Taste Me - Full Episode is a seductive romance filled with forbidden attraction, dangerous secrets, obsession, and irresistible chemistry. When an unexpected encounter sparks a connection neither can ignore, two strangers find themselves trapped in a game of desire and emotions. As passion grows stronger, hidden truths, jealous rivals, and painful betrayals threaten to destroy everything between them. Torn between temptation and trust, they must decide whether love is worth the risk. Packed with emotional twists, billionaire romance, intense attraction, dramatic revelations, and unforgettable moments, this addictive short drama delivers a thrilling love story from beginning to end. Forbidden-love and obsession-driven romance themes remain among the most popular genres in vertical short dramas worldwide.
#TasteMe #ForbiddenRomance #BillionaireObsession #DarkRomance #ShortDrama #DramaSeries #FullEP #RomanticDrama #ShortFilm #ShortMovie
#TasteMe #ForbiddenRomance #BillionaireObsession #DarkRomance #ShortDrama #DramaSeries #FullEP #RomanticDrama #ShortFilm #ShortMovie
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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
01:44I 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?
01:53Fifteen 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.
02:27Abe, 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.
03:10Like 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.
04:00I 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 we misunderstand.
04:38Let me shower.
04:40The man's eyes were cold and sharp.
04:41His breath heavy with the scent of alcohol brushing against my ear.
04:46For 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.
05:02He 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.
05:10As 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.
05:32It 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.
05:43Well, 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 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.
06:42I 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.
07:16He had a girlfriend back then.
07:18His first love, too.
07:19But 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.
07:46Instantly 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.
08:05The 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.
08:49He 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, wearing an apologetic smile.
09:10Julian's girlfriend spoke with arrogant superiority.
09:13This 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, inspect a procedure.
10:11My 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 with a harsh zip.
10:31The 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.
10:40I 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.
11:14Stop making a scene.
11:16Pick out a new set you like tomorrow.
11:18Julian dismissed the manager and his girlfriend.
11:20The reception room fell quiet, leaving 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.
12:56He 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.
13:10That 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, but 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.
14:22Julian 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.
15:21My 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.
16:02I 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.
16:11A buddy of Julian stood up and said loudly to me,
16:14Offend seven Germans, piece my jewelry, can't be one of Bae's with just been title.
16:18About this.
16:20One hundred thousand per glaze.
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.
16:51His expression.
16:52Unreadable.
16:52His 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.
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.
17:54He'd pull me into his arms and cut my face.
17:57Then his mouth would come down on mine.
17:59Sudden and deep.
18:00The 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.
18:22His 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.
18:42Against mine, what 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.
19:00I 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,
19:10my phone rang.
19:12Alexander's call.
19:13It was like a basin of cold water poured over my head.
19:15I sobered instantly.
19:16I 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.
20:43As 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.
21:03Right 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,
21:11he 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,
21:58turning around.
21:59I saw myself in the mirror.
22:01An 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,
22:23but 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.
22:32The doctor warned the risks were extremely high.
22:35I looked at Alexander.
22:36What 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.
24:06His 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 you,
25:09you 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 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
25:51but 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
26:05she 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 a long-term suite
26:18that hotel.
26:19It was the only place
26:20where you two could bump
26:21into each other by chance
26:22without getting too 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,
26:52a 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
27:20had 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 preparations
27:30in the hospital room.
27:31I kept taking deep breaths
27:32nervously.
27:33Alexander
27:34had just gone
27:35somewhere unknown.
27:37I craned my neck
27:39to look toward the door.
27:40To my surprise,
27:41I saw Julian appear
27:42right in front of me.
27:44I saw Julian appear
27:45right in front of me.
27:46I was too nervous,
27:48so nervous
27:48that I started
27:49hallucinating.
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 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 my
28:36hallucination
28:36after 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 to
28:52make it out alive.
28:56It was my fault.
28:57I owe you.
28:59When you come out,
29:00let's start over,
29:00okay?
29:04The night
29:04before my 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,
29:14I half-dash woke.
29:16My throat was dry.
29:20Julian.
29:21The name slipped
29:22out before I could
29:23stop it.
29:25His hand found
29:26mine instantly,
29:27gripping it firmly.
29:30I'm here.
29:31I'm not going
29:32anywhere.
29:35His face
29:36in the dim light
29:36looked exhausted,
29:37but his eyes
29:38were wide open,
29:39watching me
29:40like he was
29:41afraid I'd
29:41disappear if
29:42he blinked.
29:44Go to sleep.
29:46I'll be right
29:47here when you
29:48wake up.
29:59His thumb
30:00traced slow
30:01circles on the
30:01back of my
30:02hand.
30:03The moment I
30:04was wheeled out
30:05of the ward,
30:06I squeezed his
30:06hand back.
30:07After all these
30:08years, I was
30:09still full of
30:09courage.
30:11Okay, I'll
30:12make it out
30:13alive.
30:14The last thing
30:14I saw before
30:15the doors closed
30:16was Julian's
30:17face, pale,
30:18rigid, his
30:19eyes locked on
30:20mine.
30:26Then the
30:26operating room
30:27swallowed me.
30:31When I woke,
30:33the first thing I
30:34felt was his hand
30:34gripping mine
30:35gripping mine,
30:35the room was
30:36quiet, the
30:37operating light
30:38was off.
30:42Julian sat
30:43beside my bed,
30:44still in the
30:45suit jacket I'd
30:45once bought for
30:46him in all the
30:47years we'd been
30:47apart.
30:48He hadn't worn
30:49it once, but
30:50even during the
30:51three years he
30:51hated me the
30:52most, he'd
30:53never thrown it
30:54away.
30:55His hand rested
30:56in the suit pocket,
30:57he pulled
30:57something out, and
30:58his palm lay over
30:59a dozen dried
31:00lilac.
31:01Blossoms, the
31:02petals had
31:02withered long
31:03ago.
31:05I remembered
31:06that early
31:06summer, the
31:07lilacs on
31:08campus had
31:08bloomed like
31:09a sea of
31:09stars.
31:13Ordinary lilacs
31:14usually have
31:15for petals,
31:16occasionally there
31:16are five-petaled
31:17ones, which are
31:18said to symbolize
31:19good luck.
31:21I told Julian
31:22that if you make
31:23a wish on a
31:23five-petaled
31:24lilac, it will
31:25come true, so I
31:26dragged him all
31:27over looking for
31:28five-petaled
31:28lilacs.
31:31He found it
31:32amusing.
31:33If you want
31:34five-petaled
31:34ones, I'll have
31:35someone deliver a
31:36whole truckload to
31:37you.
31:37But I said it only
31:38counted as good
31:39luck if I found
31:39them myself with a
31:40sincere heart, so
31:41he had to
31:42accompany me all
31:43over campus looking
31:44for five-petaled
31:45flowers.
31:46In the end, we
31:47finally collected
31:48eighteen five-petaled
31:49lilacs.
31:51After making my
31:52wish back then, I
31:54had secretly hidden
31:54the flowers in his
31:55pocket.
31:56He looked at the
31:57dried petals in his
31:58hand now, his
31:59lips curled to
31:59smile, but his
32:01throat tightened
32:01with a sudden
32:02ache.
32:02He closed his
32:03hand, gripping
32:04the petals tightly.
32:06On the boundary
32:07between life and
32:07death, this time it
32:09was his turn to
32:09make a wish.
32:11I made a wish
32:12back then.
32:13I want to be with
32:14you year after
32:15year.
32:16That sentence had
32:17become permanently
32:18etched in his
32:18heart and his
32:19lifelong ambition.
32:23Days passed.
32:24The doctor said my
32:25recovery was going
32:26well.
32:28Julian refused to
32:29leave my side.
32:30He fed me water.
32:32Cup by cup, he
32:33helped me walk down
32:33the hallway, one
32:35slow step at a
32:35time.
32:36When I got tired, I
32:38leaned my head
32:38against his
32:39shoulder.
32:39He didn't say
32:40anything.
32:41He just let me
32:42rest there.
32:44One afternoon, I
32:45woke up from a nap
32:46and felt cold.
32:48Julian noticed
32:49immediately.
32:50He picked up his
32:51jacket from the
32:52chair and draped it
32:53over me.
32:53it was his white
32:54dress shirt.
32:55The same one.
32:56I'd worn that
32:57morning after the
32:57night 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
33:22neck.
33:23His fingers brushed
33:24my jaw.
33:25For a moment,
33:26neither of us
33:27moved.
33:31A week later, the
33:32doctor cleared me to
33:33go home.
33:35Julian drove me
33:37himself.
33:37He opened every
33:38door for me,
33:39carried every
33:40bag.
33:44At the entrance
33:45to my apartment
33:46building,
33:46Alexander was
33:47waiting.
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
33:55settled around my
33:56waist, possessive,
33:58unyielding.
34:01Alexander saw it
34:02and said nothing.
34:03He just looked at
34:04me and smiled.
34:10Take care of
34:11yourself, Chloe.
34:12I'll be abroad if
34:14you need anything.
34:16I nodded.
34:17Thank you,
34:18Alexander.
34:19For everything.
34:20He turned and
34:21walked away without
34:22looking back.
34:23Julian watched
34:24him go.
34:25Then he looked
34:25down at me.
34:26He's gone.
34:29Are you ready?
34:30Let's go home.
34:31Home.
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
34:54position 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
35:03to argue, but he
35:04kept talking.
35:05I also called the
35:06Vance Group legal
35:07team.
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
35:17added...
35:18By the way, her
35:19earrings turned up.
35:24They'd fallen behind
35:25the nightstand in the
35:25suite.
35:26She'd misplaced them
35:27herself.
35:31Julian, I didn't...
35:32I know what you're
35:33going to say.
35:38You'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
35:43my 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.
35:58The man who had
35:59humiliated me,
36:01hurt me,
36:02broken me,
36:02and then put himself
36:03back together piece
36:04by piece just to earn
36:05forgiveness 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,
36:27Julian sat beside me
36:28and spoke quietly.
36:31Three years after you
36:32walked away,
36:32a friend mentioned
36:33seeing you at his
36:33hotel.
36:35I checked,
36:37and you'd actually
36:38come back,
36:39working as a
36:40receptionist.
36:41He paused.
36:42I had a permanent
36:43suite there.
36:44I never brought
36:44anyone home.
36:46Over those three years,
36:47I changed girlfriends
36:48one after another.
36:50But there was a
36:51gaping hole in my
36:51heart.
36:52No one could fill it.
36:54That void was
36:55shaped exactly like
36:56you.
36:56I listened,
36:57my chest tight.
36:59The day I took her
37:00to check in,
37:00you happened to be
37:01on duty.
37:04I deliberately
37:05held her hand
37:05and walked right
37:06up to you.
37:09She didn't know
37:10I'd timed my arrival
37:11for your shift.
37:13I called the front
37:14desk over and
37:15over,
37:16asking for the
37:16sheets to be
37:17changed.
37:21Just to see you.
37:24Until that crystal
37:25fell out of your
37:26bag,
37:28the cheapest gift
37:29I'd ever given you,
37:30yet it made my
37:30heart soften
37:31instantly.
37:33He looked at me.
37:35I never got over
37:36you.
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
37:53in that hotel room,
37:54I wasn't taking
37:55revenge.
37:57I was trying to
37:58hold on to the only
37:58person who'd ever
37:59truly loved me.
38:04Spring came early
38:05that year.
38:06The lilacs outside
38:07the hospital window
38:08were starting to
38:08bloom.
38:09Again,
38:10I sat on the
38:10bench in the
38:11garden,
38:11letting the sun
38:12warm my face.
38:13Julian appeared
38:14with two cups
38:15of coffee.
38:15He handed me
38:16one and sat
38:16down beside me.
38:18Remember these?
38:19He pointed up
38:20at the lilac
38:21branches overhead.
38:22Five petaled
38:23ones scattered
38:23among the ordinary
38:24four petaled
38:25blooms.
38:28I squinted up
38:29at the branches.
38:31How many do you
38:31think we can find
38:32this time?
38:33We're not climbing
38:34all over campus
38:35this time.
38:36My scar is still
38:37healing in case
38:38you forgot.
38:39He laughed.
38:40A real laugh.
38:41Not the cold
38:42mocking sound
38:42I'd grown used
38:43to hearing.
38:44Fair point.
38:45I'll do the
38:46climbing.
38:46You just sit
38:48here and make
38:49wishes.
38:51I turned to
38:52look at him.
38:52What would I
38:53even wish for?
38:55He set down
38:56his coffee
38:57and took my
38:57hand.
38:58His thumb
38:58traced the faint
38:59line of my
39:00surgical scar
39:00where 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.
39:18Then I wish
39:19for this.
39:20Right here.
39:22Just like this.
39:24Year after
39:25year.
39:28Some nights
39:29I still wake up
39:30reaching for the
39:31edge of the bed.
39:33From the years
39:34when I slept
39:34alone in foreign
39:35hospitals and
39:36empty apartments.
39:37But every time
39:38his hand finds
39:39mine before I can
39:40pull away.
39:42I'm here.
39:43He says at
39:44half asleep
39:44eyes still
39:45closed.
39:46And I remember
39:47I'm home now.
39:49The scar on my
39:50abdomen will stay
39:51with me forever.
39:52A permanent
39:53reminder of the
39:53price I paid.
39:54But when
39:55Julian's arms
39:56wrap around me
39:57even the scar
39:57feels different
39:58now.
39:59Not a wound.
40:00A proof.
40:01That love
40:02doesn't always
40:02make sense.
40:03Who's
40:05Who's
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