure?
47:53He's
47:53the one.
47:53I
47:54nodded
47:54gently.
47:55I
47:55didn't
47:56tell
47:56Julian
47:56that.
47:57In
47:57fact,
47:57he was
47:58also the
47:59first person
48:00I ever
48:00liked,
48:01and barring
48:01any accidents
48:02he would
48:03be the
48:03last.
48:04It's
48:04just that
48:04I really
48:05couldn't
48:05get over
48:06his
48:06previous
48:06evil
48:07deeds
48:07against
48:07me.
48:08So,
48:09I'm
48:09punishing
48:09him by
48:10making him
48:10pursue me
48:11all over
48:11again.
48:13Over the
48:14next few
48:14days,
48:15Julian,
48:16in his
48:16pursuit of
48:17me,
48:17ended up
48:18winning over
48:18everyone around
48:19me.
48:20My dorm
48:20head received
48:21the new
48:21LV bag she
48:22had always
48:23wanted.
48:24Jason lived
48:24in fear for
48:25days,
48:26after realizing
48:27that Julian
48:28didn't treat
48:28him any
48:29differently for
48:29trying to
48:30pursue me
48:30before,
48:31and that
48:31everything was
48:32business as
48:33usual.
48:33Jason transformed
48:35into our
48:36head shipper.
48:36My brother
48:37also ate
48:38breakfast made
48:38personally by
48:39the captain
48:40for the
48:40first time.
48:41How is
48:42it?
48:43Does it
48:43suit your
48:44taste?
48:45Do you
48:46need more
48:46peanut butter?
48:47My brother
48:47looked terrified.
48:49Julian,
48:49please don't
48:50do this.
48:51Do you
48:51want your
48:51milk hot
48:52or room
48:52temperature?
48:53Alexander
48:54was about
48:54dropped to
48:55his knees.
48:57I'm begging
48:58you,
48:58boss.
48:58Let's just
48:59go back to
48:59how we
49:00used to
49:00interact.
49:02I'd be
49:02much more
49:03comfortable
49:03that way.
49:04Julian
49:04pondered.
49:06Promise
49:06not to
49:06interfere
49:07with my
49:07pursuit
49:07of
49:08Chloe
49:08anymore
49:08and
49:09put
49:09in
49:09a
49:09good
49:10word
49:10for
49:10me
49:10with
49:10my
49:11future
49:11in-laws
49:11and I'll
49:12go back
49:12to normal.
49:13Boss,
49:14my dearest
49:14sister and
49:15my best
49:16bro,
49:16a good
49:16girl and
49:17an old
49:17rogue,
49:18could you
49:18handle it
49:18if you
49:19were in
49:19my
49:19shoes?
49:20Is
49:20there
49:20anything
49:21else you
49:21need
49:21me
49:21to
49:21do
49:22brother?
49:22Alexander
49:23got goosebumps
49:23all over.
49:24Julian,
49:25I lose.
49:26I won't
49:26interfere anymore,
49:27okay?
49:28Julian dropped
49:33extra
49:33training.
49:34Alexander wore
49:35an expression
49:35of that's
49:36more like
49:36it and
49:37happily trotted
49:38off hand
49:38in hand
49:39with Jason.
49:41When Julian
49:42came to the
49:42bedroom to
49:43call me for
49:43breakfast,
49:44I had just
49:45finished showering.
49:46I was still
49:47wrapped in a
49:48strapless bath
49:48towel.
49:49Baby.
49:50The man's
49:51Adam's apple
49:52bobbed.
49:53Noticing nothing
49:53unusual,
49:54I handed him
49:55my pink
49:56hello kitty
49:56necklace.
49:57Help me put
49:58this on.
49:59Okay.
50:00Julian wrapped
50:01his arms around
50:01me from behind.
50:03Baby,
50:04you're why
50:05the slim
50:05and your
50:06chapeau
50:06smells so
50:07good.
50:07Baby,
50:08turn around.
50:09I think I
50:10put it on
50:10backwards.
50:11I turned
50:12around helplessly,
50:13not expecting
50:14Julian to be
50:15so close.
50:16If I leaned
50:17forward even
50:17a tiny bit,
50:18I would brush
50:19against those
50:20soft,
50:20pale pink
50:21lips.
50:22Our breaths
50:22mingled.
50:23I subconsciously
50:24stepped back,
50:25my waist
50:25hitting the
50:26edge of the
50:26desk.
50:27Julian trapped
50:28me between
50:28his arms,
50:29leaned in,
50:30and touched
50:31the tip of
50:31his nose to
50:32mine.
50:34Chloe.
50:35His thumb
50:35traced the
50:36curve of
50:36my lower
50:36lip.
50:37I like you.
50:38One millimeter
50:38closer,
50:39and there
50:39would be
50:40no going
50:40back.
50:42I know.
50:44My face
50:45was blushing
50:46so hard it
50:46could explode,
50:47but I feigned
50:48composure.
50:49My chin
50:50was gently
50:51lifted by
50:51slender fingers.
50:53The man's
50:53tender kisses
50:54fell upon me.
50:55First on my
50:56forehead,
50:57then my cheeks,
50:58face the
50:58corners of
50:59my lips.
51:00Finally,
51:01he captured
51:01my lips.
51:02Baby,
51:03open your
51:03mouth.
51:04As if
51:04bewitched,
51:05I obediently
51:06complied,
51:07passively
51:08accepting the
51:08man's deep
51:09invasion,
51:10feeling the
51:11physical changes
51:11in each other.
51:12Catching my
51:13breath,
51:14my legs
51:14went weak.
51:15Julian lifted
51:16me up and
51:17placed me on
51:17the desk.
51:18Chloe.
51:19The man's
51:20smile was
51:21teasing.
51:21want to
51:22inspect the
51:22goods?
51:23The same
51:23line from
51:24my nightmare.
51:25Except this
51:26time,
51:26I didn't want
51:27to run away.
51:28To go from
51:29putting on a
51:30necklace to
51:30this,
51:31I knew I had
51:32been played by
51:32this old rogue
51:33again,
51:34but I still
51:34couldn't help
51:35sinking into
51:35it,
51:36fully awake.
51:37The heat in
51:38the room
51:38climbed higher
51:39and higher.
51:40This shower
51:40was taken for
51:41nothing.
51:42Many times,
51:43I wonder.
51:44Julian is
51:45clingy,
51:46possessive,
51:47bossy,
51:48shameless,
51:49and occasionally
51:49fierce.
51:50But an
51:51awkward person
51:51just needs a
51:52lover who
51:53can't be
51:53chased away.
51:54Mr.
51:55Blackwood,
51:56let's walk
51:56the rest of
51:57our lives
51:57together.
51:58And this
51:59time,
51:59no more
52:00running away.
52:01From either
52:02of us.
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