Boyfriend Sharing System

Clara I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to hurt you, you know I would never do something like that to you, it’s just… I don’t know, I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry.. you are sorry, is sorry going to fix this, I trusted you, how could you, I thought you said you didn’t like him?? how could you Sarah?? you are telling me you are sorry now ?? i trusted…you know what I hate you, I hate the fact I loved you as my sister, you are… Sarah and clara are best of friends that fell in love with the same boy, who is he? and who is he going to pick among them?? find out in this romance novel

Drowned, betrayed, and humiliated—Brandon’s life ended in the most pathetic way possible. But when he opened his eyes again, he was no longer Brandon. Reborn as Noah Weaverheart—in a novel he had read—the spoiled yet talentless son of a duchess, he quickly realizes a cruel truth: he’s nothing more than a stepping stone, fated to die in the first 30 chapters of this world’s story. But fate isn’t set in stone. Because he now has the Sovereign Bond System, a power that allows him to share everything from the women he bonds with—but at 10,000 times the quality. — [Ding! You have bonded with Neko Neko.] [Ding! You have shared the affinity and talent of Neko Neko.] [Ding! You have obtained the affinity: Ice (SSS rank) and the talent: Sovereign of Ice (SSS rank).] Noah’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. If this world wanted him to be a stepping stone, then he’d crush the so-called protagonist, steal his harem, and rewrite destiny itself. Discord link: https://discord.gg/Y7S3ZH5qPy Characters art by @Darkstar116.

Cha Jae-Won, a Korean Chaebeol second in line heir finds himself in a hospital in Africa. With the language barrier and with his frustration, he meets Vincent Agyemang. A Ghanaian handsome man,22, who happens to understand a few Korean. Their fates entwined when Vincent almost hit Cha Jae-Won with his car. Vincent decides to help Cha Jae-Won by taking him home. How he ended up in Africa, no one knows. With his new found Ghanaian friend/helper, and the moment they had. Can Vincent be able to resist the hot handsome/beautiful Korean and can Jae-Won resist the smooth black, hot and handsome Vincent? A Few Years Later Secretary Kim, “ The meeting is adjourned” Vincent, “Jae Won, I’ve missed you so much” Jae Won, “Excuse me, do I know you?” Vincent, “yeah you do, I’m your boyfriend. Why didn’t you contact me” Jae Won, “I’m sorry, I don’t like men and besides I have a fiancé. Secretary Kim, help this man out, would you?” Secretary Kim, “yes sir. This way” WHAT HAPPENED?

Being a twin isn’t always fun— it is heartbreaking. Ebby and Abby have always been inseparable, two sides of the same coin. But while Abby shines in the spotlight, Ebby is used to being in the background… until Jason walks in. Jason, Abby’s charming and mysterious boyfriend, sees something in Ebby that no one else ever has. At first, it’s just a few harmless conversations, a few lingering glances. But what begins as a strange connection soon spirals into forbidden feelings neither Ebby nor Jason can control. Torn between her loyalty to her sister and the emotions she can no longer deny, Ebby finds herself trapped in a dangerous love triangle—one that could destroy her bond with Abby forever. As secrets unravel and trust is shattered, Ebby must decide: follow her heart and risk everything, or walk away and lose her one chance at real love.

Most believed the beast is ment to kill, Absorbs, distruct and destroy but a girl from a small town village proves them wrong, as the advantures goes on she belived the Beast is the one keeping people safe from other Creatures, Their journey together ended up falling for eachother.

You know what’s funny? These days, every so-called villain story is the same. Some guy gets betrayed, turns cold, starts playing 5D chess with people’s lives, acts heartless—but deep down, he’s always the victim. Always wearing that mask of pain to justify why he’s screwing others over. It’s become a trend. If he’s not manipulating the heroines, crushing the hero under his boots, and pretending like he’s saving the world by destroying it, people say he’s not a real villain—just another edgy antihero. But me? I don’t see villains like that. To me, a villain is just… a human. A man who’s kind when he chooses to be, cruel when he has to be. He’s not trying to prove anything to the world—he just refuses to be someone else’s puppet. And yeah, sometimes that means breaking rules, breaking trust, even breaking people. This story? It’s not about redemption or pity. It’s about a man the world calls a villain, but who’s just doing what he must to survive in a world that was never fair to begin with. He plays fate like a rigged game. The heroines? Destined for someone else? He rewrites that. Make them love him... because he can. The ‘son of heaven’? He crushes him, not for glory—but to show the heavens he’s not below them. Yeah, he lies. Makes promises he never plans to keep. He takes what he wants, even if it means tearing down everything in his way—including love. But if you look a little closer… beneath all that chaos and manipulation… there’s a heart. Not soft. Not perfect. But real. This isn’t the story of a man trying to be a villain. This is the story of a man who stopped pretending to be one. In this story, the heroines will feel. Really feel. Not just cry on cue or exist to fall in love—they’ll ache, rage, doubt, hope. And the villain? He’ll feel too. But not in the way that makes him soft or fragile. No, his emotions make him terrifying. He doesn’t run from what he feels—he owns it. Wields it. Turns it into fuel. So when he falls for someone, it’s not a weakness—it’s a warning. Because once he decides he wants her, he’ll make sure she falls too. Not by luck. Not by fate. By design. That’s the difference. He doesn’t fall in love hoping to be loved back. He falls in love, and then bends her world until it becomes inevitable. And no, he won’t save her out of pity. He’ll destroy anyone who touches what’s his—but never out of mercy. His pity is saved for people who were too shallow to understand him in the first place. See, this villain isn’t the typical archetype. He’s not cold for the sake of being cold. He’s not pretending to be empty inside. He feels more than anyone else—more than the heroines, more than the so-called heroes. That’s what makes him dangerous. He can love deeper. Hurt harder. Manipulate smarter. And that’s why he has to be just a little more ruthless than them all. Because in a world that demands you hide your heart to survive—he doesn’t hide it. He sharpens it. TAGS— Villain MC, Antihero, R-18, Dark, Manipulative Protagonist, Netorare (NTR), Smut, Possessive Male Lead, Yandere, Harem, Reverse NTR, Mature, Psychological, Cold Protagonist, Revenge, No Redemption, Scheming MC, Ruthless MC, Obsession, Overpowered MC, Seduction, Love and Betrayal, Dark Romance, Emotional Manipulation, Heartbreak, Love-Hate Relationship, Power Play, Mind Games, Tragic Past, Slow Burn, Dominant Male Lead, Twisted Love, Alpha Male, Dark Fantasy, System, Morally Grey MC, Complex Relationships, Red Flags, Gaslighting, Unforgivable Actions, Villainous Love Interest, Control, Domination, Ambiguous Morality, Forbidden Romance, MILFs

Meili is a once-in-a-generation beauty raised in secrecy in the inner courtyards. To keep her safe from the palace concubine selections, her family conspires to make everyone, including her, believe that she's ugly. The secret's revealed when 3 peeping Tom’s get more than they bargained for spying on the 'ugly sister' bathing. The perverts are best friends, a young commander, the second prince, and an admired poet, and the 3 young men compete fiercely for her affections. As Meili emerges from 16 years in seclusion, her deeply rooted body dysmorphia has hilarious consequences as she misreads her interactions with men and proves to be a far more complex puzzle to woo than any of them are equipped for. A cdrama romcom where a young girl is a glittering prize trying her hardest not to be won. [#teen #lovequadrangle #historicalromance #romcom #chinesedrama #sweetromance] EXTRACT: Meili slipped out of her robe and sat on a ledge in the warm pool. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, tiny silver bells tinkled as she moved. It felt wonderful to be free of her chest binding. It was starting to get quite painful. She didn't dare stop wearing it in case it encouraged her already disconcertingly large breasts to keep expanding. It was onto this scene that the Commander, the Prince and the poet happened, as they soundlessly raised their heads above the peaked roofline. For a full minute not one of them moved or breathed. Her long hair covered her generous curves, allowing tantalising glimpses. She reached behind her neck to push back her hair. Commander Bai, realising what was about to happen, clamped each of his hands firmly over the eyes of the Prince and Tan Bowen. A fight broke out on the ridge-line as the men clawed and scratched in a panicked attempt to see what came next. Meili looked up in fright, just as the commander forcefully pushed his two friends, sliding them down the steep rooftop. For just a split second, the eyes of Commander Bai and Meili met.

My Alien Boyfriend Next Door: Seventeen-year-old Zoe Miller's life in a quiet, ordinary town is anything but normal, especially when the mysterious Vian family moves in next door just before senior year. Zoe, a quirky loner with a secret obsession for alien conspiracies, is immediately drawn to Asher, the new family's impossibly handsome, quiet, and intensely observant son. Their connection is instant and undeniable, fueled by an inexplicable pull Zoe can't understand, and a potent, biological mating bond that Asher, an alien from the advanced Vian civilization, struggles to hide. As their secret romance blossoms—from awkward shared meals, to quiet study sessions interrupted by Zoe's suspicious Sheriff father, David, and finally, to a first kiss on a trampoline—Asher finds himself falling irrevocably for Zoe. He reveals his true identity and the truth of his family's fugitive status from their own rigid Vian High Council. Their love deepens, cementing their mating bond, and when Zoe discovers she's pregnant with a hybrid alien-human child, their lives are thrown into high-stakes chaos. David, meanwhile, has been meticulously investigating the Vians, his lawman's gut screaming something is wrong. When he finds explicit messages between Zoe and Asher, his fury erupts, leading to a public confrontation. In the aftermath, Asher's parents, Elena and Ryan, desperate to protect their son and their anonymity, attempt a memory wipe on Asher. But the completed mating bond proves stronger than Vian technology, and Asher's memories (and his knowledge of the baby) are restored by Zoe's touch. Now fully aware of the escalating danger, Zoe discovers David has contacted Area 51. With her mother, Clara, as her heartbroken, secret confidante, Zoe makes the agonizing choice to run away with Asher and his parents. Their escape is desperate, constantly threatened by specialized government units and the terrifying onset of separation sickness if Asher and Zoe are apart for more than a day. The stakes skyrocket when David, unable to let go, uses a burner phone to trick Zoe into a meeting, leading to her capture. At the clandestine facility, David makes a horrifying discovery: his daughter is pregnant. Shattered by this truth, he chooses his daughter and unborn grandchild over his mission, orchestrating a daring escape. The reunited family, now with David as an unlikely ally, embarks on a desperate race to an ancient Vian pyramid, the only place capable of a memory reset that will erase all human knowledge of them. "My Alien Boyfriend Next Door" is a story of extraordinary love, sacrifice, and the enduring power of family, proving that even across galaxies, some bonds are truly forever.

With pure pressure put on Liana, she has no choice but to pay a low street guy to be her boyfriend. little did she know that she is the key to unleashing the ancient locked Greek god of the Vams world. Finding out that her low life boyfriend was not just human but a freaking wealthy vampire.

In the future, there are many more men than women in the world. At first, things were normal, but slowly women became fewer and fewer. Many women were sad and started to give up on life, so the leaders made new rules to protect them. People could live a very long time, but having babies became harder. To keep the world going, new laws allowed women to have more power and share husbands. This story is about a girl named Fifi growing up in a world with lots of men and learning how to live and love.

Li Mei was sent by her boyfriend — a top police officer — to seduce and destroy his most dangerous enemy: the cold, powerful mafia boss Xiang Luo. But what happens when the mission turns into obsession... and she ends up marrying the man she was sent to betray? Love. Lies. Revenge. One woman caught between two powerful men — and only one will win her heart. "You're still thinking about it," he said, voice low, like a warning and a plea rolled into one. Li Mei didn't turn around. "Of course I am. You want me to walk into the lion's den, Jun. This isn't a small-time gangster. This is Xiang Luo. The mafia king who owns an island like it's his personal kingdom." He stood and walked over, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "And you're the only one I trust to pull this off." She turned her face to look at him, brows furrowed. "That's not fair. Don't make this about trust when it's about obsession." His grip tightened, just slightly. "It's not obsession. It's justice." Li Mei pulled away gently. "No, Jun. This is personal. It always has been. You've been chasing this man for years, even when there was no evidence, no case. You talk about justice, but sometimes... I don't recognize the man you've become." There was silence. A tense, heavy pause. Then Jun stepped back, emotion flickering in his eyes — something raw, something dangerous. "Because you've never seen what he did to my family," he whispered. "You've only seen what I let you see." She blinked. "What do you mean—?" He cut her off with a soft kiss on her forehead. "Please, Mei. Just this once. Go undercover. Get close to him. Just for a month. I'll have surveillance ready. You get me what I need, and we'll be done. He'll be gone. And we'll finally be free." search Villain Emperor in youtube 2subscribers https://youtube.com/@explainersuyash?si=e5JgxqG8D6rKIUP9 Paste in browser and subscribe villain emperor there will be premium chapters coming on there with audio.

**Credit to the real owner of the cover photo** Lee Nana finds herself caught up in the middle of a drama she knows nothing about, when she accepts the request of her best friend to stand in for her as an hired girlfriend. She meets and falls in love with Kim Tan who happens to be her boyfriend's best friend unknowing to her, and drama ensues as different love triangles are formed. Lee Nana comes to find out that she isn't really who she thinks she is, and everyone around her is keeping one secret or the other from her. She gets to understand how one decision can change a person's life as well as those around her for the better... Or maybe for worse. ******** Tan locked eyes with her over his wineglass, she was pretty as sin. He wanted her, he wanted to take her right there. He could barely remember the last time he felt this strongly about any woman. What surprised him most was the fact that he didn't just want her body, he wanted her heart too. Most of the women he knew were all golddiggers, and he could get any of them between his sheets for the right price, so why the hell was this one proving stubborn? She shifted her gaze from his, "The wine is nice," She said smiling nervously, wanting to say anything to break the silence. She may be naive but she knew desire when she saw it, and she could see it written all over his eyes. The thought of it made her heartbeat quicken. 'You have a boyfriend, what are you doing letting yourself get attracted to this guy?' she asked herself. He could tell she was nervous, it made him smile. It reassured him to know he still had that effect on females, especially this one that roused everything in him. He reached across the table and placed his hand over her hand making her jump. He chuckled, "Calm down girl, I don't bite. you just look so nervous, I wanted to calm you down." He said, laughter dancing in his eyes. "I'd appreciate it if you keep your hands to yourself. I don't appreciate being touched randomly like that," She said with a frown. "I'm sorry, I'll try to let you know before I touch you next time," he said with a smile, making her know he intended to touch her again. "We'll be attending the wedding tomorrow with you as my date. I hope you won't jump up everytime I touch you. that would raise suspicion don't you think?" He said with a wicked glint in his eyes "Isn't that what this whole week has been about? You have nothing to worry about, I'll do it right. But until then keep your hands to yourself." She said with a polite smile. We'll see about that. Tan thought. PS: Credit to the real owner of the cover photo (The photo doesn't belong to me)

When broke college student Noah Reyes takes a mysterious job as a "contract boyfriend" for a cold, powerful heiress, he thinks it's just a paycheck. Pretend to be in love, smile for the cameras, collect the cash. Easy. But Celeste Langford is no ordinary client—she’s rich, ruthless, and hiding secrets behind her icy stare. What begins as a staged romance quickly spirals into something far more complicated, as Noah is drawn into her world of power plays, family scandals, and carefully constructed lies. The rules are simple: No real feelings. No messy emotions. Just business. But hearts don’t follow contracts.

In a world teetering on the brink of chaos, The Echoes Of A Shared Past follows the harrowing journey of Amelia, a woman driven by grief, vengeance, and an insatiable desire for justice. Betrayed by her former lover Valerius, and haunted by the tragic loss of Kaelen, the man she loved, Amelia embarks on a perilous quest to harness the dark powers of the Spider Weed—a fabled plant said to grant immortality and unimaginable strength at a great cost. Amelia’s path is riddled with trials, both physical and emotional, as she delves into forbidden caves, battles her own inner demons, and faces the monstrous guardian of the Spider Weed. Along the way, she encounters Syra, an enigmatic old witch who serves as both a guide and a warning, foretelling the dire consequences of Amelia’s thirst for revenge. Meanwhile, Valerius, a man torn between his duty and the lingering affection he harbors for Amelia, is drawn into the fray. Unaware of the full extent of her ambitions, he seeks to find her before the darkness consumes her entirely. As allies become enemies, and the line between good and evil blurs, both Amelia and Valerius must confront their pasts and the painful truths that bind them. The story reaches its crescendo as Amelia transforms into something far beyond human, standing at the gates of Valerius’s palace—a being forged by rage and sorrow, poised to exact vengeance. But as the weight of her choices bears down on her, the question remains: will she destroy everything she once loved, or will she find a way to reclaim her humanity? Echoes Of A Shared Past is a tale of love, loss, and the consuming power of vengeance. In a world where ambition and destiny collide, Amelia’s journey is a haunting reminder that the cost of revenge is often far greater than imagined.

"Madisyn, I need to know!" Joey's voice trembled with urgency, her eyes searching Madisyn's for answers. "You don't deserve to know!" Madisyn shot back, her voice cracking as tears welled up in her eyes. "Not after you broke up with me!" Her words dissolved into sobs, her chest heaving with the weight of her emotions. "Please," Joey's voice softened, filled with desperation. "Just tell me… is the kid you're pregnant with mine or is it my brother's?" --- Madisyn had always envisioned a simple, colorful life. She dreamed of nurturing her children with love and being a devoted mother, building the family she had always longed for. After years of falling for the wrong men, she thought she had finally found the perfect one, the man who would complete her picture of happiness. But she had made a grave mistake. In her eagerness for love, she had handed over her heart too quickly, trusting too easily. It was a mistake that would cost her dearly when he abandoned her at the altar, leaving her humiliated on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. As if that betrayal wasn’t enough, she soon uncovered the bitter truth: his love had never been real. He had faked every tender word, every promise of forever. But fate has a way of balancing the scales. Madisyn knew that revenge was a dish best served cold, and what could be more satisfying than turning to the one person her ex hated most? His own brother. Dating his brother wasn't just about moving on; it was about reclaiming her power. It was about showing him that she could rise from the ashes he left behind and find love in the most unexpected place—right under his nose.

"Madisyn, I need to know!" Joey's voice trembled with urgency, her eyes searching Madisyn's for answers. "You don't deserve to know!" Madisyn shot back, her voice cracking as tears welled up in her eyes. "Not after you broke up with me!" Her words dissolved into sobs, her chest heaving with the weight of her emotions. "Please," Joey's voice softened, filled with desperation. "Just tell me… is the kid you're pregnant with mine or is it my brother's?" --- Madisyn had always envisioned a simple, colorful life. She dreamed of nurturing her children with love and being a devoted mother, building the family she had always longed for. After years of falling for the wrong men, she thought she had finally found the perfect one, the man who would complete her picture of happiness. But she had made a grave mistake. In her eagerness for love, she had handed over her heart too quickly, trusting too easily. It was a mistake that would cost her dearly when he abandoned her at the altar, leaving her humiliated on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. As if that betrayal wasn’t enough, she soon uncovered the bitter truth: his love had never been real. He had faked every tender word, every promise of forever. But fate has a way of balancing the scales. Madisyn knew that revenge was a dish best served cold, and what could be more satisfying than turning to the one person her ex hated most? His own brother. Dating his brother wasn't just about moving on; it was about reclaiming her power. It was about showing him that she could rise from the ashes he left behind and find love in the most unexpected place—right under his nose.

siapa sih yang kenal gue Preman nomor satu di sekolah SMA Bina Pertiwi yang mukannya setampan aktor Korea Lee Min-ho Hahaha kenalin nama gue Elang Janus Arigel.

She's Lynn Irene Samantha Andrea Villanueva or Lisa V for short. She's just an average girl with the looks and has a big hole in her world. Because she can't move on from her ex-boyfriend ano nga tawag nila dun, MARUPOK! 'yon! He's Florencio Mendoza Aremos. He's tall, handsome, and most importantly, he's a GEEK! His intelligence has been feared by almost every school in the state of Bushack Loofah. But deep inside of him, his tragic past, burning like a wildfire that will incinerate his world if it means to say, Deja Vu. Lisa X Florencio. Magkaibang mundo, Ipinagtagpo. Does this mean that for trillions upon trillions of universes, at sa dami pa ng mga tao, sila pa yung itinadhana para sa isa't-isa?

[Welcome to doom's day] "Sup nerd!" I heard a deep sexy voice behind me, making me turn to face the one and only heartthrob of our school. "Hey! I'm not a nerd!" I retorted back feeling my cheeks turn red in annoyance. "Really?" He asked with a mocking tone and an annoying smirk. - June Evans a senior year high school student who had a huge crush on her supposed trouble maker for a very long time. Alexander Stone, handsome young hunk who seek every opportunity to disturb the only girl he had his eyes on. What will happen when they decide to open up and face their long time crush? When the villain comes to disrupt something wonderful. Look out for the supporting characters also. We're all in for one heck of a crush ride.

This isn't your typical romance novel...unless you consider drowning the love of your life as part of the classic rom-com formula. I let my pride take the wheel and oopsies daisies, silly me! Honestly, it’s kind of funny—if you like dark humor and awkward situations. I thought this river was just your average body of water, but turns out, life loves throwing curveballs. Now, we have to break this curse or we knows how long we'll be stuck here. Weeks? Months? Years? This novel has it all: comedy, mystery, slice of life, revenge (because apparently that’s what happens when you kill someone), and the supernatural (because why not?). The tone can get a bit dark sometimes, but hey, at least the comedy and slice of life stuff will keep you from crying too much.

[TRIGGER WARNING: DARK THEMES, MATURE CONTENT.] In a world where humans, werewolves, vampires, fey, and other supernatural beings coexist, Isleen; an Omega who has been subject to multiple bullying and ridicule in the pack because of her parent's past, faces a challenging dilemma. She's dating Kylo but unexpectedly discovers that his strict father, Rhett, who is the pack’s Gamma, is her destined mate. Conflict arises as a war breaks out among the supernatural creatures and the death toll rises. Isleen struggles with her loyalty to her boyfriend, and the powerful pull she feels towards his father, due to the mate bond. —— Imagine getting married at Eighteen to a woman old enough to be your mother– all because of your loyalty to the Moon Goddess? Welcome to Rhett’s reality. Rhett DarkWater is a man of principles but not without his share of secrets and hidden missions. After finding out who his second fated mate is, he battles with his devotion to the Moon Goddess, his loyalty to his son, and his duty as the Gamma who is supposed to protect the pack—not have his son’s girlfriend pinned beneath him in a corner with her clothes off. Unfortunately for Rhett and Isleen, the mate bond knows no morality – it attacks, and when it does, two hearts must become one. —— I and Gamma Rhett just kissed again. He knelt before me, his hand reaching out to touch me, but I flinched away. "Isleen," he muttered. "This is wrong," I cried. "We can't do this. It's forbidden. W-what about Kylo?” He stared at me, his eyes burning with a passion that frightened me to the core. Yet, it left tingling sensational effects all over my body. "Don't fight it, Isleen. We are mates. This is what we're meant for." ~~ Follow me on all socials; @HeeSha_TA Read my other works: ”My Masked CEO is a Fairy Prince!” “Forbidden Heaven’s Descendants (The Chosen One)” “Medusa and a Magical School” “Mysterious People Next Door” I hope to get to know you in the comments. Happy reading. Cheers!

She hired him to forget her past. But what if she unlocks something real? Dream Inc. sells fantasy relationships performed by neural-linked actors. The rules are simple: follow the script. Stay in character. Never fall for the client. But Sera Shaw’s fantasy is dangerous… A biotech heiress raised by a strict father, she hires Dream Inc. to recreate what she thought love was: a controlling, cruel, and destructive partner who mirrors the man she had to survive. Enter Ryden Kamakura, a gifted engineer trying to erase a violent past by submitting to the company that erased his crimes. Buried in debt and guilt, he now works as a neural link tester in Dream Inc.’s experimental emotional simulation program. He agrees to play the part on Sera’s stage—for a price. But he’s not like Derek Callahan—the golden boy who broke her. And when fantasy starts to blur with memory, Sera must choose between the man she's trying to forget… or an unscripted detour.

Maya thought she and Kian were building something real—something safe. He was gentle with her heart, made her laugh on the worst days, and kissed her like she was the only one. But love has layers. Secrets, too. When Maya stumbles upon a piece of Kian’s past—one name, Ivan—everything starts to feel… off. The way Kian tenses when Ivan’s name comes up. The glances. The silences. The space growing between them. She never imagined the man she loved could love someone else too—and that someone might be a man. My Boyfriend Is Bisexual is a tender, gut-wrenching journey through love, identity, and the truths we hide to protect the people we care about. It’s about discovering that love isn’t always either/or—and sometimes, the hardest part isn’t the truth itself, but what it changes between hearts that thought they knew each other.