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00:31Be good
00:32Soon enough, I'd used sweet talk and gotten four years of college tuition out of him
00:36If I disappeared one day, what would you do?
00:38He smiled, but his voice went cold
00:40Babe, don't joke about that, I don't like it
00:42Nothing sets me off like being talked to in that tone
00:44I deleted him on the spot
00:46Later, by pure coincidence, Chloe and I both landed spots in the same luxury group's maiden voyage training program
00:50On embarkation day, the heir to the whole group came aboard for an inspection
00:53I was standing at the very back of the crowd
00:54I looked up and saw a face I knew better than my own
00:56Before I could even process it, I watched the man's gaze land on Chloe's face
00:59And his eyes changed
01:01The man I dated online for three years suddenly standing right in front of me
01:06The shock was too much
01:08My mind went blank for a few seconds
01:10By the time I came back to myself, he had stopped walking
01:14The next second, he was heading straight toward us
01:17My heart was pounding out of my chest
01:18Even lifting my eyes felt like a risk
01:21His features were sharp, expressionless
01:23Cold radiated off every inch of him
01:25He was wearing a black shirt I'd seen in his photos
01:27Broad shoulders exposed beneath his cuff
01:30Clean lines, restrained but str-
01:32Julian Ashfield
01:34He was taller than his pictures
01:35And better looking, too
01:36The supervisor whispered to us
01:39Julian was here to inspect the maiden voyage training program
01:42He told everyone not to be nervous
01:44Julian would never notice new hires like us
01:47The words had barely left her mouth
01:48Julian's steps slowed, half a beat
01:50Without warning, a cuff cluck slipped loose from his wrist
01:52It hit the floor and bounced twice, rolled right past my feet
01:55And came to a dead stop at Chloe's
01:56Everything around us went quiet
01:58Julian stopped in front of us
01:59Or, to be exact, in front of Chloe
02:02The two of them stood face to face, barely a step apart
02:05One was cold, the other dazzling
02:07They looked good together
02:08I quieted my own breathing
02:09Only one thought left in my head
02:10They made quite a pair
02:12The assistant saw what happened
02:13He moved at once to pick up the cufflink
02:15But Julian raised a hand
02:16He was unhurried to stop him
02:17Chloe blinked, like she understood something instantly
02:20She bent down and picked up the cufflink
02:23Mr. Ashford, you dropped this
02:25Her face a little flushed
02:27Julian didn't take it right away
02:29Instead, he lowered his eyes
02:31And took two steps closer to her
02:32I was standing nearest to Chloe
02:34As he came closer
02:35A faint trace of woody fragrance drifted over
02:37I knew that scent too well
02:39It was the one-year anniversary gift
02:41I'd picked out for him myself
02:42I'd gone to store after store
02:44Testing them one by one
02:45Before I finally settled on that exact one
02:47I pressed my lips together
02:49And tilted my head and glanced
02:50Without a change in a paction
02:52Julian was looking at Chloe
02:53His gaze was deep
02:55Like he'd truly found something he'd lost
02:57Like he was holding something down
02:58Mr. Ashford
02:59Chloe stood there with her hand out
03:01When he still didn't react
03:02Julian seemed to come back to himself
03:05Thank you
03:06He cleared his throat
03:07And reached out to take the cufflink
03:08His fingertips grazed lightly across Chloe's palm
03:12Chloe
03:13Then he said her name in a low voice
03:15Yes, yes, I'm Chloe Mr. Ashford
03:18Julian was quiet for two seconds
03:19He stared at her a moment longer
03:21Only then did he turn and walk away
03:23Not until he was far gone
03:25Did I dare to breathe
03:26I reached back and touched my spine
03:28Soaked in cold sweat
03:29I sat back down at my station
03:31And spaced out for a long while
03:33Then I took out my phone
03:35And searched the name Julian Ashford
03:37A whole string of shipping and finance headlines
03:39About him popped up instantly
03:41My heart dropped
03:44The heir to the group rarely came aboard in person
03:46And the moment he did
03:48He'd zeroed in on a new hire
03:49And that was a young, pretty new hire
03:51Everyone around us caught the scent of gossip immediately
03:55They all crowded in
03:56I don't know Julian
03:57That was the first time I've ever met him
03:58But it just came back to me
03:59That we might go to the same high school
04:01I was the school queen back then
04:02So many boys in school had a thing for me
04:04So the people around her picked it right up
04:06Within a few lines
04:07They'd spun her a whole story
04:08About a secret crush
04:09Stretching from those school days to now
04:11The entire staff training deck was buzzing
04:14Chloe cut them off, laughing
04:17Whatever they said after that
04:18I didn't hear a single word
04:20Years ago, my mom worked as a live-in housekeeper
04:23At Chloe's house
04:24Once, Chloe lost a bet with some others
04:26So they goanded her into having my mom
04:28Steal my diary for her
04:29That diary was full of the person I secretly liked
04:32Then she posted the pages on the school bolitaire board
04:34Photographed them and put them on the school forum too
04:36After that day, everyone who passed me in the hall
04:38Gave me that same look of disgust
04:39Back then, I truly hated her
04:41So I stole her photos and her name
04:42And went around fooling people
04:43When I got into a fight in an online game
04:45I said my name was Chloe
04:46When I started trouble on a forum
04:47I said my name was Chloe
04:48Anytime I made a mess and someone came asking
04:50I gave them her name
04:51And I waited
04:52Waited for the day someone would trace those accounts back to her
04:54And get back at her
04:55Hard
04:56But before that day ever came
04:57I met Julian first
04:59Julian was a man with real breeding
05:01Measured in his words
05:02And always patient with people
05:03And more than generous
05:04The only problem was his sexual appetite
05:06Don't be fooled by how cold and detached he'd look standing there just now
05:09I knew exactly what he was like in pride
05:11During those years we dated online
05:12Except the early days
05:13I spent night after night listening and breathing heavily on the other end of the video call
05:16Saying filthy things in that same proper composed voice he used the harder that contrast hit
05:20Some nights it left my ears burning
05:21And I couldn't help telling him he had no shame
05:23He never got angry
05:24Just laughed low twice
05:25And went back to coaxing me
05:28He insisted on meeting in person
05:30And it wasn't until that very moment that it hit me
05:33This whole time the identity I'd been using was Chloe's
05:36I scrambled back through our chat history
05:42My heart had been hanging by a thread
05:44When I saw those words
05:45My name is Chloe
05:46It dropped all the way down
05:47All those things said late at night
05:48All that closeness through a screen
05:50All those moments when I'd actually let myself believe I was loved
05:52Every last one of them
05:53Built on a lie
05:54Even my name was fake
05:55When I finally lifted my head
05:57The girl in the mirror had eyes swollen from crying
05:58And suddenly I sobered up
06:00I was just an ordinary person
06:01I didn't have Chloe's appearance
06:03Didn't have her background
06:04Didn't have that unshakable confidence of the kind that never once doubts herself
06:07If I hadn't used her photos
06:08A man like Julian would never have looked at me twice
06:10In the end I forced down that ache in my chest
06:13I sent him a sentence
06:14I'm sorry
06:14And deleted him
06:16Three days after I cut contact
06:17Julian sent me an email
06:18Just one short line
06:20Even through the screen I could feel that panic of being left behind
06:23Too bad
06:23I wasn't Chloe
06:24The thought hit me
06:25And my back went tight all at once
06:27I looked up to find everyone around me staring
06:30What is it?
06:31I forced her smile
06:32They just smiled and said nothing
06:33Nina didn't you hear just now
06:34Everyone wants to try the new ice milkshakes at the drink station
06:36It's just over by the crew cafe
06:37Not far at all
06:39New hires getting ordered around was nothing unusual
06:41It was just that Chloe always knew how to fit in with these people
06:44And all because of the way Julian had looked at her earlier
06:46I looked at her
06:47Then at the people standing behind her
06:48They stood by
06:49Looking like if I dared refuse
06:50They'd step in on her behalf
06:52In the end I nodded
06:53Fine
06:54Chloe was very pleased that I knew my place
06:56As she turned away with a smile
06:58Nina's mom used to be our housekeeper
07:00Nina's been good at this kind of thing since she was little
07:02So if anyone needs Aaron's run
07:04She's your guy
07:04Every new place Chloe went
07:06She made sure to tell everyone that my mom had once been her family's housekeeper
07:09All these years that had never changed
07:12I was long used to it
07:14Besides
07:15I wanted out of there anyway
07:17I ignored her and turned to leave
07:19But at that moment
07:20I walked straight into a man
07:22I looked up
07:23It was the assistant who'd been following Julian earlier
07:26He looked like he was in a hurry
07:27He shoved me aside with one hand
07:29I had no time to brace
07:31I stumbled backward
07:32And my knee slammed hard into the corner of a desk
07:34The pain nearly took me off my feet
07:36He didn't offer even a word of apology
07:39He strode head quickly up to the supervisor
07:41Excuse me
07:42Which one of you is Chloe Sinclair?
07:43Mr. Ashfield is asking for her
07:46The moment Chloe heard her own name
07:47And heard it was Julian asking for her
07:49She came rushing over
07:51That's me
07:52I'm Chloe
07:53What is it?
07:53The assistant looked her up and down
07:54His tone turned a shade more polite
07:56The top deck VIP concierge team is short-staffed
07:58Mr. Ashfield you to go up and help out for a while
08:00Chloe froze for a second
08:01Me?
08:02Mr. Ashford sent you for me?
08:03Personally?
08:04The assistant frowned slightly
08:05But he nodded
08:06Yes, it's you
08:06Get your things and come with me
08:07Chloe covered her mouth
08:08Unable to hide the delight on her face
08:10Even her steps were quicker
08:11I don't have much
08:12I can go right now
08:12Good, follow me
08:13Chloe smiled, lips pressed together
08:15Before leaving
08:16She deliberately walked around to my side
08:17And she said with perfect innocent face
08:19Nina, please move aside
08:20I'm heading up to the top deck
08:22You keep at it
08:22Maybe in ten years
08:23We'll be working up from my knee
08:24And quietly on the same floor again
08:26I said nothing
08:26Chloe walked away in her heels
08:28Following the assistant out
08:29With a bright smile
08:30The second she was gone
08:31The whole crowd erupted
08:33Oh my god
08:34Is she actually about to marry
08:35Into the Ashford family?
08:36Even if she doesn't
08:37At least she'll be at Julian's side
08:38For a while
08:38Didn't you see it earlier?
08:39You couldn't stop staring at me
08:39Nina, didn't you two come in together?
08:41Do you know what's really going on
08:42Between her and Julian?
08:43I shook my head
08:43No idea
08:46Chloe went up to the top deck
08:47All of a sudden
08:48I was the only new hire
08:49Left on the staff training deck
08:50They gossiped about her for a while
08:51Then quickly got bored of it
08:53And turned their attention back to me
08:54Nina, didn't you promise
08:55To get everyone drinks?
08:56You didn't forget, did you?
08:56Nina, I've got to check on this guest list
08:57For me first
08:59And the gala dinner place cards
09:00Need to be verified by tonight
09:01Before long
09:01The files on my desk
09:03Had piled into a small mountain
09:04By the time I'd cleared through all of it
09:06It was past 8 at night
09:07I stretched
09:09And finally had a moment
09:10To pick up my phone
09:13My dad's messes popped up immediately
09:21I stared at the screen
09:23For a long time
09:24My fingers were hovering over the keyboard
09:26With no idea what to say back
09:27In the end, I just sighed
09:29And opened up selfie three-hours show media
09:31In the photo, she stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows on the top deck
09:35Grinning at the camera
09:36Bold and bright
09:37My finger paused
09:39But I couldn't help it
09:40I tapped the photo open
09:41In the reflection of the glass stood the silhouette of a man
09:43He was on the other side of the room
09:45Turned in profile as if lost in thought
09:46Even as nothing but a small blurred shatter calves instantly
09:49It was Julian
09:50I stared at that photo for a long time
09:51Until a voice came from above me
09:53It's this late, what are you still doing here?
09:55I was startled
09:56Shot to my feet
09:57And grabbed the metal hole punch off the desk without thinking
09:59Standing in front of me was a short, heavy-hast man
10:00He wore black-framed glasses
10:01Looking at me with open curiosity
10:03I froze mid-motion
10:04The longer I looked, the more familiar he seemed
10:06It took me a moment to remember him
10:07The supervisor had introduced him before
10:08One of Julian's assistants
10:09Surnamed Charlie
10:10I hurriedly set the thing down
10:12And explained
10:13A little embarrassed
10:14I had some work to finish
10:15I'm leaving right now
10:16I see
10:16Assistant Charlie was clutching his stomach
10:18Two steps later, as if remembering something
10:20He looked back at me
10:21Okay, you have a driver's license, right?
10:23Can you drive?
10:24I blinked, then nodded
10:25Yes, before I could finish
10:26His eyes lit up
10:27And he tossed the car keys straight into my hands
10:29Perfect
10:30My stomach is killing me
10:31And Julian's car is parked outside the Porf
10:33I'll send you the location
10:34Just drive it over to the VIP shutter point for me
10:36Please, I'll treat you dinner sometime
10:37Once you're done
10:38Head back to the ship on your own
10:39The company will reimburse your cab base
10:40I stared at the keys in my hand
10:42Completely lost
10:44I waved my hands frantically
10:47No, I can't, I
10:48Assistant Charlie was too busy to listen to me
10:52Clutching his stomach
10:53He bolted straight into the restroom
10:56I stood there for a while
10:58Assistant Charlie never came back out
11:00In the end, I accepted my fate
11:02Took the keys
11:03And went ashore
11:04The night before the maiden voidage
11:05The cruise ship was still docked in port
11:07I pressed the key fob
11:09Not far off
11:10A black luxury sedan lit up
11:12I paused
11:12Walked a full circle around the car first
11:14Only then did I open the door
11:16And slide into the driver's seat
11:17I buckled my seatbelt
11:18And reached up to adjust the rearview mirror
11:20The next second
11:20Through the mirror
11:21I saw a man sitting in the back seat
11:22His eyes right closed
11:23He looked cold
11:24But with an edge of laziness underneath
11:25Like he'd been drinking
11:27My mind went blank
11:28Almost instantly
11:28I clapped a hand over the rearview mirror
11:30A hallucination
11:31It had to be a hallucination
11:32That's what I told myself
11:33Then I couldn't help it
11:34I peeked through the gap between my fingers
11:36In the mirror, the man had opened his eyes
11:38Those dark, unreceivable eyes were fixed on me
11:40I nearly stopped breathing on the spot
11:42My hands locked onto the steering wheel
11:43It was too late to open the door and get out now
11:46He'd probably think I was trying to steal the car
11:48So I forced myself to speak
11:50Keeping my voice low
11:51Mr. Ashfield
11:52Assistant Charlie wasn't feeling well
11:54He asked me to drive the car to the shuttle area
11:55I didn't know you were inside
11:58He looked at me for a few seconds
11:59Then withdrew his gaze and gave a faint response
12:02And immediately closed his eyes again
12:03I let out a small breath of relief
12:05But before I could fully exhale
12:06Another problem hit me
12:08I turned the key over in my hand
12:09Searching for a slot
12:10How could I start to find one?
12:11Sweat was practically beating on my forehead
12:13You can't drive
12:14At that instant, his voice came from the back seat
12:17I sat bolt upright
12:19I was caught between a nod and a shake
12:21In the end, I mumbled
12:23A little
12:23The truth was, I could drive an ordinary car
12:26But I'd never so much as touch the car like this
12:28When I get nervous, I pick at my fingers
12:30That habit stayed with me all these years
12:32Now my mind was blank
12:33And my fingers had already twisted together on their own
12:36Mr. Ashford, I
12:37Before I could finish
12:38I realized his gaze had dropped to my hands
12:40A chill went down my back
12:42I moved to pull my hands away
12:43But he had already looked off out the window
12:45His throat bobbed once
12:46The car suddenly fell quiet
12:47I secretly took out even finished typing
12:49A shadowed lookup cut us down at my side
12:51That faint woody scent wrapped around me in an instant
12:53Press you
12:54His voice was right against me
12:56His warm breath grazed past my ear
12:57My whole body went rigid
12:58Too close
12:59Close enough that I could feel the heat coming off him
13:01Close enough that I didn't dare to breathe
13:02But Julian only stayed there a few seconds
13:04Then, as if nothing had happened
13:05He leaned back into his seat
13:06His expression was perfectly calm
13:07Like he really had just wanted to show me how to start the car
13:10I barely managed to steady myself
13:12And started the car the way he'd showed me
13:14The whole drive, neither of us said another word
13:16Finally, we reached the shuttle area
13:18I unbuckled my seatbelt almost instantly
13:21Without waiting for him to respond
13:23I pushed the door open and got out
13:24Turned and hurried off
13:27I never noticed the gaze that stayed fixed on my back the whole time
13:30That didn't move for a long while
13:33That night
13:34I had a whole night of restless, tangled dreams
13:36Early the next morning
13:38I splashed some water on my face
13:40And headed back to the ship
13:41Two dark circles under my eyes
13:43The moment I stepped onto the staff training deck
13:46I saw Chloe
13:47Who was supposed to be up on the top deck
13:49Sitting in the middle of the crowd
13:51Laughing happily
13:52Yes, Julian told me to come back down for now
13:54Her voice was still soft
13:56Her makeup still flawless
13:57He said since I'm new
13:58I shouldn't stay up on the top deck the whole time
14:00That I should at least get to know the people down here first
14:03He even said he was worried I'd have trouble settling in on my own
14:06Just as she said it, her eyes landed on me
14:08She got up at once
14:09Came over all warmly
14:10And linked her arm through mine
14:12Nina, I'm back
14:12Aren't you happy to see me?
14:14The moment she talked to me in that tone
14:15I knew she was looking to make me the story again
14:17I hadn't slept well the night before to begin with
14:20The thought had barely surfaced when I'd already pulled my arm back on instinct
14:24Everything around us went quiet
14:25No one spoke
14:26Chloe was still smiling at me
14:28Only her eyes had gone a shade colder
14:30Thankfully, the supervisor walked in soon after
14:33It cut through the tension in time
14:36Everyone's here, right?
14:37Good timing
14:37There's an internal welcome party tonight
14:39A proper welcome aboard for Nina and Chloe
14:41The moment she said it
14:43The people around us perked right up
14:45Someone asked immediately
14:47Will Julian be there?
14:48The supervisor waved a hand
14:50He's busy, he may not come
14:51No need to be so tense about it
14:52Just have a good time
14:53Everyone laughed at that
14:54And the mood loosened right up
14:56I lowered my head
14:57And swallowed back the refusal I'd been about to give
15:03That evening
15:04I'd gotten my skirt dirty hauling files at Moon
15:06So I went back to the crew quarters to change first
15:09By the time I made it to the crew bar
15:10Things had already been in full wishing for over an hour
15:13I pushed the door open
15:14The lighting inside was dim
15:16The music was a little loud
15:17I looked up and saw Julian there
15:19He was still in that black suit sitting in the back
15:21With a barely touched drink in his hand
15:23The supervisor had specifically said he might not come
15:25My steps stopped dead
15:27But the supervisor had sharp eyes and spotted me right away
15:29Nina?
15:30What took you so long?
15:31Come in, you're the last one
15:32A few people nearby turned to look too
15:34I was already standing in the doorway
15:36Nowhere to hide
15:37So I steeled myself and walked in
15:39Coming
15:40I could feel it
15:41Julian seemed to turn toward me too
15:43But I didn't dare look up
15:44All I wanted was to find the seat farthest away and sit down
15:47I'd taken all of two steps
15:50Sit here
15:51You're late so this is the only spot left
15:53I followed the direction she was pointing
15:55It was right beside Julian
15:56I couldn't get a single word out
15:58Because the supervisor had already pressed me down into the seat
16:02At least Julian was turned away
16:03Talking to the person on his other side
16:05Like he hadn't noticed me
16:07So I could only sit there
16:08Rigid
16:09I'd barely settled in
16:11And the person beside me shifted
16:12Julian shifted in his seat
16:14The fabric of his slacks brushed lightly against my calf
16:17My whole body froze
16:19I quickly pulled my legs back
16:21Put some distance between us
16:23Less than half a minute of quiet
16:24And that faint sense of touch came again
16:26Julian moved again
16:28That cool fabric grazed my leg again
16:30I held my breath
16:31But I couldn't stop myself from turning to glance at him
16:33Only to find him still talking to the person beside him
16:36His expression was perfectly planed
16:38Like he hadn't noticed a thing
16:39So I lowered my head
16:40And pressed my knees tighter together
16:42I silently prayed for all of this to be over soon
16:44But the next second
16:45Julian's knee pressed against mine
16:47Not hard
16:48Not light
16:49Through two layers of fabric
16:50That small trace of warmth still drew my whole body tight
16:53I had nowhere left to retreat
16:56He still didn't look at me
16:58Just lowered his head and took a sip of his drink
17:00He lifted his arm and brushed lightly against my shoulder again
17:04I stood up all at once
17:06My voice came out a little strained
17:08I'm going to the restroom
17:11I practically fled to the restroom
17:14The corridor outside was much quieter
17:16I walked up to the sink and turned on the tip
17:18Cold water ran over my fingers
17:20But I still couldn't get my heartbeat down
17:22Then footsteps came from behind me
17:25I looked up
17:26In the mirror I saw a figure stop in the doorway
17:29Hands in his pockets
17:31He just stood there
17:32Unhairy
17:33My scalp preckled
17:34Mr. Ashford
17:36Did you need the restroom too?
17:37He looked at me
17:38And answered
17:40Flat and simple
17:41No
17:43For a moment I didn't chime in
17:45He was already walking towards me
17:47He stopped very close
17:50What are you hiding from?
17:52I shook my head at once
17:53Nothing
17:54Nina
17:54He looked at me in the mirror
17:56His tone bland
17:57Like he was asking about something perfectly ordinary
18:00Is there any part of me you haven't already seen?
18:06My mind went blank on the spot
18:08The tap was still running
18:09The girl in the mirror was white as paper
18:11Only one thought in my head
18:13He knew
18:13He knew everything
18:15But I still wouldn't give up
18:16My voice shook badly
18:19You already know?
18:20Julian didn't answer right away
18:21He just looked at me for a moment
18:23Then suddenly he laughed
18:25Know what?
18:26I choked on my own words
18:27That string inside me
18:28Pulled taut to the breaking point
18:30Slowly began to loosen
18:31But before it had fully eased
18:33He spoke again
18:34Is it fun to lie to me?
18:36My throat tightened
18:37I spun around
18:38That trace of a smile on Julian's face was gone
18:41His expression was frighteningly cold
18:43He took one step forward
18:44And I stepped back on instinct
18:45The day I had Chloe move to the top deck
18:47I already knew something was off
18:49After I saw you in the car last night
18:50That feeling only got stronger
18:52So I had someone look into it
18:53Chloe isn't her
18:55You are
19:00No wonder I could never find you
19:01No wonder you left so easily
19:02No wonder you deleted me
19:04And never replied a single email
19:08The lower it went
19:09The more frightening it became
19:11The name was fake
19:12The identity was fake
19:13The photos were fake
19:15So?
19:16My back had hit the
19:17Your feelings for me fake too
19:17There was nowhere left to go
19:20I looked at him
19:21And couldn't get out a single word
19:23Julian stared at me
19:24Like he was waiting
19:26Like he was holding himself back
19:29Is there anything I just said
19:30That you want to dispute?
19:31It was strange
19:32Now that I'd actually been caught
19:34I wasn't as panicked as I thought I'd be
19:37I'm sorry
19:38It was all my fault
19:40Do whatever you want to me
19:41I'll accept it
19:42It was me who used Chloe's identity
19:43To deceive you
19:44I'm not a good person
19:46Like he was holding back a fire
19:48I even thought that
19:49He would lunge forward the next second
19:55Is that all?
19:59I startled
20:01What else?
20:02Julian was still staring at me
20:04His eyes had gone a little red
20:05Besides an apology
20:07You have nothing else to say?
20:09My thoughts were in complete chaos
20:12The money
20:13Everything you gave me
20:14I put it toward tuition
20:16I'll pay you back
20:17And if you want to go to the police
20:18I'll cooperate
20:18Nina!
20:19He cut me off sharply
20:21His voice jumped up
20:22Then dropped back down just as fast
20:24You think money is what matters most between us?
20:26I froze
20:28My brain couldn't process it
20:29But my mouth moved first
20:31Money is important
20:32He closed his eyes
20:33Like I'd rendered him speechless with sheer frustration
20:36The muscles at his temple pulled tight
20:38I bit my lip
20:39And added quietly
20:40But I know it probably doesn't to you
20:42Julian, I really have nothing to dispute
20:44I'm sorry, all of this is my
20:46Before I could finish
20:47He grabbed my wrist
20:48His eyes had gone completely red
20:50But his voice stayed low
20:51Is that what I'm asking you about?
20:52I'm asking about the things you said
20:53The way you reacted
20:54Did all those nights you stayed with me
20:56Which part of any of that was real?
21:00I stared at him
21:01Dazed
21:02I hadn't expected this at all
21:04Julian looked at me
21:05Like he was barely holding on
21:06Did you ever like me?
21:07I was completely lost
21:09I'd imagined so many ways of being caught
21:11He might be furious
21:12He might be disgusted with me
21:14He might get back at me
21:15Maybe he even threw me off the ship on the spot
21:17But there was one thing I had never once imagined
21:19That someone like he
21:20Would stand in front of me with red eyes
21:21Asking if I had ever liked him
21:22For a moment I couldn't speak
21:24My mind was a total blank
21:25And my silence clearly was taken as an answer for him
21:28Julian let go of my wrist
21:29Stepped back half a pest
21:30And the expression on his face went cold in an instant
21:33Alright, I understand
21:34That snapped me back
21:35I reached for him on instinct
21:37Julian, I...
21:39But I caught nothing
21:40He turned and walked away
21:41Never looked back
21:43I stood where I was
21:45The warmth from his hand still lingered on my wrist
21:48But it faded fast
21:51After that day
21:53Julian never came back to the training deck
21:54I spent a long time mentally preparing myself
21:57And finally worked up the nerve to message him
21:59One message
22:00Two
22:01Many
22:02Not one got a reply
22:03He was on the same ship
22:04But I couldn't see him
22:05I sat there staring at my phone for a long time
22:08Just when I had no idea what else to do
22:10My mom called
22:10I took my phone
22:12Stepped out to the stairwell
22:13Hey mom
22:13Nina, nothing's wrong
22:14I just wanted to check in
22:15How are things going with your co-works?
22:17I went quiet
22:18The door at the end of the stair hole wasn't fully shut
22:20Wind pushed through from outside
22:22And sent a chill across the back of my neck
22:24I instinctively touched my neck
22:26Then, out of nowhere
22:27I thought of Julian
22:28My chest ached
22:29Sharp and sudden
22:31My mom must have heard something off
22:33Her voice tightened
22:34Nina, what's wrong?
22:35Is someone giving you a hard time?
22:37If someone's teasing you
22:39Why don't you treat them to something to eat?
22:40Once you bought them a meal
22:41They'd feel too ocarous to keep picking on you
22:43Am I right?
22:44Same as always
22:46It made my head pound
22:48A steady throbbed at my temples
22:50Mom, I've got something to deal with
22:52I'll call you later
22:52And before she could say another word
22:54I hung up
22:55The stairwell went dim around me
22:57I stood in the dark for two seconds
22:59Then pushed the door open
23:01And walked back
23:02The moment I returned to my desk
23:03A sickly sweet smell of coffee hit me
23:06I stopped and looked down
23:07Brown liquid was running down my computer screen
23:10Dripping onto the keyboard
23:11One drop at a time
23:12The folders beside it were soaked through
23:14The gala dinner materials
23:15I'd spent days finishing were destroyed
23:16It was all ruined
23:18Chloe was standing at my desk
23:19Empty cup was still in her hand
23:21Looking completely innocent
23:22Oh, I'm so sorry, Nina
23:24I accidentally knocked my coffee onto your computer
23:26It's probably fine, right?
23:29I didn't have time for her
23:30I grabbed the tissues off the desk
23:32And frantically started wiping
23:34But it was useless
23:35The screen had already gone black
23:37Chloe stood beside me
23:38Watched me scrambled
23:39And laughed once
23:40It's fine
23:41Just do it again
23:43I went still
23:44Slowly looked up at her
23:46Same expression as always
23:48Same tone as always
23:50Weightless
23:50Like she was talking about something
23:52That barely deserved a mention
23:53And in that moment
23:54I was back in senior year of high school
23:56Standing in the teacher's office
23:58My fingers locked around the hem of my uniform
24:00I gathered my courage
24:01To lay out everything Chloe had done to me over the years
24:03Picked at her ear
24:04Looked at me in silence
24:06Like she was saying
24:08So what?
24:09And she was right
24:10I couldn't do anything to her
24:11Because when my dad walked in
24:13The first thing he did
24:13Wasn't ask if I was fine
24:15He reached out and shoved me aside
24:16It wasn't bullying
24:17It was just kids messing around
24:18Our Nina has always been sensitive
24:20Don't take what she says too seriously
24:21Chloe smiled at once
24:23Exactly
24:23I was just joking around with her
24:24If she's really upset
24:25I can apologize
24:26Would that work?
24:27Her mouth said sorry
24:28But her eyes were full of contempt
24:30My dad didn't even wait for me to speak
24:32He was already clapping her on the shoulder
24:34With a smile
24:34No need to apologize
24:35You're a good kid
24:37I know that
24:37With that
24:38He turned and glared at me
24:39What are you still standing there for?
24:41Go sort it out with her
24:42Making a scene over nothing
24:43Who's gonna want to be around you after this?
24:45I stood there that day
24:47Looking at him
24:47And for the first time
24:49I felt like I didn't recognize this man at all
24:51While Chloe stood at the back of the crowd
24:52When no one was watching
24:54She stuck her tongue out at me
24:55Exactly like she was doing now
24:58No one was ever going to stand up for me in this life
25:00So I had to stand up for myself
25:05Just let it go
25:06Take a step back
25:07It's not worth it
25:08That was all my parents had ever said for these years
25:11Over and over
25:11But what had any of that ever given me
25:13Besides teaching me to be a coward?
25:15I squeezed the tissues in my fist
25:17My fingernails pressed slowly into my palm
25:19My breathing started to go sharp
25:21What did I ever do wrong?
25:23Why did she get to keep doing this to me?
25:24And why did I keep putting up with it?
25:26Even when I fought back
25:27I did it in the shadows
25:28Behind her back
25:29And in the end
25:30I made a fool of myself
25:32I was so sick of who I'd been
25:34Chloe was still standing there
25:36Still using that innocent voice
25:38I really didn't mean to
25:39She even reached out a hand
25:41Like she was going to touch my shoulder
25:44The next second
25:45My body moved before my brain did
25:47I grabbed her by the hair
25:49And slapped her twice across the face
25:50Hard enough to send her stumbling backward
25:52She was right about one thing
25:53I'd been working alongside my mom
25:55Since I was little
25:57I was strong
25:58Chloe screamed
25:59She clearly hadn't expected me to hit her
26:02Still
26:02In this way
26:03I yanked
26:04And she went down
26:05Her knee slamming into the corner of a desk
26:07She started shrieking curses at me
26:09Are you insane?
26:11I set my jaw
26:12And kicked her twice more
26:14Then I lunged at her
26:15Sat on top of her
26:16And kept going
26:16Files went flying off the desks
26:18A chair toppled over
26:19The whole staff training deck
26:21Erupted into chaos
26:23That was exactly what the supervisor saw
26:25When she walked in on
26:27She nearly screamed
26:28What are you all standing around for?
26:30Pull them apart!
26:31The male call works finally snapped out of it
26:33They rushed over to drag me back
26:35Someone grabbed my arms from behind
26:37Someone else went to help Chloe up
26:39The room was in complete disorder
26:41When they finally hauled me off her
26:44I was still holding a fistful of her hair
26:46She stood across from me
26:48Face already swelling
26:49Hair wrecked
26:50Staring at me like she wanted to tear me apart
26:52The supervisor's expression was thunderous
26:54She was about to speak
26:56When the doorway went suddenly quiet
26:57Someone said
26:59In a low voice
27:00Julian's here
27:04The crowd slowly parted
27:06Julian stood in the doorway
27:07He looked like he'd just come down
27:09From a meeting upstairs
27:09Suit immaculate
27:11Not a crease out of place
27:12Completely at odds
27:14With the chaos of the room
27:15I finally came down a little
27:16I lowered my head
27:18And pressed my hand
27:18Over the scrape on my arm
27:20Chloe had always been better
27:21At working people than I was
27:22After everything that had just happened
27:24Almost everyone was on her side
27:26Nina how could you throw the first punch
27:28That's right we all saw it
27:30You went for her hair first
27:31She seemed so quiet
27:32I never expected this
27:34Chloe sat on the floor
27:35Her eyes went red
27:37And the tears came immediately
27:38She didn't look at any of the people
27:40Speaking up for her
27:41Her voice soft and agraged
27:43Julian I don't even know what happened
27:46She just attacked me out of nowhere
27:47I was so scared
27:48Her hand was inches from the hem of his trousers
27:51Julian glanced down
27:52Then calmly stepped half a pace to the side
27:55She grabbed at nothing
27:56Her whole body went sturdy
27:57Julian didn't look at her again
27:59He walked straight through the crowd
28:00And stopped in front of me
28:01Then lowered his head
28:03And reached out to pull my hand away
28:04From where I was holding my arm
28:05The movement was gentle
28:07Let go
28:08Let me see
28:10He pulled my hand away
28:12The scrape stung in the open air
28:14But my head was in far more chaos
28:17On instinct I almost said I was fine
28:19The words didn't make it out
28:21He had already lifted me
28:23And was walking toward the door
28:24That familiar woody scent
28:26Wrapped around me all at once
28:27I forgot to struggle
28:28A wave of sharp inhales rose behind us
28:30Julian didn't look back
28:31With every eye in the room watching
28:32He carried me through the staff training deck
28:34And straight into the private elevator
28:36A wire pulled tant for years
28:37Finally giving way
28:40My throat tightened
28:41And I started talking
28:42Stumbling over the words
28:44Julian, my feelings for you were never fake
28:46I knew a long time ago that I was wrong
28:47I shouldn't have talked to you the way I did
28:49Using Chloe's identity
28:50Shouldn't have used her photos
28:51Shouldn't have taken revenge on her the way I did
28:53And I should never have dragged you into any of it
28:55I'm sorry Julian, I really am
28:57But the fact that I like you, that's real too
28:59The day I cut things off with you
29:01I was mid-it
29:01Couldn't bring myself to face date
29:02I know I'm a mess
29:03I know I hurt you
29:04But I didn't mean to
29:05I like you
29:05I really do
29:06Julian said nothing
29:07His steps didn't slow
29:09His pace didn't waver
29:11He didn't even turn his head
29:12The elevator doors opened
29:14He brought me into the private lounge
29:16On the top deck
29:16The door closed behind us
29:19Before I could make sense of what was happening
29:21He had set me down
29:22My back meeting the door
29:25Julian, I...
29:26The rest of it never came out
29:35Hard and deep
29:36He had me pressed against the door with nowhere to go
29:39The kiss was urgent
29:40His breath hot
29:41Like it was going to set me on fire
29:43My mind went completely blank
29:45All I could do was take it
29:46At first it felt like release
29:48Then it shifted
29:49Slowly
29:50He began kissing me differently
29:52Slower, more deliberate
29:53His breathing grew unsteady
29:55The hand braced beside my ear slid down
29:57Settling at my waist
29:58Drawing me closer
29:59We were pressed tight together
30:01Through the thin fathock between us
30:03I could feel every degree of warmth coming off him
30:06I don't know how much time passed
30:07Finally, he pulled back a little
30:09His forehead rest against mine
30:11Breathing racked
30:12Voice so rough it barely sounded like his
30:15Finally, just like I imagined
30:16My face was burning
30:18Tears still on my cheek
30:19But I turned my head away anyway
30:20Don't say things like that
30:21He laughed, low
30:22Then, like something had just come back to him
30:24He held out his phone
30:25You thought I'd seen her photos all along, didn't you?
30:27I blinked
30:28Took the phone
30:29My fingers trembled a little
30:31As I scrolled back through the chat history
30:32There was plenty in there
30:33That made me flush just glancing at it
30:35The things he'd said had been direct
30:37Every voice message I'd sent back
30:38He'd kept every single one
30:40Further up were photos we'd sent each other
30:42Every angle, unmistakably intimate
30:44But the further I scrolled
30:46The more something felt wrong
30:47It wasn't there
30:49The photo I thought I'd sent him
30:51It simply wasn't there
30:52I went still
30:53How is that pa-
30:55Julian stood in front of me
30:56Watching
30:57You said it on the very first day
30:58That you might end up on an Ashford ship one day
31:00The name matched
31:01In this intake of new hires
31:02There was only one person called Chloe
31:03I thought I'd found you
31:04He paused there
31:05Then reached out and cupped my face in his hands
31:08Tipped it up
31:08Making me look at him
31:10Did you really think it was her face I was after
31:12I opened my mouth
31:13Nothing came out
31:14Julian's gaze was deep
31:16His voice dropped
31:17Nina, sometimes I think there's something strange between us
31:20Something that pulls
31:21Yesterday when you got into the car
31:22I hadn't even opened my eyes
31:23But my first thought was
31:25You're here
31:25Every time I hear you talk
31:26I go quiet
31:27Sometimes I think I'm like a dog
31:29Just the sound of your voice
31:30And I calm down
31:30I pressed my lips together
31:32Almost laughed
31:33But my eyes were starting to sting
31:34In the end I couldn't hold it
31:35I lowered my head
31:36And buried my face in his chest
31:38My voice came out muffled
31:39But you'd never even seen me
31:40What if I turned out to be exactly the type you can't stand
31:42Julian paused
31:43A beat of silence before he answered
31:45I never thought about it
31:46But I know
31:47No matter what you looked like
31:48I would have fallen for you
31:49Strange as that is
31:50I just would
31:52Ever since that day
31:53When everything was finally laid out in the open
31:55Julian and I had fallen into a very strange kind of relationship
31:58On the surface
31:59He was still the untouchable Ashfulton heir
32:02And I was still the most invisible new hire in the training department
32:05But whenever no one else was around
32:07He would suddenly pull me over
32:09Sometimes at the corner of a hallway
32:11Sometimes behind the door of that lounger on the top floor
32:15And more often
32:16Just after I delivered some documents upstairs and was about to leave
32:19He would call out to me from behind
32:21His voice calm and light
32:22Come here
32:23At first I tried to play dumb
32:24Pretended I hadn't heard him
32:26Later I realized it was completely useless
32:27Because Julian would walk over
32:29Grab my wrist
32:30And pull me into an empty room nearby
32:31Then he'd lower his head and kiss me
32:33Very gently
32:34And for a long time
32:36Afterward he'd straighten my collar as if nothing had happened
32:38Then let me go
32:39Today was no different
32:40I had just delivered a guest list to the top floor
32:42I'd barely reached the door when he pulled me back
32:44When my back hit the door panel
32:46I intentionally looked up at him
32:47What are you doing?
32:48Julian lowered his gaze to me
32:49You passed by my office just now and didn't look at me
32:51I froze for a second
32:53Then almost laughed in disbelief
32:54Why do I have to look at you?
32:56He said nothing
32:57He just lowered his head and bit my lip lightly
32:59Not hard
33:00But with a hint of mischief
33:01The tips of my ears instantly burned
33:03I reached out to push him away
33:05Stop it
33:05Julian pressed my hand down
33:07His voice was low
33:08Come see me tonight
33:09I immediately shook my head
33:11No, I still have a shift
33:12As if he'd already known I would say that
33:13He added evenly
33:14Check the schedule
33:14You get off at ten
33:15I choked on my words
33:16Only then did he seem slightly satisfied
33:18He lifted his hand and pinched my cheek
33:20I'll wait for you
33:21When I came down from the top floor
33:23My face was still burning
33:25But the moment I reached the private elevator
33:27My steps suddenly stopped
33:28Not far away
33:29Two call works were standing there
33:31They looked at me first
33:32Then spotted the door behind me
33:33Which hadn't fully closed yet
33:35One of them suddenly smiled
33:37The meaning in it unclear
33:39Nina
33:40Since when were you so close to the top floor?
33:44My fingers tightened
33:45The heat drained from my face in an instant
33:47I was just delivering documents
33:49The moment I finished speaking I tried to leave
33:50But the two of them didn't move aside
33:52One of them crossed her arms and slowly drawled
33:55So it takes that long for delivering documents?
33:57The other smiled too
33:58And you even used the private elevator
34:00I didn't respond
34:01I turned sideways and pushed past them
34:03But after that day
34:04The way the employees looked at me changed
34:06At lunch break
34:07The moment I walked into the cafeteria
34:09The people who had been laughing and chatted
34:11Would suddenly go quiet
34:12After I sat down
34:13The table next to me would start whispering again in low voices
34:16No wonder things have been going so smoothly for her lately
34:18I went to find my supervisor
34:20Without even looking up
34:21She said only one thing
34:23If you can do it then do it
34:24Don't let people think you only rely on connections
34:26I stood there
34:28And suddenly couldn't say a single word
34:31When I went back
34:32Julian was already waiting for me on the top floor
34:34As soon as the door shut
34:35He noticed something was wrong
34:36Who upset you this time?
34:38I shook my head
34:39No one
34:40He stared at me for a few seconds
34:41Like he didn't believe me
34:43Just as he was about to ask again
34:45There was suddenly a knock at the door
34:47The assistant pushed the door open
34:49And said quietly
34:50Mr. Ashford
34:50Mrs. Whitland has arrived
34:52Julian's expression didn't change
34:54But I went rotted all at once
34:55After speaking the assistant looked at me again
34:57And added
34:58She said she'd like to see Miss Nina first
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