- 11 hours ago
Taste Me - Ep
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00The third year after our breakup, Julian and I reunited at a luxury hotel. I was a receptionist. He checked
00:07into the presidential suite with a female companion. That night, I received three internal calls from him.
00:14The sheets are dirty. Change them.
00:17I called housekeeping to handle it. Two hours later, he called again to have the sheets changed. I complied once
00:23more. At two in the morning, he made his third call. I politely refused before he could even speak.
00:29I'm sorry, sir, but housekeeping has already gotten off work. The man let out a light scoff and said casually,
00:36Then you come change them.
00:37I ignored him and hung up the phone straight away. I worked at the front desk. There. Was no reason
00:43for me to do housekeeping's job.
00:45A colleague leaned in and asked me mysteriously,
00:49Was it that guest from the presidential ute again?
00:52Seeing me nod, she covered her mouth and snickered.
00:57Making housekeeping change the sheets three times in one night? His stamina is really something.
01:03So, when you told him housekeeping was off duty, what did he say?
01:08I told her the truth. He told me to go up and change them.
01:12My colleague froze for a moment. Then she let out a sarcastic laugh.
01:17Does staying in the presidential suite make him a big deal?
01:21He really doesn't respect people.
01:24Does he think the hotel is his home?
01:26Treating us receptionists like 24-hour maids?
01:29I kept my eyes fixed on the computer screen.
01:32Some guests just get off on making others jump.
01:34My job description doesn't include changing sheets for anyone.
01:36Before she could finish, the phone in front of me...
01:43I asked the manager. I didn't know what was said on the other end.
01:46My colleague suddenly widened her eyes and looked at me.
01:49You're saying at Chloe Bennett should go up to the presidential suite to change the sheets right now?
01:5315 minutes later, I stood at the door of the presidential suite.
01:57Bracing myself, I pressed the doorbell.
02:01The one who answered the door was Julian, dressed in a bathrobe.
02:05Loosely tied at the waist.
02:06Seeing it was me, he stepped aside to let me in.
02:09The faint sound of splashing water came from the bathroom.
02:12His girlfriend was still inside.
02:14He led me into the bedroom.
02:15Then he sat down on the sofa to the side, minding his own business with perfect composure.
02:20He placed a cigarette between his lips and lit it.
02:23Before I could reach for the fresh linens, a voice drifted from the bathroom.
02:27Babe, I'm getting hungry. Can you order something up?
02:31Julian didn't glance toward the bathroom. He looked straight at me instead.
02:34You heard her. Go get room service. I'll wait.
02:37I stood there for a second. Then I turned and walked back out.
02:41Minutes later, I returned with a silver tray.
02:43Two glasses of sparkling water, a plate of sliced fruit.
02:47Julian's bathrobe had slipped further open while I was.
02:50Gone, his chest was half exposed.
02:52He didn't bother fixing it.
02:53His eyes followed every step I took toward the bedside table.
02:56The woman in the bathroom hummed a tune, completely unaware.
03:00I set the tray down carefully. My fingers trembled slightly.
03:03Julian watched me with an expression I couldn't read.
03:06Thanks.
03:07His voice was casual dat to casual, like ordering room service from any receptionist.
03:14He gestured toward the bed with his chin.
03:16The sheets. Get to it.
03:18I walked to the bed and silently pulled back the quilt.
03:20The water stain on the bedsheet caught my eye off guard.
03:23It felt as if I had suddenly taken a punch to the chest.
03:26A dull ache twisted in my heart.
03:28I bent forward to strip the dirty linens as I reached across the mattress.
03:32I felt him move behind me.
03:34His presence closed in.
03:35I could feel the warmth of his body near my back.
03:38But I kept my head down and kept working.
03:40He didn't say a word.
03:41He just stood there.
03:43Watching me bend and reach and smooth the fabric.
03:45The silence was louder than anything he could have said.
03:48I quickly spread the clean sheet and gathered the dirty linens.
03:51Once finished.
03:52I turned to leave.
03:54But he suddenly closed in.
03:56He pressed me tightly against the edge of the bed.
03:58Nowhere to run.
03:59He leaned in further.
04:01I stumbled backward onto the bed.
04:03The next second.
04:04He yanked my right hand from the bed edge and pinned it above my head.
04:07I furrowed my brows.
04:09Pushing against his chest with my left hand.
04:11But the disparity in our strength was too great.
04:14I couldn't budge him an inch.
04:15The sound of water in the bathroom still hadn't stopped.
04:18I struggled to stand up.
04:20His other hand traced along my face.
04:22All the way to my lips.
04:24Then pressed hard.
04:25I turned my head away.
04:26But I could clearly.
04:28Feel his breath hitting my neck.
04:30Scorching.
04:31I trembled all over.
04:33Unable to move I could only lower my voice.
04:35You're in your body all my misunderstanding.
04:39Let me shower.
04:40The man's eyes were cold and sharp.
04:42His breath heavy with the scent of alcohol brushing against my ears.
04:45For all these years, I couldn't figure it out.
04:54The sound of running water in the bathroom abruptly stopped.
04:57Yet he remained completely unfazed.
05:00In a panic, I bit down hard on his arm.
05:03He frowned and let out a muffled groan.
05:05His grip loosened slightly.
05:06I took the chance to push him away.
05:08Fleeing in a panic with the linens in my arms.
05:11As the door clicked shut, a woman's voice drifted out.
05:14Stop it!
05:15If you call someone to change the sheets again, I'll be too embarrassed to face anyone tomorrow.
05:21I couldn't quite catch his reply.
05:23Walking down the silent corridor, my violently racing heart finally began to calm down.
05:28I never thought that after three years.
05:30He would hate me this much.
05:32It would have been better if we never crossed paths again for the rest of our lives.
05:35I didn't sleep that night.
05:37The next morning, before my shift started, I walked through the hotel lobby.
05:41A woman's voice stopped me cold.
05:44Well, well.
05:45If it isn't the little receptionist who wandered into our room last night.
05:49I looked up.
05:50Julian's girlfriend stood by the front desk, dressed in designer heels.
05:53And a silk blouse.
05:55She flipped her hair and looked me up and down with open disdain.
05:59My earrings went missing after you left.
06:02Three million dollars worth.
06:04She took a step closer.
06:05I don't know what kind of tricks you pulled before, but let me make something clear.
06:10You're nothing but a cheap hotel worker.
06:13Julian is way out of your league.
06:16Her lip curled.
06:17Don't ever let me catch you near our room again.
06:19She shoved past me, shoulder checking me hard enough to make me stumble.
06:23The manager rushed over, bowing and apologizing to her.
06:26I straightened up and said nothing.
06:28My hands clenched at my sides.
06:31Back at the front desk, my co-worker leaned in to gossip.
06:34Do you know who the guest in the presidential suite is today?
06:37It was past midnight, and I was too exhausted to humor her.
06:41But she only grew more excited.
06:43I just looked him up online.
06:44He's actually the eldest son of the Vance family in Boston.
06:48I said flatly.
06:49It's against the rules to pry into guests' information.
06:53I was just curious, okay?
06:56No wonder he could alarm our manager with a single phone call at two in the morning.
07:01She continued like a machine gun.
07:03I did a quick search.
07:04It's all about the Vance family's hundred billion dollar inheritance war.
07:08This young master fell seriously in at a critical moment.
07:13Almost lost his right to inherit.
07:16He had a girlfriend back then.
07:18His first love, too.
07:20She was such a gold digger.
07:23Cheated on him while he was dying.
07:25People online are still cursing that woman to this day.
07:29My co-worker's noisy voice buzzed in my ears.
07:32Yeah, I know.
07:33She raised her voice slightly.
07:35You know?
07:36Have you read the news, too?
07:37I slowly turned my head and looked calmly at her surprised expression.
07:46Instantly froze.
07:47She couldn't recover for a long while.
07:50Three years ago, when everything began, meeting Julian was an unusual accident.
07:55I kicked a creep in the crotch and dragged him to the police station.
07:59Julian followed.
08:00Leaning against the door waiting for me, he added my WhatsApp.
08:04And one thing led to another.
08:06The day he confessed his feelings, I asked him why.
08:09He just smiled.
08:10After a long while, he took my hand.
08:13I was captivated by the way you kicked that guy in the crotch.
08:15We were together for a long time.
08:17He bought an apartment near campus.
08:19And we lived like an ordinary couple.
08:22My parents divorced when I was young.
08:23I grew up depending solely on my grandmother.
08:26One time on a video call, Julian heard my grandmother say she'd lost her teeth and it was hard to
08:31eat.
08:32The very next day, he took her to get dentures over $200,000.
08:36He didn't even blink.
08:38I felt awkward about the cost.
08:40He saw through my hesitation.
08:42You don't need to worry about the expenses.
08:44I'll cover it.
08:45I told him.
08:46If we ever break up, please don't make my grandma pull her new teeth out.
08:50He burst out laughing at once.
08:54The memory faded.
08:56That afternoon at the hotel, I found the presidential suite surrounded by commotion.
09:01Julian sat on the sofa in the reception room.
09:03His girlfriend, half leaning into his embrace.
09:06The manager stood to the side, wearing an apologetic smile.
09:10Julian's girlfriend spoke with arrogant superiority.
09:12This morning, I discovered I'd lost a pair of earrings in our room, worth $3 million.
09:18And the only people who entered last night were me and the cleaning lady.
09:21The cleaning lady was already interrogated.
09:22They found nothing.
09:23Strip, we're searching you.
09:25She pointed a finger at me.
09:28My gaze swept subconsciously toward Julian.
09:31Last night, my every move had never left his line of sight.
09:34How could I have possibly stolen those earrings right under his nose?
09:38But he didn't seem to have any intention of defending me.
09:40He just sat there with his legs crossed, watching it all unfold with cold indifference.
09:45The manager came over and whispered to persuade me.
09:48We can't afford to offend this VIP.
09:50Just play along and cooperate a little.
09:52I clutched my shoulder bag tightly under my arm, keeping my chin up, refusing to compromise.
10:03Hearing this, the woman shot up to her feet.
10:05My boyfriend is very busy.
10:07We don't have time for police procedures.
10:09With sake, inspect a procedure.
10:11My earrings are worth over $3 million.
10:13A birthday gift.
10:15I felt something off about you last night.
10:17The moment I came out of the bathroom, I saw you scurrying away.
10:20If you didn't have a guilty conscience, why run?
10:22She strode over and snatched my bag.
10:25I gripped it desperately, but her strength was astonishing.
10:28After a brief struggle, she yanked it away.
10:30With a harsh zip, the bag was torn open.
10:33Everything inside hit the floor.
10:35Take off your jacket.
10:36Let's see what else you're hiding.
10:37My fingers trembled as I unzipped my outer layer.
10:40I slipped it off and held it out to her.
10:42Now the cardigan.
10:43I pulled it over my head.
10:45My thin camisole, the only thing left.
10:47Julian sat motionless on the sofa.
10:50Watching.
10:50His jaw tight.
10:52His eyes on me the entire time.
10:54Julian's voice cut through the silence like a blade.
10:57Low, controlled, but unmistakably sharp.
11:00Stop.
11:02A moon made of crystal hit the ground and shattered.
11:05When Julian's gaze fell upon that crystal moon,
11:08a crack appeared in his calm facade.
11:10His atoms apple bobbed slightly.
11:12He said in a deep voice.
11:14Enough.
11:15Stop making a scene.
11:16Pick out a new set you like tomorrow.
11:18Julian dismissed the manager and his girlfriend.
11:21The reception room fell quiet.
11:23Leaving only the two of us staring at each other.
11:25Shards of crystal had cut my calf during the struggle.
11:28Beads of blood seeping through.
11:30A flicker of heartache seemed to flash through his eyes.
11:33I figured it had to be a hallucination.
11:35I crouched down.
11:36Picking up scattered items one by one.
11:38His voice drifted down from above.
11:40Cold as ice.
11:41Didn't he buy you anything nice?
11:43He must have gotten at least some of the scraps back then.
11:46And yet he still lets you keep things from your ex-boyfriend?
11:48I stood up, my tone perfectly calm.
11:51We broke up.
11:52There's no need for your sarcastic remarks.
11:55He paused, then suddenly let out a laugh.
11:59Got dumped after he had his fun?
12:01No wonder you've been reduced to working here.
12:04What a pity.
12:05If you'd kept up the act a bit longer, you wouldn't have ended up with a loser like Alexander Vance.
12:10I didn't want to hear another word and turned to leave.
12:12But he yanked me back and pinned me against the wall.
12:15He gripped my chin.
12:17Tilting my face up to force me to meet his gaze.
12:19A dark, turbulent sea rolled in his eyes.
12:22He lowered his eyes.
12:24His gaze landed on the thin, bloody scratch on my calf.
12:27After a long moment, he turned his head away.
12:29But his words were meant for me.
12:32I'll take you back.
12:33There's medicine in the car.
12:35It was clearly just a minor scratch shot yet.
12:38As if possessed, I still got into his car.
12:41I couldn't explain why.
12:43Perhaps in that brief moment, I craved the slight softening of his tone.
12:47Sitting in the passenger seat, I spoke up to emphasize.
12:51I didn't take your girlfriend's earrings.
12:52He didn't reply as if losing three million dollars was of no consequence to him.
12:57He just opened his briefcase and rummaged inside.
13:00Then he found a box of band-aids and tossed it to me.
13:03Deal with it yourself.
13:04As he closed the briefcase, something fell out.
13:06It was an amulet.
13:07The one I had given him back when he was gravely ill.
13:10That year at the Lord's sanctuary, I climbed the steps one by one, praying for him.
13:14I thought he would have thrown it away long ago.
13:16I never imagined it would still be kept so carefully in his car.
13:20He leaned over, picked it up, and tossed it back into the briefcase.
13:24His voice carried a trace of mockery.
13:26This thing actually saved my life once.
13:29But who would have thought?
13:31The one who prayed for this amulet for me was you.
13:34And the one who ultimately trained me was also you.
13:36He reached over and gripped my chin, forcing me to turn and face him.
13:40His thumb pressed against my lower lip.
13:42For a fraction of a second, his gaze dropped to my mouth.
13:45Then his jaw tightened.
13:46He released me as if my skin had burned him.
13:48His hand flicked away sharply.
13:49He turned back to the steering wheel and gripped it hard.
13:54The car approached my place.
13:56From a distance, I spotted Alexander standing by my door.
13:59I glanced sideways at Julian.
14:01He had clearly seen him too, his hands on the steering wheel tightened.
14:04He slammed on the brakes right in front of Alexander.
14:07My body pitched forward from the sudden momentum.
14:09Alexander stood there, watching us.
14:12He frowned imperceptibly.
14:13Julian's icy voice rang out inside the car.
14:16Are you always this entangled with your ex-boyfriends?
14:18I didn't answer him.
14:19I simply unbuckled my seatbelt.
14:21Thank you for bringing me back.
14:23Julian kept the doors locked, refusing to let me out.
14:25The mocking smile on his lips deepened.
14:27Right, I almost forgot to ask.
14:30Did Alexander not even give you a breakup fee?
14:32Or did he think you didn't serve him well enough to be worth the price?
14:36Anger surged within me.
14:37I instinctively raised my hand and slapped him.
14:40Alexander's face changed.
14:41He hurried over to the passenger side, knocking anxiously on the window.
14:45Julian poked his inner cheek with his tongue, staring at me with dark eyes.
14:48Get out.
14:49I got out of the car.
14:51Alexander immediately pulled me over, shielding me behind him.
14:55The window rolled down.
14:56That amulet was thrown out forcefully.
14:58It landed right at my feet.
15:00The black sports car roared away like a gust of wind.
15:03I squatted on the ground and picked up the amulet.
15:06My fingers brushed away the dust.
15:07Teardrops fell onto it, blooming into water stains.
15:10Alexander squatted beside me, smiling bitterly.
15:13Just tell him the truth.
15:16I don't mind if he comes looking for trouble.
15:18You don't need to protect me.
15:20It's what I deserve.
15:20My voice choked with sobs.
15:23Forget it.
15:24He and I are in the past.
15:27After work the next day, the manager notified me of a staff dinner and sent an address.
15:31A high-end club.
15:32I was suspicious, but I went.
15:34I was led into a private room by a waiter.
15:37Unexpectedly, the room was full of Julian's friends.
15:40Julian sat at the head of the table.
15:42His gaze swept over me carelessly.
15:44A familiar-looking man spoke up.
15:46Chloe, right?
15:48Your manager said we lost an item worth $3 million belonged to Mr. Vance.
15:53Today you were called here as a representative to apologize to him.
15:56I recognized him.
15:58The man speaking was the boss of our hotel.
16:00Being put on the spot like that, I couldn't just throw a fit and leave.
16:04They arranged for me to sit in the empty seat next to Julian.
16:07I could only bite the bullet.
16:08I picked up the glass of wine in front of me and drank it as a self-punishment.
16:12A buddy of Julian stood up and said loudly to me.
16:14A 10-7 German's piece of my story can't be one of Bae's with just been title.
16:19About this.
16:20$100,000 per glaze.
16:23His tone was full of vindictiveness.
16:24The net of heaven is vast, and I am the sinner caught in it.
16:28Julian glanced at me impassively and twitched his lips.
16:32$300,000 a glass.
16:36Switch to vodka.
16:40Glass after glass of liquor was poured into my stomach.
16:43Spicy and scalding, as if it were going to burn a hole right through my chest.
16:47Julian sat at the head of the table, watching me drink.
16:51His expression, unreadable, his friend leaned over and whispered something in his ear.
16:55Julian's eyes flickered toward me for a split second.
16:58He lifted his chin almost imperceptibly toward the waiter standing by the wall.
17:02The waiter nodded and slipped away.
17:04When the next glass was set in front of me, I picked it up and downed it.
17:07The bottle on that tray had been switched.
17:09Clear liquid, yes, but no longer vodka.
17:12Julian had signaled for water, and the waiter had complied.
17:15But my eyes still grew blurry from the alcohol.
17:18I slumped over the table.
17:19I vaguely heard his buddy ask him,
17:21Just hit it again if you're that wung up on her.
17:23I'll have someone send her to a room upstairs.
17:25Julian smiled disdainfully.
17:28Alexander got tired of playing with her.
17:29You think I still care?
17:30Fine.
17:31Beat her up if you want.
17:33I already gave you the room card anyway.
17:36I didn't know how long I slept in my dreams.
17:38I went back to the time when we were deeply in love.
17:41Back then, his heart ached for my cramps.
17:44He took me to a specialist.
17:46The prescription tasted awful.
17:48Every time I choked it down with a grimace,
17:50he'd slip a chocolate into my mouth.
17:52I'd scowl and say I was never taking it again.
17:54He'd pull me into his arms and cut my face.
17:57Then his mouth would come down on mine.
17:59Sudden and deep.
18:01The half-melted chocolate.
18:03Dissolving between our lips.
18:04His voice was deep and bewitching.
18:06Is it still bitter like this?
18:08I blushed and answered his question with one of my own.
18:10Is this how you coax your girlfriends into taking their medicine?
18:13He smiled.
18:14What other girlfriends?
18:16I've only ever coaxed you like this.
18:19Suddenly, the bed dipped,
18:20the man in the dream was no longer rubbing against me gently.
18:23His kisses grew increasingly fierce and rough as,
18:26if he wanted to tear me apart and swallow me whole,
18:29everything became more and more real,
18:31so real that I could hardly catch my breath.
18:33I instinctively pressed against his chest.
18:36Subconsciously, I said,
18:37Julian, be gentle.
18:39His grip on my waist tightened.
18:41His mouth crushed.
18:43Against mine, what started as a kiss turned desperate
18:45three years of everything he'd held back,
18:48pouring out at once.
18:49I couldn't breathe.
18:50I couldn't think.
18:51The next second, I struggled to open my eyes.
18:54Our eyes met.
18:55We were both speechless for a long time.
18:59Perhaps it was the alcohol.
19:01I looked at him.
19:02Back then, I didn't betray you.
19:04His Adam's apple bobbed.
19:05Voice horse's sandpaper.
19:07Then tell me, why were you with him?
19:09Just as I was about to speak,
19:11my phone rang.
19:12Alexander's call.
19:13It was like a basin of cold water poured over my head.
19:15I sobered instantly.
19:17I struggled to prop myself up,
19:18but he pushed me right back down.
19:20He gritted his teeth.
19:22Chloe, explain yourself clearly.
19:24He looked down at me with burning eyes.
19:26I turned my head, avoiding his gaze.
19:29I have nothing more to say.
19:31He laughed,
19:31a faint hint of tears seeping into his eyes.
19:35You like him that much?
19:37One call from him and you can't wait to go back?
19:41Chloe, I must be out of my fucking mind
19:44to think you had your reasons.
19:46I was kicked out of the room by Julian.
19:47I walked down the corridor, unsteady.
19:49Sunlight crept through the hallway windows.
19:51I looked down.
19:53I was wearing his shirt,
19:54the white dress shirt from last night.
19:56Hanging past my thighs,
19:57the collar smelled like him.
19:58The door opened behind me.
20:00Julian stood there holding two cups of coffee.
20:02He saw what I was wearing for a moment.
20:04Neither of us spoke,
20:05like we'd done this a thousand times before.
20:07Then his expression hardened.
20:08He set one cup on the table by the door.
20:11Get out.
20:12I'm done waiting.
20:13That night,
20:14I lay awake in my staff quarters.
20:16Footsteps paced in the corridor.
20:18Stopped right in front of my door.
20:20Then silence.
20:20My phone lit up.
20:22One missed call from a number I'd memorized years ago.
20:24It had rung twice before hanging up.
20:26I heard a hand touch the doorknob.
20:28Then nothing.
20:28Just retreating footsteps fading down the hall.
20:32I walked out of the club into the early morning air.
20:35The air was slightly cool,
20:36yet Julian's girlfriend wore thin,
20:38sexy clothes.
20:39She held a phone in her hand and passed by me without even looking at me properly.
20:43As we brushed past each other,
20:44she bumped into me as if on purpose.
20:47I let out a muffled groan,
20:48but she ignored it completely.
20:50I heard her on the phone,
20:51whining in a sickly sweet tone.
20:53Not wearing one?
20:54I'm overvading today.
20:55Will you take responsibility if something happens?
20:58Marriage?
20:59Are you serious?
21:00My footsteps froze.
21:02The words hit me like a physical blow.
21:04Right in front of me,
21:05talking about marriage,
21:06about a future with Julian.
21:07At the hotel entrance,
21:09Alexander's car was already parked there.
21:11Seeing me come,
21:12he hurried over and helped me into the car.
21:14What happened?
21:15Did you drink a lot?
21:16I remained silent,
21:17and he didn't ask any more questions.
21:19The car drove through the early hour.
21:21I watched the scenery outside the car window,
21:23rapidly retreating backwards.
21:24I suddenly said to Alexander,
21:26Let's go back.
21:29Let's go back in a couple of days.
21:32For the past three years,
21:33he has always been by my side.
21:35When we were abroad,
21:36he told me he'd liked me for many years,
21:39since a fleeting glance in our first year of high school.
21:41To this day,
21:43his feelings remained unchanged,
21:45but my heart was already stuffed
21:46with every memory of Julian and our past.
21:48I politely rejected him,
21:50so he stayed in the friend zone,
21:52accompanying me until now.
21:53Upon returning home,
21:55I went into the bathroom
21:56and took off my clothes
21:57to take a shower,
21:58turning around.
21:59I saw myself in the mirror.
22:01An ugly scar crawled across my abdomen,
22:04left behind by the kidney donation surgery back then.
22:07That year,
22:08Julian fell gravely ill,
22:09his kidneys were failing
22:10and needed a transplant.
22:12That year,
22:13Julian forbade me from getting tested for a match.
22:16He said he'd rather die
22:17than let me remove a kidney for him.
22:19I begged all of his brothers and sisters.
22:21Only Alexander was willing to get tested,
22:24but he wasn't a match either.
22:25I hid it from Julian
22:27and secretly went to another hospital.
22:29I was the only match,
22:30but I had staged a hypertension.
22:33The doctor warned the risks were extremely high.
22:35I looked at Alexander.
22:37What do you think I should do?
22:38He was quiet for a long moment,
22:40then he said,
22:41voice heavy.
22:41It's your choice,
22:43but whatever you decide,
22:46I'll be there.
22:47I couldn't care about all that anymore.
22:49The surgery was performed at another hospital,
22:52kept secret from Julian.
22:53I had Alexander help me put on that act.
22:56Besides him,
22:57no one knew,
22:57because strict lifelong monitoring
22:59was required after the surgery.
23:01Alexander helped me contact top specialists abroad
23:04and took me overseas.
23:06Later,
23:06while abroad,
23:07my kidney function declined.
23:09Now,
23:10the doctor advised surgery.
23:12He warned it carried very high risks.
23:15Walking out of the hospital that day,
23:17Alexander suddenly asked me,
23:19Is there anything you want to do?
23:20The breeze was light
23:21and the sun was warm that day,
23:22yet I stood on a foreign street
23:23and burst into tears.
23:25Alexander,
23:26I want to see him one more time.
23:27Alexander's expression shifted.
23:29His voice was careful.
23:31Chloe,
23:32are you sure?
23:34He's made it very clear
23:35how he feels about you.
23:36You know what going back means.
23:38I wiped my face
23:39with the back of my hand.
23:41I'm sure.
23:42If the outcome this time
23:43is truly unpredictable,
23:45then let me have one proper,
23:47final meeting with him.
23:49Alexander looked at me
23:50for a long moment.
23:51His eyes were full of things
23:52he didn't say.
23:53Then he exhaled slowly.
23:55Okay,
23:56we'll go back.
23:57I'll book the flights right now.
23:58He pulled out his phone
23:59and started typing.
24:00I watched him,
24:01my chest tight with something
24:02between gratitude and guilt.
24:05Alexander came to see me that evening.
24:07His expression was heavy.
24:08He sat down across from me and said,
24:10I went to see Julian today
24:12at his company.
24:14I froze.
24:16Alexander continued carefully.
24:18I walked into his office
24:19and placed a surgical record
24:21on his desk.
24:22Julian's eyelids
24:22suddenly twitched violently.
24:24Frowning,
24:25he opened that surgical record.
24:26When the patient's name
24:27in the first column
24:28caught his eye,
24:29his entire body
24:30seemed to freeze.
24:31All,
24:32the color drained
24:32from his face
24:33in an instant.
24:34Alexander looked at Julian
24:35suddenly pale-faced,
24:37speaking at a leisurely pace.
24:38Chloe and I
24:39were high school classmates.
24:42I've liked her since then.
24:46When we met again later,
24:47she came to beg me
24:48to get tested
24:49as a match for you.
24:50That was when she learned
24:51you and I are half-brothers.
24:54Julian's hand trembled
24:55as he held the record,
24:56knuckles white.
24:57That rumor was fake.
24:58She hid it from you
24:59and got tested herself.
25:00We were just putting on an act.
25:06Alexander continued.
25:08She donated her kidney
25:09to you,
25:09you in secret.
25:11Julian forbade her
25:12from getting tested.
25:13He'd rather die
25:14than let her do it.
25:15So she hid everything.
25:17The surgery
25:18at another hospital.
25:20No one knew
25:20except me.
25:21Julian lunged forward,
25:23grabbing Alexander
25:24by the collar.
25:26Why did you play along
25:27with her nonsense?
25:30Why didn't you take her away?
25:32Alexander didn't flinch.
25:34Julian,
25:35I tried to shake her resolve.
25:36I even despicely
25:38urged her to give up on you.
25:39But she insisted
25:40on donating her kidney to you.
25:42She said she couldn't
25:43just watch you die.
25:47Alexander smiled helplessly.
25:49She begged me so hard,
25:51I had no choice
25:52but to help her deceive you.
25:53For the past three years,
25:54she and I have been
25:55completely innocent.
25:56Nothing happened between us.
25:57Her surgery is scheduled
25:58for next Monday.
26:02I asked her
26:03if she had any
26:03unfulfilled wishes.
26:04She said
26:05she wanted to return
26:06to the country to see you.
26:09Julian asked hoarsely,
26:10Did you arrange for her
26:12to be at that hotel too?
26:15Yes.
26:16I knew you had
26:17a long-term suite at that hotel.
26:19It was the only place
26:20where you two could
26:21bump into each other
26:22by chance
26:22without getting
26:23too deeply involved.
26:24After Alexander left,
26:27Julian closed his eyes
26:28in despair,
26:29his hand trembled,
26:30coffee spilled
26:31onto his suit pants.
26:33He curled up on the sofa,
26:35breaking down
26:36into loud sobs.
26:37The kidney,
26:38which seemed to fall
26:38from the sky,
26:41was secretly marked
26:42with the most expensive price.
26:49That night,
26:50Julian sat alone
26:51in his study.
26:52A friend came by.
26:58Forget her.
26:59She made her choice.
27:05Julian didn't look up.
27:06His phone showed
27:07an old photo of me.
27:15I can't forget her.
27:18The man who hated me
27:20for three years
27:21had been breaking apart
27:22inside all along.
27:23The next day,
27:25Alexander drove me
27:26to the hospital.
27:28I finished my pre-op
27:29preparations
27:30in the hospital room.
27:31I kept taking
27:32deep breaths nervously.
27:34Alexander
27:34had just gone
27:35somewhere unknown.
27:38I craned my neck
27:39to look toward the door.
27:40To my surprise,
27:41I saw Julian appear
27:42right in front of me.
27:46I was too nervous,
27:48so nervous
27:48that I started hallucinating.
27:52His face was full
27:53of dejection,
27:54the stubble
27:55on his chin unshaven,
27:56his eyes were completely
27:57violette.
27:58He had always been
27:59so particular
28:00about his appearance.
28:01The last time
28:02I saw him this unkempt
28:03was when he was
28:04severely ill.
28:06That figure drew
28:07closer and closer
28:08to me.
28:08I clearly heard him
28:09call my name
28:10with a trembling voice.
28:12Chloe,
28:14if I had known
28:15it was like this,
28:17I would rather
28:18you had truly
28:19betrayed me back then.
28:21With red eyes,
28:22he cupped my hand
28:23in his palms.
28:24His scalding tears
28:25fell drop by drop
28:26onto the back
28:27of my hand.
28:35So it wasn't
28:36my hallucination
28:37after all.
28:37He really came
28:38to see me,
28:39such a handsome face,
28:40now completely
28:41drenched in tears.
28:52I want you
28:52to make it out alive.
28:56It was my fault.
28:58I owe you.
28:59When you come out,
29:00let's start over,
29:00okay?
29:04The night before
29:05my surgery,
29:05I lay in the
29:06hospital bed.
29:07Drifting in
29:08and out of sleep,
29:09Julian sat beside
29:10me the entire time.
29:11He hadn't left
29:12once.
29:13Sometime past
29:14midnight,
29:15I half dash woke,
29:16my throat was dry.
29:20Julian.
29:22The name slipped
29:23out before I could
29:23stop it.
29:25His hand found
29:26mine instantly,
29:28gripping it firmly.
29:31I'm here.
29:32I'm not going
29:33anywhere.
29:35His face in the
29:36dim light looked
29:37exhausted,
29:37but his eyes
29:38were wide open,
29:39watching me like
29:41he was afraid I'd
29:41disappear if he
29:42blinked.
29:44Go to sleep.
29:47I'll be right here
29:48when you wake up.
29:59His thumb traced
30:01slow circles on
30:01the back of my
30:02hand.
30:03The moment I was
30:05wheeled out of the
30:05ward,
30:06I squeezed his
30:06hand back.
30:07After all these
30:08years,
30:09I was still full
30:09of courage.
30:11Okay.
30:12I'll make it
30:13out alive.
30:14The last thing
30:15I saw before the
30:15doors closed
30:16was Julian's
30:17face.
30:18Pale,
30:18rigid,
30:19his eyes locked
30:20on mine.
30:26Then the
30:27operating room
30:27swallowed me.
30:32When I woke,
30:33the first thing
30:34I felt was his
30:34hand gripping mine.
30:35The room was
30:36quiet.
30:37The operating
30:37light was off.
30:42Julian sat
30:43beside my bed,
30:44still in the
30:45suit jacket I'd
30:46once bought for
30:46him in all the
30:47years we'd been
30:48apart.
30:48He hadn't worn
30:49it once.
30:50But even during
30:51the three years
30:51he hated me the
30:52most.
30:53He'd never thrown
30:54it away.
30:55His hand rested
30:56in the suit pocket.
30:57He pulled
30:58something out,
30:58and his palm lay
30:59over a dozen
31:00dried lilac.
31:01Blossoms,
31:02the petals had
31:02withered long
31:03ago.
31:05I remembered
31:06that early
31:06summer,
31:07the lilacs
31:08on campus
31:08had bloomed
31:09like a sea
31:09of stars.
31:13Ordinary
31:14lilacs
31:14usually have
31:15for petals,
31:16occasionally there
31:17are five-petaled
31:17ones,
31:18which are said
31:19to symbolize
31:19good luck.
31:21I told Julian
31:22that if you make
31:23a wish on a
31:24five-petaled
31:24lilac,
31:25it will come
31:26true,
31:26so I dragged
31:27him all over
31:27looking for
31:28five-petaled
31:28lilacs.
31:33If you want
31:34five-petaled
31:34ones,
31:35I'll have
31:35someone deliver
31:36a whole truck
31:36load to you.
31:37But I said
31:38it only counted
31:38as good luck
31:39if I found
31:40them myself
31:40with a sincere
31:41heart,
31:41so he had
31:42to accompany
31:42me all over
31:44campus looking
31:44for five-petaled
31:45flowers.
31:46In the end,
31:47we finally
31:48collected
31:48eighteen
31:49five-petaled
31:49lilacs.
31:52After making
31:52my wish back
31:53then,
31:54I had secretly
31:54hidden the
31:55flowers in his
31:55pocket.
31:56He looked at
31:57the dried petals
31:58in his hand
31:58now,
31:58his lips
31:59curled to
32:00smile,
32:00but his throat
32:01tightened with
32:02a sudden ache.
32:02He closed his
32:03hand,
32:04gripping the
32:04petals tightly.
32:06On the boundary
32:07between life and
32:08death,
32:08this time it was
32:09his turn to
32:10make a wish.
32:11I made a wish
32:12back then.
32:13I want to be
32:14with you year
32:15after year.
32:16That sentence
32:17had become
32:17permanently
32:18etched in his
32:19heart and his
32:19lifelong ambition.
32:23Days passed.
32:24The doctor said
32:25my recovery was
32:26going well.
32:28Julian refused
32:29to leave my
32:30side.
32:30He fed me
32:31water.
32:32Cup by cup,
32:33he helped me
32:33walk down the
32:34hallway,
32:34one slow step
32:35at a time.
32:36When I got
32:37tired,
32:38I leaned my
32:38head against
32:39his shoulder.
32:40He didn't
32:40say anything.
32:41He just let me
32:42rest there.
32:44One afternoon,
32:45I woke up from a
32:46nap and felt
32:47cold.
32:49Julian noticed
32:49immediately.
32:50He picked up
32:51his jacket from
32:52the chair and
32:52draped it over me.
32:53it was his
32:54white dress shirt.
32:55The same one.
32:56I'd worn that
32:57morning after the
32:58night we'd spent
32:58together.
33:01I pulled it
33:02tighter around
33:02myself.
33:03The collar still
33:04smelled like him.
33:06He asked it
33:07casually, but his
33:08eyes stayed on my
33:09face.
33:10Does it fit?
33:13It's too big.
33:16But it's warm.
33:20He reached over
33:21and tucked the
33:22collar around my
33:23neck.
33:23His fingers
33:24brushed my jaw.
33:25For a moment,
33:26neither of us
33:27moved.
33:31A week later,
33:32the doctor cleared
33:33me to go home.
33:36Julian drove me
33:37himself.
33:38He opened every
33:38door for me,
33:39carried every
33:40bag.
33:44At the entrance
33:45to my apartment
33:46building,
33:47Alexander was
33:48waiting.
33:48He nodded at
33:49Julian, a silent
33:50acknowledgement between
33:51two men who both
33:52loved the same
33:52woman.
33:55Julian's arms
33:56settled around my
33:56waist, possessive,
33:58unyielding.
34:02Alexander saw it
34:03and said nothing.
34:04He just looked at
34:05me and smiled.
34:10Take care of
34:11yourself, Chloe.
34:13I'll be abroad if
34:14you need anything.
34:16I nodded.
34:18Thank you,
34:18Alexander, for
34:20everything.
34:21He turned and
34:21walked away without
34:22looking back.
34:24Julian watched
34:24him go.
34:25Then he looked
34:26down at me.
34:26He's gone.
34:29Are you ready?
34:30Let's go home.
34:32Home.
34:32He said it so
34:33easily, like the
34:34last three years
34:35had never happened.
34:40That night, I sat
34:41by the window while
34:42Julian made dinner
34:43in the kitchen.
34:44The domesticity of
34:45it all still felt
34:46unreal.
34:47He came out
34:48carrying the bowls,
34:49set them on the
34:50table, then sat
34:51across from me.
34:52I called the hotel
34:53today.
34:54Resigned your
34:55position for you.
34:56I blinked at him.
34:57You what?
34:59You're not going
35:00back to work there.
35:01Not ever.
35:02I opened my mouth
35:04to argue, but he
35:04kept talking.
35:05I also called the
35:06Vance Group legal team.
35:08The hotel violated
35:09multiple labor laws
35:10during that whole
35:11search incident.
35:14If you want, we can
35:15sue them into the
35:16ground.
35:16He paused, then
35:18added...
35:18By the way, her
35:20earrings turned up.
35:24They'd fallen behind
35:25the nightstand in the
35:26suite.
35:26She'd misplaced them
35:27herself.
35:31Julian, I didn't...
35:32I know what you're
35:33going to say.
35:39You're going to say
35:39it doesn't matter.
35:40That you just want
35:41to move on.
35:42He reached across
35:43the table and took
35:44my hand.
35:48But it matters to me.
35:54Everything they did
35:55to you matters to me.
35:56I looked at him,
35:57really looked at him.
35:59The man who had
36:00humiliated me, hurt me,
36:01broken me, and then
36:03put himself back
36:04together piece by
36:05piece just to earn
36:06forgiveness he might
36:06never fully deserve.
36:09Fine.
36:11Sue them.
36:12His eyebrows rose.
36:14That's my girl.
36:16I rolled my eyes,
36:18but I felt the corner
36:18of my mouth twitch,
36:20almost a smile.
36:26One evening, Julian
36:28sat beside me and
36:29spoke quietly.
36:31Three years after you
36:32walked away, a friend
36:33mentioned seeing you
36:33at his hotel.
36:35I checked, and you'd
36:38actually come back,
36:39working as a receptionist.
36:41He paused.
36:42I had a permanent
36:43suite there.
36:44I never brought
36:45anyone home.
36:46Over those three years,
36:47I changed girlfriends
36:48one after another.
36:50But there was a gaping
36:51hole in my heart.
36:52No one could fill it.
36:54That void was shaped
36:55exactly like you.
36:56I listened, my chest
36:58tight.
36:59The day I took her
37:00to check in, you
37:00happened to be on duty.
37:04I deliberately held
37:05her hand and walked
37:06right up to you.
37:09She didn't know I'd
37:10timed my arrival for
37:11your shift.
37:14I called the front
37:15desk over and over
37:16asking for the sheets
37:17to be changed.
37:21just to see you.
37:25Until that crystal
37:26fell out of your bag,
37:28the cheapest gift
37:29I'd ever given you,
37:30yet it made my heart
37:30soften instantly.
37:33He looked at me.
37:35I never got over you.
37:42Those nights
37:44when I secretly
37:45replaced your vodka
37:46with water,
37:47I was protecting
37:48you all along.
37:52When I kissed you
37:53like a madman
37:54in that hotel room,
37:55I wasn't taking revenge.
37:57I was trying to hold
37:58on to the only person
37:59who had ever truly
37:59loved me.
38:04Spring came early
38:05that year.
38:06The lilacs outside
38:07the hospital window
38:08were starting to bloom.
38:09Again,
38:10I sat on the bench
38:11in the garden,
38:11letting the sun
38:12warm my face.
38:13Julian appeared
38:14with two cups of coffee.
38:15He handed me one
38:16and sat down beside me.
38:18Remember these?
38:19He pointed up
38:20at the lilac branches
38:21overhead.
38:22Five-petaled ones
38:23scattered among
38:24the ordinary
38:24four-petaled blooms.
38:29I squinted up
38:30at the branches.
38:31How many do you think
38:32we can find this time?
38:33We're not climbing
38:34all over campus
38:35this time.
38:36My scar is still healing
38:38in case you forgot.
38:39He laughed.
38:40A real laugh.
38:41Not the cold
38:42mocking sound
38:43I'd grown used to hearing.
38:44Fair point.
38:45I'll do the climbing.
38:47You just...
38:48sit here and make wishes.
38:51I turned to look at him.
38:52What would I even wish for?
38:55He set down his coffee
38:57and took my hand.
38:58His thumb traced
38:59the faint line
38:59of my surgical scar
39:01where my sleeve
39:01had ridden up.
39:03You don't need
39:04to wish anymore.
39:05Everything I have
39:06is yours.
39:07Everything I am
39:08is because of you.
39:13The wind carried
39:14the scent of lilacs
39:15toward us.
39:16I leaned my head
39:17against his shoulder.
39:19Then I wish for this.
39:20Right here.
39:22Just like this.
39:24Year after year.
39:28Some nights,
39:29I still wake up
39:31reaching for the edge
39:31of the bed.
39:33From the years
39:34when I slept alone
39:35in foreign hospitals
39:36and empty apartments.
39:37But every time,
39:39his hand finds mine
39:39before I can pull away.
39:42I'm here.
39:43He says at half asleep,
39:45eyes still closed.
39:46And I remember.
39:48I'm home now.
39:49The scar on my abdomen
39:50will stay with me forever.
39:52A permanent reminder
39:53of the price I paid.
39:55But when Julian's arms
39:56wrap around me,
39:57even the scar
39:58feels different now.
39:58Not a wound.
40:00A proof.
40:01That love doesn't
40:02always make sense.
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