- 21 hours ago
Six Years Later, He’s Obsessed Again
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Short filmTranscript
00:00At a class reunion, he showed up, successful and powerful.
00:05Natalie!
00:07His girlfriend Isabel looked right at me.
00:09If you hadn't let him go, you'd be Mrs. Conti of the Conti Group now.
00:13He sat across from me.
00:16That's all in the past.
00:17The room instantly exploded with gossip.
00:20Under his gaze, I quietly covered the scar on my wrist.
00:25After my family fell from grace,
00:27I sank into depression and had no choice but to leave him.
00:34I forced out a stiff smile.
00:36Yeah, we're long over.
00:38The second Isabel slipped off to the restroom, everyone started digging.
00:44Wasn't Natalie the one who dumped him first?
00:46Andrew sat across the table, faint smile on his lips, eyes completely cold.
00:51This was our first meeting in six years since we broke up.
00:54I wasn't prepared for it.
00:56I only came because Marco, the former student council president, said he wouldn't be here.
01:01Now, Andrew had everything.
01:03A successful businessman.
01:05A rising star in the city.
01:07He looked even better than before.
01:09Me, I was a different story.
01:11It's true.
01:14She was the one who broke up with me.
01:16Everyone exchanged a knowing look.
01:19Someone suddenly laughed.
01:21Natalie, heard the guy you ran with after got locked up, right?
01:25And you took on his debts.
01:28You here tonight looking for a handout?
01:31While the table laughed, Andrew's deep eyes stayed on me, not a word.
01:35I smiled through it, didn't answer.
01:38My mind flashed back to the day I was screaming and shaking, being taken to a psychiatric hospital.
01:43Just then, the door opened.
01:46Isabel walked back in.
01:47She noticed the weird tension and asked with a smile.
01:50What did I miss?
01:52Andrew finally moved.
01:53He gently held her hand.
01:55Nothing.
01:56His voice softened instantly.
01:58Just catching up.
01:59She settled into her seat, eyes landing on me.
02:03Andrew mentioned you.
02:04Thank you for giving him up.
02:07Otherwise, I wouldn't be Mrs. Conti now.
02:10Several people couldn't hide their amusement anymore.
02:13Back then, my family stood at the height of its power.
02:16I was showered with admiration wherever I went.
02:19That jealousy never faded with time.
02:22Years later, it only became another reason to kick me while I was down.
02:26It's over.
02:26Stop bringing it up.
02:27The room went quiet.
02:28Anyway, thank you Natalie.
02:31You have to come to our wedding.
02:33I quietly covered the scar on my wrist.
02:36Then said numbly,
02:38Congratulations.
02:40Why didn't you just tell him the truth?
02:44The reunion ended early.
02:46He has a girlfriend.
02:49Silence on the other end.
02:52A girlfriend?
02:54Yeah.
02:55But you finally saw him.
02:58After everything you went through to get here.
03:01Ava.
03:02Nobody waits in the same place forever.
03:07Some things lose all meaning if you say them too late.
03:10At that point, the truth only makes everyone sick.
03:15I'm letting it go.
03:18Okay.
03:19We'll talk when you're home.
03:21I'd clawed my way out of the mire after years of struggle, hoping to cross paths with him in the
03:26most dignified way.
03:28But it was already too late.
03:30It was already below freezing.
03:32And cabs weren't stopping.
03:33I stood there long enough for my fingers to go low.
03:36Then I heard heels clicking behind me.
03:39A soft female voice followed.
03:41Andy, the snow's beautiful.
03:43It's cold outside.
03:45Go wait in the car.
03:46I'll be right there.
03:48Don't take long.
03:49As Isabelle passed me, she gave me a meaningful look.
03:52Then she walked toward the black car nearby.
03:55When she opened the door, the heirloom piece on her wrist slipped into view beneath the streetlight.
04:01My chest tightened instantly.
04:03The Conti family piece.
04:05The one I'd had someone return to Andrew the day we ended things.
04:09So she wasn't just his girlfriend.
04:11She was his fiancee.
04:13The crowd had cleared.
04:14Just the two of us left.
04:16My ride still hadn't come.
04:18And suddenly, my mind drifted back.
04:21The night we broke up, Andrew got into a car accident while rushing to see me.
04:26Marco called.
04:27Andrew's in the hospital.
04:29Is he in danger?
04:30If he wasn't, would you not come at all?
04:35Please look after him.
04:38Natalie, he got the overseas post.
04:40He's going to be something.
04:42Why couldn't you just wait a little longer?
04:44What, you needed money that bad?
04:45After everything he did for you, you still left him?
04:48Have you forgotten all he did for you?
04:49Marco shouted.
04:50Then suddenly the phone was snatched away.
04:52The call disconnected.
04:54I was the one who abandoned him first.
04:56So it made sense that he hated me.
04:59How much do you owe?
05:02Not your problem.
05:05The alcohol turning in my stomach, eyes watering from the force of it.
05:10Andrew stood beside me and watched coldly.
05:13A cab pulled up.
05:15Heading to the Harwick complex?
05:17Yeah.
05:18I pushed myself upright and reached for the car door.
05:22Someone grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
05:24I stumbled straight into Andrew's chest.
05:29What are you going to that place for?
05:31I tried to push his hand off.
05:33He caught my wrist instead.
05:35I pulled twice but didn't get free.
05:37Then I looked up at his dark and unreadable face.
05:41What exactly are you trying to say, Mr. Conti?
05:43He didn't answer.
05:47You think the same thing everyone else does, right?
05:49You think my money comes from dirty work.
05:52Five grand a month.
05:53Was that enough?
05:55What?
05:56You're short on cash, aren't you?
05:57Five, ten, name it.
05:58I slapped him and my handprint instantly appeared on his face.
06:03I stared at him coldly.
06:05Stay in your lane.
06:09I left him with that and got in the cab.
06:16You hit him?
06:18Yeah.
06:19He tried to keep me as his mistress.
06:21I was curled into the corner of the couch.
06:25A minute later, I was up and running for the bathroom.
06:29Ava rubbed my back.
06:31You know you can't drink with a bad stomach.
06:34After rinsing my mouth, my throat still burned painfully.
06:38All those years, was it worth it?
06:43If you hadn't been the one to end it, none of his today would even exist.
06:47I thought of Isabelle again.
06:49She had something I used to have.
06:51That brightness.
06:53That ease.
06:54I remembered being like that once.
06:56A long time ago.
06:57After Ava finished her shift at the Harwick, we walked home together.
07:01Marco called me out of nowhere.
07:04Natalie, if things are rough right now, I can set you up with something.
07:08I stayed silent, waiting for the real point.
07:13Isabelle is a decent person.
07:14Good family.
07:15I'm not going near him again.
07:17You don't have to worry.
07:19We just want Andrew to be okay.
07:22I know.
07:25The call ended.
07:27Ava's eyes were red.
07:28They don't know anything!
07:31I forced a bitter smile.
07:34It doesn't matter.
07:38I had to stay in the city a while longer, so I found a job nearby.
07:42During the interview, HR frowned at my file.
07:45You have a history of depression.
07:47In the past.
07:48Stable now.
07:49I have documentation from my doctor.
07:51Several companies before this one had run background checks and quietly dropped me after that.
07:56This one was small.
07:58That same night, I got the offer.
08:02I figured the reunion was the last time I'd have anything to do with Andrew.
08:07I was wrong.
08:09Three days later, he suddenly became the new boss of our company.
08:14And my desk got moved directly outside his office door.
08:20I refuse.
08:21I stormed into his office.
08:23Fine.
08:23Submit your resignation to HR.
08:26I almost laughed.
08:28You're firing me just because I won't move my desk?
08:33I simply gave you a choice.
08:37Or did you think I wanted something from you?
08:40I choked on my words.
08:43I thought of Ava arguing with the landlord over $50 the night before.
08:48I forced a smile.
08:52Of course not, Mr. Conti. You're a man of principle.
08:55I'm not worried.
08:57Good. Close the door on your way out.
09:01And turn your chair around. I don't want to see your face.
09:03After that, we barely exchanged a word.
09:06A week in, the company had a team dinner.
09:09Since I was the new face, they wouldn't let my glass stay empty.
09:12Come on, Natalie. Skip one and we're docking your pay.
09:15The manager kept the glasses coming.
09:18Relax. You get too drunk, we'll take you home.
09:21It's just us girls. Nothing to worry about.
09:23Everyone cheered.
09:25Everyone cheered.
09:28I swallowed the last one and went down.
09:37The next morning, I woke up in a huge bed.
09:41I slowly sat up. The blanket slipped from my body, revealing a soft hotel bathrobe.
09:47I stared at it for a second, then got up and walked out.
09:51In the main room, Andrew was sitting with one leg crossed.
09:56You're up. Breakfast is on the table. Eat something, then go back to sleep.
10:00A chill ran through me.
10:02Did we?
10:02He tossed the paper on the coffee table, then pulled his collar open just enough.
10:07Bite marks on his neck.
10:13Well, you started it last night.
10:15My mind exploded blank.
10:17That's impossible.
10:18Andrew set a contract in front of me, my fingerprint on it.
10:21The contents were simple.
10:23I would become his mistress, and he'd pay me $10,000 a month.
10:26There's no way I sign this.
10:31You sure about that?
10:33I opened my mouth. I couldn't say a single word.
10:38Caught your confession last night by accident.
10:41Want to hear all your little thoughts you tried so hard to hide?
10:45Everything in me went cold.
10:47Humiliation crashed over me instantly.
10:50Hiding those feelings already felt shameful enough, but now they had been exposed.
10:55Chasing an engaged man?
10:57Natalie, what do you think happens when people hear this?
11:01Are you taking revenge on me?
11:03Yes.
11:04You made sure I didn't have it easy back then.
11:07Why should I make it easy for you now? Two options.
11:09Honor the contract, or I release the recording.
11:13Release it.
11:16Andrew, I'm not being your other wormhole.
11:21Natalie, who do you think you are?
11:23You think you still have a choice?
11:27He left.
11:29My clothes were in a heap on the bathroom floor.
11:32Andrews were folded neatly over the chair by the door.
11:35Not a wrinkle.
11:37The sharp contrast hurt more than I expected.
11:40I exhaled, changed, and walked out of the hotel.
11:46Ava called. Her voice was strained.
11:49Natalie, they want $500,000.
11:51The sky was grey.
11:52They said if you don't pay, they'll put everything out there.
11:55Your mom's ashes, her belongings.
11:59They won't tell you where any of it is.
12:01Ava almost cried.
12:04I'll try to pull an advance on my paycheck, borrow the rest.
12:08Should have it together by next month.
12:10Okay.
12:11After a long moment, I pressed a number.
12:13It rang for a while before he picked up.
12:17Something wrong?
12:18Elin, I'm sorry to bother you, I...
12:20He sounded busy on the other end.
12:24You're in some kind of trouble.
12:26I pulled in a slow breath.
12:29Could you lend me $400,000?
12:32The moment I said it, my whole body felt like it was on fire.
12:37Then noise on his end.
12:39Elin, emergency surgery.
12:41On my way.
12:42I hadn't expected much.
12:44I'd already prepared myself for a deadline.
12:46At the last second...
12:47Send me your account number. I'll transfer it before end of day.
12:51The call ended.
12:52The sky was still grey, but I felt warm inside.
12:58That evening, the manager knocked on my desk.
13:02Client dinner tonight. You're coming.
13:04A few hours earlier, I'd gone to him to ask for an advance on my paycheck.
13:08Between the advance, what I'd borrowed, I'd just barely reached $500,000.
13:14I walked into the private room and saw Andrew.
13:17The chandelier caught the line of his jaw.
13:19The manager gave me a small push forward.
13:22Every head turned.
13:24Mr. Conti, is she one of yours?
13:28Yeah, new hire.
13:30What kind of new hire needs you babysitting her personally?
13:33Not bad looking, either.
13:36The manager put me next to Andrew.
13:39Stay sharp tonight.
13:40You drink so he doesn't have to.
13:42Mr. Conti, can your new girl hold her liquor or not?
13:47She can.
13:48The manager jumped in.
13:50Absolutely she can.
13:52Andrew said nothing.
13:53He tapped the table lightly with two fingers.
13:55I picked up the glass, held my breath, and drank it down.
13:59The table cheated.
14:04Where were we? Let's keep going.
14:06The night ran hot.
14:07Every toast meant for Andrew, the manager put it in my glass.
14:12Eventually, I couldn't hold it anymore.
14:14I slipped out to the restroom.
14:15I turned the tap on and dry heaved over the sink.
14:19My hair came loose and fell into the basin, soaked through in minutes.
14:23I texted Ava.
14:25Then, I had nothing left.
14:27I dropped my head onto the edge of the sink, eyes shut, breathing hard.
14:32Unhurried footsteps outside.
14:33The door opened.
14:35I thought it was one of the women from the table.
14:37It was Andrew's calm voice.
14:39Already tapping out?
14:40I pulled together what I had left, pushed off the sink, and moved unsteadily toward the door.
14:46Andrew grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
14:48Let go of me!
14:49Andrew dragged me in front of the mirror without effort, turned me to face it.
14:54Take a good look at yourself.
14:57You walk out like this, aren't you afraid someone will take advantage of you?
15:01The girl in the mirror had wet eyes, flushed cheeks.
15:05Who could possibly have worse intentions than you?
15:09Andrew laughed softly.
15:11Come back with me tonight.
15:14Yeah.
15:17Get off me.
15:19Before I could finish, he kissed me hard.
15:21The alcohol was still moving through me.
15:24My vision started to blur.
15:26Cold sweat covered my skin.
15:28It felt like I was being dragged back into those dark days again.
15:33Andrew, please let me go.
15:35The darkness completely swallowed me.
15:39I couldn't feel anything anymore.
15:41Natalie.
15:42Andrew was shouting my name.
15:44His eyes were no longer filled with hatred.
15:46So panicked that I suddenly couldn't tell anymore.
15:50Andrew.
15:52I never want to see you again.
15:55The fever came in hard.
15:57My head was gone.
15:59My whole body ached.
16:00I lay curled under the blankets.
16:03Shaking and shaking.
16:04And outside.
16:05In and out of sleep.
16:07I dreamed about back then.
16:09I was on Andrew's back and I asked,
16:11Andrew, what would you do if I died?
16:14Don't say that.
16:15It's just a fever.
16:16The shot will take care of it.
16:17Hey, do you have enough money?
16:19Shots are expensive.
16:21It's fine.
16:22How is it fine?
16:23How many jobs are you working right now?
16:25Andrew didn't answer.
16:26He set me down at the nurse's station,
16:28crouched in front of me.
16:29As long as you're okay, nothing else matters.
16:32Once my parents stop fighting,
16:33I'll ask them for my allowance and pay you back.
16:36Trust me.
16:37We're gonna have money someday.
16:39But I didn't turn out the way he hoped.
16:42The night Andrew went out of town for the competition,
16:44I came home and pushed open my parents' bedroom door.
16:47My father had another woman in his arms.
16:50My clean, easy life cracked apart right there.
16:54What followed?
16:56My parents screaming at each other.
16:58My father disappearing without a word.
17:01The family drowning in debt.
17:05One night, deep into the dark,
17:07the collectors came to the door.
17:09The swinging light overhead.
17:11The men's voices, excited and ugly.
17:15All of it ran together in my head.
17:17A thick, boiling mess.
17:20Then my mother was gone.
17:22The collectors had pushed her to it.
17:24Ava found me.
17:25She got me out of there and took me south to Miami.
17:30A rainy afternoon.
17:31I was folded into a corner of the hospital.
17:36She has hereditary depression.
17:40Is there any family?
17:41She has a boyfriend.
17:42He's out of town for a competition.
17:45Notify him.
17:46The doctor spoke in clinical terms.
17:48She's showing strong suicidal ideation.
17:50Treatment will be difficult.
17:53The family should prepare for a long road.
17:58I wasn't in any state to go to the police.
18:01To build a case.
18:02To fight back.
18:03Ava and I were like two people with nowhere left to go.
18:06We ran.
18:07We left the only place we'd ever called home.
18:11That same day, the competition results came out.
18:13Andrew's name at the top.
18:15He'd gotten the overseas post.
18:17He called.
18:18I picked up.
18:20Natalie.
18:21I did it.
18:22Three years, then I'm coming home to marry you.
18:24I looked at the gate as it slowly closed behind me.
18:27I couldn't find my way back.
18:29Andrew, I...
18:30I don't think I can be with you anymore.
18:32I held back the sound in my throat.
18:34The tears came anyway.
18:36He went still.
18:37I opened my mouth.
18:39But at that moment, I hesitated.
18:41His whole future was ahead of him.
18:43Did I really have the right to drag the rest of his life into the endless rain and darkness with
18:48me?
18:49A girl stood at a fence, sobbing out loud.
18:52The boy on the other side had gone numb and cold.
18:55Disgusted.
18:56I watched love leave his eyes.
18:59It was the most hopeless thing I'd ever seen.
19:02Andrew?
19:03You take care of yourself.
19:04Let's call it.
19:07The sound of machines ticking nearby.
19:10Late sun came through the blinds in thin strips, falling across the sofa.
19:14I blinked.
19:15The nightmare pulled back.
19:16I sat up.
19:19Andrew was on the sofa, head down, peeling an apple in silence.
19:23His fingers were steady and careful.
19:25He heard me move.
19:29He looked up, met my eyes, and got up without a word to press the call button.
19:35The doctor came quickly, checked my pupils, confirmed I was fine, then turned to Andrew.
19:41Her nutrition is low.
19:42Going forward, she should focus on getting more protein.
19:46The door closed.
19:48Don't think about anything.
19:50Just get better first.
19:51I didn't take it.
19:52I got out of bed and went straight to the cabinet.
19:55My phone was gone.
19:56There were no street clothes either.
19:58Without stopping me.
20:03Andrew.
20:05What do you want?
20:06You don't know what I want.
20:08Andrew set the apple on the nightstand, pulled out a tissue, and wiped his hands at his own pace.
20:15I want you.
20:17He was sitting right in the light.
20:19Andrew.
20:21You can't do this to me.
20:23Andrew stood up, looked down at me, and smoothed my hair back.
20:27Why not?
20:28I have someone I care about.
20:30Please, leave me alone.
20:32Is that right?
20:33There was no smile on Andrew's face at all.
20:36He cupped my face, leaned in close, and stopped with his lips just short of mine.
20:42Andrew laughed.
20:44Natalie.
20:45You're lying.
20:48The private clinic was out past the edge of the city.
20:51Nothing outside the window, but miles of trees.
20:54I couldn't leave and reach anyone.
20:56I tried asking the staff for help.
20:58They said there was nothing they could do.
21:01Andrew came every day, usually in the evening.
21:04He'd come in tired from whatever the day had been, sit with me, talk for a while.
21:09I wanted nothing to do with him touching me.
21:12He didn't push it.
21:34A man who has been a man who has beenary public.
21:35I wanted to be in a way to be in the environment.
21:35And I was thinking maybe he could grab coffee later.
21:38Maybe he could grab coffee later?
21:39But?
21:40With me, I didn't want to go to the next point.
21:42If I could go in the morning.
21:42I was thinking maybe we could grab coffee later?
21:43dorm and cried. Andrew got dressed in the middle of the night and came down fast. He wiped my face
21:50gently. Don't cry. As long as you want me, I'll always be yours. Now and after. Only you. That's
22:00not how a confession is supposed to sound. He paused. Then he held me tight. I love you. Back
22:06then, neither of us could have guessed we'd end up here. Tomorrow I'm getting married. The sun
22:11outside hadn't gone down yet, the last of its warmth still in the air. Anything you
22:16want to say to me? Andrew's voice brought me back from wherever I'd gone, staring at his
22:23face. I understood suddenly why I'd been dreaming so much lately. I was saying goodbye to the
22:29Natalie and Andrew we used to be. The news had been running their story every day. Him and
22:35Isabel. The perfect pair. Everything we used to imagine for ourselves. But me? I was nothing
22:41but damaged now. What right did I have to any of it? Congratulations. Andrew's hand
22:48stopped mid-peel. The blade caught his finger. Blood came up slowly. He looked at it for a
22:53second, pressed a tissue to it, and smiled down at the floor. It's nothing. She and I are
23:00just going through the motions. Do you want kids? I'm open to it. Andrew, can we just let
23:05this go? Let's both walk away with some dignity? I was suddenly exhausted. Andrew set everything
23:11back in the bowl. Then he stared at me. Just let it go. Why should I? You're the one who
23:19started it. Then you decided you were done, walked away without looking back. What does
23:24that make me? Your lap dog? Then I'm giving you back. Andrew went still. What did you just
23:33say? I looked at the sun about to drop below the horizon. You don't want me to be okay.
23:39Fine. I can go ahead and die. He grabbed my jaw and turned my head. I was looking straight
23:45into Andrew's eyes, and they were full of fury. Natalie, are you out of your mind? If you wanted
23:53to die so badly, why didn't you just do it back then? I couldn't remember when he left. That same
24:00night, Marco showed up and shoved the door open. Natalie, what did you promise me? Do you know what
24:09it's going to cost Andrew to break this engagement? Can you stop acting like you did back then, making
24:16a mess and letting Andrew clean it up? Can you think about him for once? I was confused. What's
24:21going on? Andrew is breaking off his engagement because of you, and you still have the nerve to ask?
24:28I sat there, ears ringing. He was doing this publicly. Where did that leave me? As the other woman who
24:35broke
24:36up someone's family? Come with me. You were so good at it once, weren't you? Bored with him? Found
24:44someone new? Marco. Natalie! If you hadn't come back, would any of this be happening? His voice rang out
24:53through the wind and the snow outside. It froze everything in me. My ears went full of noise. I
24:59couldn't hear anything. His eyes held more hatred than I'd ever seen from him. Like someone like me
25:05deserved to be dead. Marco, he won't let me go. Once this is handled, I'll get you out.
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