THE SECRET HE NEVER TOLD HER
1877 Words
EPISODE 2 — THE SECRET HE NEVER TOLD HER
---
ACT 1 — THE MESSAGE
SCENE 1 — MARIAN'S HOTEL ROOM
It's 2:17 in the morning.
Marian sits on the edge of her bed.
She stares at her phone.
The message is still there:
«"Ask Lee Dong-wook what happened seven years ago."»
She reads it again.
And again.
MARIAN:
"Seven years ago..."
She looks toward the window.
MARIAN:
"What happened to you?"
She hesitates.
Then she calls him.
One ring.
Two rings.
Three.
He answers.
His voice is sleepy.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Marian?"
She freezes.
MARIAN:
"Did I wake you?"
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Yes."
MARIAN:
"Sorry."
Silence.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"What's wrong?"
She looks at the message.
MARIAN:
"Nothing."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"You're lying."
Marian sighs.
MARIAN:
"How do you know?"
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Because you said 'nothing.'"
She smiles despite herself.
MARIAN:
"You're annoying."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I've been told."
She becomes serious.
MARIAN:
"Dong-wook..."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Yes?"
She almost asks.
But stops.
MARIAN:
"Never mind."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Marian."
His voice becomes softer.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Did someone contact you?"
She looks at the phone.
MARIAN:
"How did you know?"
Silence.
He sits up.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Send me a picture."
She sends the screenshot.
He looks at it.
His expression immediately changes.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Lock your door."
MARIAN:
"It's already locked."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Check again."
She checks.
MARIAN:
"Locked."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Good."
MARIAN:
"Why?"
He pauses.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I'm coming."
MARIAN:
"What?"
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Don't leave your room."
He hangs up.
Marian stares at her phone.
MARIAN:
"That man..."
She smiles.
MARIAN:
"He didn't even say goodnight."
2:40 A.M.
A knock.
Marian grabs a lamp.
KNOCK. KNOCK.
MARIAN:
"Who is it?"
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Me."
She opens the door.
Lee Dong-wook stands there wearing a black jacket.
His hair is messy.
Marian looks at him.
Then laughs.
MARIAN:
"You look terrible."
He looks at her.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I came here because you were in danger."
MARIAN:
"I know."
She smiles.
MARIAN:
"Still terrible."
He walks inside.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Do you always insult people who protect you?"
MARIAN:
"Only the handsome ones."
He stops.
Looks at her.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Was that a compliment?"
Marian realizes what she said.
MARIAN:
"No."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"It sounded like one."
MARIAN:
"Forget it."
He smiles.
---
THE SILENT MOMENT
Lee Dong-wook checks the room.
Window.
Door.
Bathroom.
Closet.
Marian watches him.
MARIAN:
"You really think someone is coming?"
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Yes."
MARIAN:
"Who?"
He doesn't answer.
She crosses her arms.
MARIAN:
"You know something."
He looks at her.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I know enough to know you're not safe."
MARIAN:
"And seven years ago?"
Silence.
He looks away.
Marian immediately notices.
MARIAN:
"So it's true."
He doesn't respond.
MARIAN:
"Something happened."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Marian..."
MARIAN:
"You promised you'd tell me the truth."
He looks at her.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I never promised that."
She becomes annoyed.
MARIAN:
"You're right."
She walks away.
MARIAN:
"You just told me you'd protect me."
He watches her.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I will."
MARIAN:
"Then protect me from your secrets too."
He becomes silent.
BREAKFAST
The next morning.
Marian enters the hotel restaurant.
Lee Dong-wook is already there.
She sits opposite him.
He pushes a plate toward her.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Eat."
MARIAN:
"I can feed myself."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I know."
She looks at the food.
MARIAN:
"Did you order this?"
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Yes."
MARIAN:
"How did you know what I like?"
He looks at her.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"You ordered it yesterday."
Marian pauses.
MARIAN:
"Oh."
He takes a sip of coffee.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"You don't remember?"
MARIAN:
"I was busy."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Looking at me?"
She nearly chokes.
MARIAN:
"What?!"
He smiles.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Joking."
Marian points at him.
MARIAN:
"You're getting brave."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Maybe I'm getting comfortable."
She looks away, smiling
— HAN RIVER
Lee Dong-wook takes Marian to the Han River.
She looks around.
MARIAN:
"This is beautiful."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I thought you'd like it."
MARIAN:
"Is this a date?"
He stops.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Do you want it to be?"
She looks at him.
MARIAN:
"I asked first."
He smiles.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Then yes."
Marian blushes.
MARIAN:
"You're very direct."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Only with you."
They walk.
Marian suddenly notices something.
MARIAN:
"Why are those people staring at you?"
Lee Dong-wook looks around.
A group of fans recognizes him.
FAN:
"LEE DONG-WOOK!"
They start approaching.
Marian panics.
MARIAN:
"Oh no."
She grabs his hand.
MARIAN:
"Run!"
He looks at their hands.
Then at her.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"You just grabbed my hand."
MARIAN:
"Run first! Romance later!"
He laughs.
They run.
---
THE HIDDEN MARTIAL ARTIST
ALLEY
They turn into a quiet alley.
Marian is laughing.
MARIAN:
"I can't believe we ran away from your own fans."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"You were the one who grabbed me."
MARIAN:
"You didn't complain."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I didn't want to."
Their laughter fades.
They look at each other.
The moment becomes intimate.
Then—
A metal object hits the ground.
Both turn.
Three men stand at the entrance.
Lee Dong-wook's expression changes.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Stay behind me."
Marian steps beside him.
MARIAN:
"No."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Marian."
MARIAN:
"I told you. I can fight."
One man attacks.
Marian blocks him.
She spins and knocks him down.
Lee Dong-wook looks surprised.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Your grandfather really trained you."
MARIAN:
"I told you!"
Another attacker rushes toward her.
Lee Dong-wook intercepts him.
His movements are precise and controlled.
Marian watches.
MARIAN:
"You really are dangerous."
He looks at her.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I warned you."
---
SEVEN YEARS AGO
SAFE HOUSE
After escaping, Lee Dong-wook brings Marian to a secluded apartment.
Marian sits down.
MARIAN:
"Now tell me."
He stands by the window.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Seven years ago, I lost someone."
She waits.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"My closest friend."
MARIAN:
"What happened?"
He looks at the floor.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"He trusted the wrong people."
MARIAN:
"And you?"
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I trusted him."
Marian becomes quiet.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"He died because of me."
She stands.
MARIAN:
"That's why you're protecting me?"
He looks at her.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Maybe."
She walks closer.
MARIAN:
"You think protecting me will make up for what happened?"
He doesn't answer.
MARIAN:
"Dong-wook..."
He looks at her.
MARIAN:
"You can't save everyone."
His eyes become emotional.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I know."
A pause.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"But I can save you."
---
THE CONFESSION THAT ISN'T A CONFESSION
— RAIN
Rain begins outside.
Marian stands near the window.
Lee Dong-wook approaches.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Why did you come to Korea?"
MARIAN:
"I needed a break."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"From what?"
MARIAN:
"Everything."
She smiles sadly.
MARIAN:
"Sometimes being strong gets tiring."
He understands.
He gently places his hand on her shoulder.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"You don't have to be strong around me."
She looks at him.
MARIAN:
"That's dangerous."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Why?"
MARIAN:
"Because I might actually believe you."
He smiles softly.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Then believe me."
---
JEALOUSY
RESTAURANT
Marian and Lee Dong-wook eat dinner.
A handsome Korean doctor approaches Marian.
DOCTOR:
"Marian?"
She turns.
MARIAN:
"Doctor Kim?"
They hug.
Lee Dong-wook watches.
His expression becomes noticeably colder.
DOCTOR KIM:
"I didn't know you were in Seoul."
MARIAN:
"It's a vacation."
Doctor Kim looks at Lee Dong-wook.
DOCTOR KIM:
"Your boyfriend?"
Marian nearly chokes.
MARIAN:
"No!"
Lee Dong-wook calmly takes a sip of water.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Not yet."
Marian looks at him.
MARIAN:
"What?"
Doctor Kim laughs awkwardly.
DOCTOR KIM:
"Ah..."
He leaves.
Marian turns toward Lee Dong-wook.
MARIAN:
"Not yet?"
He looks completely calm.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I was being honest."
MARIAN:
"You can't just say things like that!"
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Why not?"
She becomes speechless.
He smiles.
---
THE TRUTH ARRIVE
THE FILE
That night, Lee Dong-wook receives a file.
Inside is information about Marian.
Her career.
Her grandfather.
Her family.
And one photograph.
His expression changes.
The report says:
"Subject is not random."
He reads further.
His eyes widen.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"No..."
He calls someone.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Who gave you this information?"
VOICE:
"We don't know."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Find out."
VOICE:
"There's one more thing."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"What?"
VOICE:
"Marian's grandfather knew your friend."
Silence.
Lee Dong-wook looks at the photograph again.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Impossible."
---
— THE CONFRONTATION
— MARIAN'S GRANDPARENT
Marian calls her family in the Philippines.
MARIAN:
"Mom, can I ask something about Lolo?"
Her mother becomes quiet.
MOTHER:
"Why?"
MARIAN:
"Did Lolo ever know someone in Korea?"
Silence.
MOTHER:
"Marian..."
MARIAN:
"Mom?"
MOTHER:
"Don't ask questions about that."
The call ends.
Marian stares at the phone.
MARIAN:
"Why is everyone hiding something?"
---
THE MOMENT
ROOFTOP
Lee Dong-wook finds Marian on the rooftop.
She looks upset.
He walks toward her.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"You're thinking about your grandfather."
She turns.
MARIAN:
"You knew."
He becomes silent.
MARIAN:
"You knew something about my grandfather."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I just found out."
MARIAN:
"And you weren't going to tell me?"
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I was trying to protect you."
MARIAN:
"Stop saying that!"
She becomes emotional.
MARIAN:
"I don't need someone who decides what I should know."
He looks at her.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"You're right."
She looks surprised.
He steps closer.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I don't know how to do this."
MARIAN:
"Do what?"
He looks into her eyes.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Care about someone without being afraid I'll lose them."
Marian becomes quiet.
He reaches for her hand.
She doesn't pull away.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I don't want to lose you."
She whispers:
MARIAN:
"You barely know me."
He smiles.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I know enough."
---
— THE KISS
Silence.
Marian looks at him.
He slowly moves closer.
She doesn't move away.
Their faces are inches apart.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Tell me to stop."
She looks into his eyes.
MARIAN:
"I won't."
He gently kisses her.
It's brief and tender.
They pull apart.
Marian looks embarrassed.
MARIAN:
"That wasn't supposed to happen."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"I know."
MARIAN:
"We're supposed to be investigating."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"We can investigate tomorrow."
She laughs.
MARIAN:
"You're impossible."
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"And you're smiling."
She touches her lips.
MARIAN:
"Shut up."
---
— THE REAL ENEMY
— UNKNOWN LOCATION
A mysterious man watches photographs of Marian and Lee Dong-wook.
He places one photograph on the table.
It's a photograph of Marian's grandfather from many years ago.
Beside him stands Lee Dong-wook's deceased friend.
The man smiles.
MYSTERIOUS MAN:
"So..."
He looks at Marian's photograph.
MYSTERIOUS MAN:
"The granddaughter finally came to Seoul."
Another man asks:
MAN:
"Should we take her?"
The mysterious man shakes his head.
MYSTERIOUS MAN:
"No."
He looks at Lee Dong-wook's photograph.
MYSTERIOUS MAN:
"Let him fall in love first."
---
FINAL SCENE
Marian sleeps.
Lee Dong-wook sits outside her hotel room.
He receives a message.
«"You don't know who Marian really is."»
He stares at it.
Another message arrives.
«"Her grandfather didn't save your friend seven years ago."»
His expression changes.
Then a final message:
«"He killed him."»
Lee Dong-wook slowly lowers the phone.
His eyes become cold.
He whispers:
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Marian..."
Inside the room, Marian wakes up.
She walks toward the door.
She opens it.
Lee Dong-wook immediately hides the phone.
MARIAN:
"Why are you still here?"
He looks at her.
His expression softens.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"Because I promised to protect you."
She smiles.
MARIAN:
"Goodnight, Dong-wook."
She closes the door.
His smile disappears.
He looks at the message again.
LEE DONG-WOOK:
"What did your grandfather do?"
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