#shortfilm #shortdrama #ceoromance #lovestory #chinesedrama #cdrama #kdrama #ceolovestory #onlineboyfriend #shortdramaengsub
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:01After being bullied for three years by the most popular rich girl at school, I did something
00:06despicable. I stole her name, her photos, her flawless, breathtaking face, and I used
00:12them to deceive a top alpha for three years. He was gentle, impeccably polite, and unbelievably
00:18generous. His only flaw? During his rut, he became unbearably clingy. Whenever it hit,
00:24his voice would turn low and rough, stripped of all restraint, begging me over and over
00:29not to hang up. Before long, I'd gotten enough money from him to pay my college tuition, and
00:34enough to keep buying suppresses so I could continue passing as a beta. The day I decided
00:39to end it, I asked as casually as I could, Baby, what would you do if I suddenly disappeared?
00:46He let out a quiet laugh. His voice was warm, dangerously so.
00:50Sweetheart, don't joke about that. I don't like it.
00:53I wasn't about to let some alpha intimidate me. I blocked him, delighted him, and disappeared.
00:58Later, by pure coincidence, Summer Hart and I both landed internships at the same tech
01:03company. On my very first day, the CEO from headquarters happened to be visiting. I stood
01:08at the very back of the crowd. The moment I looked up, I saw a face I knew all too
01:12well.
01:13Before my brain could even process it, his eyes landed on Summer, and they lit up. The man
01:18I'd been in an online relationship with for three years was standing right in front of me.
01:22The shock hit so hard, my mind went completely blank. By the time I came back to my sense,
01:27he had already turned around and walked straight towards us. My heart pounded against my ribs.
01:31I cautiously looked up. The man was devastatingly handsome, his expression unreadable, every inch
01:36of him radiating the cold, untouchable area of someone no one dared approach. Adrian Sterling.
01:42He was even taller than I'd imagined. Even more handsome. More terrifying still. Even across
01:47the crowd, I could feel the pressure unique to a dominant alpha. Bright citrus. Layered over a hint
01:53of tobacco. My nape tingled. The suppresses I'd taken that morning suddenly felt dangerously
01:59inadequate. Our supervisor lowered his voice.
02:02Mr. Sterling is here from headquarters for an inspection. Don't be nervous. He won't even
02:07notice a group of interns.
02:08The words had barely left his mouth. One of his cuff clinks slipped loose without warning.
02:13Struck the polished floor with a crisp metallic click. Bounced twice, rolled past my feet and came
02:19to a perfect stop beside Summer Hart's heels. The entire room seemed to fall silent. Adrian stopped
02:25in front of us. More precisely, he stopped in front of Summer. They stood face to face, only a step
02:31apart. He was a dominant alpha, raised in an East Coast old money dynasty. She was the golden-haired
02:37omega sweetheart everyone had adored since childhood. Standing together, they looked like they belonged
02:42in the same world. Painfully so. His secretary immediately stepped forward to retrieve the
02:47fallen cufflink. Adrian raised a hand, stopping him with effortless ease. Summer blinked, as if
02:53she suddenly understood. She quickly bent down, picked it up, and held it out with a shy smile.
02:58Mr. Sterling, you dropped this. Adrian didn't take it right away. Instead, he lowered his gaze
03:04and took two slow steps toward her. I was standing closest to Summer. As Adrian approached,
03:09the crisp scent of a dominant alpha rolled over us. I knew that scent better than anyone.
03:14Three years ago, the first time he lost during his rut, I'd spent hours talking him through it
03:18over the phone. Afterward, I'd casually asked what his pheromones smelled like. The very next day,
03:23a custom fragrance arrived at my apartment. Bright citrus. Warm tobacco. He'd texted me afterward.
03:29Now you'll always know what I smell like. I pressed my lips together, pretending not to look.
03:34Adrian's eyes never left Summer. Storms turned beneath those steel gray eyes. Relief. Disbelief.
03:39The joy of finding someone he'd thought he'd lost forever. And beneath it all, the quiet hurt of
03:44someone who'd been abandoned without an explanation. At that exact moment, a sharp pain shat through the
03:49scent glame at the back of my neck. I nearly lost my balance. Summer kept holding out the cufflink.
03:54Adrian still didn't react. She softly reminded him. Mr. Sterling? Only then did he seem to come
04:01back to himself. He cleared his throat. Accepted the cufflink as if nothing had happened. After a
04:06brief pause, his fingertips lightly brushed across Summer's palm. Thank you. Then he quietly said,
04:13Summer heart. Summer's cheeks turned scarlet. Yes. I'm Summer heart, Mr. Sterling. Adrian looked at
04:20her for several long seconds. Only then did he finally turn away, as though he couldn't quite
04:25bring himself to leave. The moment he was gone, I finally remembered how to breathe. My entire back
04:30was soaked with cold sweat. When I returned to my desk, my legs gave out beneath me. I practically
04:35collapsed into my chair. After sitting there in a daze for what felt like forever, I pulled out my phone
04:40and searched for one name, Adrian Sterling. Instantly, my screen filled with financial headlines.
04:46I stared at the screen and sucked in a sharp breath. The CEO from headquarters only visited the branch
04:52once every six months. And the moment he arrived, he set his sights on an intern. A young, beautiful
04:58Omega intern. The whole office instantly caught the scent of gossip. Everyone gathered around Summer
05:04heart. Summer tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and answered softly, I don't know Mr.
05:08Sterling. This is actually the first time I've ever met him. Oh wait, she suddenly looked like she'd
05:12remembered something. I think Mr. Sterling graduated from the same university as I do. I was pretty popular
05:16back then. Come to think of it, a lot of alphas pursued me in college. So maybe she left the
05:20sentence hanging. The senior employees immediately picked it up. They had pieced together all kinds
05:24of secret crush stories. The atmosphere in the office instantly became lively. Summer hurriedly
05:29cut them off. She looked shy, but the snug smile in her eyes was impossible to hid. I couldn't hear
05:36another word they said. I just stared blankly at the search results on my phone. Back then, my mom
05:41worked at the Hart family's live-in housekeeper. Summer lost a bet, so she tricked my mom into
05:46stealing my secrets. The diary was filled it to the bullet Instagram board in the school hallway.
05:50She even took pictures and posted them on a private my rating and laughed. I hated her so much my
05:55teeth
05:55clenched. So I stole Summer's photos and her name and used them to scam people online. Whenever I got
06:00roasted for being terrible at a game, I'd immediately turn on my mic and say, my name is Summer Hart.
06:05Whenever some random person online threatened to come after me, I'd answer without hesitation.
06:09My name is Summer Hart. I viciously hoped that one day someone would actually track her down
06:14through that name. That Summer would finally know what it felt like to be humiliated in public,
06:19to have everyone point fingers at her. But before anyone ever came looking for Summer,
06:23I met Adrian. Adrian was well-mannered, sincere, polite, and unbelievably generous with money.
06:30His only flaw was his rut. Don't be fooled by the way he looked just now. I knew exactly what
06:34the
06:35top alpha was real like and real private. During the two years we dated online, almost every time he
06:39went into rut, he'd make me stay on voice call while he took care of himself. And the moment
06:43it happened would be used like to say the filthiest things things imaginable. That calm face would burn
06:47bright red. Even the scent gland on the back of my neck would start heating up. Eventually I'd snap.
06:53Have you no shame? He never got mad. He'd just laugh softly, then patiently coaxed me until I stopped
07:00being embarrassed. Later, Adrian seemed to realize something was wrong. He became determined to meet me
07:05in person. Only then did I suddenly remember. I'd been using Summer Heart's identity the whole time.
07:10I frantically scrolled back through our chat history. When I saw the words,
07:13I'm Summer Heart, my heart completely sank. All those late night confessions. All the tenderness
07:18we'd shared across the screen. All the moments that made me believe I was truly loved. My heart felt
07:23like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. I couldn't stop regretting saying I was Summer Heart
07:27in the first place. I buried my face in my pillow and cried. When I finally looked up,
07:31my eyes were swollen in the mirror. That's when it hit me. I was just an ordinary person. I didn't
07:36have Summer's stunning face. I didn't have her wealthy family. I didn't have the confidence in
07:41girls that came from being adored her whole life. I couldn't even openly admit I was an omega.
07:45All I could do was rely on cheap suppressors and pretend to be a beta who would never cause anyone
07:49trouble. If I hadn't used Summer's name in photos, someone like Adrian Sterling, a top alpha born with
07:55everything, would never have fallen for someone like me. In the end, I forced down the ache in my chest,
08:00sent Adrian one message. I'm sorry. Then I blocked and deleted him. On the third day after I
08:05disappeared, Adrian sent me an email. There was only one sentence. Summer, don't leave me. Every
08:09word was filled with pleading and the helplessness of someone abandoned without warning. Too bad,
08:14I wasn't Summer. The memory made me shiver. When I looked up, everyone in the office was staring at me.
08:21I forced a smile. What, what is it? No one answered. Only Summer walked over, looking as innocent as ever.
08:29Vivian, weren't you listening? Everyone wants to try the new boba shop on the corner. Would you
08:33mind picking it up for us? It's only three or four blocks away. It won't take much effort.
08:38It wasn't unusual for senior employees to send interns on errands. The only reason Summer had
08:43blended in with them so naturally was because Adrian had treated her differently just now.
08:47I looked at Summer, then at the call works already standing on her side.
08:51Okay. In the end, I nodded. Summer looked pleased with my response.
08:58Oh, don't feel bad, everyone. Vivian's mom used to be our family's live-in housekeeper.
09:03She grew up helping her mom with these kinds of things. She's always been good at it. If any of
09:06you ever need help in the future, just ask Vivian. Every time Summer went somewhere new,
09:10she made sure everyone my mother had once worked for the Hart family. I'd gotten used to it.
09:17Honestly, I wanted an excuse to leave anyway. Ignoring her, I turned toward the door with my
09:23phone in hand and walked straight into someone. I looked up. It was the man who had been standing
09:29beside Adrian earlier. His executive assistant, Marcus Reed. Marcus seemed to be in a hurry.
09:35He impatiently shoved me aside. Caught off guard, I stumbled backward. My knee slammed hard into the
09:41corner of a desk. I sucked in a sharp breath from the pain. Marcus didn't look the
09:44least bit apologetic. He merely glanced at me, then hurried over to our supervisor.
09:50Excuse me, which one of you is Miss Summer Hart? Mr. Sterling needs to see her.
09:54The moment Summer heard her name and realized Adrian Sterling was looking for her,
09:58she immediately pushed her way through the crowd. Summer, I'm Summer Hart. Is something wrong?
10:02Marcus looked her up and down. His tone noticeably became more courteous.
10:05We're temporarily short in executive assistance upstairs. Mr. Sterling would like you to fill in
10:09for a while. Summer froze. Then her voice shot up with excitement,
10:12echoing through the entire office. Me? You mean, Mr. Sterling wants me to work by his side?
10:19Did he personally ask for me? Summer covered her mouth. She couldn't hide the excitement on her face.
10:24She happily picked up her handbag. Mr. Reed, I don't really have anything to pack. I'm ready to go.
10:30Great, follow me. Summer pressed her lips together with a smile, but deliberately walked around to my
10:36side. She looked at me with an innocent smile. Vivian, scoot over. Mr. Sterling wants me on the
10:4334th floor. You're blocking my way. She paused, then smiled even sweeter. You should work hard too.
10:49Who knows? Maybe after another 10 years or so, we'll end up working together on the 34th floor.
10:55I didn't say a word. Enduring the throbbing pain in my knee, I silently stepped aside.
11:00Clicking away in her stillogs, Summer happily followed Marcus out. Everyone in the office watched her leave with envy.
11:06The moment the elevator doors closed, the office exploded with gossip.
11:10Oh my god, that new intern, Summer, she's not going to become Mrs. Sterling someday, is she?
11:14Even if she doesn't become the future Mrs. Sterling, she'll probably end up as Mr. Sterling's
11:17Omega. He's obviously interested in her. He transferred on her very first day.
11:22Vivian, didn't you and Summer start here together? Do you know what's going on between her and Mr.
11:26Sterling? Hearing my name, I forced down the lump in my throat, then slowly shook my head.
11:31I don't know.
11:33After gossiping about Summer for a while, everyone lost interest. Before long, their attention shifted to me.
11:39Vivian, didn't you say you'd treat everyone to boba earlier? You're not backing out now, are you?
11:43Vivi, I have to pick up my daughter tonight. Can you finish this spreadsheet for me?
11:48Before long, the folders on my desk and shared document links had piled up into a mountain.
11:53By the time I finally finished all the random tasks, it was already after 8 o'clock.
11:57I stretched, then finally had a chance to check my phone.
12:01This internship wasn't easy to get. Try to get along with your co-work. Just put up with them.
12:05There's no point arguing.
12:06I stared at the screen. For a long time, I didn't know what to say. In the end, I simply
12:11let out a
12:12quiet sigh. I opened Instagram and started scrolling. Three hours earlier, Summer had posted a selfie.
12:18She stood in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling window, holding up a peace sign at the camera.
12:23The caption read,
12:24Feeling so lucky lately. Couldn't ask for a better boss.
12:28My finger paused. I still couldn't help zooming in on the photo.
12:32Reflected in the window, there was a silhouette standing on the other side of the office.
12:36He didn't seem to notice the camera.
12:38Even though it was only a blurry outline, I recognized him immensely.
12:42Adrian Sterling.
12:43I stared at the photo, unable to look away, until a voice suddenly came from above me.
12:48Why are you still here this late?
12:49I jumped and shot to my feet. Standing in front of me was a slightly chubby man.
12:53I froze. He looked familiar. After thinking for a moment, I finally remembered.
12:58Our supervisor had introduced him earlier. He was one of Adrian's assistants.
13:02Daniel Brooks.
13:03Um, I got held up with work. I was just about to leave.
13:06Daniel nodded, then suddenly clutched his stomach. His face twisted in pain.
13:10He turned to leave, but seemed to think of something.
13:13He looked back at me with a grimace.
13:15Hey, do you have a driver's license?
13:17I froze for a second, then nodded.
13:19I do, but I-
13:20Before I could finish, his eyes let up.
13:22He casually tossed a set of car keys into my hand.
13:25Perfect. My stomach's killing me.
13:27Mr. Sterling's car is downstairs. I'll text you the address in a minute.
13:30Could you drive his car back for me? Please, I'll buy you lunch another day.
13:33I stared at the car keys in my hand.
13:36My mind went blank.
13:37I frantically shook my head.
13:39No, I can't-
13:40Daniel was already gone.
13:41Then, clutching his stomach, he sprinted straight into the restroom.
13:45I lingered at my desk for a few more minutes.
13:48Daniel still hadn't come out of the restroom.
13:50In the end, I accepted my fate and headed downstairs with the keys.
13:54Parked in the underground garage was a Rolls Royale-less I'd only ever seen in movies.
13:58I took a deep breath, walked all the way around at first,
14:01just to make sure I wouldn't scratch my boss's luxury car the second I touched it.
14:05Only then did I carefully open the driver's door and climbed inside.
14:10I buckled my seatbelt, reached up to adjust the rearview mirror, and froze.
14:15Reflected in the mirror was a man sitting in the back seat with his eyes closed.
14:19Sharp nose, perfectly sculpted features, thin lips pressed together.
14:24The cabin still carried the lingering scent of whiskey, mixed with the citrus and tobacco
14:28pheromones he could never completely suppress.
14:31My mind went completely blank.
14:32I slapped a hand over the rearview mirror on instinct.
14:35This had to be a hallucination.
14:36I tried to reassure myself, then cautiously peeked through my fingers.
14:40In the mirror, the man had opened his eyes.
14:43Those gray-blue eyes were fixed on me without blinking.
14:46For a split second, I could have sworn his entire body stiffened.
14:49The gland at the back of my neck suddenly burned, like his gaze alone had brand it.
14:54My fingers tightened around the steering wheel.
14:56Mr. Sterling?
14:57Good evening.
14:58Daniel wasn't feeling well, so he asked me to drive you home.
15:01I didn't realize you were still in the car.
15:03He watched me in silence for a moment, then finally looked away.
15:06He closed his eyes again.
15:08A faint crease formed between his frows.
15:10Of course he couldn't recognize me.
15:12Seeing him shut his eyes again, I secretly let out the breath I'd been holding.
15:16Then another problem hit me.
15:18Where the hell was the ignition on this thing?
15:20I searched everywhere.
15:21Nothing.
15:22Sweat broke across my forehead.
15:24Then a deep voice sounded behind me.
15:26You don't know how to start it?
15:27I sat up straight.
15:29Embarrassed, I nodded, then immediately shook my head.
15:32Whenever I got nervous, I picked at my fingers.
15:35I'd had that habit for over 20 years.
15:37Mr. Sterling, I...
15:39I looked up, only to find his gaze resting on my hands.
15:42A chill ran down my spine.
15:44Just as I was about to pull them back, he quietly looked away.
15:47His eyes drifted toward the window.
15:49His Adam's apple bobbed once.
15:51The car suddenly fell silent.
15:52So silent I could hear my own heartbeat spiraling out of control.
15:56I carefully pulled out my phone, planning to Google how to start a Rolls Royce.
16:01I had barely typed half the question when a shadow fell over me.
16:04The next second, the scent of syndrus and tobacco enveloped me, along with the overwhelming pressure unique to a top
16:10alpha.
16:11Press here.
16:12His voice brushed against my ear.
16:14Warm breath slimmed across the gland at the back of my neck.
16:17My entire body froze.
16:18He was too close.
16:20Close enough for me to feel the warmth radiating through his shirt.
16:24He could definitely smell my pheromones.
16:26He had to know I wasn't a beta.
16:29Yet Adrian only paused for a couple of seconds.
16:31Then he calmly returned to the back seat as though nothing had happened.
16:34I forced myself to steady my breathing.
16:36Started the engine with stiff mechanical movements.
16:39The drive passed in complete silence.
16:41When we finally reached the underground garage of Adrian's penthouse, I didn't hesitate for a second.
16:47I unbuckled my seatbelt, jumped out of the car and blusted,
16:51Mr. Sterling, I'll get going now.
16:54Good night.
16:55Before Adrian could answer, I took off running.
16:57I never noticed the man behind me slowly narrowed his eyes.
17:00He watched the direction I fled, remaining perfectly still, long after I disappeared from sight.
17:06I spent the entire night tangled in one bizarre dream after another.
17:10The next morning, I splashed some water on my face, dragged myself out of bed with two dark circles under
17:16my eyes, and somehow made it to work.
17:19The moment I walked into the office, I saw Summer.
17:22She was supposed to be on the 34th floor.
17:24Yep.
17:25Mr. Sterling told me to come back.
17:27Her voice was as soft and sweet as ever.
17:29Her makeup was flawless, her cheeks were slightly pink, and her bright blue eyes sparkled as though they were hiding
17:36a delicious little secret.
17:37Mr. Sterling said I shouldn't spend all my time on the 34th floor, right after joining the company.
17:43He was worried I'd get lonely staying in the executive office by myself.
17:47I guess he thought I should spend more time getting to know everyone first.
17:51I think he was right, so here I am.
17:54As she spoke, she spotted me.
17:56She immediately got up and linked her arm through mine as if we were best friends.
18:01Vivian, I'm back.
18:03Aren't you happy to see me?
18:04The second she acted that affectionate, I knew she was setting me up again.
18:08The thought flashed through my mind.
18:10Almost instinctively, I pulled my arm away.
18:12The atmosphere shifted instantly.
18:15Summer kept smiling at me, but the warmth had disappeared from her eyes.
18:19Fortunately, our supervisor walked in before things became even more awkward.
18:23Looks like everyone's here.
18:25Perfect.
18:25We've got a team happy hour after work tonight.
18:28Let's treat it as a welcome party for Vivian and Summer.
18:31The moment he finished speaking, everyone in the office perped up.
18:34Someone immediately called out,
18:36Happy hour?
18:37Is Mr. Sterling coming?
18:38The supervisor laughed and waved a hand.
18:40Mr. Sterling barely has time to breathe.
18:43Why would he come to a department happy hour?
18:45He won't be there, so relax.
18:47Tonight's just about unwinding.
18:49Have fun.
18:50The room erupted in laughter.
18:51The tension finally eased.
18:53I lowered my head and quietly swallowed the words I'd been about to use to turn down the invitation.
18:59Before I knew it, it was the end of the work day.
19:02I'd accidentally stained my dress at lunch.
19:04So I stopped by my apartment first to change.
19:06By the time I finally arrived at the rooftop cocktail lounge, everyone had already been drinking for over an hour.
19:13The moment I pushed open the door, I saw Adrian Sterling.
19:17He was still wearing that black shirt.
19:19The top two buttons were undone, and the shifting light swept across his handsome, impassive face.
19:25A glass of whiskey rested loosely in his hand, his long fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim.
19:31I instinctively took two steps back.
19:34Vivian?
19:35What took you so long?
19:36Come on, we're waiting for you.
19:38A few cowards turned to look at me, too.
19:40There was nowhere to hide.
19:42I could only force myself to walk over.
19:45Sorry.
19:46I'm here.
19:47Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Adrian turning his head slightly.
19:50His gaze drifted over me for only an instant.
19:53I didn't dare look back.
19:54Keeping my head down, I searched for the seat farthest from him.
19:57Before I could get there, the supervisor gently nudged me forward.
20:01Sit here.
20:01You're late.
20:02This is the only seat left.
20:04I couldn't say a word, because the seat he was pointing to was right next to Adrian.
20:08Fortunately, Adrian was speaking quiet with someone beside him, seemingly a whirlwis of
20:13my arrival, suppressing every ounce of discomfort.
20:16I sat down as stiffly as a mannequin.
20:19A moment later, Adrian casually shifted his posture.
20:22The fabric of his dark slanks brushed lightly against my calf.
20:25My body instantly tensed.
20:28I hurriedly pulled my legs back.
20:30The peace lasted less than 30 seconds.
20:32He moved again.
20:34The cool fabric grazed my calf once more, sending an inexplicable shiver through me.
20:39Unable to take it anymore, I glanced toward Adrian, only to find him still turned toward
20:43someone else, engrossed in their conversation.
20:46His expression remained calm and distant.
20:48He hadn't even spared me a glance.
20:51Maybe he really wasn't doing it on purpose.
20:53I lowered my head again, pressed my knees tightly together, and silently prayed for the
20:58evening to end.
20:59The very next second, Adrian's knee leaned lightly against mine.
21:03The crease of his slacks brushed my skirt.
21:06Even through two layers of fabric, the warmth radiating from his leg nearly burnt me.
21:11There was nowhere left for me to move.
21:13Adrian still didn't look at me.
21:15He simply lifted his whiskey, took an unhorling sip, and as he lowered the glass, his arm lightly
21:22brushed against my shoulder.
21:23The scent of citrus, threaded with the faintest hint of tobacco, slowly spread through the narrow
21:28booth, the unmistakable pheromones of a top alpha.
21:32The gland at the back of my neck began to tingle, then burn as if it had been touched
21:36by fire.
21:37I shot to my feet.
21:39I-I'm going to the restroom.
21:40You guys go ahead.
21:41I practically fled into the bar's restroom.
21:44I turned on the faucet, letting the cold water run over my fingers.
21:47My heartbeat, however, refused to slow down.
21:50Then I heard footsteps behind me.
21:52I looked up.
21:53In the mirror, I saw a familiar figure.
21:55Adrian came to an unhungering stop in the doorway.
21:57Forcing a smile, I said,
21:59Mr. Sterling, are you here to use the restroom too?
22:02He narrowed his eyes.
22:04No.
22:04For a moment, I didn't understand.
22:06Then he walked toward me, stopping only a step away.
22:09In a low voice, he asked,
22:12Why are you avoiding me?
22:13I'm not.
22:14I just-
22:14Vivian.
22:15His arms folded across his chest.
22:16Through the mirror, he looked down at me.
22:18His voice was calm, as though he were asking the most ordinary question in the world.
22:23What part of me haven't you seen?
22:25My mind went completely blank.
22:27The faucet continued running.
22:29In the mirror, my face was as pale as paper.
22:31He knew.
22:32He knew everything, even though I already knew the answer.
22:35I still cling to the last-ditch dread of hope.
22:38My voice trembled.
22:40You-
22:40No?
22:41Adrian didn't answer right away.
22:43He simply looked at me for several long seconds.
22:45Then he gave a quiet laugh.
22:47Now what?
22:48My certainty wavered.
22:50He grew quieter.
22:51Even his breathing softened.
22:52The weight crushing my chest slowly began to lift.
22:55Then, without warning, he spoke again.
22:56His voice dropped even lower.
22:58So, was it fun?
23:00Lying to me, Vivian?
23:01I nearly forgot how to breathe.
23:03I spun around.
23:04Every trace of warmth had vanished from Adrian's face.
23:07Step by step, he closed the distance between us.
23:10His gray-blue eyes never left mine.
23:12The day I transferred Summer to the executive office,
23:14I already knew she wasn't the person I'd been looking for.
23:17Then I saw you last night.
23:19After that, I had someone look into it.
23:21Summer was never Summer.
23:23You were.
23:24Now I get it.
23:25That's why you disappeared without a word.
23:27Because none of it was real, was it?
23:29Your name was fake.
23:30Your identity was fake.
23:32And every time you told me you loved me,
23:35that was fake too.
23:36I'd never seen Adrian like this before.
23:38My body instinctively retreated.
23:40I couldn't say a word.
23:41His Adam's apple bobbed,
23:43as if he were forcing himself to swallow every emotion threatening to spill out.
23:46Vivian,
23:48is there a single thing I just said
23:49that you want to deny?
23:51Strangely, hearing those words come from his own mouth didn't make me panic.
23:55Instead, everything inside me suddenly became still,
23:58like a weight I'd carried for three years had finally hit the ground.
24:02I'm sorry, Adrian.
24:03I'm so, so sorry.
24:04This is all my fault.
24:05Whatever you want to do,
24:07I'll accept it.
24:08I pretended to be Summer Hart.
24:10I lied to you.
24:11I know I'm a terrible person.
24:12I'm really sorry.
24:14Adrian pressed his lips into a thin line.
24:16The more I apologized,
24:18the tighter his fists became.
24:19His knuckles turned white.
24:20Veins slowly surfaced across the backs of his hands.
24:23I thought,
24:24after being deceived for three years,
24:26a top alpha like him probably wanted to strangle me himself.
24:29I quietly closed my eyes.
24:32Instead, I heard him speak again.
24:33And?
24:34Other than apologizing?
24:36After everything I just said,
24:38you don't have a single thing to say for yourself?
24:40What else?
24:41I froze.
24:42Then another thought suddenly hit me.
24:43There's one more thing.
24:45All the money you gave me,
24:46I used it to pay my tuition.
24:49I'll pay every cent back, I promise.
24:51If you want to call the police, I'll-
24:53Vivian!
24:53His voice suddenly rose,
24:55then forced itself back down.
24:57Vivian,
24:58do you really think all I care about is that damn money?
25:01I blinked.
25:02Before my brain could catch up,
25:03the words slipped out.
25:04Money isn't damn.
25:05A vein throbbed violently at his temple.
25:08He looked as though I'd either made him laugh
25:09or broken him completely.
25:11I bit my lip and slowly shook my head.
25:13Adrian, I really have nothing to explain.
25:15Everything was my-
25:16Before I could finish,
25:17he suddenly grabbed my wrist.
25:19His eyes were slowly turning red.
25:21So, everything you ever felt for me was fake too?
25:24Vivian, answer me.
25:26Was there ever even for a single moment
25:28when you truly liked me?
25:29I had imagined countless ways this truth would come out.
25:32I had imagined him furious, disgusted,
25:34coldly telling me to get out,
25:36or making me pay for everything I'd done.
25:38But never this.
25:39Never him standing in front of me looking like an abandoned puppy,
25:42asking whether I'd ever loved him at all.
25:44It wasn't supposed to be like this.
25:46I was the one who had shamelessly deceived him.
25:48My silence seemed to hurt him even more.
25:50He squeezed his eyes shut,
25:52then slowly let go of my wrist.
25:54Okay.
25:56I got my answer.
25:58Only then did I finally come back to myself.
26:01Adrian, I-
26:01Instinctively, I reached for his sleeve.
26:04My fingers caught nothing but air.
26:06Adrian had already turned away.
26:08Without looking back, he walked out.
26:09I stood there, staring after him.
26:12The warmth his hand had left around my wrist
26:14slowly faded away.
26:16After that day,
26:18Adrian never came back to the branch office.
26:20I spent the next few days
26:22trying to work up the courage to reach out to him.
26:24I sent him friend request after friend request.
26:27Every single one disappeared into the void.
26:29It was like he was never going to talk to me again.
26:32I stared blankly at my phone as the screen lit up,
26:35went dark,
26:36then lit up again.
26:37Just as I was wondering what else I could do,
26:40my mom called.
26:41I pushed my laptop aside,
26:43picked up my phone,
26:44and stepped into the stairwell.
26:45Hi mom, what's up?
26:47Vivian, nothing's wrong.
26:48I just wanted to check in.
26:50I fell silent.
26:51The door at the end of the hallway
26:52wasn't fully closed.
26:53A cold draft slipped through the crack
26:55and crept down the back of my collar.
26:57Without thinking,
26:58I touched the scent gland at the back of my neck.
27:00Somehow, Adrian came to mind again,
27:02and a dull ache spread through my chest.
27:05Vivian, what's going on?
27:07Is someone at work giving you a hard time?
27:10If they are,
27:11buy them a coffee,
27:12or bring in some donuts.
27:14Be kind to people,
27:16and they'll be kind to you.
27:17That's how it works, right?
27:18The same speech again.
27:20My head started pounding.
27:22Mom, I'm still at work.
27:23I have to go.
27:24Before she could say anything else,
27:26I hung up.
27:27I stood there in the stairwell
27:28for another two seconds
27:29before pushing the door open
27:31and heading back to my desk.
27:33The air was thick
27:34with the sickly sweet smell
27:35of caramel latte.
27:36Brown coffee was slowly trickling down my monitor,
27:39dripping onto the keyboard
27:40one drop at a time.
27:41The screen had already gone black,
27:43and the project files beside it
27:44were completely soaked.
27:45The report I'd spent days
27:46working overtime to finish,
27:48the one I hadn't even uploaded
27:49to the cloud yet,
27:50was ruined.
27:51Completely ruined.
27:52Summer was standing beside my desk,
27:54an empty coffee cup still in her hand.
27:56She wore the same innocent expression
27:58as a kitten that had just
27:59knocked over a flower pot.
28:00Vivian, I'm so sorry.
28:02I accidentally spilled my coffee
28:03all over your computer.
28:04It shouldn't be that bad, right?
28:06I honestly didn't mean to.
28:07I didn't have time to deal with her.
28:09I grabbed a stack of paper towels
28:11and frantically tried
28:12to wipe everything dry.
28:13It was useless.
28:15Summer covered her mouth
28:16and let out a laugh.
28:17It's okay.
28:18Just make another copy.
28:20It couldn't have taken
28:21that much work, right?
28:22My scalp tingled
28:24as I slowly looked up at her.
28:25The smugness in her voice
28:26dragged memories
28:27I'd buried deep inside
28:28back to the surface.
28:30Suddenly,
28:30I was back in my senior year
28:32of high school.
28:32I stood in the assistant principal's office,
28:35my hands clenched tightly
28:36around the hem of my jacket.
28:37I gathered every ounce
28:38of courage I had
28:39and, word by word,
28:40told them everything Summer
28:41had done to bully me.
28:43My whole body was shaking
28:44as I spoke.
28:45Summer, on the other hand,
28:46just leaned lazily
28:47against the wall.
28:48She casually cleaned out
28:49one ear,
28:50then looked at me
28:51as if to say,
28:54So what?
28:54She was right.
28:55There wasn't a thing
28:56I could do.
28:57Because when my father
28:58was called to school,
28:59the first thing he did
29:00wasn't ask if I was hurt.
29:02He shoved me hard instead.
29:03Bullying?
29:04Come on.
29:05They're just kids
29:06messing around.
29:07Vivian's always been
29:08overly sensitive.
29:09Don't mind her.
29:10Summer smiled
29:11as she hopped off
29:11the edge of the desk
29:12and gently shook her head.
29:14Oh, Vivian.
29:15Bullying?
29:15I was only joking with you.
29:17If you really feel
29:18that bad about it,
29:19I'll apologize.
29:20She deliberately
29:20dragged out the Edovan,
29:21her eyes curved
29:22into a sweet,
29:23innocent smile.
29:24Apolitize for what?
29:25My dad didn't even
29:26give me a chance to speak.
29:27He pulled me aside,
29:29patted Summer on the shoulder,
29:31and said,
29:31Summer,
29:32I know you're a good kid.
29:34You don't owe anyone
29:35an apology.
29:36Vivian,
29:36what are you standing there for?
29:38Go shake hands with Summer.
29:39Why do you always have to
29:41take everything so seriously?
29:42I stood there without moving.
29:44I looked at my own father
29:45as if he were
29:46a complete stranger.
29:47Summer stood behind him,
29:49and when no one was looking,
29:50she stuck her tongue out at me.
29:52That expression was
29:53exactly the same
29:54as it is now.
29:55Give in.
29:55Give in.
29:56Just keep giving in.
29:58That's what my parents
29:59had taught me
29:59my entire life.
30:00But what had it ever
30:01gotten me?
30:02I clenched the crumpled
30:03paper towel in my hand,
30:04my breathing growing
30:05faster and faster.
30:06Years of bottled up pain
30:08weighed heavier and heavier
30:09on my chest.
30:10Then I heard it.
30:11Something inside me
30:12finally snapped.
30:13Summer was still
30:14standing there,
30:15speaking in the sweetest,
30:16most innocent voice
30:17in the world.
30:18I really didn't mean to.
30:20She even casually
30:21reached out,
30:22trying to pat me
30:22on the shoulder.
30:23The next second,
30:24my body moved
30:25before my mind
30:25could stop it.
30:26I lunged forward,
30:27grabbed a fistful
30:28of her blonde hair,
30:28yanked her toward me,
30:29and slapped her
30:30across the face twice,
30:31hard enough to send
30:32her stumbling backward.
30:33She wasn't wrong.
30:34Growing up,
30:35I'd spent years
30:36helping my mom
30:36clean houses
30:37and move heavy furniture.
30:38I'd always been strong.
30:40Summer let out
30:41a shrill scream.
30:43She'd never imagined
30:44I'd actually fight back.
30:46I kept hold of her hair
30:47and threw her to the floor.
30:49She screamed
30:50at the top of her lungs,
30:51You fucking bitch!
30:53How dare you hit me!
30:55grinding my teeth.
30:56I kicked her twice,
30:57before throwing myself
30:58on top of her,
30:59slapping her over
31:00and over again.
31:01The two of us
31:02were soon locked
31:02in a full-blown brawl.
31:04When our supervisor
31:05rushed in,
31:05this was the first thing
31:06he saw.
31:07What are you all doing?
31:08Pull them apart!
31:09Right now!
31:10The guys in the office
31:11finally snapped out of it
31:12and rushed over
31:13to grab my arms.
31:14Someone pulled Summer
31:15away from me.
31:15It was Marcus,
31:17the same assistant
31:17who had shoved me
31:18a few days earlier.
31:19I shot him a glare,
31:21then swing.
31:22One hard slap.
31:23His glasses
31:24flew right off his face.
31:25By the time it was over,
31:26I was pinned down
31:27in a chair.
31:28My hair had come loose.
31:29One sleeve of my blouse
31:31was half torn off,
31:32but I was still clutching
31:33a fistful of Summer's
31:34blonde hair.
31:35Summer stood across
31:36from me.
31:36Half her face was swollen.
31:38She glared at me
31:39with pure hatred.
31:40The supervisor's face
31:41had turned green
31:42with rage.
31:43He was just about
31:43to start yelling
31:44when the office
31:45suddenly fell silent.
31:46Someone near the door
31:47lowered their voice
31:48and said,
31:49Mr. Sterling's here.
31:50Adrian stood in the doorway,
31:51his expression unreadable
31:53as he took in the scene
31:54before him.
31:54He looked like he'd just
31:56walked of an executive meeting,
31:57dressed in a perfectly
31:58teared Sir Mulgrey suit
31:59that couldn't have looked
32:00more out of place
32:01in the wrecked office.
32:02I finally calmed down.
32:03Silently,
32:04I pressed a hand
32:05over the scratches
32:05on my arm.
32:06Summer had always been
32:07popular around the office.
32:09Almost everyone
32:10immediately took her side.
32:12Vivian,
32:12how could you hit her?
32:14Seriously,
32:14Mr. Sterling,
32:15we all saw it.
32:16She grabbed Summer's hair first.
32:18She always seemed so quiet.
32:19I never would have guessed
32:20she had a temper like this.
32:21Summer was sitting
32:21on the floor.
32:22Her eyes turned red
32:23and tears spilled down
32:25almost instantly.
32:26She cried
32:27without making a sound,
32:28but somehow,
32:29that made her look
32:30even more pitiful
32:31than if she'd been sobbing.
32:32She ignored every co-worker
32:33who was speaking up for her.
32:37Instead,
32:38she reached out
32:39and lightly grabbed
32:39the hem of Adrienne's
32:41suit pants,
32:42her voice trembling
32:42with fear.
32:43Mr. Sterling,
32:45Vivian,
32:45she just suddenly
32:46attacked me.
32:47I don't even know
32:48what I did wrong.
32:48I'm so scared.
32:49Adrienne lowered his eyes.
32:51Without a trace of emotion,
32:52he lifted one foot.
32:54Calmly,
32:55he nudged her wrist away.
32:56As casually
32:57as brushing aside
32:58something that was
32:59in his way.
33:00Summer's hand
33:01froze in mid-air.
33:02She went completely still.
33:04Adrienne didn't spare
33:05her another glance.
33:06He walked straight
33:08through the crowd.
33:09His polished leather shoes
33:10crushed the scattered
33:11documents across the floor.
33:13Then he stopped
33:14in front of me.
33:15Lowering his head,
33:16he gently eased my hand
33:17away from the wound
33:17on my arm.
33:18His touch was
33:19unbelievably gentle,
33:20but when he spoke,
33:21his voice came out
33:22rough and harcy.
33:23Let me see.
33:24He gently pried
33:24my fingers away.
33:25The scratches on my arm
33:27were exposed to the air,
33:28stinging with a sharp
33:29burning pain,
33:30but my thoughts
33:30were in even greater chaos.
33:32Instinctively,
33:33I wanted to tell him
33:34I was fine.
33:35The words had barely
33:36reached my lips.
33:37Before I could say anything,
33:38he took my hand
33:39and started leading me out.
33:41The familiar scent
33:42of tobacco and syndromes
33:43instantly wrapped around me.
33:45I forgot to struggle.
33:46Behind us,
33:47I heard a chorus
33:48of shocked gasps.
33:49Adrienne never looked back,
33:50right in front of
33:51everyone's stunned eyes.
33:52He openly held my hand
33:53and led me toward
33:54the CEO's office.
33:55I stumbled after him.
33:57Maybe fighting Summer
33:58had finally broken open
33:59everything I'd been
34:00forcing down
34:00all these years.
34:01Staring at his broad back,
34:03my nose sting.
34:04Before I knew it,
34:05the words were spilling out.
34:06Adrienne,
34:07my feelings for you
34:08were never fake.
34:09I never should have
34:10pretended to be Summer.
34:11I never should have
34:12used her pictures.
34:13I wanted to get back at her,
34:14but I never should have
34:15dragged you into it.
34:16I've always been awkward
34:17and a coward,
34:18but my feelings for you
34:19were real.
34:20The day we ended things,
34:21I was devastated.
34:23I love you.
34:24I really do.
34:25I love you so, so much.
34:26Adrienne didn't respond.
34:28He never slowed down.
34:29He didn't even look back.
34:31The hallway felt
34:31impossibly long.
34:33The only sound
34:33was our footsteps
34:34echoing through the silence.
34:36Following behind him,
34:37I felt my heart
34:38sink a little more
34:39with every step.
34:40He wasn't going to forgive me.
34:42He was never going
34:42to speak to me again.
34:44Tears started spilling
34:44down my face again.
34:45I bit down hard on my lip,
34:47refusing to let myself
34:47make a sound.
34:48Just as my hand
34:49began to slip from his,
34:50He suddenly tightened his grip.
34:52The next second,
34:53he pushed open the door
34:54to the CEO's office.
34:55He pulled me forward
34:56so abruptly
34:57that I stumbled two steps.
34:59The door slammed shut
35:00behind us.
35:01Before I could react,
35:02my back hit
35:03the cold wooden door.
35:05I hadn't even finished
35:06saying his name
35:07when he suddenly
35:08lowered his head
35:08and kissed me.
35:09The kiss was urgent,
35:11almost desperate.
35:12I was trapped
35:13between the door
35:14and his body,
35:14with nowhere to escape.
35:16His lips parted mine
35:17with effortless ease.
35:18His breath was scorching hot,
35:20as if it could set
35:21my entire body on fire.
35:22Without realizing it,
35:23I clutched the front
35:24of his dress shirt tightly.
35:25Time passed,
35:26second by second.
35:27His kiss gradually softened.
35:29His fierce urgency
35:30slowly melted
35:30into something slow
35:31and lingering.
35:32He gently sucked
35:33on my lower lip,
35:34again and again.
35:35The hand braced
35:35beside my head
35:36slowly slid down,
35:37until it settled
35:38around my waist.
35:39Pulling me closer
35:40into his arms,
35:41our bodies pressed
35:42tightly together,
35:43separated by nothing more
35:44than a thin layer
35:45of fabric,
35:46sharing each other's warmth.
35:47I had no idea
35:48how much time had passed,
35:50finally.
35:50He pulled back
35:51just a little,
35:52resting his forehead
35:53against mine.
35:54His voice was so hosky
35:55it barely sounded
35:56like his own.
35:57I finally got to kiss you.
35:58It felt exactly
35:59the way I imagined.
36:00Y-you're talking nonsense.
36:01I wiped away my tears,
36:03not daring to look up at him.
36:05Suddenly,
36:05Adrian frowned.
36:07Wait,
36:07when did you ever
36:08send me Summer's picture?
36:09Are you sure
36:10you're remembering it right?
36:11He handed me his phone,
36:12I took it,
36:13and slowly scrolled up
36:14through our chat history.
36:15Before long,
36:16the conversations
36:17that made my face
36:18burn all over again
36:19appeared on the screen.
36:20I kept scrolling,
36:21until I reached the photos
36:22we'd sent each other.
36:24Suggestive angles,
36:25half-open collars.
36:27Adrian stood beside me,
36:29the two of us
36:29looking down
36:30at the same screen.
36:31His breathing
36:32had noticeably grown uneven.
36:33I didn't dare look at him.
36:34I could only force myself
36:35to keep scrolling,
36:37all the way back
36:37to the day we first met.
36:39Nothing.
36:40There really wasn't one.
36:41That picture
36:42had never been sent.
36:43Then,
36:44if you never got
36:45Summer's picture,
36:46how did you know
36:47who she was
36:47on the very first day?
36:49He looked down at me.
36:50His voice was calm.
36:51You told me before
36:52that you'd be interning
36:53at Sterling Technologies.
36:55The timing matched,
36:56the name matched,
36:57and there was only
36:58one Summer
36:59on the intern list.
37:00He paused.
37:01His eyes stayed
37:02locked on my face.
37:04Vivian,
37:05don't tell me
37:06you really thought
37:06I fell for nothing
37:07more than that picture.
37:08He stepped back
37:08half a pace,
37:10gently cupped my face
37:11with both hands,
37:12making me look him
37:13in the eyes.
37:13You believe
37:14that there's really
37:15an unexplainable pull
37:16between pheromones?
37:17The night you got
37:18into my car,
37:19I hadn't even opened
37:19my eyes yet,
37:20but every instinct I had
37:21was screaming
37:22that it was you.
37:23As he spoke,
37:24he let out a quiet,
37:25self-mocking laugh.
37:26Sometimes I honestly wonder
37:28if I was born
37:28to be your golden retriever.
37:30Otherwise,
37:31why does hearing
37:32your voice alone
37:33make me feel so at peace?
37:34I pressed my lips together.
37:36Finally,
37:36I couldn't help
37:37but smile.
37:37Then I varied my face
37:39against his chest again.
37:40But you didn't even know
37:42what I looked like.
37:43What if I'm not your type?
37:45He fell silent
37:46for a few seconds,
37:47then gently held me
37:48a little tighter.
37:49His voice was
37:49unbelievably soft.
37:51I never thought about that,
37:52but no matter
37:53what you look like,
37:54I think I'd still fall for you.
37:56It's strained
37:56the way I feel about you.
37:57I can't seem to control it.
37:59Ever since we finally
38:00came clean with each other
38:01that day,
38:02the weight I'd been carrying
38:03for years finally lifted.
38:05My relationship with Adrienne
38:06grew steadier
38:07with each passing day.
38:09Six months later,
38:10the truth about Summer
38:11bullying her Omega new mate
38:12back in college
38:13suddenly exploded
38:14across the internet.
38:15Chat lines,
38:16secretly recorded videos,
38:17voice recordings,
38:18one piece of evidence
38:19after another,
38:20quickly took over
38:21every major social media platform.
38:22By the time the news
38:23reached the office,
38:24Summer's desk
38:25was already empty.
38:26Some people sighed.
38:28Some shook their heads.
38:29But before long,
38:30everyone went back
38:31to their own work.
38:33It was a Friday evening,
38:34just as I was getting ready
38:35to leave for the day.
38:36My mom suddenly called.
38:37Her voice was gentler
38:38than I'd ever heard it before.
38:40Vivian,
38:40I want to tell you I'm sorry.
38:41I saw the news a few days ago.
38:43Your father and I always thought
38:44that if you just endured it,
38:45eventually it would all pass.
38:47Now I finally understand.
38:48I was wrong.
38:49There was a long silence
38:51on the other end.
38:52Then my dad took the phone.
38:53I was wrong too back then.
38:55I should have stood
38:56by your side.
38:59I held my phone,
39:01looking out at the city light
39:02slowly coming alive
39:03beyond the window.
39:04In the end,
39:05I simply said,
39:06it's all in the past now.
39:09After hanging up,
39:10I stood by the floor
39:11declaring window
39:12in the office,
39:13lost in thought.
39:14A moment later,
39:15I heard familiar footsteps
39:16behind me.
39:17Adrian walked over
39:19and placed a cup
39:20of warm milk
39:20into my hands.
39:22He didn't ask
39:23a single question.
39:24He simply wrapped
39:25an arm around my shoulders
39:26and gently pulled me
39:27into his embrace.
39:28I slowly turned around,
39:29rose onto my tiptoes
39:30and softly kissed his cheek.
39:33He let out a quiet laugh,
39:34then held me even tighter,
39:36as if he wanted to hold
39:37my entire world in his arms.
39:40He made
39:40a thing
39:41about
39:41the
39:41job.
39:41He said,
39:41father and
39:41his
39:41his
39:41his
39:41You