- 4 hours ago
Taste Me (2026) | Full EP | GL Dark Romance Drama
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The third year after our breakup, Julian and I reunited at a luxury hotel. I was a receptionist.
00:06He checked into the presidential suite with a female companion.
00:10That night, I received three internal calls from him.
00:13The sheets are dirty. Change them.
00:17I called housekeeping to handle it. Two hours later, he called again to have the sheets changed.
00:22I complied once more. At two in the morning, he made his third call.
00:26I politely refused before he could even speak.
00:29I'm sorry, sir, but housekeeping has already gotten off work.
00:33The 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.
00:42Was no reason for me to do housekeeping's job.
00:45A colleague leaned in and asked me mysteriously,
00:48Was it that guest from the presidential ute again?
00:52Seeing me nod, she covered her mouth and snickered.
00:56Making housekeeping change the sheets three times in one night?
01:00His stamina is really something.
01:03So, when you told him housekeeping was off duty, what did he say?
01:08I told her the truth.
01:09He told me to go up and change them.
01:12My colleague froze for a moment.
01:14Then 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.
01:23Does 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.
01:31Some 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.
01:44I 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.
02:04Loosely 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.
02:29Can you order something up?
02:30Julian didn't glance toward the bathroom.
02:32He looked straight at me instead.
02:34You heard her.
02:35Go get room service.
02:36I'll wait.
02:37I stood there for a second.
02:38Then I turned and walked back out.
02:40Minutes later, I returned with a silver tray.
02:43Two glasses of sparkling water, a plate of sliced fruit.
02:46Julian's bathrobe had slipped further open while I was.
02:49Gone, his chest was half exposed.
02:51He 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.
02:59I set the tray down carefully.
03:01My fingers trembled slightly.
03:03Julian watched me with an expression I couldn't read.
03:06Thanks.
03:07His voice was casual dat to casual.
03:09Like ordering room service from any receptionist.
03:14He gestured toward the bed with his chin.
03:16The sheets.
03:17Get to it.
03:17I 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.
03:55He 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.
04:02The 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.
04:13I 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.
04:32Unable to move I could only lower my voice.
04:35You and your boy all may misunderstand.
04:38Let me show her.
04:40The man's eyes were cold and sharp.
04:42His breath heavy with the scent of alcohol brushing against my ear.
04:45For all these years, I couldn't figure it out.
04:54The sound of running water in the bathroom abruptly stopped, yet he remained completely unfazed.
05:00In a panic, I bit down hard on his arm.
05:02He frowned and let out a muffled groan.
05:05His grip loosened slightly.
05:06I took the chance to push him away, fleeing in a panic with the linens in my arms.
05:10As 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.
05:22Walking down the silent corridor, my violently racing heart finally began to calm down.
05:27I never thought that after three years.
05:30He would hate me this much.
05:31It 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.
05:43Well, 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.
05:54And 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.
06:03She took a step closer.
06:05I don't know what kind of tricks you pulled before, but let me make something clear.
06:09You'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 into 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.
07:12Almost lost his right to inherit.
07:15He had a girlfriend back then.
07:18His first love, too.
07:20But she was such a gold digger.
07:23Cheated on him while he was dying.
07:25People online are still cursing that woman to this day.
07:28My co-worker's noisy voice buzzed in my ears.
07:31Yeah, I know.
07:32She 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.
07:46I instantly 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.
08:05The day he confessed his feelings, I asked him why.
08:08He just smiled.
08:10After a long while, he took my hand.
08:12I 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.
08:21My 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.
08:31The 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.
08:43I'll cover it.
08:44I 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.
08:55That afternoon at the hotel, I found the presidential suite surrounded by commotion.
09:00Julian sat on the sofa in the reception room.
09:03His girlfriend, half leaning into his embrace.
09:06The manager stood to the side.
09:08Wearing an apologetic smile, Julian's girlfriend spoke with arrogant superiority.
09:12This morning, I discovered I'd lost a pair of earrings in our room, worth $3 million.
09:17And the only people who entered last night were me and the cleaning lady.
09:20The 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?
09:37But 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 and respect a procedure, my earrings are worth over $3 million.
10:13A birthday gift.
10:14I felt something off about you last night.
10:16The 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.
10:24I 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.
10:34Take off your jacket.
10:35Let's see what else you're hiding.
10:37My fingers trembled as I unzipped my outer layer.
10:39I slipped it off and held it out to her.
10:42Now the cardigan.
10:43I pulled it over my head, my thin camisole the only thing left.
10:47Julian sat motionless on the sofa, watching, his jaw tight, his 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, a crack appeared in his calm facade, his atoms apple-bobbed slightly.
11:12He said in a deep voice,
11:14Enough, stop 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, beads 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, picking up scattered items one by one.
11:38His voice drifted down from above, cold as ice.
11:41Didn't he buy you anything nice?
11:43He must have gotten at least some of the scraps back then.
11:45And 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.
11:54He 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.
12:09I didn't want to hear another word and turn to leave.
12:12But he yanked me back and pinned me against the wall.
12:14He gripped my chin, tilting my face up to force me to meet his gaze.
12:19A dark, turbulent sea rolled in his eyes.
12:22He lowered his eyes.
12:23His gaze landed on the thin, bloody scratch on my calf.
12:27After a long moment, he turned his head away, but his words were meant for me.
12:31I'll take you back.
12:33There's medicine in the car.
12:35It was clearly just a minor scratch shot yet, as 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.
12:50I 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.
13:02Deal with it yourself.
13:03As he closed the briefcase, something fell out.
13:06It was an amulet, the one I had given him back when he was gravely ill.
13:09That 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.
13:28But 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, then his jaw tightened.
13:46He released me as if my skin had burned him.
13:48His hand flicked away sharply.
13:50He turned back to the steering wheel and gripped it hard.
13:53The car approached my place.
13:55From a distance, I spotted Alexander standing by my door.
13:59I glanced sideways at Julian.
14:00He 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.
14:29Did 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?
14:35Anger surged within me.
14:37I instinctively raised my hand and slapped him.
14:39Alexander's face changed.
14:41He hurried over to the passenger side, knocking anxiously on the window.
14:44Julian 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.
15:05My 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.
15:22Forget 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.
15:33But 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 three 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 fend seven Germans piece my strewlry can't be one of bae's with just been title.
16:19About this.
16:20One hundred thousand per glace.
16:22His 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.
16:31Three hundred thousand dollars 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.
16:50His expression.
16:52Unreadable, 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
17:01waiter standing by the wall.
17:02The waiter nodded and slipped away.
17:04When the next glass was set in front of me,
17:06I picked it up and downed it.
17:07The bottle on that tray had been switched.
17:09Clear liquid.
17:10Yes, 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.
17:32I already gave you the room card anyway.
17:35I 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.
17:47Every 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.
17:55He'd pull me into his arms and cut my face.
17:57Then his mouth would come down on mine,
17:59sudden and deep,
18:00the half-melted chocolate,
18:02dissolving 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.
18:18Suddenly, 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,
18:28everything 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.
18:42Against mine,
18:43what started as a kiss turned desperate
18:45three years of everything he'd held back,
18:47pouring 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.
19:01Back 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.
19:30He laughed, a faint hint of tears seeping into his eyes.
19:34You 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
19:43to think you had your reasons.
19:45I 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.
19:52I was wearing his shirt,
19:54the white dress shirt from last night.
19:55Hanging past my thighs,
19:57the collar smelled like him.
19:58The door opened behind me.
19:59Julian 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.
20:11I'm done waiting.
20:13That night,
20:13I lay awake in my staff quarters.
20:16Footsteps paced in the corridor.
20:18Stopped right in front of my door,
20:19then silence.
20:20My phone lit up.
20:21One 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,
20:27then 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
20:41without even looking at me properly.
20:42As we brushed past each other,
20:44she bumped into me as if on purpose.
20:46I let out a muffled groan,
20:48but she ignored it completely.
20:49I 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?
20:58Are you serious?
21:00My footsteps froze.
21:01The 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.
21:10Seeing me come,
21:12he hurried over and helped me into the car.
21:14What happened?
21:14Did you drink a lot?
21:15I remained silent,
21:16and 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.
21:28Let's go back in a couple of days.
21:31For 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,
21:44but 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,
21:54I went into the bathroom
21:56and took off my clothes to take a shower,
21:57turning around.
21:59I saw myself in the mirror.
22:00An ugly scar crawled across my abdomen,
22:03left behind by the kidney donation surgery back then.
22:06That year,
22:08Julian fell gravely ill,
22:09his kidneys were failing and needed a transplant.
22:12That year,
22:13Julian forbade me from getting tested for a match.
22:15He 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 and secretly went to another hospital.
22:29I was the only match,
22:30but I had staged a hypertension.
22:32The 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,
22:40voice 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.
22:55Besides him,
22:56no 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.
23:11He warned it carried very high risks.
23:15Walking out of the hospital that day,
23:17Alexander suddenly asked me,
23:18is there anything you want to do?
23:20The breeze was light
23:20and the sun was warm that day,
23:22yet I stood on a foreign street
23:23and burst into tears.
23:25Alexander,
23:25I want to see him one more time.
23:27Alexander's expression shifted.
23:29His voice was careful.
23:31Chloe,
23:32are you sure?
23:33He'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.
23:48Alexander looked at me
23:49for a long moment.
23:50His 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
23:58and started typing.
24:00I watched him,
24:01my chest tight
24:01with something between
24:02gratitude and guilt.
24:05Alexander came to see me
24:06that evening.
24:07His expression was heavy.
24:08He sat down across from me
24:09and 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's
24:35suddenly pale face,
24:36speaking at a leisurely pace.
24:38Chloe and I were
24:39high school classmates.
24:41I'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.
24:53Julian's hand trembled
24:54as 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.
25:07She donated her kidney
25:08to UU in secret.
25:11Julian forbade her
25:12from getting tested.
25:13He'd rather die
25:13than let her do it.
25:15So she hid everything.
25:17The surgery
25:18at another hospital.
25:19No one knew except me.
25:21Julian lunged forward,
25:23grabbing Alexander
25:23by the collar.
25:26Why did you play along
25:27with her nonsense?
25:29Why didn't you
25:30take her away?
25:32Alexander didn't flinch.
25:34Julian,
25:34I tried to shake
25:35her resolve.
25:36I even despicely
25:38urged her
25:38to give up on you.
25:39But she insisted
25:40on donating her kidney
25:41to 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
25:51but 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
26:05if she wanted to return
26:06to the country
26:06to see you.
26:09Julian asked hoarsely
26:10Did you arrange
26:11for her to be
26:12at that hotel too?
26:15Yes.
26:16I knew you had
26:17a long-term suite
26:18at that hotel.
26:19It was the only place
26:20where you two
26:20could bump into each other
26:21by chance
26:22without getting
26:22too deeply involved.
26:23after Alexander left.
26:26Julian 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
26:35into loud sobs.
26:37The kidney
26:37which 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
26:51a 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
27:20had been breaking apart
27:22inside all along.
27:23The next day
27:24Alexander drove me
27:25to the hospital.
27:28I finished my pre-op
27:29preparations
27:30in the hospital room.
27:31I kept taking
27:32deep breaths nervously.
27:33Alexander
27:34had just gone
27:35somewhere unknown.
27:37I craned my neck
27:39to look toward the door.
27:40To my surprise
27:40I saw Julian
27:42appear right in front of me.
27:46I was too nervous.
27:48So nervous
27:48that I started hallucinating.
27:52His face
27:52was full of dejection.
27:54The stubble
27:54on his chin unshaven.
27:56His eyes were completely
27:57Violet.
27:58He had always been
27:59so particular
27:59about his appearance.
28:01The last time
28:02I saw him this unkempt
28:03was when he was
28:04severely ill.
28:06That figure
28:06drew closer
28:07and closer to 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
28:19back 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
28:36after all.
28:37He really came
28:38to see me
28:39such a handsome face
28:40now completely
28:41drenched in tears.
28:51I want you
28:52to make it out alive.
28:56It was my fault
28:57I owe you
28:58when you come out
28:59let's start over
29:00okay?
29:03The night before
29:04my 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
29:12sometime past
29:14midnight
29:14I half dash woke
29:16my throat was dry
29:20Julian
29:21the name slipped
29:22out before
29:23I could stop it
29:25his hand found
29:26mine instantly
29:27gripping it firmly
29:31I'm here
29:31I'm not going
29:32anywhere
29:35his face in the
29:36dim light
29:36looked exhausted
29:37but his eyes
29:38were wide open
29:39watching me
29:40like he was afraid
29:41I'd disappear
29:42if he blinked
29:44go to sleep
29:46I'll be right here
29:47when you wake up
29:59his thumb traced
30:00slow circles
30:01on the back
30:01of my hand
30:03the moment
30:04I was wheeled
30:05out of the ward
30:05I squeezed
30:06his hand back
30:07after all these
30:08years
30:08I was still
30:09full of courage
30:10okay
30:12I'll make it
30:13out alive
30:14the last thing
30:14I saw before
30:15the doors closed
30:16was Julian's face
30:17pale
30:18rigid
30:19his eyes
30:20locked on mine
30:26then the operating
30:27room swallowed me
30:32when I woke
30:32the first thing I felt
30:34was his hand
30:34gripping mine
30:35the room was quiet
30:36the operating
30:37light was off
30:42Julian sat beside
30:43my bed
30:44still in the suit
30:45jacket I'd once
30:46bought for him
30:46in all the years
30:47we'd been apart
30:48he hadn't worn it
30:49once
30:50but even during
30:51the three years
30:51he hated me the
30:52most
30:52he'd never thrown
30:54it away
30:55his hand rested
30:56in the suit pocket
30:57he pulled something
30:58out and his palm
30:59lay over a dozen
31:00dried lilac
31:01blossoms
31:01the petals
31:02had withered
31:03long ago
31:05I remembered
31:06that early
31:06summer
31:07the lilacs
31:07on campus
31:08had bloomed
31:08like a sea
31:09of stars
31:13ordinary lilacs
31:14usually have
31:15for petals
31:15occasionally
31:16there are
31:16five petaled
31:17ones
31:17which are said
31:18to symbolize
31:19good luck
31:21I told Julian
31:22that if you make
31:23a wish on a
31:23five petaled
31:24lilac
31:24it will come
31:25true
31:26so I dragged
31:27him all over
31:27looking for
31:28five petaled
31:28lilacs
31:31he found it
31:32amusing
31:33if you want
31:34five petaled
31:34ones
31:34I'll have
31:35someone deliver
31:36a whole
31:36truckload
31:36to you
31:37but I said
31:38it only
31:38counted as
31:38good luck
31:39if I found
31:39them myself
31:40with a sincere
31:40heart
31:41so he had
31:42to accompany
31:42me all over
31:43campus
31:44looking for
31:44five petaled
31:45flowers
31:45in the end
31:47we finally
31:48collected
31:48eighteen
31:48five petaled
31:49lilacs
31:51after making
31:52my wish
31:53back then
31:53I had
31:54secretly
31:54hidden
31:54the flowers
31:55in his pocket
31:56he looked
31:57at the dried
31:57petals in his
31:58hand now
31:58his lips
31:59curled
31:59to smile
32:00but his throat
32:01tightened
32:01with a sudden
32:02ache
32:02he closed
32:03his hand
32:03gripping
32:04the petals
32:05tightly
32:06on the boundary
32:07between life
32:07and death
32:08this time
32:09it was his
32:09turn to make
32:10a wish
32:11I made
32:11a wish
32:12back then
32:13I want to
32:14be with you
32:14year after
32:15year
32:16that sentence
32:17had become
32:17permanently
32:18etched in his
32:18heart
32:19and his
32:19lifelong
32:20ambition
32:23days
32:23passed
32:24the doctor
32:25said my
32:25recovery
32:25was going
32:26well
32:28julian
32:29refused
32:29to leave
32:30my
32:30side
32:30he fed
32:31me
32:31water
32:31cup
32:32by cup
32:32he helped
32:33me walk
32:33down the
32:34hallway
32:34one slow
32:35step at a
32:35time
32:36when I got
32:37tired
32:37I leaned
32:38my head
32:38against his
32:39shoulder
32:39he didn't
32:40say anything
32:41he just
32:42let me rest
32:42there
32:44one afternoon
32:45I woke up
32:46from a nap
32:46and felt
32:46cold
32:48julian
32:49noticed
32:49immediately
32:50he picked
32:51up his
32:51jacket
32:51from the
32:52chair
32:52and draped
32:52it over
32:53me
32:53it was
32:53his
32:53white
32:54dress
32:54shirt
32:54the
32:55same
32:55one
32:55I'd
32:56worn
32:56that
32:57morning
32:57after
32:57the
32:57night
32:58we'd
32:58spent
32:58together
33:01I pulled
33:01it tighter
33:02around
33:02myself
33:02the collar
33:03still smelled
33:04like him
33:06he asked it
33:07casually
33:07but his eyes
33:08stayed on
33:08my face
33:10does it
33:11fit
33:13it's too
33:13big
33:16but it's
33:17warm
33:20he reached
33:21over
33:21and tucked
33:22the collar
33:22around my
33:22neck
33:23his fingers
33:24brushed my
33:24jaw
33:25for a moment
33:26neither of
33:27us moved
33:31a week
33:31later
33:32the doctor
33:33cleared me
33:33to go
33:33home
33:36julian
33:36drove me
33:37himself
33:37he opened
33:38every door
33:38for me
33:39carried
33:39every bag
33:44at the
33:45entrance
33:45to my
33:45apartment
33:46building
33:47alexander
33:47was waiting
33:48he nodded
33:49at julian
33:49a silent
33:50acknowledgement
33:50between two
33:51men who
33:51both loved
33:52the same
33:52woman
33:55julian's
33:55arms
33:55settled
33:56around
33:56my waist
33:57possessive
33:58unyielding
34:02alexander
34:02saw it
34:03and said
34:03nothing
34:03he just
34:04looked at
34:04me
34:05and smiled
34:10take care
34:11of yourself
34:11chloe
34:12i'll be
34:13abroad
34:13if you
34:14need
34:14anything
34:16i nodded
34:17thank you
34:18alexander
34:19for everything
34:20he turned
34:21and walked
34:21away
34:22without
34:22looking
34:22back
34:23julian
34:24watched
34:24him
34:24go
34:25then he
34:25looked
34:25down
34:26at me
34:26he's
34:27gone
34:29are you
34:29ready
34:29let's
34:30go
34:30home
34:31home
34:32he said
34:33it so
34:33easily
34:33like the
34:34last
34:34three
34:34years
34:35had
34:35never
34:35happened
34:40that night
34:41i sat
34:41by the
34:42window
34:42while
34:42julian
34:42made
34:43dinner
34:43in the
34:43kitchen
34:43the
34:44domesticity
34:45of it
34:45all
34:45still
34:45felt
34:46unreal
34:47he came
34:48out
34:48carrying
34:48the
34:49bowls
34:49set
34:49them
34:49on
34:50the
34:50table
34:50then
34:51sat
34:51across
34:51from
34:51me
34:52i
34:52called
34:53the
34:53hotel
34:53today
34:53resigned
34:54your
34:54position
34:55for
34:55you
34:56i
34:56blinked
34:56at
34:57him
34:57you
34:57what
34:59you're
34:59not
34:59going
35:00back
35:00to
35:00work
35:00there
35:01not
35:01ever
35:02i
35:03opened
35:03my
35:03mouth
35:03to
35:04argue
35:04but he
35:04kept
35:04talking
35:05i also
35:06called the
35:06vance group
35:06legal team
35:08the hotel
35:09violated multiple
35:09labor laws
35:10during that
35:10whole search
35:11incident
35:14if you want
35:15we can sue them
35:15into the ground
35:16he paused
35:17then added
35:18by the way
35:18her earrings
35:20turned up
35:24they'd
35:24they'd
35:24fallen
35:24behind
35:25the
35:25night
35:25stand
35:25in
35:25the
35:25suite
35:26she'd
35:26misplaced
35:26them
35:27herself
35:31julian
35:32i didn't
35:32i know
35:33what you're
35:33going
35:33to
35:33say
35:38you're
35:39gonna
35:39say
35:39it
35:39doesn't
35:40matter
35:40that
35:41you
35:41just
35:41want
35:41to
35:41move
35:41on
35:42he
35:42reached
35:42across
35:43the
35:43table
35:43and
35:43took
35:43my
35:44hand
35:48but it
35:48matters
35:49to me
35:54everything
35:54they did
35:55to you
35:55matters
35:55to me
35:56i looked
35:56at him
35:57really
35:57looked
35:57at him
35:58the man
35:59who had
35:59humiliated
36:00me
36:00hurt
36:01me
36:01broken
36:02me
36:02and then
36:03put himself
36:03back together
36:04piece
36:04by piece
36:05just to
36:05earn
36:05forgiveness
36:06he might
36:06never
36:07fully
36:07deserve
36:09fine
36:11sue
36:11them
36:12his eyebrows
36:13rose
36:14that's
36:15my
36:15girl
36:16i
36:17rolled
36:17my
36:17eyes
36:17but i
36:18felt
36:18the corner
36:18of my
36:19mouth
36:19twitch
36:19almost
36:20a
36:20smile
36:26one
36:27evening
36:27julian sat
36:28beside me
36:28and spoke
36:29quietly
36:31three years
36:32after you
36:32walked away
36:32a friend
36:33mentioned
36:33seeing you
36:33at his
36:33hotel
36:35i checked
36:37and you'd
36:37actually come
36:38back
36:39working as
36:40a receptionist
36:41he paused
36:42i had a
36:42permanent suite
36:43there
36:44i never
36:44brought
36:44anyone
36:45home
36:46over
36:46those
36:46three
36:47years
36:47i changed
36:47girlfriends
36:48one after
36:48another
36:50but there
36:50was a
36:51gaping hole
36:51in my
36:51heart
36:52no one
36:52could
36:53fill it
36:54that void
36:55was shaped
36:55exactly like
36:56you
36:56i listened
36:57my chest
36:58tight
36:58the day
36:59i took her
37:00to check
37:00in
37:00you
37:00happened
37:00to be
37:01on
37:01duty
37:03i
37:04i deliberately
37:05held her
37:05hand
37:05and walked
37:06right up
37:07to you
37:09she
37:09didn't
37:10know
37:10i'd
37:10timed
37:10my
37:10arrival
37:11for
37:11your
37:11shift
37:13i
37:14called
37:14the
37:14front
37:14desk
37:15over
37:15and
37:15over
37:16asking
37:16for
37:16the
37:16sheets
37:16to be
37:17changed
37:21just
37:21to see
37:21you
37:24until
37:25that
37:25crystal
37:25fell
37:26out
37:26of
37:26your
37:26bag
37:27the
37:28cheapest
37:28gift
37:29i'd
37:29ever
37:29given
37:29you
37:29yet
37:30it
37:30made
37:30my
37:30heart
37:30soften
37:31instantly
37:33he
37:33looked
37:33at
37:34me
37:35i
37:35never
37:35got
37:36over
37:36you
37:42those
37:42nights
37:44when
37:44i
37:45secretly
37:45replaced
37:45your
37:46vodka
37:46with
37:46water
37:47i
37:48was
37:48protecting
37:48you
37:48all
37:49along
37:52when
37:52i
37:52kissed
37:53you
37:53like
37:53a
37:53madman
37:53in
37:54that
37:54hotel
37:54room
37:54i
37:54wasn't
37:55taking
37:55revenge
37:57i
37:57was
37:57trying
37:58to
37:58hold
37:58on
37:58to
37:58the
37:58only
37:58person
37:59who
37:59had
37:59ever
37:59truly
37:59loved
38:00me
38:04spring
38:05came
38:05early
38:05that
38:05year
38:06the
38:06lilacs
38:06outside
38:07the
38:07hospital
38:07window
38:08were
38:08starting
38:08to
38:08bloom
38:09again
38:09i
38:10sat
38:10on
38:10the
38:10bench
38:11in
38:11the
38:11garden
38:11letting
38:12the
38:12sun
38:12warm
38:12my
38:12face
38:13julian
38:14appeared
38:14with
38:14two
38:14cups
38:15of
38:15coffee
38:15he
38:16handed
38:16me
38:16one
38:16and sat
38:16down
38:17beside
38:17me
38:17remember
38:18these
38:18he
38:20pointed
38:20up
38:20at
38:20the
38:20lilac
38:21branches
38:21overhead
38:21five
38:22petaled
38:23ones
38:23scattered
38:23among
38:24the
38:24ordinary
38:24four
38:24petaled
38:25blooms
38:28i squinted
38:29up at
38:30the
38:30branches
38:30how many
38:31do you
38:31think
38:32we can
38:32find
38:32this
38:32time
38:33we're
38:33not
38:34climbing
38:34all
38:34over
38:35campus
38:35this
38:35time
38:36my
38:37scar
38:37is
38:37still
38:37healing
38:38in
38:38case
38:38you
38:38forgot
38:38he
38:39laughed
38:39a
38:40real
38:40laugh
38:41not
38:41the
38:42cold
38:42mocking
38:42sound
38:42I'd
38:43grown
38:43used
38:43to
38:43hearing
38:44fair
38:44point
38:45I'll
38:46do
38:46the
38:46climbing
38:46you
38:47just
38:47sit
38:48here
38:48and
38:48make
38:49wishes
38:51I
38:51turned
38:51to
38:52look
38:52at
38:52him
38:52what
38:53would
38:53I
38:53even
38:53wish
38:54for
38:55he
38:56sat
38:56down
38:56his
38:56coffee
38:57and
38:57took
38:57my
38:57hand
38:57his
38:58thumb
38:58traced
38:59the
38:59faint
38:59line
38:59of
38:59my
39:00surgical
39:00scar
39:00where
39:01my
39:01sleeve
39:01had
39:01ridden
39:01up
39:03you
39:04don't
39:04need
39:04to
39:04wish
39:04anymore
39:05everything
39:06I
39:06have
39:06is
39:06yours
39:07everything
39:07I
39:07am
39:08is
39:08because
39:08of
39:08you
39:13the
39:14wind
39:14carried
39:14the scent
39:15of
39:15lilacs
39:15toward
39:15us
39:16I
39:16leaned
39:17my
39:17head
39:17against
39:17his
39:18shoulder
39:18then
39:19I
39:19wish
39:19for
39:19this
39:20right
39:21here
39:22just
39:22like
39:23this
39:24year
39:24after
39:25year
39:28some
39:29nights
39:29I
39:30still
39:30wake
39:30up
39:30reaching
39:31for
39:31the
39:31edge
39:31of
39:31the
39:31bed
39:33from
39:33the
39:33years
39:34when
39:34I
39:34slept
39:34alone
39:35in
39:35foreign
39:35hospitals
39:36and
39:36empty
39:36apartments
39:36but
39:37every
39:38time
39:38his
39:38hand
39:39finds
39:39mine
39:39before
39:39I
39:40can
39:40pull
39:40away
39:42I'm
39:42here
39:43he
39:43says
39:44at
39:44half
39:44asleep
39:44eyes
39:45still
39:45closed
39:46and
39:47I
39:47remember
39:47I'm
39:48home now
39:49the
39:49scar
39:49on
39:50my
39:50abdomen
39:50will
39:50stay
39:51with
39:51me
39:51forever
39:51a
39:52permanent
39:52reminder
39:53of
39:53the
39:53price
39:54I
39:54paid
39:54but
39:55when
39:55Julian's
39:55arms
39:56wrap around
39:56me
39:57even
39:57the
39:57scar
39:57feels
39:58different
39:58now
39:58not
39:59a
39:59wound
40:00a
40:00proof
40:01that
40:01love
40:02doesn't
40:02always
40:02make
40:02sense
40:03stop
40:04not
40:05we
40:05can't
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