Shorts Enthusiast - [FULL] My Cold Husband is My Secret Fan
#shorts #aigenerated #aidrama #shortdrama #fyp #highlights #viral
#shorts #aigenerated #aidrama #shortdrama #fyp #highlights #viral
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00:02After five years in show business, I was still a nobody.
00:05So I had to bow to my parents.
00:07Accept the arranged marriage.
00:08I had to accept the arranged marriage.
00:10My fiancΓ© disliked me.
00:13Hello.
00:14There's someone else I love.
00:15Don't waste your time on me.
00:17You can date whoever you want.
00:18I won't interfere.
00:20This marriage is only a business deal.
00:22One year.
00:23Then we get divorced.
00:24And don't cry or refuse to sign the papers when the time comes.
00:27He announced it and then just hung up.
00:30And right then, I was at the door to his study.
00:33The room was filled with my posters, my albums, every single thing I'd ever released.
00:39The man I was marrying was Caleb Quinn, the eldest son of the Quinn family.
00:44My friend told me about it.
00:45Caleb had a face that could ruin people.
00:48A modern-day D-roll in a tailored suit.
00:52For her audition.
00:53He only cared about profit.
00:54Lily, everyone feels bad for you.
00:57You're marrying a man like that?
00:59A heartless monster.
01:00Who knows what kind of life you'll have after this.
01:02I stayed silent for a long time.
01:05In the end, I could only let out two helpless.
01:08Then, I posted the retirement statement I had kept in my drafts for months.
01:12I was only a D-list actress, but I still had a few loyal fans.
01:17Among the endless messages, one name stood out.
01:20Q.
01:21For the past five years, my most devoted fan.
01:25Every photo he took of me looked like a magazine cover.
01:28He never showed his face.
01:30But what made me remember him most was every comment he left.
01:34I hope you're happy every day.
01:36But today, he broke his pattern.
01:39The chat box was packed with words.
01:41I found one of your videos by accident.
01:44It was during the darkest time of my life.
01:46It got me through the night.
01:48After that, I started waiting for every post.
01:51Sometimes, I'd get so excited, my hands would actually shake.
01:55I'm sorry, but I still want to tell you.
01:58Evie, you are as important to me as my own life.
02:02In the end, I replied to him seriously.
02:05Thank you for liking me.
02:06I hope you're happy every day.
02:08Maybe we'll meet again someday.
02:10After replying to every message, I was about to delete my account forever.
02:15Then, I saw a trending topic.
02:17Caleb Quinn crying in his car.
02:20What?
02:21Curious, I tapped it.
02:22A streetlight cast a warm glow across Caleb Quinn's face.
02:26His shoulders trembled.
02:28Tears streaked across his cheeks.
02:29He looked completely shattered.
02:32The comments exploded.
02:34So, the Ice King actually cries?
02:36What could possibly make a man like him cry?
02:38Maybe he hated the arranged marriage.
02:41Maybe work had finally broken him.
02:43Maybe something terrible had happened.
02:45None of them interested me.
02:47After wrapping things up with my manager, I crashed.
02:50The next morning, my phone woke me up.
02:52Unknown number.
02:55Hello?
02:56Good morning, Miss Reed.
02:57I'm Caleb Quinn, your fiancΓ©.
03:00There's someone I love.
03:01This marriage is a business arrangement.
03:03Nothing more.
03:04I won't interfere with your private life, and I expect the same from you.
03:07Your father mentioned your first love.
03:09If you'd like, I can give you two a chance to reconnect.
03:12Wait.
03:13You're offering to cover for me?
03:15So I can go see my ex?
03:17His answer came instantly.
03:19Then...
03:19If you're already in love with someone else, that makes things easier for both of us.
03:23I didn't even know how to respond to that.
03:25Okay.
03:26What else?
03:27One more thing.
03:28His voice turned even more serious.
03:31Our marriage lasts one year.
03:32After that, we divorce.
03:34Don't make a scene.
03:35I leaned back against my pillow.
03:37Don't worry.
03:38I won't.
03:39There was a pause.
03:40Then I heard him exhale.
03:42He actually sounded relieved.
03:44I don't think we need a wedding, and obviously there's no reason for us to sleep together.
03:48I didn't care either way.
03:49Fine by me.
03:50Another silence.
03:51Apparently, he was making sure he hadn't missed anything.
03:54Finally, he spoke again.
03:56Miss Reed, I'm a businessman.
03:57I don't make deals based on promises, so I'd like all of this in writing.
04:01A contract.
04:02I raised an eyebrow.
04:04A contract?
04:05Yes.
04:07Everything we just agreed on.
04:08Sure.
04:09Send it over when it's ready.
04:10Good.
04:11He sounded satisfied.
04:12Then he said...
04:13I'm outside your house.
04:14What?
04:15A few minutes later, I crept to the top of the stairs.
04:18Black suit.
04:19Long legs crossed.
04:21Perfect posture.
04:22My friend hadn't exaggerated.
04:24The man was ridiculously handsome.
04:27No wonder Dad had been so proud of this match.
04:29Then, something caught my eye.
04:31A pink wristband was peeking out from under Caleb's cuff.
04:35Pink was my fan color.
04:36I could spot that exact shade anywhere.
04:40A man who looked like that?
04:41Wearing a cute little pink wristband?
04:44Huh.
04:44Didn't see that coming.
04:46Dad kept glancing up at me.
04:47Caleb didn't even look.
04:49He had zero interest in meeting the fiancΓ© he'd never asked for.
04:53Dad finally gave up on being subtle.
04:55Caleb, why don't you stay for breakfast?
04:57You can see Lily.
04:58No need.
04:59We'll have plenty of time to be stuck with each other after we're married.
05:02No reason to start early.
05:04Thanks for your time, Mr. Reed.
05:05He turned and headed for the door.
05:07By the time I finished getting ready and walked downstairs,
05:10Caleb was walking out.
05:11The door shut between us.
05:13He never once looked up in my direction.
05:15If the back of his head could talk,
05:17it would have said,
05:19Not interested.
05:20Caleb had barely left when my phone rang.
05:24Miss Reed, I left the contract with your father.
05:26If everything looks good, sign it.
05:28My assistant will pick it up later.
05:29I opened the contract and read every page.
05:32Everything we'd agreed on was there.
05:34And when the marriage ended, I'd walk away with another huge settlement.
05:38Suddenly, marrying Caleb didn't seem nearly as terrible.
05:42Then, something occurred to me.
05:44There's nothing in here about the woman you love.
05:46Did you forget?
05:47But Caleb's reply sounded resistant and impatient.
05:50You don't need to test me.
05:52I understand you'll be at a disadvantage in this marriage.
05:54I won't do anything that could publicly humiliate you.
05:58I could practically picture him on the other end, frowning.
06:02Probably thinking, she's already trying to control me.
06:05And I would never make her the other woman.
06:07Until our marriage is completely over.
06:09Then I'll pursue her properly.
06:10I'll tell her how I feel.
06:12And if she'll have me, I'll be with her.
06:14Caleb went quiet for a moment.
06:16Send me your passport details.
06:18Why?
06:19I'm flying overseas the day after we get married.
06:22And it happens to be the same city where your ex lives.
06:24I paused.
06:25Don't you want to see him?
06:26Caleb continued.
06:27I can book you on my flight.
06:29I'll cover for you.
06:30We'll tell our families it's our honeymoon.
06:32I hesitated.
06:35Going on the trip was one thing.
06:37Seeing my ex was another.
06:39After our breakup, I'd blocked him everywhere.
06:41Caleb must have heard the hesitation in my voice.
06:43Because suddenly, he became very patient.
06:47Miss Reed.
06:49Think about it.
06:50This is the perfect opportunity.
06:52If you let this one go, who knows when you'll see him again.
06:55This man really wanted me to see my ex.
06:58Still, I hesitated.
07:00Caleb wasn't giving up.
07:01Your father told me the breakup was messy.
07:05And I have a friend who's great with relationships.
07:07He fixes this kind of thing all the time.
07:09I almost laughed.
07:11What are you saying?
07:12I'm saying I'll bring him.
07:14Maybe even get you back together.
07:15I went silent.
07:17But a free trip didn't sound bad.
07:19I could treat it like a vacation.
07:21Fine.
07:22I'll send you my passport info.
07:24His answer came instantly.
07:26Perfect.
07:26He sounded actually happy.
07:28I slowly lowered the phone.
07:30Wow.
07:31He really was terrified I'd fall for him.
07:33Caleb's assistant was supposed to pick up the contract.
07:36But that evening, Caleb texted me.
07:39Miss Reed.
07:39Something came up.
07:40My assistant stuck in a meeting.
07:42Could you bring the contract over?
07:44And I'd rather you bring it yourself.
07:46I don't trust couriers with something this important.
07:48Fair enough.
07:49He was worried I'd back out.
07:51I was worried he'd change the number of zeros.
07:53So ten minutes later, I was standing outside Caleb Quinn's house.
07:57Luckily, he lived close.
07:59He'd already given me the door code.
08:01The second I stepped inside, something felt familiar.
08:04His house looked exactly like I expected.
08:07White walls, black furniture, black curtains, cold, minimal.
08:12Very Caleb.
08:13I headed down the hall, looking for his study.
08:15Then I stopped.
08:17One door was bright pink.
08:19I stared at it.
08:20Then looked around.
08:21Seriously?
08:21I walked over, slowly pushed the door open.
08:25A massive poster covered the wall.
08:27Was me.
08:28It was a photo from my second year in show business.
08:31I'd almost forgotten it existed.
08:32My eyes moved past the poster.
08:35Photo cards.
08:36Limited edition merch.
08:37Products I'd endorsed years ago.
08:39All mine.
08:40Some were still sealed.
08:42Each one had a date written beside it.
08:44I stood in the middle of the room, speechless.
08:47Then slowly looked back at the giant poster of myself.
08:51What the hell?
08:53I rubbed my eyes.
08:54Hard.
08:55Nope.
08:55Still there.
08:56Then something else caught my eye.
08:58The desk.
08:59The angle.
09:00I'd seen this before.
09:01I pulled out my phone, opened Q's profile, scrolled through his old post, then held the
09:07screen up.
09:08Same desk.
09:09Same room.
09:09No way.
09:10Caleb Quinn, the cold, ruthless CEO, who'd spent the last 24 hours making sure I wouldn't
09:18fall for him, was Q, my biggest fan.
09:21My phone buzzed.
09:23A message from Caleb.
09:24Miss Reed, I forgot to mention something.
09:26The study I meant is upstairs, not the one downstairs.
09:30I slowly looked around me.
09:32Oops.
09:33I typed back.
09:34Sorry.
09:34I already left the contract in the downstairs study.
09:37Then please leave it there and come out.
09:39Don't touch anything.
09:41Everything in that room is extremely important to me.
09:44If anything gets damaged, we're going to have a problem.
09:47I looked up for my phone.
09:48All of it was mine.
09:50And this man was threatening me.
09:52I bit back a laugh.
09:53Relax.
09:54I didn't touch anything.
09:55I lowered my phone.
09:57My eyes landed on the shelves again.
09:59Some of this stuff was so old, even I couldn't find it anymore.
10:02But Caleb had kept every piece perfectly preserved.
10:06I picked up my phone and typed, Mr. Quinn, that woman you said you're in love with?
10:12I glanced at the giant poster of myself, then hit send.
10:16Don't tell me it's Evie.
10:17A long time passed.
10:19Then Caleb finally replied, yeah, do you know her?
10:22Then, wait, are you a fan too?
10:24Are we into the same girl?
10:26I couldn't help it.
10:27Huh?
10:27I don't think I know her.
10:29Caleb went quiet again.
10:30When he finally replied, he actually sounded a little disappointed.
10:34She never really made it big.
10:35I finally took full control of the company this year.
10:38I was going to quietly get her better roles, everything she deserved.
10:42And then she retired.
10:44I stared at the screen.
10:45He kept going.
10:46What is she even going to do now?
10:48Do you think she'll get married this year?
10:49Then, God, some lucky bastard is probably going to end up with her.
10:53Caleb wasn't done.
10:54Whoever he is, he better treat her right.
10:57Because if he hurts her, I'll hunt that bastard down myself.
11:00I don't care where he runs.
11:02I'll make him regret ever being born.
11:04I stared at the messages.
11:05Then at the contract on his desk.
11:07Then back at the messages.
11:09Then decided to give him one last chance.
11:11By the way, Caleb, are you absolutely sure we don't need to meet before we get married?
11:16Caleb's answer came without hesitation.
11:19Yes, I've already told you.
11:20There's no reason for us to meet.
11:22I stared at the screen.
11:25Okay.
11:26Just don't regret it later.
11:28His tone changed instantly.
11:30What does that mean?
11:32Then another message.
11:33Are you having second thoughts?
11:35Miss Reed, we already signed a contract.
11:38You can't back out now.
11:40I laughed under my breath.
11:41Relax.
11:42I'm not backing out.
11:44Apparently, that wasn't enough for him.
11:47Good.
11:48Because the contract clearly states there are consequences for breaking our agreement.
11:52I smiled.
11:54I know.
11:55Then I typed, whoever backs out first is an idiot.
11:58Caleb went quiet for two whole seconds.
12:02Then, fine, deal.
12:04Another message popped up.
12:06Whoever backs out first is a pause, an idiot.
12:10I almost laughed out loud.
12:12Caleb, people tell you you're really smart a lot, don't they?
12:16His reply came immediately, all the time.
12:20Then, I've always been proud of my above average intelligence.
12:23I stared at the screen.
12:25If he knew I was Evie.
12:27Three days flew by.
12:29Caleb and I didn't speak once.
12:31Then came the day we were supposed to get married.
12:33I got to the courthouse 30 minutes early.
12:36By the time Caleb's Maybach pulled up, I was leaning against the wall, half asleep.
12:41His entire body went still.
12:43Both hands tightened around the steering wheel.
12:45He just stared.
12:47I started walking toward him.
12:49My phone began buzzing inside my bag.
12:52Caleb, Miss Reed, can we push our appointment back a little?
12:55I just saw her.
12:58I looked up.
12:59Through the windshield, Caleb was still staring straight at me.
13:03My phone buzzed again.
13:05She's walking toward me.
13:06I just want to talk to her.
13:08One sentence.
13:09That's all.
13:10Please?
13:11Another message.
13:12Shit.
13:13My heart is beating way too fast.
13:15Is this normal?
13:16Then, I think I might actually...
13:18I stopped beside his car and tapped lightly on the window.
13:24Caleb froze.
13:25The window slowly rolled down.
13:27His phone was still in his hand, but his eyes were locked on me.
13:32The cold CEO from three days ago was gone.
13:35I leaned down slightly, met his eyes, and smiled.
13:39Hi.
13:40I'm Lily Reed.
13:42What?
13:44I gave him a second, then added casually...
13:47Although, you probably know me better as Evie.
13:51Caleb stared on my hand.
13:53Then, back at my face, his smile slowly fell apart.
13:57Caleb didn't move.
13:59Didn't blink.
14:00Didn't breathe.
14:00He just sat there, completely frozen.
14:04But his phone was still connected to the car speakers, and his friend was still yelling
14:08through them.
14:09Caleb?
14:10You still there?
14:12You never answered me.
14:13Did you meet Lily yet?
14:14Nothing.
14:15His friend kept going.
14:17Her parents have kept her out of the public eye for years.
14:19They always said she had health issues.
14:21Nobody even knows what she looks like.
14:24I'm dying to know.
14:26Caleb!
14:27Did you meet Lily or not?
14:28Caleb finally moved.
14:30Very slowly, he lowered his head.
14:33His face was completely blank.
14:35Then he forced one word through clenched teeth.
14:38No.
14:40His friend went silent.
14:43What do you mean, no?
14:44You didn't see Lily?
14:46Then who the hell did you see?
14:48Caleb said nothing for a long, painful second.
14:53Then he slowly closed his eyes, like his soul had just left his body.
14:59My wife.
15:01Silence.
15:02His friend finally said,
15:04What?
15:05We sat across from each other in a quiet corner booth at an Italian restaurant.
15:09Our marriage appointment had been postponed after all, because right after hanging up
15:13that call, Caleb had closed his eyes and slapped himself, hard enough to leave his face swollen.
15:20Definitely not courthouse photo ready.
15:22And now, his ears were bright red.
15:25I couldn't tell if that was from the slapping or something else.
15:29Ever since he'd found out who I was, he'd followed me around in a daze.
15:33Not one word.
15:38Now he just sat there, staring at the table.
15:41I waved a hand in front of his face.
15:43Caleb?
15:44His eyes landed on my face for exactly one second, then immediately darted away.
15:50He grabbed a bottle from the table and took a huge gulp.
15:53Caleb?
15:54That's balsamic vinegar.
15:56Nearly.
15:57I waited until he recovered.
15:59Then I asked, casually.
16:00So, are we still getting wedding rings?
16:04Of course we...
16:05Oh, wait.
16:06I cut him off and started digging through my bag.
16:09Give me a second.
16:10I know I have it somewhere.
16:13Caleb immediately sat up straighter.
16:15His eyes got brighter.
16:17Ah, found it.
16:19I pulled something out.
16:20Caleb looked at my hand, full of hope.
16:23I dropped our contract onto the table.
16:25His smile froze.
16:26I flipped through the pages and tapped it with my finger.
16:30Oh, right.
16:31I almost forgot.
16:32You were very clear about this.
16:36No wedding rings required.
16:40So, guess we don't need them after all.
16:43Wait.
16:45I should check if you made any rules about dinner, too.
16:48Don't eat yet.
16:49I lowered my head and started flipping through the contract.
16:52Caleb stared at the papers in my hands, almost resentfully.
16:56Do you seriously carry that thing everywhere?
16:58I looked up.
16:59What do you mean, that thing?
17:01You told me to keep it safe.
17:03You literally said I should lock it in a safe.
17:05I paused.
17:06Speaking of, did you buy one yet?
17:08Caleb went silent.
17:10Not yet.
17:11I nodded.
17:12Don't forget.
17:13His smile looked painful.
17:16I won't.
17:17I finally put the contract away, then tilted my head.
17:22Oh, right.
17:23You're leaving on that business trip tomorrow, aren't you?
17:25Caleb froze.
17:27Yes.
17:28And I'm coming with you?
17:30Yes.
17:31And you're taking me to see my ex?
17:33Silence.
17:34Caleb refused to answer.
17:36And you're covering for me, right?
17:38His voice came out through clenched teeth.
17:41Actually, I...
17:42I know.
17:43I cut him off.
17:44This is the perfect opportunity.
17:46Who knows when I'll ever get another chance like this, right?
17:49You don't have to give me the whole speech again.
17:51No, that's not...
17:52And you're bringing your friend too, right?
17:55I smiled at him.
17:57Don't forget.
17:58Whether my ex and I get back together is all up to you two.
18:01He looked like he wanted to die.
18:03What time's our flight tomorrow night?
18:05His voice actually trembled.
18:07Lily.
18:09Please stop torturing me.
18:11Caleb lowered his eyes.
18:13He looked like he was about to cry.
18:14I'm sorry.
18:17I'm an idiot.
18:19No.
18:19I'm worse than an idiot.
18:21I'm the dumbest man alive.
18:22If I had one functioning brain cell, none of this would have happened.
18:25Seriously.
18:26Did my mom drop me on my head as a baby?
18:28How am I this stupid?
18:29I said nothing.
18:31Caleb looked at me desperately.
18:33Lily.
18:33Can we just pretend the Caleb Quinn from three days ago never existed?
18:37He's gone.
18:38Dead.
18:39Buried.
18:41That wasn't me.
18:42I raised an eyebrow.
18:43Caleb panicked.
18:45I'm serious.
18:46I'm not even Caleb Quinn anymore.
18:50I'm...
18:50He visibly struggled for an answer.
18:53Quinn Caleb.
18:54I stared at him.
18:55Pure regret washed over his face.
18:58Today, Caleb had dressed for our marriage appointment.
19:01Black suit.
19:02Every inch of him looked polished, mature, untouchable.
19:07And yet, this very expensive-looking man, looking like a kicked puppy.
19:12Please.
19:12I looked away, then took a long sip of ice water.
19:19Okay.
19:20Caleb slowly looked up.
19:21His eyes were red.
19:23His lashes were damp.
19:25Enough.
19:26Sit down.
19:27He immediately returned to his seat.
19:29A few minutes passed.
19:31Caleb glanced at me.
19:32He worked up the courage to ask...
19:34So?
19:35His voice was barely above a whisper.
19:38Can we still get married?
19:40Why wouldn't we?
19:41There was a lot of money riding on this marriage.
19:44Why wouldn't we?
19:45Caleb looked a little less devastated.
19:47I still have a chance.
19:49Okay.
19:50Good.
19:51But a second later, his eyes dropped again.
19:55And...
19:56Could we maybe start over?
19:58I mean...
19:59You and me?
20:00Caleb and Lily?
20:01Can we forget everything from before and meet each other again?
20:05Starting now?
20:06He looked at me carefully.
20:08Please?
20:09Seriously.
20:10Please.
20:10Were men always this complicated?
20:13What difference did it make?
20:15I frowned.
20:16Sure.
20:17Whatever.
20:18Caleb's head snapped up.
20:19His eyes lit up.
20:21Really?
20:21I reached for my hand.
20:23Before my fingers even touched it, Caleb grabbed it.
20:26He opened it for me.
20:28I stared at him.
20:29Then sniffed.
20:31Caleb immediately pulled two napkins from the dispenser and held them out.
20:36Thanks.
20:37I slowly lowered my fork.
20:39Caleb looked up, watching me expectantly.
20:42Like a puppy waiting to be praised.
20:45If he had a tail, it would have been wagging.
20:49Caleb, don't.
20:50What?
20:51I thought you said we could start over.
20:53I wiped my mouth.
20:55You don't need to waste your time on me.
20:57You can love whoever you want.
20:58I won't interfere.
20:59His face fell.
21:01Don't forget.
21:02This marriage is just a business deal.
21:05We divorce in one year.
21:06So prepare yourself.
21:08And when the time comes, don't cry.
21:11Caleb stared at me, speechless.
21:13I raised an eyebrow.
21:14Your words.
21:16Remember?
21:17His shoulders trembled.
21:18I...
21:19I...
21:20Oh.
21:21There's something I forgot to tell you.
21:22He looked up.
21:23I met his eyes.
21:24I never expected anything from this marriage.
21:26Not love.
21:26Not romance.
21:27Nothing.
21:28Nothing.
21:29The only thing I ever wanted out of this marriage was the money.
21:33From the very beginning, that's all I wanted.
21:36So you acting like this now is only making things difficult for me.
21:39Please remember what this marriage actually is.
21:43Anyway, enjoy your dinner.
21:45I'm leaving.
21:45Lily!
21:46Lily!
21:47He reached for me.
21:48I was faster.
21:49Take it home.
21:50Read it a few more times.
21:51Maybe it'll refresh your memory.
21:53You seem to have forgotten everything you wrote.
21:54I gave him one last look, then turned and walked toward the door.
21:59Behind me, Caleb didn't move.
22:01The glass door caught his reflection.
22:03Contract clenched in his hand, shoulders trembling.
22:06From that day on, Caleb completely changed.
22:10The cold, arrogant man I'd met before, now he wouldn't shut up.
22:14Every morning.
22:15Good morning, Lily.
22:17Every night.
22:18Good night.
22:19He felt the need to report every detail of his day.
22:22One day, he called me again.
22:24Oh, by the way, Lily, something happened to your plane ticket.
22:26I accidentally canceled it.
22:28What happened?
22:29Crazy, right?
22:30A perfectly good ticket.
22:31Just...
22:32He sighed dramatically.
22:33Maybe it's a sign.
22:34Maybe you and your ex just aren't meant to see each other.
22:36What are the odds?
22:37You accidentally canceled a plane ticket?
22:39Are you always this unreliable?
22:40No, of course not.
22:42If you're this unreliable, maybe I need to reconsider this marriage.
22:47Lily, please don't reconsider.
22:48I was wrong.
22:49I didn't cancel it by accident.
22:50I did it on purpose.
22:51Caleb, a moment later, my phone buzzed, a payment notification.
22:55I stared at the amount.
22:57I typed back, go away.
22:58One more message and you're blocked.
23:01Two seconds later, message deleted.
23:03Message deleted.
23:04Message deleted.
23:05He deleted everything he'd sent.
23:08Caleb finally stopped spamming me, mostly.
23:11But then, he found a new way to bother me.
23:14He started showing up at my house.
23:16The next time Caleb showed up, Dad greeted him like usual.
23:20I'll go get Lily.
23:21Caleb's face immediately brightened.
23:23He was just about to nod when...
23:25Oh, wait.
23:27I almost forgot.
23:28You said there was no need for you two to meet.
23:30You said you'd be stuck seeing each other enough after the wedding.
23:33I remember.
23:34Don't worry.
23:35I won't call her down.
23:36Definitely not.
23:37Caleb stared at him.
23:39Caleb was silent for a long moment.
23:42Mr. Reed, you probably won't believe me, but the man who said that was temporarily insane.
23:50What?
23:51Actually, I guess I should call you Dad now.
23:54Huh?
23:54Dad, have you had breakfast?
23:55I can go get something.
23:56What do you like?
23:57What does Mom like?
23:59Actually, the floors could use some cleaning, the windows too.
24:01I saw some laundry in the utility room, and the dog probably needs a walk.
24:04A few minutes later, Dad came upstairs looking genuinely concerned.
24:08Lily.
24:10Is Caleb okay?
24:12He wasn't like this three days ago.
24:14I looked downstairs.
24:15Caleb was already mopping the floor.
24:17And that was only the beginning.
24:19For days, I'd wake up, walk downstairs, and find Caleb somewhere in my house.
24:25He massaged Dad's shoulders, helped Mom with whatever she needed, washed the dog, walked
24:30the dog, boiled the dog.
24:32And every morning, there'd be my favorite breakfast on the table, along with a fresh
24:36bouquet of red roses.
24:38He remembered everything I said.
24:41One afternoon, I mumbled in my sleep that I wanted cinnamon rolls.
24:45It was pouring outside.
24:46Delivery apps were backed up for hours, so Caleb went out into the rain.
24:51When he came back, his hair was soaked.
24:54His cold was dripping, but the box in his hands was perfectly dry.
24:59I actually felt a little guilty.
25:01Caleb noticed.
25:02He gave me a crooked smile.
25:05Don't.
25:05The idiot's just trying to make it up to you.
25:09Caleb, you really don't have to do all this.
25:12I have no idea what you're talking about.
25:14I'll clean your study.
25:16And just like that, he escaped upstairs.
25:21He stayed in my study for the rest of the evening, alone.
25:24When he finally came out, he looked completely out of it.
25:28He even tripped on his way downstairs.
25:30I had no idea what was wrong with him.
25:33Until later that night, my phone buzzed.
25:36A message from Caleb.
25:38Lily, are you still in love with your first love?
25:41Caleb showed up again the next morning, but something was different.
25:45No tailored suit, no dress shirt.
25:48Instead, he was wearing a casual college hoodie.
25:51I stared at him.
25:52The hoodie looked weirdly familiar.
25:54Caleb, what's with the outfit?
25:57I...
25:57Do you like me dressed like this?
25:59With a face like Caleb's, he could wear almost anything and still look good.
26:03Yeah.
26:04It looks good on you.
26:05He lowered his eyes.
26:07As long as you like it, I'm fine with it.
26:09I frowned.
26:10Okay.
26:14That night, I was reorganizing my bookshelf when an old photo slipped out of a book.
26:20I bent down and picked it up.
26:22It was a photo of me and my first boyfriend.
26:26After our breakup, I'd gotten rid of everything else.
26:29This one must have survived because it was hidden inside the book.
26:32I was about to put it away when I noticed his clothes, the hoodie.
26:36It looked almost exactly like the one Caleb had been wearing all day.
27:09Then everything clicked.
27:11If I wanted to see him, it wouldn't be to get back together.
27:12I'd be going there to kick his ass.
27:14And that trip with you, I only wanted to go because I thought it'd be a free vacation.
27:17I never planned on seeing him.
27:19Oh, why are you telling me this?
27:20I mean, it's not like I really wanted to know.
27:22The next morning, Caleb was in my kitchen again.
27:24He was practically glowing.
27:27Unbelievable.
27:27A month passed like that.
27:29Day 1.
27:30I thought Caleb Quinn was insane.
27:32Day 7.
27:33I started feeling a little sorry for him.
27:36Day 13.
27:37I caught myself thinking, he was actually kind of cute sometimes.
27:41Day 23.
27:42He was working in the kitchen when I noticed sweat on his forehead.
27:45Without thinking, I reached up and wiped it away.
27:48Caleb froze.
27:49So did I.
27:50Neither of us said anything.
27:52Day 30.
27:52Caleb was sitting by the window, playing chess with my dad.
27:56Sunlight fell across the side of his face.
27:58He smiled as dad moved to peace.
28:00I couldn't look away.
28:01By the time I realized what I was doing, I'd already leaned down and kissed him softly on the cheek.
28:07The chess piece slipped from his fingers and hit the floor.
28:10The second I realized I'd actually kissed him, I jumped up and ran straight to my room.
28:16Until dad told me Caleb had left.
28:18Only then did I carefully crack open my door.
28:20The second I stepped out, a hand caught my wrist.
28:24Caleb pulled me toward him.
28:25His tall frame closed in.
28:27One arm sliding around my waist.
28:30His other hand tipped my chin up.
28:32Then he slowly leaned down.
28:34My breath caught.
28:35My fingers tightened around his shirt.
28:37And without thinking, I closed my eyes.
28:42What were you expecting with your eyes closed like that?
28:45My face burned.
28:46He played it.
28:48Caleb Quinn, you...
28:50He kissed me.
28:51The rest of my sentence disappeared against his lips.
28:54This time, he wasn't teasing.
28:57His arm tightened around my waist.
29:00Caleb was warm against me.
29:04By the way, I have some bad news.
29:07What?
29:08My house got broken into a couple days ago.
29:10What?
29:11Was anything valuable stolen?
29:12No.
29:13Nothing valuable.
29:14Then what did they take?
29:15The contracts.
29:17Ours.
29:19Caleb Quinn, you lying little...
29:21I won't let him know.
29:22And I will see him win.
29:22I am near you.
29:23And see how the funz is.
29:24And I'll be lΓ to Π½Π΅ get up to him.