Taste Me - Full Movie (ENGSUB) is a dark romantic thriller filled with forbidden attraction, manipulation, power games, dangerous secrets, and emotional suspense.
What begins as a chance encounter quickly evolves into a complex web of desire, obsession, and hidden motives. Drawn into a world where appearances can be deceiving, the characters find themselves navigating relationships built on temptation, ambition, and trust that can disappear in an instant.
As emotions intensify and boundaries begin to blur, long-buried secrets emerge from the shadows. Every choice carries consequences, and every revelation threatens to change the course of their lives forever.
Caught between passion and danger, loyalty and betrayal, they must confront the truth about themselves and the people around them before it's too late.
But in a game where everyone is hiding something, who is really in control?
Packed with suspense, emotional twists, psychological tension, dramatic confrontations, and unexpected revelations, this gripping story is perfect for fans of dark romance and relationship thrillers.
Hashtags
#TasteMe #DarkRomance #RomanticThriller #PsychologicalDrama #ForbiddenDesire #RelationshipDrama #SuspenseDrama #DramaMovie #FullMovie #ENGSUB #DangerousAttraction #EmotionalThriller #MysteryDrama #ObsessiveLove #DarkLoveStory
What begins as a chance encounter quickly evolves into a complex web of desire, obsession, and hidden motives. Drawn into a world where appearances can be deceiving, the characters find themselves navigating relationships built on temptation, ambition, and trust that can disappear in an instant.
As emotions intensify and boundaries begin to blur, long-buried secrets emerge from the shadows. Every choice carries consequences, and every revelation threatens to change the course of their lives forever.
Caught between passion and danger, loyalty and betrayal, they must confront the truth about themselves and the people around them before it's too late.
But in a game where everyone is hiding something, who is really in control?
Packed with suspense, emotional twists, psychological tension, dramatic confrontations, and unexpected revelations, this gripping story is perfect for fans of dark romance and relationship thrillers.
Hashtags
#TasteMe #DarkRomance #RomanticThriller #PsychologicalDrama #ForbiddenDesire #RelationshipDrama #SuspenseDrama #DramaMovie #FullMovie #ENGSUB #DangerousAttraction #EmotionalThriller #MysteryDrama #ObsessiveLove #DarkLoveStory
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00The third year after our breakup, Julian and I reunited at a luxury hotel. I was a receptionist.
00:06He checked into the presidential suite with a female companion.
00:10That night, I received three internal calls from him.
00:13The sheets are dirty. Change them.
00:17I called housekeeping to handle it. Two hours later, he called again to have the sheets changed.
00:22I complied once more. At two in the morning, he made his third call.
00:26I politely refused before he could even speak.
00:29I'm sorry, sir, but housekeeping has already gotten off work.
00:33The man let out a light scoff and said casually,
00:36Then you come change them.
00:37I ignored him and hung up the phone straight away. I worked at the front desk. There.
00:42Was no reason for me to do housekeeping's job.
00:45A colleague leaned in and asked me mysteriously,
00:48Was it that guest from the presidential ute again?
00:52Seeing me nod, she covered her mouth and snickered.
00:56Making housekeeping change the sheets three times in one night?
01:00His stamina is really something.
01:03So, when you told him housekeeping was off duty, what did he say?
01:08I told her the truth.
01:09He told me to go up and change them.
01:12My colleague froze for a moment.
01:14Then she let out a sarcastic laugh.
01:17Does staying in the presidential suite make him a big deal?
01:21He really doesn't respect people.
01:23Does he think the hotel is his home?
01:26Treating us receptionists like 24-hour maids?
01:29I kept my eyes fixed on the computer screen.
01:31Some guests just get off on making others jump.
01:34My job description doesn't include changing sheets for anyone.
01:36Before she could finish, the phone in front of me
01:43I asked the manager.
01:44I didn't know what was said on the other end.
01:46My colleague suddenly widened her eyes and looked at me.
01:49You're saying at Chloe Bennett should go up to the presidential suite to change the sheets right now?
01:5315 minutes later, I stood at the door of the presidential suite.
01:57Bracing myself, I pressed the doorbell.
02:01The one who answered the door was Julian, dressed in a bathrobe.
02:04Loosely tied at the waist.
02:06Seeing it was me, he stepped aside to let me in.
02:09The faint sound of splashing water came from the bathroom.
02:12His girlfriend was still inside.
02:14He led me into the bedroom.
02:15Then he sat down on the sofa to the side, minding his own business, with perfect composure.
02:20He placed a cigarette between his lips and lit it.
02:23Before I could reach for the fresh linens, a voice drifted from the bathroom.
02:27Babe, I'm getting hungry.
02:29Can you order something up?
02:30Julian didn't glance toward the bathroom.
02:32He looked straight at me instead.
02:34You heard her.
02:35Go get room service.
02:36I'll wait.
02:37I stood there for a second.
02:38Then I turned and walked back out.
02:40Minutes later, I returned with a silver tray.
02:43Two glasses of sparkling water, a plate of sliced fruit.
02:46Julian's bathrobe had slipped further open while I was.
02:49Gone, his chest was half exposed.
02:51He didn't bother fixing it.
02:53His eyes followed every step I took toward the bedside table.
02:56The woman in the bathroom hummed a tune, completely unaware.
02:59I set the tray down carefully.
03:01My fingers trembled slightly.
03:03Julian watched me with an expression I couldn't read.
03:06Thanks.
03:07His voice was casual dat to casual.
03:09Like ordering room service from any receptionist.
03:14He gestured toward the bed with his chin.
03:16The sheets.
03:17Get to it.
03:17I walked to the bed and silently pulled back the quilt.
03:20The water stain on the bedsheet caught my eye off guard.
03:23It felt as if I had suddenly taken a punch to the chest.
03:26A dull ache twisted in my heart.
03:28I bent forward to strip the dirty linens as I reached across the mattress.
03:32I felt him move behind me.
03:34His presence closed in.
03:35I could feel the warmth of his body near my back.
03:38But I kept my head down and kept working.
03:40He didn't say a word.
03:41He just stood there.
03:43Watching me bend and reach and smooth the fabric.
03:45The silence was louder than anything he could have said.
03:48I quickly spread the clean sheet and gathered the dirty linens.
03:51Once finished.
03:52I turned to leave.
03:54But he suddenly closed in.
03:55He pressed me tightly against the edge of the bed.
03:58Nowhere to run.
03:59He leaned in further.
04:01I stumbled backward onto the bed.
04:02The next second.
04:04He yanked my right hand from the bed edge and pinned it above my head.
04:07I furrowed my brows.
04:09Pushing against his chest with my left hand.
04:11But the disparity in our strength was too great.
04:13I couldn't budge him an inch.
04:15The sound of water in the bathroom still hadn't stopped.
04:18I struggled to stand up.
04:20His other hand traced along my face.
04:22All the way to my lips.
04:24Then pressed hard.
04:25I turned my head away.
04:26But I could clearly.
04:28Feel his breath hitting my neck.
04:30Scorching.
04:31I trembled all over.
04:32Unable to move I could only lower my voice.
04:35You and your boy all may misunderstand.
04:38Let me show her.
04:40The man's eyes were cold and sharp.
04:42His breath heavy with the scent of alcohol brushing against my ear.
04:45For all these years, I couldn't figure it out.
04:54The sound of running water in the bathroom abruptly stopped, yet he remained completely unfazed.
05:00In a panic, I bit down hard on his arm.
05:02He frowned and let out a muffled groan.
05:05His grip loosened slightly.
05:06I took the chance to push him away, fleeing in a panic with the linens in my arms.
05:10As the door clicked shut, a woman's voice drifted out.
05:14Stop it!
05:15If you call someone to change the sheets again, I'll be too embarrassed to face anyone tomorrow.
05:21I couldn't quite catch his reply.
05:22Walking down the silent corridor, my violently racing heart finally began to calm down.
05:27I never thought that after three years.
05:30He would hate me this much.
05:31It would have been better if we never crossed paths again for the rest of our lives.
05:35I didn't sleep that night.
05:37The next morning, before my shift started, I walked through the hotel lobby.
05:41A woman's voice stopped me cold.
05:43Well, well.
05:45If it isn't the little receptionist who wandered into our room last night.
05:49I looked up.
05:50Julian's girlfriend stood by the front desk, dressed in designer heels.
05:54And a silk blouse.
05:55She flipped her hair and looked me up and down with open disdain.
05:59My earrings went missing after you left.
06:02Three million dollars worth.
06:03She took a step closer.
06:05I don't know what kind of tricks you pulled before, but let me make something clear.
06:09You're nothing but a cheap hotel worker.
06:13Julian is way out of your league.
06:16Her lip curled.
06:17Don't ever let me catch you near our room again.
06:19She shoved past me, shoulder checking me hard enough to make me stumble.
06:23The manager rushed over, bowing and apologizing to her.
06:26I straightened up and said nothing.
06:28My hands clenched at my sides.
06:31Back at the front desk, my co-worker leaned into gossip.
06:34Do you know who the guest in the presidential suite is today?
06:37It was past midnight, and I was too exhausted to humor her.
06:41But she only grew more excited.
06:43I just looked him up online.
06:44He's actually the eldest son of the Vance family in Boston.
06:48I said flatly.
06:49It's against the rules to pry into guests' information.
06:53I was just curious, okay?
06:56No wonder he could alarm our manager with a single phone call at two in the morning.
07:01She continued like a machine gun.
07:03I did a quick search.
07:04It's all about the Vance family's hundred billion dollar inheritance war.
07:08This young master fell seriously in at a critical moment.
07:12Almost lost his right to inherit.
07:15He had a girlfriend back then.
07:18His first love, too.
07:20But she was such a gold digger.
07:23Cheated on him while he was dying.
07:25People online are still cursing that woman to this day.
07:28My co-worker's noisy voice buzzed in my ears.
07:31Yeah, I know.
07:32She raised her voice slightly.
07:35You know?
07:36Have you read the news, too?
07:37I slowly turned my head and looked calmly at her surprised expression.
07:46I instantly froze.
07:47She couldn't recover for a long while.
07:50Three years ago, when everything began, meeting Julian was an unusual accident.
07:55I kicked a creep in the crotch and dragged him to the police station.
07:59Julian followed.
08:00Leaning against the door waiting for me, he added my WhatsApp.
08:04And one thing led to another.
08:05The day he confessed his feelings, I asked him why.
08:08He just smiled.
08:10After a long while, he took my hand.
08:12I was captivated by the way you kicked that guy in the crotch.
08:15We were together for a long time.
08:17He bought an apartment near campus.
08:19And we lived like an ordinary couple.
08:21My parents divorced when I was young.
08:23I grew up depending solely on my grandmother.
08:26One time on a video call, Julian heard my grandmother say she'd lost her teeth and it was hard to
08:31eat.
08:31The very next day, he took her to get dentures over $200,000.
08:36He didn't even blink.
08:38I felt awkward about the cost.
08:40He saw through my hesitation.
08:42You don't need to worry about the expenses.
08:43I'll cover it.
08:44I told him.
08:46If we ever break up, please don't make my grandma pull her new teeth out.
08:50He burst out laughing at once.
08:54The memory faded.
08:55That afternoon at the hotel, I found the presidential suite surrounded by commotion.
09:00Julian sat on the sofa in the reception room.
09:03His girlfriend, half leaning into his embrace.
09:06The manager stood to the side.
09:08Wearing an apologetic smile, Julian's girlfriend spoke with arrogant superiority.
09:12This morning, I discovered I'd lost a pair of earrings in our room, worth $3 million.
09:17And the only people who entered last night were me and the cleaning lady.
09:20The cleaning lady was already interrogated.
09:22They found nothing.
09:23Strip, we're searching you.
09:25She pointed a finger at me.
09:28My gaze swept subconsciously toward Julian.
09:31Last night, my every move had never left his line of sight.
09:34How could I have possibly stolen those earrings right under his nose?
09:37But he didn't seem to have any intention of defending me.
09:40He just sat there with his legs crossed, watching it all unfold with cold indifference.
09:45The manager came over and whispered to persuade me.
09:48We can't afford to offend this VIP.
09:50Just play along and cooperate a little.
09:52I clutched my shoulder bag tightly under my arm, keeping my chin up, refusing to compromise.
10:03Hearing this, the woman shot up to her feet.
10:05My boyfriend is very busy.
10:07We don't have time for police procedures.
10:09With sake and respect a procedure, my earrings are worth over $3 million.
10:13A birthday gift.
10:14I felt something off about you last night.
10:16The moment I came out of the bathroom, I saw you scurrying away.
10:20If you didn't have a guilty conscience, why run?
10:22She strode over and snatched my bag.
10:24I gripped it desperately, but her strength was astonishing.
10:28After a brief struggle, she yanked it away.
10:30With a harsh zip, the bag was torn open.
10:33Everything inside hit the floor.
10:34Take off your jacket.
10:35Let's see what else you're hiding.
10:37My fingers trembled as I unzipped my outer layer.
10:39I slipped it off and held it out to her.
10:42Now the cardigan.
10:43I pulled it over my head, my thin camisole the only thing left.
10:47Julian sat motionless on the sofa, watching, his jaw tight, his eyes on me the entire time.
10:54Julian's voice cut through the silence like a blade.
10:57Low, controlled, but unmistakably sharp.
11:00Stop.
11:02A moon made of crystal hit the ground and shattered.
11:05When Julian's gaze fell upon that crystal moon, a crack appeared in his calm facade, his atoms apple-bobbed slightly.
11:12He said in a deep voice,
11:14Enough, stop making a scene.
11:16Pick out a new set you like tomorrow.
11:18Julian dismissed the manager and his girlfriend.
11:21The reception room fell quiet.
11:23Leaving only the two of us staring at each other.
11:25Shards of crystal had cut my calf during the struggle, beads of blood seeping through.
11:30A flicker of heartache seemed to flash through his eyes.
11:33I figured it had to be a hallucination.
11:35I crouched down, picking up scattered items one by one.
11:38His voice drifted down from above, cold as ice.
11:41Didn't he buy you anything nice?
11:43He must have gotten at least some of the scraps back then.
11:45And yet he still lets you keep things from your ex-boyfriend?
11:48I stood up, my tone perfectly calm.
11:51We broke up.
11:52There's no need for your sarcastic remarks.
11:54He paused, then suddenly let out a laugh.
11:59Got dumped after he had his fun?
12:01No wonder you've been reduced to working here.
12:04What a pity.
12:05If you'd kept up the act a bit longer, you wouldn't have ended up with a loser like Alexander Vance.
12:09I didn't want to hear another word and turn to leave.
12:12But he yanked me back and pinned me against the wall.
12:14He gripped my chin, tilting my face up to force me to meet his gaze.
12:19A dark, turbulent sea rolled in his eyes.
12:22He lowered his eyes.
12:23His gaze landed on the thin, bloody scratch on my calf.
12:27After a long moment, he turned his head away, but his words were meant for me.
12:31I'll take you back.
12:33There's medicine in the car.
12:35It was clearly just a minor scratch shot yet, as if possessed, I still got into his car.
12:41I couldn't explain why.
12:43Perhaps in that brief moment, I craved the slight softening of his tone.
12:47Sitting in the passenger seat, I spoke up to emphasize.
12:50I didn't take your girlfriend's earrings.
12:52He didn't reply, as if losing three million dollars was of no consequence to him.
12:57He just opened his briefcase and rummaged inside.
13:00Then he found a box of band-aids and tossed it to me.
13:02Deal with it yourself.
13:03As he closed the briefcase, something fell out.
13:06It was an amulet, the one I had given him back when he was gravely ill.
13:09That year at the Lord's sanctuary, I climbed the steps one by one, praying for him.
13:14I thought he would have thrown it away long ago.
13:16I never imagined it would still be kept so carefully in his car.
13:20He leaned over, picked it up, and tossed it back into the briefcase.
13:24His voice carried a trace of mockery.
13:26This thing actually saved my life once.
13:28But who would have thought?
13:31The one who prayed for this amulet for me was you.
13:34And the one who ultimately trained me was also you.
13:36He reached over and gripped my chin, forcing me to turn and face him.
13:40His thumb pressed against my lower lip.
13:42For a fraction of a second, his gaze dropped to my mouth, then his jaw tightened.
13:46He released me as if my skin had burned him.
13:48His hand flicked away sharply.
13:50He turned back to the steering wheel and gripped it hard.
13:53The car approached my place.
13:55From a distance, I spotted Alexander standing by my door.
13:59I glanced sideways at Julian.
14:00He had clearly seen him too, his hands on the steering wheel tightened.
14:04He slammed on the brakes right in front of Alexander.
14:07My body pitched forward from the sudden momentum.
14:09Alexander stood there, watching us.
14:12He frowned imperceptibly.
14:13Julian's icy voice rang out inside the car.
14:16Are you always this entangled with your ex-boyfriends?
14:18I didn't answer him.
14:19I simply unbuckled my seatbelt.
14:21Thank you for bringing me back.
14:23Julian kept the doors locked, refusing to let me out.
14:25The mocking smile on his lips deepened.
14:27Right, I almost forgot to ask.
14:29Did Alexander not even give you a breakup fee?
14:32Or did he think you didn't serve him well enough to be worth the price?
14:35Anger surged within me.
14:37I instinctively raised my hand and slapped him.
14:39Alexander's face changed.
14:41He hurried over to the passenger side, knocking anxiously on the window.
14:44Julian poked his inner cheek with his tongue, staring at me with dark eyes.
14:48Get out.
14:49I got out of the car.
14:51Alexander immediately pulled me over, shielding me behind him.
14:55The window rolled down.
14:56That amulet was thrown out forcefully.
14:58It landed right at my feet.
15:00The black sports car roared away like a gust of wind.
15:03I squatted on the ground and picked up the amulet.
15:05My fingers brushed away the dust.
15:07Teardrops fell onto it, blooming into water stains.
15:10Alexander squatted beside me, smiling bitterly.
15:13Just tell him the truth.
15:16I don't mind if he comes looking for trouble.
15:18You don't need to protect me.
15:20It's what I deserve.
15:20My voice choked with sobs.
15:22Forget it.
15:24He and I are in the past.
15:27After work the next day, the manager notified me of a staff dinner and sent an address.
15:31A high-end club.
15:32I was suspicious.
15:33But I went.
15:34I was led into a private room by a waiter.
15:37Unexpectedly, the room was full of Julian's friends.
15:40Julian sat at the head of the table.
15:42His gaze swept over me carelessly.
15:44A familiar-looking man spoke up.
15:46Chloe, right?
15:48Your manager said we lost an item worth three million belonged to Mr. Vance.
15:53Today you were called here as a representative to apologize to him.
15:56I recognized him.
15:58The man speaking was the boss of our hotel.
16:00Being put on the spot like that, I couldn't just throw a fit and leave.
16:04They arranged for me to sit in the empty seat next to Julian.
16:07I could only bite the bullet.
16:08I picked up the glass of wine in front of me and drank it as a self-punishment.
16:12A buddy of Julian stood up and said loudly to me,
16:14A fend seven Germans piece my strewlry can't be one of bae's with just been title.
16:19About this.
16:20One hundred thousand per glace.
16:22His tone was full of vindictiveness.
16:24The net of heaven is vast, and I am the sinner caught in it.
16:28Julian glanced at me impassively and twitched his lips.
16:31Three hundred thousand dollars a glass.
16:36Switch to vodka.
16:40Glass after glass of liquor was poured into my stomach.
16:43Spicy, and scalding, as if it were going to burn a hole right through my chest.
16:47Julian sat at the head of the table, watching me drink.
16:50His expression.
16:52Unreadable, his friend leaned over and whispered something in his ear.
16:55Julian's eyes flickered toward me for a split second.
16:58He lifted his chin almost imperceptibly toward the
17:01waiter standing by the wall.
17:02The waiter nodded and slipped away.
17:04When the next glass was set in front of me,
17:06I picked it up and downed it.
17:07The bottle on that tray had been switched.
17:09Clear liquid.
17:10Yes, but no longer vodka.
17:12Julian had signaled for water, and the waiter had complied.
17:15But my eyes still grew blurry from the alcohol.
17:18I slumped over the table.
17:19I vaguely heard his buddy ask him,
17:21Just hit it again if you're that wung up on her.
17:23I'll have someone send her to a room upstairs.
17:25Julian smiled disdainfully.
17:28Alexander got tired of playing with her.
17:29You think I still care?
17:30Fine.
17:31Beat her up if you want.
17:32I already gave you the room card anyway.
17:35I didn't know how long I slept in my dreams.
17:38I went back to the time when we were deeply in love.
17:41Back then, his heart ached for my cramps.
17:44He took me to a specialist.
17:46The prescription tasted awful.
17:47Every time I choked it down with a grimace,
17:50he'd slip a chocolate into my mouth.
17:52I'd scowl and say I was never taking it again.
17:55He'd pull me into his arms and cut my face.
17:57Then his mouth would come down on mine,
17:59sudden and deep,
18:00the half-melted chocolate,
18:02dissolving between our lips.
18:04His voice was deep and bewitching.
18:06Is it still bitter like this?
18:08I blushed and answered his question with one of my own.
18:10Is this how you coax your girlfriends into taking their medicine?
18:13He smiled.
18:14What other girlfriends?
18:16I've only ever coaxed you like this.
18:18Suddenly, the bed dipped,
18:20the man in the dream was no longer rubbing against me gently.
18:23His kisses grew increasingly fierce and rough as,
18:26if he wanted to tear me apart and swallow me whole,
18:28everything became more and more real,
18:31so real that I could hardly catch my breath.
18:33I instinctively pressed against his chest.
18:36Subconsciously, I said,
18:37Julian, be gentle.
18:39His grip on my waist tightened.
18:41His mouth crushed.
18:42Against mine,
18:43what started as a kiss turned desperate
18:45three years of everything he'd held back,
18:47pouring out at once.
18:49I couldn't breathe.
18:50I couldn't think.
18:51The next second, I struggled to open my eyes.
18:54Our eyes met.
18:55We were both speechless for a long time.
18:59Perhaps it was the alcohol.
19:01I looked at him.
19:01Back then, I didn't betray you.
19:04His Adam's apple bobbed.
19:05Voice horse's sandpaper.
19:07Then tell me, why were you with him?
19:09Just as I was about to speak,
19:11my phone rang.
19:12Alexander's call.
19:13It was like a basin of cold water poured over my head.
19:15I sobered instantly.
19:17I struggled to prop myself up,
19:18but he pushed me right back down.
19:20He gritted his teeth.
19:22Chloe, explain yourself clearly.
19:24He looked down at me with burning eyes.
19:26I turned my head, avoiding his gaze.
19:29I have nothing more to say.
19:30He laughed, a faint hint of tears seeping into his eyes.
19:34You like him that much?
19:37One call from him and you can't wait to go back?
19:41Chloe, I must be out of my fucking mind
19:43to think you had your reasons.
19:45I was kicked out of the room by Julian.
19:47I walked down the corridor, unsteady.
19:49Sunlight crept through the hallway windows.
19:51I looked down.
19:52I was wearing his shirt,
19:54the white dress shirt from last night.
19:55Hanging past my thighs,
19:57the collar smelled like him.
19:58The door opened behind me.
19:59Julian stood there holding two cups of coffee.
20:02He saw what I was wearing for a moment.
20:04Neither of us spoke,
20:05like we'd done this a thousand times before.
20:07Then his expression hardened.
20:08He set one cup on the table by the door.
20:11Get out.
20:11I'm done waiting.
20:13That night,
20:13I lay awake in my staff quarters.
20:16Footsteps paced in the corridor.
20:18Stopped right in front of my door,
20:19then silence.
20:20My phone lit up.
20:21One missed call from a number I'd memorized years ago.
20:24It had rung twice before hanging up.
20:26I heard a hand touch the doorknob,
20:27then nothing,
20:28just retreating footsteps fading down the hall.
20:32I walked out of the club into the early morning air.
20:35The air was slightly cool,
20:36yet Julian's girlfriend wore thin,
20:38sexy clothes.
20:39She held a phone in her hand and passed by me
20:41without even looking at me properly.
20:42As we brushed past each other,
20:44she bumped into me as if on purpose.
20:46I let out a muffled groan,
20:48but she ignored it completely.
20:49I heard her on the phone,
20:51whining in a sickly sweet tone.
20:53Not wearing one?
20:54I'm overvading today.
20:55Will you take responsibility if something happens?
20:58Marriage?
20:58Are you serious?
21:00My footsteps froze.
21:01The words hit me like a physical blow,
21:04right in front of me,
21:05talking about marriage,
21:06about a future with Julian.
21:07At the hotel entrance,
21:09Alexander's car was already parked there.
21:10Seeing me come,
21:12he hurried over and helped me into the car.
21:14What happened?
21:14Did you drink a lot?
21:15I remained silent,
21:16and he didn't ask any more questions.
21:19The car drove through the early hour.
21:21I watched the scenery outside the car window,
21:23rapidly retreating backwards.
21:24I suddenly said to Alexander,
21:26let's go back.
21:28Let's go back in a couple of days.
21:31For the past three years,
21:33he has always been by my side.
21:35When we were abroad,
21:36he told me he'd liked me for many years,
21:39since a fleeting glance in our first year of high school.
21:41To this day,
21:43his feelings remained unchanged,
21:44but my heart was already stuffed
21:46with every memory of Julian and our past.
21:48I politely rejected him,
21:50so he stayed in the friend zone,
21:52accompanying me until now.
21:53Upon returning home,
21:54I went into the bathroom
21:56and took off my clothes to take a shower,
21:57turning around.
21:59I saw myself in the mirror.
22:00An ugly scar crawled across my abdomen,
22:03left behind by the kidney donation surgery back then.
22:06That year,
22:08Julian fell gravely ill,
22:09his kidneys were failing and needed a transplant.
22:12That year,
22:13Julian forbade me from getting tested for a match.
22:15He said he'd rather die
22:17than let me remove a kidney for him.
22:19I begged all of his brothers and sisters.
22:21Only Alexander was willing to get tested,
22:24but he wasn't a match either.
22:25I hid it from Julian and secretly went to another hospital.
22:29I was the only match,
22:30but I had staged a hypertension.
22:32The doctor warned the risks were extremely high.
22:35I looked at Alexander.
22:37What do you think I should do?
22:38He was quiet for a long moment,
22:40then he said,
22:40voice heavy.
22:41It's your choice,
22:43but whatever you decide,
22:46I'll be there.
22:47I couldn't care about all that anymore.
22:49The surgery was performed at another hospital,
22:52kept secret from Julian.
22:53I had Alexander help me put on that act.
22:55Besides him,
22:56no one knew,
22:57because strict lifelong monitoring
22:59was required after the surgery.
23:01Alexander helped me contact top specialists abroad
23:04and took me overseas.
23:06Later,
23:06while abroad,
23:07my kidney function declined.
23:09Now,
23:10the doctor advised surgery.
23:11He warned it carried very high risks.
23:15Walking out of the hospital that day,
23:17Alexander suddenly asked me,
23:18is there anything you want to do?
23:20The breeze was light
23:20and the sun was warm that day,
23:22yet I stood on a foreign street
23:23and burst into tears.
23:25Alexander,
23:25I want to see him one more time.
23:27Alexander's expression shifted.
23:29His voice was careful.
23:31Chloe,
23:32are you sure?
23:33He's made it very clear
23:35how he feels about you.
23:36You know what going back means.
23:38I wiped my face
23:39with the back of my hand.
23:41I'm sure.
23:42If the outcome this time
23:43is truly unpredictable,
23:45then let me have one proper,
23:47final meeting with him.
23:48Alexander looked at me
23:49for a long moment.
23:50His eyes were full of things
23:52he didn't say.
23:53Then he exhaled slowly.
23:55Okay,
23:56we'll go back.
23:57I'll book the flights right now.
23:58He pulled out his phone
23:58and started typing.
24:00I watched him,
24:01my chest tight
24:01with something between
24:02gratitude and guilt.
24:05Alexander came to see me
24:06that evening.
24:07His expression was heavy.
24:08He sat down across from me
24:09and said,
24:10I went to see Julian today
24:12at his company.
24:14I froze.
24:16Alexander continued carefully.
24:18I walked into his office
24:19and placed a surgical record
24:21on his desk.
24:22Julian's eyelids
24:22suddenly twitched violently.
24:24Frowning,
24:25he opened that surgical record.
24:26When the patient's name
24:27in the first column
24:28caught his eye,
24:29his entire body
24:30seemed to freeze.
24:31All,
24:32the color drained
24:32from his face
24:33in an instant.
24:34Alexander looked at Julian's
24:35suddenly pale face,
24:36speaking at a leisurely pace.
24:38Chloe and I were
24:39high school classmates.
24:41I've liked her since then.
24:46When we met again later,
24:47she came to beg me
24:48to get tested
24:49as a match for you.
24:50That was when she learned
24:51you and I are half brothers.
24:53Julian's hand trembled
24:54as he held the record,
24:56knuckles white.
24:57That rumor was fake.
24:58She hid it from you
24:59and got tested herself.
25:00We were just putting on an act.
25:06Alexander continued.
25:07She donated her kidney
25:08to UU in secret.
25:11Julian forbade her
25:12from getting tested.
25:13He'd rather die
25:13than let her do it.
25:15So she hid everything.
25:17The surgery
25:18at another hospital.
25:19No one knew except me.
25:21Julian lunged forward,
25:23grabbing Alexander
25:23by the collar.
25:26Why did you play along
25:27with her nonsense?
25:29Why didn't you
25:30take her away?
25:32Alexander didn't flinch.
25:34Julian,
25:34I tried to shake
25:35her resolve.
25:36I even despicely
25:38urged her
25:38to give up on you.
25:39But she insisted
25:40on donating her kidney
25:41to you.
25:42She said she couldn't
25:43just watch you die.
25:47Alexander smiled helplessly.
25:49She begged me so hard
25:51I had no choice
25:51but to help her deceive you.
25:53For the past three years
25:54she and I have been
25:55completely innocent.
25:56Nothing happened between us.
25:57Her surgery is scheduled
25:58for next Monday.
26:02I asked her
26:03if she had any
26:03unfulfilled wishes.
26:04She said
26:05if she wanted to return
26:06to the country
26:06to see you.
26:09Julian asked hoarsely
26:10Did you arrange
26:11for her to be
26:12at that hotel too?
26:15Yes.
26:16I knew you had
26:17a long-term suite
26:18at that hotel.
26:19It was the only place
26:20where you two
26:20could bump into each other
26:21by chance
26:22without getting
26:22too deeply involved.
26:23after Alexander left.
26:26Julian closed his eyes
26:28in despair.
26:29His hand trembled.
26:30Coffee spilled
26:31onto his suit pants.
26:33He curled up on the sofa
26:35breaking down
26:35into loud sobs.
26:37The kidney
26:37which seemed to fall
26:38from the sky
26:41was secretly marked
26:42with the most expensive price.
26:49That night
26:50Julian sat alone
26:51in his study
26:51a friend came by.
26:58Forget her.
26:59She made her choice.
27:05Julian didn't look up.
27:06His phone showed
27:07an old photo of me.
27:15I can't forget her.
27:18The man who hated me
27:20for three years
27:20had been breaking apart
27:22inside all along.
27:23The next day
27:24Alexander drove me
27:25to the hospital.
27:28I finished my pre-op
27:29preparations
27:30in the hospital room.
27:31I kept taking
27:32deep breaths nervously.
27:33Alexander
27:34had just gone
27:35somewhere unknown.
27:37I craned my neck
27:39to look toward the door.
27:40To my surprise
27:40I saw Julian
27:42appear right in front of me.
27:46I was too nervous.
27:48So nervous
27:48that I started hallucinating.
27:52His face
27:52was full of dejection.
27:54The stubble
27:54on his chin unshaven.
27:56His eyes were completely
27:57Violet.
27:58He had always been
27:59so particular
27:59about his appearance.
28:01The last time
28:02I saw him this unkempt
28:03was when he was
28:04severely ill.
28:06That figure
28:06drew closer
28:07and closer to me.
28:08I clearly heard him
28:09call my name
28:10with a trembling voice.
28:12Chloe
28:14if I had known
28:15it was like this
28:17I would rather
28:18you had truly
28:19betrayed me
28:19back then.
28:21With red eyes
28:22he cupped my hand
28:23in his palms.
28:24His scalding tears
28:25fell drop by drop
28:26onto the back
28:27of my hand.
28:35So it wasn't
28:36my hallucination
28:36after all.
28:37He really came
28:38to see me
28:39such a handsome face
28:40now completely
28:41drenched in tears.
28:51I want you
28:52to make it out alive.
28:56It was my fault
28:57I owe you
28:58when you come out
28:59let's start over
29:00okay?
29:03The night before
29:04my surgery
29:05I lay in the
29:06hospital bed
29:07drifting in
29:08and out of sleep
29:09Julian sat beside
29:10me the entire time
29:11he hadn't left
29:12once
29:12sometime past
29:14midnight
29:14I half dash woke
29:16my throat was dry
29:20Julian
29:21the name slipped
29:22out before
29:23I could stop it
29:25his hand found
29:26mine instantly
29:27gripping it firmly
29:31I'm here
29:31I'm not going
29:32anywhere
29:35his face in the
29:36dim light
29:36looked exhausted
29:37but his eyes
29:38were wide open
29:39watching me
29:40like he was afraid
29:41I'd disappear
29:42if he blinked
29:44go to sleep
29:46I'll be right here
29:47when you wake up
29:59his thumb traced
30:00slow circles
30:01on the back
30:01of my hand
30:03the moment
30:04I was wheeled
30:05out of the ward
30:05I squeezed
30:06his hand back
30:07after all these
30:08years
30:08I was still
30:09full of courage
30:10okay
30:12I'll make it
30:13out alive
30:14the last thing
30:14I saw before
30:15the doors closed
30:16was Julian's face
30:17pale
30:18rigid
30:19his eyes
30:20locked on mine
30:26then the operating
30:27room swallowed me
30:32when I woke
30:32the first thing I felt
30:34was his hand
30:34gripping mine
30:35the room was quiet
30:36the operating
30:37light was off
30:42Julian sat beside
30:43my bed
30:44still in the suit
30:45jacket I'd once
30:46bought for him
30:46in all the years
30:47we'd been apart
30:48he hadn't worn it
30:49once
30:50but even during
30:51the three years
30:51he hated me the
30:52most
30:52he'd never thrown
30:54it away
30:55his hand rested
30:56in the suit pocket
30:57he pulled something
30:58out and his palm
30:59lay over a dozen
31:00dried lilac
31:01blossoms
31:01the petals
31:02had withered
31:03long ago
31:05I remembered
31:06that early
31:06summer
31:07the lilacs
31:07on campus
31:08had bloomed
31:08like a sea
31:09of stars
31:13ordinary lilacs
31:14usually have
31:15for petals
31:15occasionally
31:16there are
31:16five petaled
31:17ones
31:17which are said
31:18to symbolize
31:19good luck
31:21I told Julian
31:22that if you make
31:23a wish on a
31:23five petaled
31:24lilac
31:24it will come
31:25true
31:26so I dragged
31:27him all over
31:27looking for
31:28five petaled
31:28lilacs
31:31he found it
31:32amusing
31:33if you want
31:34five petaled
31:34ones
31:34I'll have
31:35someone deliver
31:36a whole
31:36truckload
31:36to you
31:37but I said
31:38it only
31:38counted as
31:38good luck
31:39if I found
31:39them myself
31:40with a sincere
31:40heart
31:41so he had
31:42to accompany
31:42me all over
31:43campus
31:44looking for
31:44five petaled
31:45flowers
31:45in the end
31:47we finally
31:48collected
31:48eighteen
31:48five petaled
31:49lilacs
31:51after making
31:52my wish
31:53back then
31:53I had
31:54secretly
31:54hidden
31:54the flowers
31:55in his pocket
31:56he looked
31:57at the dried
31:57petals in his
31:58hand now
31:58his lips
31:59curled
31:59to smile
32:00but his throat
32:01tightened
32:01with a sudden
32:02ache
32:02he closed
32:03his hand
32:03gripping
32:04the petals
32:05tightly
32:06on the boundary
32:07between life
32:07and death
32:08this time
32:09it was his
32:09turn to make
32:10a wish
32:11I made
32:11a wish
32:12back then
32:13I want to
32:14be with you
32:14year after
32:15year
32:16that sentence
32:17had become
32:17permanently
32:18etched in his
32:18heart
32:19and his
32:19lifelong
32:20ambition
32:23days
32:23passed
32:24the doctor
32:25said my
32:25recovery
32:25was going
32:26well
32:28julian
32:29refused
32:29to leave
32:30my
32:30side
32:30he fed
32:31me
32:31water
32:31cup
32:32by cup
32:32he helped
32:33me walk
32:33down the
32:34hallway
32:34one slow
32:35step at a
32:35time
32:36when I got
32:37tired
32:37I leaned
32:38my head
32:38against his
32:39shoulder
32:39he didn't
32:40say anything
32:41he just
32:42let me rest
32:42there
32:44one afternoon
32:45I woke up
32:46from a nap
32:46and felt
32:46cold
32:48julian
32:49noticed
32:49immediately
32:50he picked
32:51up his
32:51jacket
32:51from the
32:52chair
32:52and draped
32:52it over
32:53me
32:53it was
32:53his
32:53white
32:54dress
32:54shirt
32:54the
32:55same
32:55one
32:55I'd
32:56worn
32:56that
32:57morning
32:57after
32:57the
32:57night
32:58we'd
32:58spent
32:58together
33:01I pulled
33:01it tighter
33:02around
33:02myself
33:02the collar
33:03still smelled
33:04like him
33:06he asked it
33:07casually
33:07but his eyes
33:08stayed on
33:08my face
33:10does it
33:11fit
33:13it's too
33:13big
33:16but it's
33:17warm
33:20he reached
33:21over
33:21and tucked
33:22the collar
33:22around my
33:22neck
33:23his fingers
33:24brushed my
33:24jaw
33:25for a moment
33:26neither of
33:27us moved
33:31a week
33:31later
33:32the doctor
33:33cleared me
33:33to go
33:33home
33:36julian
33:36drove me
33:37himself
33:37he opened
33:38every door
33:38for me
33:39carried
33:39every bag
33:44at the
33:45entrance
33:45to my
33:45apartment
33:46building
33:47alexander
33:47was waiting
33:48he nodded
33:49at julian
33:49a silent
33:50acknowledgement
33:50between two
33:51men who
33:51both loved
33:52the same
33:52woman
33:55julian's
33:55arms
33:55settled
33:56around
33:56my waist
33:57possessive
33:58unyielding
34:02alexander
34:02saw it
34:03and said
34:03nothing
34:03he just
34:04looked at
34:04me
34:05and smiled
34:10take care
34:11of yourself
34:11chloe
34:12i'll be
34:13abroad
34:13if you
34:14need
34:14anything
34:16i nodded
34:17thank you
34:18alexander
34:19for everything
34:20he turned
34:21and walked
34:21away
34:22without
34:22looking
34:22back
34:23julian
34:24watched
34:24him
34:24go
34:25then he
34:25looked
34:25down
34:26at me
34:26he's
34:27gone
34:29are you
34:29ready
34:29let's
34:30go
34:30home
34:31home
34:32he said
34:33it so
34:33easily
34:33like the
34:34last
34:34three
34:34years
34:35had
34:35never
34:35happened
34:40that night
34:41i sat
34:41by the
34:42window
34:42while
34:42julian
34:42made
34:43dinner
34:43in the
34:43kitchen
34:43the
34:44domesticity
34:45of it
34:45all
34:45still
34:45felt
34:46unreal
34:47he came
34:48out
34:48carrying
34:48the
34:49bowls
34:49set
34:49them
34:49on
34:50the
34:50table
34:50then
34:51sat
34:51across
34:51from
34:51me
34:52i
34:52called
34:53the
34:53hotel
34:53today
34:53resigned
34:54your
34:54position
34:55for
34:55you
34:56i
34:56blinked
34:56at
34:57him
34:57you
34:57what
34:59you're
34:59not
34:59going
35:00back
35:00to
35:00work
35:00there
35:01not
35:01ever
35:02i
35:03opened
35:03my
35:03mouth
35:03to
35:04argue
35:04but he
35:04kept
35:04talking
35:05i also
35:06called the
35:06vance group
35:06legal team
35:08the hotel
35:09violated multiple
35:09labor laws
35:10during that
35:10whole search
35:11incident
35:14if you want
35:15we can sue them
35:15into the ground
35:16he paused
35:17then added
35:18by the way
35:18her earrings
35:20turned up
35:24they'd
35:24they'd
35:24fallen
35:24behind
35:25the
35:25night
35:25stand
35:25in
35:25the
35:25suite
35:26she'd
35:26misplaced
35:26them
35:27herself
35:31julian
35:32i didn't
35:32i know
35:33what you're
35:33going
35:33to
35:33say
35:38you're
35:39gonna
35:39say
35:39it
35:39doesn't
35:40matter
35:40that
35:41you
35:41just
35:41want
35:41to
35:41move
35:41on
35:42he
35:42reached
35:42across
35:43the
35:43table
35:43and
35:43took
35:43my
35:44hand
35:48but it
35:48matters
35:49to me
35:54everything
35:54they did
35:55to you
35:55matters
35:55to me
35:56i looked
35:56at him
35:57really
35:57looked
35:57at him
35:58the man
35:59who had
35:59humiliated
36:00me
36:00hurt
36:01me
36:01broken
36:02me
36:02and then
36:03put himself
36:03back together
36:04piece
36:04by piece
36:05just to
36:05earn
36:05forgiveness
36:06he might
36:06never
36:07fully
36:07deserve
36:09fine
36:11sue
36:11them
36:12his eyebrows
36:13rose
36:14that's
36:15my
36:15girl
36:16i
36:17rolled
36:17my
36:17eyes
36:17but i
36:18felt
36:18the corner
36:18of my
36:19mouth
36:19twitch
36:19almost
36:20a
36:20smile
36:26one
36:27evening
36:27julian sat
36:28beside me
36:28and spoke
36:29quietly
36:31three years
36:32after you
36:32walked away
36:32a friend
36:33mentioned
36:33seeing you
36:33at his
36:33hotel
36:35i checked
36:37and you'd
36:37actually come
36:38back
36:39working as
36:40a receptionist
36:41he paused
36:42i had a
36:42permanent suite
36:43there
36:44i never
36:44brought
36:44anyone
36:45home
36:46over
36:46those
36:46three
36:47years
36:47i changed
36:47girlfriends
36:48one after
36:48another
36:50but there
36:50was a
36:51gaping hole
36:51in my
36:51heart
36:52no one
36:52could
36:53fill it
36:54that void
36:55was shaped
36:55exactly like
36:56you
36:56i listened
36:57my chest
36:58tight
36:58the day
36:59i took her
37:00to check
37:00in
37:00you
37:00happened
37:00to be
37:01on
37:01duty
37:03i
37:04i deliberately
37:05held her
37:05hand
37:05and walked
37:06right up
37:07to you
37:09she
37:09didn't
37:10know
37:10i'd
37:10timed
37:10my
37:10arrival
37:11for
37:11your
37:11shift
37:13i
37:14called
37:14the
37:14front
37:14desk
37:15over
37:15and
37:15over
37:16asking
37:16for
37:16the
37:16sheets
37:16to be
37:17changed
37:21just
37:21to see
37:21you
37:24until
37:25that
37:25crystal
37:25fell
37:26out
37:26of
37:26your
37:26bag
37:27the
37:28cheapest
37:28gift
37:29i'd
37:29ever
37:29given
37:29you
37:29yet
37:30it
37:30made
37:30my
37:30heart
37:30soften
37:31instantly
37:33he
37:33looked
37:33at
37:34me
37:35i
37:35never
37:35got
37:36over
37:36you
37:42those
37:42nights
37:44when
37:44i
37:45secretly
37:45replaced
37:45your
37:46vodka
37:46with
37:46water
37:47i
37:48was
37:48protecting
37:48you
37:48all
37:49along
37:52when
37:52i
37:52kissed
37:53you
37:53like
37:53a
37:53madman
37:53in
37:54that
37:54hotel
37:54room
37:54i
37:54wasn't
37:55taking
37:55revenge
37:57i
37:57was
37:57trying
37:58to
37:58hold
37:58on
37:58to
37:58the
37:58only
37:58person
37:59who
37:59had
37:59ever
37:59truly
37:59loved
38:00me
38:04spring
38:05came
38:05early
38:05that
38:05year
38:06the
38:06lilacs
38:06outside
38:07the
38:07hospital
38:07window
38:08were
38:08starting
38:08to
38:08bloom
38:09again
38:09i
38:10sat
38:10on
38:10the
38:10bench
38:11in
38:11the
38:11garden
38:11letting
38:12the
38:12sun
38:12warm
38:12my
38:12face
38:13julian
38:14appeared
38:14with
38:14two
38:14cups
38:15of
38:15coffee
38:15he
38:16handed
38:16me
38:16one
38:16and sat
38:16down
38:17beside
38:17me
38:17remember
38:18these
38:18he
38:20pointed
38:20up
38:20at
38:20the
38:20lilac
38:21branches
38:21overhead
38:21five
38:22petaled
38:23ones
38:23scattered
38:23among
38:24the
38:24ordinary
38:24four
38:24petaled
38:25blooms
38:28i squinted
38:29up at
38:30the
38:30branches
38:30how many
38:31do you
38:31think
38:32we can
38:32find
38:32this
38:32time
38:33we're
38:33not
38:34climbing
38:34all
38:34over
38:35campus
38:35this
38:35time
38:36my
38:37scar
38:37is
38:37still
38:37healing
38:38in
38:38case
38:38you
38:38forgot
38:38he
38:39laughed
38:39a
38:40real
38:40laugh
38:41not
38:41the
38:42cold
38:42mocking
38:42sound
38:42I'd
38:43grown
38:43used
38:43to
38:43hearing
38:44fair
38:44point
38:45I'll
38:46do
38:46the
38:46climbing
38:46you
38:47just
38:47sit
38:48here
38:48and
38:48make
38:49wishes
38:51I
38:51turned
38:51to
38:52look
38:52at
38:52him
38:52what
38:53would
38:53I
38:53even
38:53wish
38:54for
38:55he
38:56sat
38:56down
38:56his
38:56coffee
38:57and
38:57took
38:57my
38:57hand
38:57his
38:58thumb
38:58traced
38:59the
38:59faint
38:59line
38:59of
38:59my
39:00surgical
39:00scar
39:00where
39:01my
39:01sleeve
39:01had
39:01ridden
39:01up
39:03you
39:04don't
39:04need
39:04to
39:04wish
39:04anymore
39:05everything
39:06I
39:06have
39:06is
39:06yours
39:07everything
39:07I
39:07am
39:08is
39:08because
39:08of
39:08you
39:13the
39:14wind
39:14carried
39:14the scent
39:15of
39:15lilacs
39:15toward
39:15us
39:16I
39:16leaned
39:17my
39:17head
39:17against
39:17his
39:18shoulder
39:18then
39:19I
39:19wish
39:19for
39:19this
39:20right
39:21here
39:22just
39:22like
39:23this
39:24year
39:24after
39:25year
39:28some
39:29nights
39:29I
39:30still
39:30wake
39:30up
39:30reaching
39:31for
39:31the
39:31edge
39:31of
39:31the
39:31bed
39:33from
39:33the
39:33years
39:34when
39:34I
39:34slept
39:34alone
39:35in
39:35foreign
39:35hospitals
39:36and
39:36empty
39:36apartments
39:36but
39:37every
39:38time
39:38his
39:38hand
39:39finds
39:39mine
39:39before
39:39I
39:40can
39:40pull
39:40away
39:42I'm
39:42here
39:43he
39:43says
39:44at
39:44half
39:44asleep
39:44eyes
39:45still
39:45closed
39:46and
39:47I
39:47remember
39:47I'm
39:48home now
39:49the
39:49scar
39:49on
39:50my
39:50abdomen
39:50will
39:50stay
39:51with
39:51me
39:51forever
39:51a
39:52permanent
39:52reminder
39:53of
39:53the
39:53price
39:54I
39:54paid
39:54but
39:55when
39:55Julian's
39:55arms
39:56wrap around
39:56me
39:57even
39:57the
39:57scar
39:57feels
39:58different
39:58now
39:58not
39:59a
39:59wound
40:00a
40:00proof
40:01that
40:01love
40:02doesn't
40:02always
40:02make
40:02sense
40:04years
40:04I
40:05to
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