- 1 week ago
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:06you're ultra thin
00:11she isn't here yet why don't we use it first
00:17i'm messing with you i set you up on a blind date for next wednesday you've been with me
00:22all these years i don't want you stuck you'll go right he doesn't care about me he just wants
00:29me gone before his first love comes back so she never finds out about us
00:38just send me the address it's late i should go wait
00:52stay tonight i thought someone was coming over you actually believe that
00:58do you really think i'm that kind of man all these years who else have i been with
01:14this is the last time serena's coming home i don't want her to suspect us
01:19so go on that blind date and behave
01:30darius has endless stamina no matter how tired i am i always force myself to the guest room afterward
01:39it's been our habit for five years he's a light sleeper and hates anyone next to him
01:48i had the chef saved you breakfast i'm late i need to take the subway
01:53i'll drive you no my promotion result comes out today if my call work see me getting out of my
02:00boss's car i'll never explain it away suit yourself
02:06vera your blind date for next week
02:11after last night i almost forgot why i came i brought him that ultra thin so i could end our
02:17five-year secret relationship i don't want him to think like i'll cling to him
02:22all right i'll go
02:39from now on we're just superior and subordinate
02:43don't worry i won't make things hard for you
02:49vera congratulations in advance when you become department director don't forget about us
02:57the results aren't even out yet no need to be modest you've been here the longest you've closed
03:02the biggest projects we've all seen how hard you've worked you're the perfect choice for director
03:07if i get it i'll take everyone to the best omakase in the city
03:22everyone meet serena she's a master's graduate from overseas
03:27and darius has appointed her director of the planning department
03:34hi everyone looking forward to working with you
03:41she's gorgeous appointed personally by darius wonder what their relationship really is
03:47she looks exactly like the girl in the photo i saw hidden in darius's wallet
03:57come in
03:59why
04:01why what
04:02there are so many positions in this company
04:05why did you have to give my promotion to serena
04:10she wanted to be in the planning department
04:13just because she wanted it
04:16you can just throw away five years of my hard work
04:19he knows full well what i've done for this promotion
04:22i took the unwanted middle east assignment
04:24i survived an entire year of high pressure isolated work
04:29vera this is how the real world works
04:32i'm in this position so i make the rules
04:35i just wanted fairness is that too much to ask
04:40fairness you're talking to me about fairness
04:42vera get one thing straight
04:44if you hadn't slept with me with your state university background
04:47you wouldn't have passed the first round of screening at crown star
04:49go ask the harvard yale and cambridge graduates who interviewed with you back then
04:53do you think they got fairness
04:55you never complained when you enjoyed the privileges my power gave you
04:58but now you want fairness
05:02his words cut me like a knife
05:04i finally realize i've worked my fingers to the bone for five years to prove myself
05:08i never used our relationship to get ahead
05:10but i can't change the truth
05:12i only got into crown star because of him
05:15i really have no right to talk about festus
05:17i'm going to resign
05:20our first meeting was pretty messy
05:22i just graduated college and moved to the city
05:25only to catch my ex cheating on me
05:29overwhelmed by stress and heartbreak
05:31my friends took me out to drink
05:34slow down you're scaring us
05:36yeah don't drink like this
05:37i'm so hurt just leave me alone
05:46holy shit
05:47he looks like a magazine cover
05:52vera where are you going
05:56you
05:57want to come home with me
06:02i've never met anyone as bold as you
06:11that night in my tiny apartment
06:13we slept together for the first time
06:15i had never felt anything so intense
06:17it was overwhelming
06:19after that night i thought i would never see him again
06:22the next day
06:24i showed up for my interview at crown star
06:27when i looked up
06:28i saw him sitting at the head of the table in a tailored suit
06:32my heart nearly jumped out of my chest
06:35please introduce yourself
06:37hello everyone
06:38my name is vera bennett
06:40and i major in
06:41soon after
06:43i got an offer email from crown star
06:45on my first day
06:47the company held a welcome party
06:49darius spoke on stage as an executive
06:52when the party ended
06:53he cornered me in the elevator
06:55your name is vera right
06:58can you handle a no strings physical only relationship
07:02i'm not an open person
07:04i'm actually pretty conservative
07:05but something in his dark eyes made me speak before i could think
07:10yes
07:11i can
07:13the second i heard myself say it
07:15i knew i was done for
07:17i was hopelessly
07:18completely in love with him
07:22the formula here is wrong
07:24do it again
07:25after that
07:26our lives split in two
07:28by day
07:29we were strictly boss and employee
07:31by night
07:32we dropped all titles
07:33and became the perfect physical match for each other
07:37after every night together
07:39darius always gave me generous cash
07:41luxury bags
07:43and jewelry
07:43but he gave me more than that
07:46under his personal guidance
07:48i went from a rookie
07:50who couldn't even read reports
07:52to someone who stood out at the company
07:54every step of my growth had his mark on it
07:59slowly
08:00i started to hope for something i shouldn't have
08:03i dreamed that one day
08:05he might look at me with something closer to love
08:11today i finally woke up from this long dream
08:14fairy tales don't mean you become a princess
08:16just because you put on glass slippers
08:18i was kicked to the curb like a fool
08:21now i realize my mistake
08:22what was never mine will never be mine
08:26diana thank you for everything these years
08:28i wish you all the best
08:28you too
08:29take care of yourself
08:32please don't tell anyone i'm resigning
08:34until i finish my handover
08:35you're the only one in the company
08:37who knows about me and darius
08:38of course
08:43sweetheart did you get the promotion
08:45you said you'd tell me first thing if you did
08:47grandma
08:48i
08:50i don't want to stay in the city anymore
08:52that's wonderful
08:53i've been worried sick about you being out there alone all these years
08:58i've been wanting you to come home
09:00when will you be back
09:01i'll make your favorite
09:03creamy roasted chicken
09:04mashed potatoes
09:06and apple pot
09:07she was clearly comforting me
09:09she'd bragged to everyone so many times about her granddaughter working in the biggest skyscraper downtown
09:14i'd plan to bring her to live with me if i got promoted
09:17work a few more years
09:19maybe put a down payment on a small place
09:21and have a real home with her
09:23i imagined it all so perfectly
09:25but reality
09:27is so cruel
09:31after all these years
09:33someone still loves holding me while we sleep
09:37no one knows this ring better than i do
09:39i saved for months
09:41to buy it for darius's birthday last year
09:46vera you don't need to buy me gifts way beyond your budget
09:49it's not necessary
09:50i just
09:51nothing cheap is good enough for you
09:54all right
09:55i understand
09:56because of our secret relationship
09:58i never thought darius would actually wear the ring
10:01until the company meeting the next day
10:03darius is wearing a ring
10:06that's shocking
10:07wonder who caught his eye
10:12there was something so chalky and charming about his lazy confidence
10:17i thought i'd scream right there
10:23so he's not a light sleeper who can't stand having someone next to him
10:28he just never wanted to hold me
10:36you must be the one who's been darius's plaything for five years
10:44i found this in the guest room at darius's house
10:47i've been checking every woman at work since i joined
10:50today i finally found you
10:57you're pathetic
11:00wait for me in the car
11:02i'll handle this
11:03you bastard darius
11:04we only broke up six months ago
11:06and you already found someone else
11:07if she hadn't come here to show off
11:09you would have hidden this from me forever
11:11wouldn't you
11:18did i or did i not tell you not to let her find out about us
11:21she came after me
11:23i was just waiting for someone here
11:27did you forget
11:29you set me up on a blind date today
11:33my date should be here any minute
11:36then enjoy your date
11:43darius knows how to pick them
11:45i own three apartments downtown
11:47and a porsche kair
11:49you won't regret being with me
11:52how much do you make
11:54is it enough
11:55hey talk to me
11:56you're not mute are you
12:02i think we're done here
12:04i have to go
12:05i'll drive you
12:06no thank you
12:07don't be silly
12:07let's go
12:15well that was quick
12:16only an hour
12:17no movie
12:18no dinner
12:24vera
12:24do you like me that much
12:27not interested in any other man
12:31i'm getting engaged to serena
12:33i'm warning you
12:34don't let yourself hold on to any wrong ideas about us
12:42darius don't worry
12:44i may not have many strengths
12:46but i know my place
13:10i'm going to sell everything darius gave me
13:13i'd rather never lay eyes on any of these things again
13:19for the next few days
13:20i ignored darius's cold face at work
13:23even if we ran into each other
13:25i greeted him politely
13:27just like any other co-worker
13:29as soon as this overseas project wraps up
13:32i can resign
13:36vera
13:36are you free
13:38he's the one who helped me fix my data problems before
13:42you've been working so hard on this project
13:45want to grab dinner after work
13:47to celebrate the project almost being done
13:51sure
13:51my treat
13:52thanks for fixing my model last time
14:02i saw you post on social media that you like sunflowers
14:06so i got you some
14:10if you two end up together you gotta treat us to dinner
14:13they look so perfect together
14:29vera
14:30you're capable and beautiful
14:33such a waste to leave the company
14:36i'm just doing my job
14:38have a drink
14:40celebrate the project finishing smoothly
14:42i don't drink
14:44just one
14:45it's fine
14:47i really don't
15:08hey pretty girl
15:10it's cold out
15:11come ride with me
15:20darius
15:21hello
15:22darius is in the shower
15:24what do you want
15:25i'm being followed by the client manager from tonight's dinner
15:27it's too dark to tell exactly where i am
15:30but darius can track my location from my watch
15:32can you please tell him to call the police
15:35you really love playing the victim don't you
15:40who is that
15:42it's vera
15:43she won't stop bothering you
15:45what does she want
15:47nothing
15:48she just wants to ruin my night
15:49if you take this call i'm leaving right now
15:52okay baby
15:53don't be upset
15:54i'm not taking it
16:15i'm not taking it
16:16i'm not taking it
16:16i'm not taking it
16:16i'm not taking it
16:16i'm not taking it
16:16i'm not taking it
16:16i'm not taking it
16:16i'm not taking it
16:17i'm not taking it
16:17i'm not taking it
16:18i'm not taking it
16:18i'm not taking it
16:24i'm not taking it
16:27She's rarely late.
16:33Diana, we're in a meeting. What is it?
16:34Vera! Something happened to Vera!
16:39What the hell do you mean something happened?
16:54Serena did this yesterday.
16:56This is the complaint email Vera says sent to the client.
17:00She also copies our corporate headquarters.
17:02She wrote that Mark, the client manager, tried to assault her after the dinner last night.
17:08Fortunately, a passerby saved her.
17:10She ran to an area with cameras just to get this footage,
17:14and she begged the company to use it as evidence to call the police.
17:19Where is she?
17:22Vera submitted her resignation a week ago.
17:24I think she's already left the city.
17:26Why didn't anyone tell me she resigned?
17:29Why didn't her resignation paperwork come to me for approval?
17:32Company policy.
17:34Employees below level four only need approval from their department head.
17:39You haven't forgotten that Vera was denied her last promotion, have you?
17:46I received a call from the police and gave a statement to them remotely.
17:58I came lie.
18:00I owned most of my savings for all year for Maya House here, fully paid.
18:04Then I moved grandma here from the countryside.
18:08On of that, I sold all the luxury bags and gifts Dadeus gave me, nearly 30 Thwen in dollars total.
18:15For the next few months, I did market research around town to prepare for opening my own boutique.
18:22It's always been one of my childhood dreams.
18:27Maybe staying here in City B with grandma for the rest of my life isn't so bad.
18:37Your prices are good and your quality is even better.
18:40The chain store nearby doesn't stand a chance.
18:43It's just the beginning.
18:45No one knows what the future holds.
18:47I'm just trying to do what I love.
18:49Late at night, I still think about those five years in the city.
18:54Darius's cold face flashes in my mind.
18:57Love and hatred twist together like a tide, yanking me out of my dreams in the early hours,
19:02leaving me staring into the dark until dawn.
19:23I thought I'd break down, but instead, I feel nothing.
19:27Calm, even able to laugh and talk with my friends.
19:30In that moment, I know if the real Darius stood in front of me,
19:33I could calmly say, long time no see.
19:36I've quietly walked out of the dark past.
19:39Vera, I'm glad you're doing well.
19:42Forgive me for being a coward.
19:44I don't have the courage to beg for your forgiveness,
19:46but my heart tells me it beats because of you.
19:49I think I owe you an apology.
19:57Vera, what are you looking at?
19:58Your turn.
20:01I'm coming.
20:12You dare steal my business.
20:16I'll make you regret it.
20:19A year has passed.
20:20I thought I would never cross paths with the city or Darius again.
20:25I thought my life would only get better.
20:28But things went exactly the way I feared.
20:34It all started because my boutique grew popular through good word of mouth.
20:38I angered the local chain store.
20:40They hired trolls to flood my page with lies.
20:43Bad quality, awful service, fake products.
20:47But they didn't expect me to fight back.
20:49I stayed up all night collecting evidence and sued them immediately.
20:56Please help me get justice.
21:07Don't worry, Mrs. Bennett.
21:09I never lose cases.
21:11After that scandal, their dirty toques were exposed to the public.
21:14Their business collapsed.
21:15I thought it was over, but they chose to retaliate in the most cruel way possible.
21:29You ruined our business.
21:31You think you can run?
21:35Don't come any closer.
21:37You started at this with an unfair competition.
21:46Call the police!
22:02Don't be scared.
22:04I'm too tough to die.
22:06No, Darius, you can't die!
22:31If it weren't for you, Darius wouldn't be hurt this badly!
22:37I don't know what you did to make him risk his life for you!
22:44This is a hospital.
22:45Keep your voice down.
22:46And I never asked him to save me.
22:50You're heartless!
22:51My poor son!
22:53How could he fall for someone like you?
22:59Let it go.
23:01Let's go see Darius.
23:09How can you be so cold?
23:12Oh, you're still bitter he didn't save you back then, aren't you?
23:16I was the one who blocked your number.
23:18Darius never got your call for help.
23:22Later, when he saw the surveillance of you getting hurt, he went after Mark.
23:26He almost killed him before the police stopped him.
23:30You don't have to tell me any of this.
23:32I've already forgotten.
23:33Since you're here as his girlfriend, I'll leave first.
23:40We broke up a year ago!
23:43He ended it right after you left town.
23:45I could tell from the day I came back.
23:47He never loved me.
23:48And he treated you differently.
23:50Not just the casual fling he told me it was.
23:52I guess he didn't even realize he'd fallen for you.
23:55Vera, I'm sorry about what happened.
23:57I didn't know you were really in danger.
24:05For a year, he came here twice a month without fail, just to see you from a distance.
24:10His friends told him to go talk to you if he couldn't let you go.
24:14But he cried and said he didn't deserve to show up in front of you again.
24:18I'm not telling you this to make you forgive him.
24:20I just want you to know the truth.
24:22I've let go, too.
24:26Vera, Darius is awake.
24:28He wants to speak to you alone.
24:32Let's go.
24:44Vera, I thought I'd never see you again in my life.
24:49You already saw me many times, didn't you?
24:55You know everything.
24:57I never meant to disturb you.
24:59I just...
24:59Darius, none of that matters anymore.
25:02What matters is we're finished.
25:07I know.
25:08The day you quit, I knew we'd never have a chance again.
25:12Vera, I'm sorry about the promotion.
25:14I know how hard you worked for years,
25:16and how much it hurt to be passed over.
25:20Unbelievable.
25:21Darius, who's always been on top,
25:23giving orders,
25:25just said sorry to me.
25:27Artie Senor, why would never have believed this?
25:33Whether you believe it or not,
25:35before I put Serena in your role,
25:36I'd already arranged a transfer for you.
25:39I knew the planning department
25:41couldn't use all your talent.
25:45Darius, none of this will change my mind.
25:48I know.
25:51I just wanted you to know the truth.
25:53But you never told me back then!
25:55Why didn't you explain any of this
25:57when I ran to your office crying?
26:01I'll tell you why.
26:02Because you thought I didn't deserve to know.
26:04Because you were always on top.
26:06Always deciding everything for me.
26:08You never cared how I felt.
26:10You never asked if I wanted any of it, did you?
26:13Vera,
26:14you might be right.
26:15I'm sorry.
26:17But I truly fell in love with you.
26:19I'm sorry I failed you.
26:22It's okay.
26:24It's all in the past now.
26:26At least from now on,
26:27I won't stay trapped
26:28in this unequal kind of love.
26:39Payment complete.
26:40You're free to go, miss.
26:59I'm sorry, baby.
27:05I paid all the bills.
27:06I settled everything I owed.
27:09Darius' apology came too late,
27:11and I no longer need it.
27:12The tears in the dark nights,
27:14the disrespect,
27:15the despair when no one came to help me,
27:17none of that can be erased by one sorry.
27:20I'm letting go not to forgive him,
27:23but to free myself.
27:30You're finally back.
27:32Did you wrap everything up at the hospital?
27:34Yeah.
27:35It's all over.
27:36From now on,
27:37just take care of the store
27:38and live peacefully with your grandma.
27:39No more heartache.
27:42I once thought leaving the city,
27:44leaving Crown Star,
27:46leaving Darius,
27:47was the end of my life.
27:48But at this moment,
27:49I finally understand.
27:51It was only the beginning.
27:59Sweetheart,
28:00there's more than one path in life.
28:03If you want to chase your dreams,
28:05I won't stop you.
28:06If you want to come home,
28:08I'll always be here.
28:13Grandma,
28:14I still don't want to give up.
28:16Then go chase it.
28:17I don't mind if you're tired.
28:18I just hate to see you unhappy.
28:21Thank you for raising me like my own parents did,
28:23for supporting my career
28:24and caring for my heart.
28:25Silly girl.
28:27No parent who's gone
28:28would want anything less
28:29than happiness for their child.
28:31This is my duty,
28:32and I'm glad to do it.
28:34You don't owe me anything.
28:36You deserve the freedom you want.
28:40I spent a whole year healing,
28:42opening my shop,
28:43and rebuilding my life.
28:46But the fire inside me never went out.
28:48I love my career.
28:50I love fighting.
28:51I love standing strong on my own two feet.
28:53That's who I really am.
29:01I'll leave the store in your hands.
29:03Go chase your dream.
29:04We've got your back.
29:05Anytime you need help,
29:06just call.
29:07We're always here for you.
29:09This time,
29:10I'm not coming back for anyone
29:11or to fix old regrets.
29:13I'm coming back for myself.
29:15Back to the city that broke me,
29:16then rebuilt me.
29:18Back to the battlefield I truly love.
29:20Another winter,
29:21I'm back in City A with Grandma.
29:24This time,
29:25I'm not an accessory to anyone.
29:27I won't look up to anyone,
29:29wait for anyone,
29:30or please anyone.
29:32I am Vera Bennett.
29:34I fight for myself.
29:45Darius was right.
29:46I could never settle for a quiet life in City B.
29:49I love my career.
29:51And I'm willing to fight for it
29:52with everything I have.
29:56I'm back in the workforce.
29:58Back to where I belong.
29:59I'm still as brave and driven
30:01as I was when I was young.
30:03My new company isn't as big as Crownstar,
30:06but it has huge potential.
30:08The salary isn't high,
30:09but they gave me real authority.
30:11Twice when I faced tough problems at work,
30:13I humbly asked Darius for advice.
30:17And he didn't hold back.
30:19He guided me fully.
30:23After I fully let go of the past,
30:25I used Darius as a resource without guilt
30:28and grew faster than ever.
30:30Three years later,
30:32the company I work for went public.
30:33As an early founding member,
30:35I was granted a significant number of shares.
30:48Our core idea is a Chi-Chi animation.
30:50A girl has a secret crush.
30:53Her friend holds up the brand's new milk tea
30:55and says,
30:56This drink has magic.
30:58Whoever drinks it will fall madly in love with you.
31:01Mrs. Vera,
31:02what do we do?
31:03Our idea is exactly the same.
31:06And Crownstar's presentation is way more polished.
31:09We're up next.
31:11It's okay.
31:12I'll go up.
31:18Actually,
31:19our initial concept was similar to Crownstar's,
31:22a magic milk tea
31:23that makes someone fall in love with you.
31:27But in our final version,
31:29the ending changes.
31:32The girl doesn't give the magic drink
31:34to the boy she's been chasing.
31:36She drinks it herself.
31:38Mrs. Bennett,
31:40this is nothing like the proposal you submitted.
31:42Honestly?
31:43This inspiration hit me
31:45just as I walked onto the stage.
31:47If there really is a magic potion
31:49to make someone love you,
31:52I hope we drink it for ourselves.
31:54Because only when you truly love and value yourself
31:59does your life really begin.
32:03That's the core idea behind our concept.
32:05This inspiration comes from my own life.
32:09Once,
32:10I loved a man I thought was perfect
32:12and untouchable.
32:13I hid my feelings carefully.
32:16Later,
32:16I learned to love myself.
32:18I realized when I took away the idolizing filter,
32:21I was no less than him.
32:23It taught me.
32:24We spend so long chasing love from others,
32:27but the person we should fall madly in love with
32:31is ourselves.
32:41Not all regrets need to haunt us.
32:43Not all pasts need to be settled.
32:46When I truly learned to love myself,
32:49even reuniting with him
32:51became a peaceful goodbye.
32:53At Dekka,
32:54in my extra,
32:55the show stopped falling.
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