She just wanted someone to hold her. So she paid for it.
Julian Vance is the quiet, broke campus heartthrob, and for $30 a day he gives her an hour of comfort that calms her skin hunger. The deal is simple until she can't afford it anymore. Too embarrassed to say so, she cuts him off, blocks his number and walks away.
Then Julian pulls up in a luxury sports car to confront her ex, and she starts to wonder who the boy she hired really is.
This is the full episode of The Boy I Paid to Hug Me Was a Secret Billionaire. Watch to the end to see what he's been hiding.
#SecretBillionaire #FullEpisode #CampusRomance #BillionaireRomance #HiddenIdentity #RomanceSeries #DramaSeries
Julian Vance is the quiet, broke campus heartthrob, and for $30 a day he gives her an hour of comfort that calms her skin hunger. The deal is simple until she can't afford it anymore. Too embarrassed to say so, she cuts him off, blocks his number and walks away.
Then Julian pulls up in a luxury sports car to confront her ex, and she starts to wonder who the boy she hired really is.
This is the full episode of The Boy I Paid to Hug Me Was a Secret Billionaire. Watch to the end to see what he's been hiding.
#SecretBillionaire #FullEpisode #CampusRomance #BillionaireRomance #HiddenIdentity #RomanceSeries #DramaSeries
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FunTranscript
00:00To ease my skin hunger, I paid $30 a day to hire that broke campus heartthrob, Julian, to hug me
00:05for an hour.
00:06Thanks to you, the whole school thinks you're my girlfriend.
00:08Now I can't get a date.
00:11What am I gonna do with you, huh?
00:12I felt so guilty, I told him you should stop the deal.
00:14The next day, my ex, the one who dumped me for being too funny, blocked my path.
00:18Take me back. I'll hug you every day.
00:21Then a sports car screeched to a stop right in front of me.
00:25Trying to steal my girl? You got a death wish, Logan?
00:27That's when I learned who Julian really was.
00:29The only heir to the Vance family, a Wall Street elite dynasty.
00:34Just holding Julian wasn't enough to fully ease my conditioning.
00:37Julian, if I pay another $15 a day, can I bury my face in your neck?
00:41Fifteen bucks isn't much, but $45 extra a day is a real burden for a regular student like me.
00:47Boss, since you've never once shorted my pay, I'll only add $10.
00:50Thank you, Julian.
00:51My lips brushed his skin as I spoke. His body stiffened.
00:55I was half asleep on Julian's shoulder when the sound of rushing footsteps jolted me awake.
00:59Before I can even move, a girl suddenly appears right in front of me.
01:02I wrapped my arms tight around Julian's neck, hiding my face.
01:05Only the two of us knew about our deal.
01:08Julian!
01:09It was Chloe, the head cheerleader and party queen.
01:12Found you. Guess paying for your location was worth it.
01:16Who's she?
01:17She saw me in his arms and her smile slowly faded.
01:19Can you think of any relationship besides girlfriend?
01:22Julian didn't seem to feel the frozen tension at all.
01:24He even had the nerve to stroke the back of my head.
01:26I kept my face buried, not daring to say a word.
01:29Julian, can she turn around so I can see her?
01:38I mean, I'm the head cheerleader.
01:40I chased you all semester and you never said yes.
01:43So I'm real curious.
01:44What kind of girl actually catches your eye?
01:46Julian pulled the hood of my sweatshirt up over my head.
01:49Get it straight, Chloe.
01:50I'm the one she picked.
01:53You, whoever you are, sitting in a guy's lap in public.
01:57Don't you think that's a little cheap?
01:59I paid for this service, so what if I want a hug?
02:02There was nobody here to begin with.
02:04You're the one who barged in.
02:05I hopped right off Julian's lap.
02:07I opened my mouth, then went quiet.
02:08Two seconds later, I climbed back onto his lap
02:10and gave the sorority queen my most innocent look.
02:12Then go call campus security on me.
02:14You!
02:17Hey, make my girlfriend cry and I won't play nice.
02:20Chloe finally lost her graceful face and stormed off furious.
02:24Crisis over, I stayed zoned out on Julian's lap,
02:26replaying whether I'd gotten shortchanged just now.
02:28Thanks to you, getting a girlfriend just got a whole lot harder.
02:30Snapping out of it, I scrambled to my feet
02:33and backed off to a safe distance.
02:35But I paid you.
02:37Did you?
02:38But no matter how I look at it, this isn't worth it anymore.
02:40Oh no, he's about to jack up the price.
02:44Julian, if the price is too high, maybe go find some other skin hungers patient to work with.
02:48Money's kind of tight for me.
02:51No charge.
02:52How about you get me a new girlfriend?
02:55So he wanted me to set him up with someone.
02:57But I ran through everyone in my head.
03:00Not one girl fit Julian.
03:01After a few seconds, I took on the hard job.
03:04Can I take some time to think it over?
03:05His tense shoulders eased just a little, and he gave a small nod.
03:09That night, I hid under my blanket and scrolled my contacts back and forth.
03:12I put out a few feelers.
03:13The second they heard it was Julian, the guy who took a personal assistant gig for a $30 hourly wage.
03:18They all turned me down flat.
03:20I can't afford his ridiculous hug charges.
03:22Nor can I find him a girlfriend.
03:23Maybe I should end this deal.
03:26After hesitating a long time, I sent Julian my last two messages.
03:29I wasn't going to tell him the real reason.
03:31I didn't want to hurt his pride.
03:33Being poor wasn't his fault.
03:35Sorry, my condition doesn't seem that bad anymore, so I won't need to bother you.
03:40Starbucks and Campus Diner near school are both hiring.
03:43Better pay than mine.
03:44I'll send you the manager's number.
03:46No need to keep in touch.
03:47Just delete me.
03:48Bye.
03:49The second I typed that last word, I blocked his only contact.
03:52I didn't really want to be this cold about it, but I was scared.
03:55Scared I wasn't strong enough.
03:57Someday, a flare-up would hit, and I'd cave and go, make a deal again.
04:00That would only keep him from finding real love.
04:02A low feeling I couldn't name settled around, and I pulled the blanket over my head.
04:10The next day was Saturday, no classes.
04:13I slept till afternoon before dragging myself up to get ready.
04:16The second I stepped out of the dorm building, my whole body was weak and my heart raced.
04:21I knew it.
04:21My skin hunger is acting up again.
04:24And the next second, I ran straight into Logan, my ex.
04:28He saw the discomfort on my face right away.
04:30Feeling bad again, huh?
04:32Come here, let me hold you.
04:34Is he serious?
04:35It's not like I can't control myself.
04:37Like I jump any guy the second I get sick.
04:42What?
04:42You won't even say a word to me now?
04:45Let go, or I'm calling campus security.
04:47Go ahead.
04:49I ended it, but you think you're innocent?
04:52Holding you every day felt like a chore. I hated it.
04:55Both my wrists were locked in his grip, and the more I fought, the tighter he squeezed.
04:59Logan, let go of me.
05:01You don't have to complete the core anymore, right?
05:04Call me pathetic.
05:05I dated a few girls, but I still only want you.
05:09Just say sorry, take me back, and I'll hold you every day.
05:12Before he could finish, the roar of an engine drowned out.
05:15A sports car slammed to a stone right in front of Logan.
05:20Get your fucking hands off her.
05:22You got a death wish?
05:28Logan slowly straightened up.
05:30His eyes narrowed at Julian, unfriendly, but his voice was aimed at me.
05:33Who is he?
05:35I've seen the Vance Air drive a car like that.
05:38Don't tell me that's him.
05:39I snapped out of my shock.
05:40No, it's not.
05:41He just has the same name.
05:42Julian was bold, but not bold enough to impersonate the Vance Air.
05:45I jogged over to the driver's window and leaned down to warn him.
05:47Where'd you rent this car?
05:50Drive careful, okay?
05:51I think I saw a little scratch just now.
05:53Won't the rental place make you pay for that?
05:55He didn't appreciate the concern.
05:56He let out a cold scoff.
05:58So you turned me down for a piece of trash like that?
06:01Did I hurt you?
06:02What do you even see in him?
06:03I was totally lost, while I was still trying to process it.
06:05A few guys in football jerseys walked by nearby, whooping and hollering.
06:08Hey, Julian's not playing it low-key today!
06:11Must be nice being a Vance.
06:12Drops a couple millions on a car like it's pocket change.
06:16If I'm not wrong, you're the Vance Air they're talking about, aren't you?
06:19Julian met my eyes.
06:21His fingertips gripped the wheel until they went white.
06:23No.
06:24This car's a rental.
06:25Nearby, a few guys stopped short, then they veered off the other way, laughing stiffly.
06:30Oh, my bad.
06:31No way that's the Vance Air's car.
06:33That's obviously some knock-off bootleg mod job.
06:36I didn't doubt it.
06:36I let out a breath.
06:37I tugged at Julian's sleeve.
06:38Why'd you suddenly rent something this expensive?
06:41I heard once that if you scratch a luxury car, the rental company makes you pay a fortune.
06:45Julian gave a half-hearted twitch of his lip, fingertips tapping the wheel off and off.
06:48Probably because after I found out your ex is a rich kid, I felt too worthless.
06:52He glanced at me.
06:53First time I confessed, I got rejected and blocked.
06:56That pathetic.
06:59Fancy cars can't win you over, so I figured I'd save up for plastic surgery.
07:03Make myself look like your ex.
07:05He tipped his chin toward Logan a little ways off and said to me, careless.
07:08Then come back and confess to you one more time.
07:10A few sentences shocked me, seven or eight times over.
07:13I sat there stunned for a few seconds before I could sort my thoughts into words.
07:16I gripped his sleeve hard and leaned my face in closer, trying to make him see how serious I was.
07:20You're better looking than him.
07:22Julian.
07:25You're already the best looking guy I've seen at this whole school.
07:29He didn't budge, I mistook his sleeve for my own, twisting it letting go, then nervously grabbing it again.
07:33I never rejected you.
07:34Julian finally looked up at me, waiting quietly for the rest.
07:37Our eyes met and only then did I notice how close we were.
07:39Back then I thought you meant, you wanted me to set you up with a girlfriend.
07:43I explained the whole thing from last night, Julian didn't speak right away.
07:46Like he was working through the mix up too.
07:48After a moment, he drew out a slow.
07:49Oh, so you're saying, you're saying yes to me?
07:55What kind of logic was that I shook my head flustered?
07:58No!
07:58Before I could finish, Logan cut in from a short distance away.
08:01Julian, have some shame, man.
08:03Aria'd have to be out of her mind to fall for broke, try-hard poser like you.
08:09In the corner of my eye, I saw Julian drop his gaze.
08:12He opened his mouth to argue, then quietly bowed his head.
08:14His pride had to be wounded.
08:16I turned and glared at Logan, my anger maxed out for no clear reason.
08:19What's your purr problem?
08:21How is this your business?
08:23Who said you get to judge?
08:24Logan sneered, his tone hard to read.
08:26Hey, I'm your ex and your first love.
08:30Just looking out for you.
08:32A guy so vain he rents a sports day to him and you'll be footing every dinner bill later, huh?
08:37His high and mighty tone made Julian hang his head even lower.
08:40His shoulders even seemed to shake.
08:41I thought he'd been driven to tears.
08:42For a second, fury drowned out sense and my comeback at Logan spilled out reckless.
08:46Just like him.
08:47Like him so bad I can't help myself.
08:49Now I'm taking him to go spend money.
08:51So kindly get lost!
08:52I'd successfully chased Logan off.
08:54Once we were in the car, I saw Julian wasn't crying and relaxed.
08:57I really hate those rich kids.
08:58Julian's hand froze on the ignition, then slowly pulled the handbrake down.
09:01He answered unhurried.
09:03Me too.
09:05You're what too?
09:05Julian wore a faint smile, backing out lazily and driving off campus.
09:09I said, I hate rich people too.
09:11I got it.
09:11Julian's grudge against the rich.
09:13He'd just been humiliated by a rich kid and still had to fake being fine in front of me.
09:17Replaying my badass moment of tearing that loser apart, I remembered the words that had slipped out.
09:22Gripping my seatbelt, I turned to clear it up.
09:24About what I said to just you.
09:25I thought, I thought you'd dated a rich kid and would look down on me.
09:29I've been insecure about money for years.
09:32Your confession back there.
09:34First time I ever got my confidence back.
09:36My girlfriend.
09:38The words rolled around in his mouth.
09:39So tender, I thought he'd kiss me the very next second.
09:42Every word I had died in my throat.
09:44Oh, right.
09:45What were you gonna say?
09:46Nothing.
09:47Wasn't gonna say anything.
09:48Blame me for running my mouth when my emotions took over.
09:51If I explained now that I'd only said it out of anger,
09:53I'd get slapped with the heartless girl label and Julian might just be crushed.
09:57Julian drove me out to the beach outside town.
09:59I stood behind the wooden railing, watching the sun sink over the water.
10:02For a moment I forgot I'd landed myself a boyfriend.
10:05Until Julian came up and wrapped his arms around me from behind, easy as anything.
10:08Aria.
10:10Yeah?
10:10Guess I forgot to tell you something.
10:12Almost out of habit, I settled back into his chest.
10:15The itchy, restless ache from my condition finally melted away.
10:18My mood lifted and my voice came out a little lighter.
10:20Tell me what?
10:21I like you.
10:22The out of now here confession scared me right off.
10:24I mumbled some excuse and bolted to the drink food truck.
10:27The worker was all sweet about it.
10:29Whoa.
10:30Why is your face so red?
10:31Did you get sunburned?
10:33In front of strangers I was cool as ice.
10:35I stuck the straw in my cup, took a sip and said flatly,
10:37Just shy.
10:38On my way back, from far off, I saw a girl standing with her back to me,
10:42facing Julian, waving her phone.
10:44He leaned against the hood of the car.
10:45There was a careless, cocky swagger to him now that made him hard to ignore.
10:49Their voices grew clearer as I got closer.
10:51So what if you've got a girlfriend?
10:52I can wait for you to break up.
10:54Getting your number early just means I'm first in line to chase you.
10:57But I swear, I won't bother you while you're dating her.
11:00Deal?
11:01Thing is, I'm not planning to break up.
11:02The closer I got, the more familiar her back looked.
11:05She flashed a smile.
11:06You're the most special, most attractive guy I've ever met.
11:09She said it.
11:10She pressed a hand to the hood right beside Julian and started to lean in.
11:13Julian gave a soft laugh and turned aside, dodging her tongue.
11:16Don't make me get mean about it.
11:17I happened to reach them from across the road just then.
11:20Only when I got up close did I realize this girl was my roommate, Hazel.
11:24Aria?
11:24This is your boyfriend?
11:26I nodded.
11:26No small talk.
11:27She was rarely in the dorm and we barely kept in touch.
11:30Hazel's eyes stayed glued to Julian.
11:31No shame at all.
11:32How do you always land a rich kid?
11:34It's like you got trained for it or something.
11:36Julian finally spoke to her first.
11:38This car's a rental.
11:39He didn't care one bit about the disgust that flashed across Hazel's face.
11:42He raised an eyebrow and openly called himself a kept man.
11:45Aria pays for our meals, usually.
11:48She knows I'm broke.
11:49Then he gave Hazel a not so polite look and asked with a smile.
11:52You got any more questions?
11:53Hazel's expression shifted again and again, barely holding on to her composure.
11:57First time I've met someone so shameless about it.
11:59Then she spun around and stormed off.
12:01But, but the truth was Julian did nothing like what he said.
12:03He'd stay up all night coding.
12:05And every dollar he made went to buying me things.
12:07The whole time we were together, I never spent a cent.
12:09And I lived better than I ever did with Logan.
12:11He gave this relationship 100% of his heart.
12:14He gave me all the security I needed without holding back.
12:16And even nearly cured the skin hunger condition that had haunted me for years.
12:20Because more than me holding him, he seemed to like holding me.
12:23So one day, when I realized I'd fallen for him, I wasn't surprised at all.
12:26The week before Valentine's Day, Julian suddenly got way busier than usual.
12:30We barely saw each other.
12:31That day, I figured he was in his dorm coding.
12:33Until Logan called with a strange loaded tone.
12:36Aria, that fancy car your boyfriend drove?
12:38It wasn't a rental.
12:40My hand froze on the phone.
12:41I'm saying that car really is your boyfriend's.
12:43Logan sounded way too pleased.
12:44Wanna know where I saw your boyfriend?
12:46And what he was doing?
12:47I deleted his number.
12:48So Logan ended up emailing me the video.
12:50It was the same car Julian called a rental.
12:53Outside a mansion.
12:54He leaned against the car door.
12:55Soon a mature, elegant woman came out of the mansion.
12:57Julian didn't move.
12:58Just watched her with narrowed eyes.
13:00Logan's angle was a little too far off.
13:02From there, it looked like a woman walked up to Julian.
13:04Wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his cheek.
13:07Julian loosely held her waist.
13:08His lips moved, saying something I couldn't hear.
13:10I was absolutely sure.
13:11He didn't try to pull away at all.
13:13When Logan called again, I hung up and blocked him.
13:15So he came and cornered me outside my dorm that evening.
13:18Move.
13:18How about a bet, Arya?
13:21We bet on whether your boyfriend's a kept man.
13:24You lose, you dump him and get back with me.
13:28Doesn't matter either way.
13:29I'm never getting back with you.
13:30Don't play favorites.
13:32Logan stayed in my path, frowning, his voice low.
13:34At least when we were together, there was nothing shady going on.
13:36I promise you that.
13:38Out of patience, I shoved him.
13:39Get lost, Logan.
13:41Arya.
13:41His hand reached for me, then froze mid-air.
13:43A shadow fell over us.
13:45The first thing I noticed was that Julian had ditched the expensive shirt from the video.
13:49He was back in that grey and white hoodie.
13:52I'm only warning you once.
13:53Stay away from my girlfriend.
13:55You got that?
13:58What's the act for?
14:00Logan yelped in pain, twisting to follow the pull of his arm.
14:03Julian held on a moment longer before letting go.
14:05Where were you at 5.30 this afternoon?
14:07You dare tell Arya?
14:09That car.
14:10Say it's a rental again.
14:12Go on.
14:12When I clearly saw Julian's frame stiffen, that little flicker of hope in me almost died out.
14:17Puts on a whole show at school.
14:19But really, he's just some rich lady's toy?
14:22Julian ignored the taunt and just stopped in front of me.
14:25He went to take my hand like always, then paused.
14:27He opened his palm and held it out to me.
14:29He smiled gently, like a soft plea, like coaxing.
14:32Come with me, okay?
14:34I'll explain everything.
14:36I didn't hesitate.
14:37I put my hand in Julian's.
14:39Julian took me to that small park we always went to.
14:42It was tiny and tucked away, ringed by pine trees.
14:45So hidden, it felt like nowhere else existed.
14:47He helped me sit on the bench, then crouched in front of me.
14:49You saw something today.
14:51Why didn't you just ask me?
14:53I'd stayed quiet the whole walk, but the second I spoke, tears hit the back of my hand.
14:56I was scared you did it because of me.
14:59You always act like whatever you give me isn't enough.
15:03You stay up all night coding just to make money for me.
15:07And then I figured the coding money money wasn't enough, so you went and-
15:11Julian let out a laugh, half in disbelief.
15:14He sat down next to me and pulled me sideways onto his lap.
15:18Did what exactly?
15:20He wiped my tears, then asked, like the whole thing amused him.
15:23You thought your boyfriend sold himself?
15:24He looked at me, the way you'd look at a stubborn little kid.
15:27I sniffled and shot back, sure I had proof.
15:29But in Logan's video, that woman kissed you, and you didn't pull away.
15:34He really thought it was funny.
15:36The smile never left his mouth.
15:37He leaned in and pressed his cheek lightly against mine.
15:40That was a cheek kiss.
15:41Then, before I could react, his lips brushed against the side of my face.
15:44His breath didn't move away.
15:46When he spoke, his lips still grazed my cheek without meaning to.
15:49His arm circled my waist, and dragged me toward him.
15:51That's a kiss, Aria.
15:52I didn't dare move, afraid I'd bump into his lips again.
15:55Tucked against his chest, I asked softly.
15:57So you didn't do anything bad, right?
16:00I'm about to.
16:03Wanna ask you, when can I get a kiss?
16:06Oh right, it's Valentine's Day today.
16:08Okay then.
16:08I quickly climbed up to his shoulders, tilted my head and touched his lips.
16:12Then instantly ducked back into his chest,
16:14burying my face by his neck.
16:16There, kissed you.
16:17It took Julian about half a minute to react.
16:19I wasn't done talking.
16:21Who told you to kiss me?
16:22The mood we'd just built up got completely blown away.
16:25I was furious.
16:26I took a deep breath and nodded obediently.
16:28Fine, I won't kiss you anymore.
16:30Julian's smile was lazy and slow as he said, shameless as ever.
16:33Me kissing you first is totally fine though.
16:35He lowered his head to find my lips.
16:37A breath before touching them, he lifted his eyes and stared at me.
16:40Politely, he asked.
16:41With tongue?
16:41Then he kissed me.
16:42Julian gripped my face and turned it toward his kiss.
16:45A long while later, Julian slowly pulled back.
16:47He took out a bracelet, glinting with tiny sparks, and slipped it onto my wrist.
16:51His voice still carried the tenderness from a moment ago.
16:54Two seconds later he chuckled softly, as if remembering something ridiculous, and added quietly.
16:59Happy Valentine's Day baby.
17:01Bought with my own money.
17:03Legal source.
17:04I pretended not to hear his teasing.
17:05I raised my hand to look at the bracelet, brighter under the streetlight.
17:08I said sincerely,
17:10It's really pretty.
17:11It was a long time before I found out.
17:13Only diamonds shine like that.
17:14When Julian dropped me off at my dorm, I grabbed his sleeve.
17:17I got you a tie.
17:18Wait right here, I'll run up and grab it.
17:19He seemed surprised I'd gotten him a Valentine's gift.
17:22He paused.
17:22Then his lips curved and he nodded.
17:24I jogged back down and handed Julian the box, and ran right into Hazel, heading up to our room.
17:28Ever since that day, she'd had a rotten opinion of Julian.
17:31She was about to breeze past us, ignoring me, but her eyes landed straight on the thin chain around my
17:35wrist.
17:35Fake looks just like the real thing.
17:37I rushed to explain to him.
17:39My roommate's talking about the tie.
17:40She thinks, thinks the tie I got you is a knockoff.
17:44I really bought at the counter.
17:46Don't listen to her.
17:47Julian said nothing.
17:48Just watched Hazel's back a few beats longer.
17:50Because of those eyes of his, he looked at everyone like he was madly in love.
17:54She's got a boyfriend.
17:55A faint sense of danger crept over me, so I dropped a careful little hint.
17:59And?
18:00I thought about what Hazel's new boyfriend and all her exes had in common.
18:04It took me a while to force out the words.
18:05She likes guys with money.
18:07Julian let out a careless little sound, and asked me in his usual teasing tone.
18:11So what kind of guy do you like?
18:13The words slipped out before my brain caught up.
18:16I like you.
18:17The second I said it, we both froze.
18:18I'd meant to pick the right moment to tell him properly.
18:21Julian took a long time before he smiled.
18:22And for once he dropped that lazy, careless attitude.
18:25There's something I've been meaning to tell you.
18:28Let me get my head straight tonight, and I'll explain everything tomorrow.
18:31I looked at him confused.
18:32You can't say it now?
18:33Julian rubbed his temple like it gave him a headache.
18:35And explained it in just a few words.
18:37It's a little complicated.
18:39I didn't think too much of it.
18:40I nodded.
18:41Right before I fell asleep, one important thing suddenly hit me.
18:44Julian never explained tonight why he was still driving that sports car.
18:47And who that woman really was to him.
18:48The next day, noon, in the dining hall, I poked at the food on my plate, eating without really tasting
18:53it.
18:54Julian said he'd tell me everything after lunch.
18:56And my curiosity was screaming at the top of its lungs.
18:59He glanced at my empty cup, stood up, and went to grab me a refill.
19:02Julian had barely turned around when someone dumped a whole tray of food and rice all over him.
19:06All over the hell, man, you blind or something?
19:08The guy was huge, tall, built like a wall, planted right in front of Julian, jabbing his shoulder like he
19:14owned the place.
19:14You deaf.
19:15I'm talking to you.
19:17Go get me another plate.
19:19Exact same thing.
19:20I recognized him right away, one of Logan's buddies.
19:22Sent to start something, obviously.
19:24The anger shot straight to my head.
19:26I grabbed my own tray and smashed it right over the big guy's skull.
19:29Apologize to my boyfriend.
19:31I was shaking with rage, so I just said it flat out.
19:33Don't act like I didn't see you dump that on him on purpose.
19:36Logan had been lurking in the shadows the whole time.
19:39Now he stepped up, smirking.
19:40You really that pathetic?
19:41Letting a girl fight your battles?
19:43I couldn't hold back.
19:44Grabbed another tray and hurled it at him.
19:46Logan, why are you going after him?
19:49I don't like you anymore.
19:51I'm not getting back together with you.
19:53You want someone to dump food on me? Fine.
19:55Why are you picking on him?
19:57Julian wasn't like me.
19:58If he even lifted a hand, Logan's whole crew, just waiting for the chance,
20:01would swarm him and beat him down.
20:03At the end of the day, they were bullying Julian
20:05because they thought he had nobody backing him up.
20:08Aria, come here, let me wipe off your shirt.
20:10Julian spoke slowly calm like he wasn't the one dripping with food.
20:13The big guy traded a look with Logan,
20:14then grabbed a chair and stormed at Julian.
20:17My face went white with fear.
20:18For once, Julian let a flicker of annoyance show.
20:21The big guy swung the chair down, and his wrist got caught midair.
20:24Julian ripped the chair from his hand, weighing it with a low laugh.
20:27You just don't quit.
20:28Next second, he slammed it into the big guy with everything he had.
20:31He fisted the guy's collar in one hand.
20:33Love playing the dog, huh?
20:35Called him up close.
20:36Bark for me, let me hear it.
20:37The big guy's face went red with rage.
20:39Screw you!
20:40He never finished the last word before Julian smashed the back of his neck into the concrete wall.
20:44Logan hadn't caught his breath.
20:46You're way past self-defense now, you get that?
20:50I'll have you locked up for life!
20:52Julian glanced at him and gave a careless little smile.
20:54Didn't even bother answering, Logan had me rattled.
20:56So I reached for my phone to look up what self-defense actually meant.
21:00Suddenly a dozen huge men in suits appeared at the dining hall door.
21:03Only the one in the middle looked refined, elite.
21:06He carried a briefcase and two gift bags, and walked straight to Julian.
21:10Mr. Vance.
21:11The clothes you asked for.
21:13Everyone in the room froze.
21:14Julian took them and came to me first, handing me one of the bags.
21:17Same gentle voice as always.
21:19Go change first.
21:20It was like my brain shut off.
21:22I took it and walked toward the restroom on autopilot.
21:24Julian lifted a hand, pointing at the big guy and the petrified Logan.
21:27Mr. Ngallo, I called you here to ask ask something.
21:30If I beat these two right here, I'm satisfied.
21:33How much would that cost me?
21:34His voice drifted farther away.
21:36I almost didn't dare look back.
21:37It all felt like a dream, unreal.
21:39Mr. Gallo smiled.
21:40Mr. Varence, you're giving me a hard one.
21:42Logan opened his mouth for a while before he managed to work.
21:45The Vance family's youngest son, the one who just came back?
21:47He paused a long time before asking in disbelief.
21:49It's not you, is it?
21:51Julian gave him a flat glance, no answer, and left the mess to Mr. Gallo.
21:55His lips curled, ice cold.
21:57Whether it's for disturbing the peace or whatever, put him away for a few days.
22:00That's my only ask.
22:01Handle the rest.
22:02Mr. Gallo nodded, seeing Julian head toward the restroom.
22:05I pulled my eyes back, took the bag inside, changed and washed my hands.
22:08When I came out, Julian had changed too.
22:10Silently, he took my hand and walked us out.
22:12Julian took me straight to the parking garage, into that so-called rented sports car.
22:16He shut the door and tossed the keys onto the console.
22:18He turned to face me.
22:19From now on, hit me, curse me.
22:20Do whatever you want until you feel better.
22:22But breaking up is an option.
22:23Like he'd rehearsed it a thousand times in his head, I closed my eyes.
22:26And after a long moment, I said softly,
22:28So you were lying to me the whole time?
22:30Julian stayed silent.
22:31I looked down at my sleeve, talking to myself.
22:32I worried every single day that you kept buying me things.
22:35That your life was getting harder because of it.
22:39It's actually kind of funny.
22:40I forced out a bitter smile and asked the thing that hurt the most.
22:43You hid who you are because you were scared.
22:47I'd only be with you for the money.
22:48By the end, I couldn't hold back the crack in my voice.
22:51Suddenly, he grabbed my waist and pulled me from the passenger seat onto his lap.
22:54No, absolutely not.
22:55I was so strong, Arya.
22:56Don't cry.
22:57I broke down, sobbing, and shoved him.
22:58Let go of me, Julian!
22:59Let go!
23:01I don't want to like you anymore!
23:03Julian only held me tighter.
23:05You can't.
23:07If I let go, you'll leave me.
23:09He grabbed my wrist and pulled me close.
23:11I froze, staring at him.
23:12At this distance, I could clearly see the sincerity and slight panic in his eyes.
23:16Believe me, the only reason I hid it from you was to win you over. Nothing else.
23:20Julian kissed my cheek, murmuring,
23:22I'm crazy about you.
23:24Anything about me that could attract you, I'd put it right in front of you, baby.
23:27I dodged his kisses.
23:28Julian just cupped my face with both hands, pressing light kisses to my lips, my nose, my forehead.
23:33If you hadn't kept saying you don't like rich guys, I wouldn't have hidden it this long.
23:37I pounded his shoulders, glaring at him.
23:39So you were gonna hide it from me forever?
23:40He actually laughed, then suddenly kissed me.
23:43I didn't soften.
23:43I bit him hard.
23:44Without even flinching, he pinched my chin down to stop me from biting again,
23:47a long time before he let me go, both of us breathing unsteady.
23:50I kept my face cold.
23:51You've thought about forever with me, too.
23:53No, I haven't.
23:54He only ever heard what he wanted to hear.
23:56Everything else got filtered out.
23:57Julian pulled a tissue and wiped my tears.
23:59I know I was wrong.
24:00I was just so terrified of losing you.
24:02I'd prepared myself to ice Julian out for a whole month,
24:05but barely a week in, he couldn't take it.
24:07Friday evening, I got a call from his friend.
24:09You should probably come check on Julian at the bar.
24:11He's wasted, doesn't recognize anyone.
24:13Your roommate came up to him, and he thought she was you.
24:16I gripped my phone tight, then pass along my congratulations.
24:19He laughed awkwardly.
24:20Well, if you're not coming, nothing I can do.
24:22I'm out.
24:22After hanging up, I stood quietly on the balcony.
24:25After a while, I kicked the railing, grabbed my jacket, and headed to the bar.
24:29When I saw Julianson sitting alone in the booth, I turned to leave.
24:31He chased after me, catching my wrist.
24:33They didn't lie to you.
24:34Only then did I stop.
24:35I let him pull me into the alley beside the bar.
24:38Hazel was here earlier.
24:39Julian gripped my shoulders, bending down to meet my eye.
24:41But your boyfriend kept his hands clean.
24:44Didn't let her touch him once.
24:45I was unmoved.
24:46Want me to give you a gold star for that?
24:49Don't want a gold star.
24:50His eyes were hazy.
24:54Then what do you want?
24:57You.
24:58I shook off his hand and walked away.
25:00Julian suddenly pressed me against the wall, smiling lazily.
25:03Fragments of moonlight reflected in his eyes.
25:04I really want you, but I can wait.
25:07Wait for what?
25:09Until we get married.
25:10I emphasize, you need to wait for me to forgive you first.
25:14That's fine.
25:15We have a long time.
25:16I can wait.
25:17Julian's smile didn't waver.
25:18He took my hand and walked me out.
25:20We walked through streets and alleys alive, with noise and light.
25:23What makes you so sure?
25:24I held his hand back, still deliberately fighting.
25:25Because I'm gonna love you for a very, very long time.
25:28Julian laced his fingers through like stating the most ordinary fact.
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