INT. WAYNE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING
The house is quiet.
Warm evening light shines through the windows.
LAUREN sits on the couch, scrolling through her phone.
Her expression is calm, but her mind is clearly somewhere else.
She keeps thinking about WAYNE.
Lately, something about him feels different.
He still talks to her. He still smiles at her.
But Lauren feels like his attention is slowly changing.
A knock comes from the front door.
Lauren looks up, stands, and walks toward the door.
When she opens it, SHAYLA is standing outside.
Shayla looks serious.
LAUREN: Shayla? What brings you here?
SHAYLA: I need to talk to you.
Lauren notices the seriousness in Shayla’s voice.
She steps aside.
LAUREN: Come in.
Shayla walks inside.
Lauren closes the door behind her.
The two women sit across from each other.
For a moment, neither says anything.
Shayla takes a deep breath.
SHAYLA: Lauren, I’m going to tell you something because I think you need to know.
LAUREN: What happened?
SHAYLA: You need to watch out for D’Nisha.
Lauren’s expression changes.
She slowly puts her phone down.
LAUREN: D’Nisha? Why are you telling me to watch out for her?
Shayla leans forward.
SHAYLA: Because I think she’s getting too close to Wayne.
Lauren remains silent.
The words hit her harder than she expected.
LAUREN: What makes you think that?
SHAYLA: I’ve been watching the situation. D’Nisha has been spending more and more time around Wayne.
And the more time they spend together, the less attention Wayne seems to give you.
Lauren looks away. She tries to remain calm.
But deep inside, Shayla’s words are confirming something she has already been feeling.
LAUREN: I’ve noticed Wayne acting differently lately.
SHAYLA: Exactly. That’s why I came to talk to you. I don’t want you to ignore the signs.
Lauren folds her arms.
LAUREN: What signs?
SHAYLA: Wayne is giving D’Nisha more of his time.
He talks to her. He listens to her. He seems comfortable around her.
And if you don’t pay attention, you might wake up one day and realize that Wayne has completely changed where he gives his attention.
Lauren stares at Shayla.
LAUREN: Are you saying Wayne could start choosing D’Nisha over me?
SHAYLA: I’m saying you need to be careful.
I’m not telling you what Wayne is going to do. I’m telling you what I see happening.
Lauren walks toward the window.
Outside, the sky is beginning to darken.
LAUREN: I already had doubts about Wayne.
SHAYLA: Then trust your instincts.
Lauren turns around.
LAUREN: What exactly are you trying to tell me?
SHAYLA: I’m telling you that D’Nisha may become a bigger part of Wayne’s life than you realize.
And if that happens, Wayne might stop giving you the attention you’re used to.
He could start spending all his time with her.
He could start calling her more.
He could start making plans with her.
And before you know it, you’ll be standing on the outside wondering what happened.
Lauren slowly shakes her head.
LAUREN: No. I’m not going to let that happen without knowing the truth.
CUT TO:
INT. WAYNE’S OFFICE – NIGHT
Wayne sits behind his desk.
His phone is beside him.
He looks at a message on the screen.
A message from D’Nisha.
Wayne smiles slightly and types a response.
At that exact moment, Lauren walks into the office.
WAYNE: Lauren. You’re here.
LAUREN: Yes. I wanted to see you.
WAYNE: Is everything okay?
Lauren walks closer.
She notices his phone.
WAYNE quickly places it face down on the desk.
LAUREN: Who were you talking to?
WAYNE: Just someone from the podcast.
LAUREN: D’Nisha?
Wayne pauses.
That brief silence says more than Lauren expected.
WAYNE: Why are you asking about D’Nisha?
LAUREN: Because I’ve noticed how much time you’ve been spending with her.
WAYNE: Lauren, it’s not what you think.
LAUREN: I didn’t say what I think. I asked you a question.
WAYNE: D’Nisha works with us. Of course I’m going to talk to her.
LAUREN: Talking to someone is one thing. Giving them all your attention is another.
Wayne stares at Lauren.
He can tell she is upset.
WAYNE: Who told you that?
Lauren says nothing.
She walks past him.
WAYNE: Lauren!
She stops but doesn’t turn around.
LAUREN: I’m going to figure things out for myself.
She walks away.
Wayne watches her leave.
CUT TO:
INT. WAYNE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – LATER
Shayla is still with Lauren.
Lauren walks back into the room.
Her expression has changed.
She looks more determined than before.
SHAYLA: What happened?
LAUREN: I asked Wayne about D’Nisha.
SHAYLA: And?
LAUREN: He became defensive.
LAUREN: From today onward, I’m going to keep a close eye on Wayne.
SHAYLA: Good. Because you deserve to know the truth.
Lauren’s expression becomes firm.
LAUREN: I’m not going to accuse anyone without proof. But I’m also not going to sit back and pretend I don’t see what’s happening.
SHAYLA: That’s the right way to handle it.
Lauren picks up her phone and looks at a picture of herself and Wayne.
Her expression softens for a moment.
Then the doubt returns.
LAUREN: If Wayne really is becoming closer to D’Nisha, I’m going to find out.
SHAYLA: And what will you do if you discover that your fears were right?
Lauren looks up.
LAUREN: Then Wayne is going to have some explaining to do.
Shayla watches her carefully.
The room becomes silent.
Lauren looks toward the window.
Her mind races with questions.
Who is Wayne really giving his attention to?
Why has D’Nisha become so important to him?
And how long has this been happening?
Lauren knows she cannot ignore the situation anymore.
Her suspicion has turned into certainty that something needs to be investigated.
LAUREN: I’m going to watch everything. Every conversation. Every phone call. Every time Wayne chooses to spend his time with D’Nisha.
SHAYLA: Then be ready for whatever you discover.
LAUREN: I will. Because if D’Nisha is really coming between me and Wayne, I’m going to find out the truth.