D’Nisha Confronts Anthony After He Gives Shayla Money
INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – AFTERNOON
The house is quiet. Anthony stands near the couch as Shayla enters the room. She looks nervous but determined.
ANTHONY
Shayla, what’s going on? You look worried.
Shayla takes a deep breath and slowly looks at Anthony.
SHAYLA
Anthony, I need some help. I have some things I need to take care of, and I don’t know who else to ask.
ANTHONY
How much do you need?
SHAYLA
I don’t want to put you in the middle of anything. I just need a little help for the baby.
Anthony looks at her for a moment. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out some cash.
ANTHONY
Here. Take this. You shouldn’t have to struggle when it comes to our child.
Shayla looks down at the money in her hand.
SHAYLA
Thank you, Anthony. I really appreciate it.
Before Anthony can respond, a voice suddenly comes from the doorway.
TAMARA
Wait a minute!
Anthony and Shayla turn around. Tamara stands in the doorway, staring at them in disbelief.
TAMARA
What exactly am I looking at?
ANTHONY
Tamara, it’s not what you think.
TAMARA
Then explain it to me. Why are you giving Shayla money?
Tamara steps closer, her voice becoming louder.
TAMARA
Are you cheating on D’Nisha with Shayla?
ANTHONY
No! That’s not what’s happening. Shayla is my baby’s mother. I have a responsibility to help her when she needs something.
TAMARA
Responsibility? Or something more?
Shayla becomes uncomfortable and looks away.
SHAYLA
Tamara, please don’t make this something it isn’t.
TAMARA
I’m not talking to you right now.
ANTHONY
Enough. Shayla came here because she needed help. I gave her money for the baby. That’s it.
TAMARA
D’Nisha needs to know about this.
Anthony’s expression changes. He realizes that this situation is about to become much bigger than he expected.
ANTHONY
Tamara, don’t do this.
TAMARA
No. She deserves to know.
INT. D’NISHA’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – LATER
D’Nisha sits on the couch when Tamara enters. Tamara’s serious expression immediately catches her attention.
D’NISHA
Tamara, what happened?
TAMARA
D’Nisha, I don’t even know how to tell you this.
D’NISHA
Just tell me.
TAMARA
I saw Anthony with Shayla.
D’Nisha’s expression immediately changes.
D’NISHA
Anthony and Shayla?
TAMARA
Yes. Shayla came to Anthony’s house, and Anthony gave her money.
D’NISHA
He gave her money?
TAMARA
Yes. Anthony said Shayla is the mother of his baby, so he was helping her.
D’Nisha becomes increasingly angry.
D’NISHA
So he thinks he can just give Shayla money without telling me?
TAMARA
That’s what I saw.
D’Nisha stands up and grabs her phone.
D’NISHA
I’m going to talk to Anthony myself.
INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – EVENING
Anthony sits alone in the living room. He knows D’Nisha is going to confront him.
Suddenly, the front door opens. D’Nisha walks inside with an angry expression.
ANTHONY
D’Nisha—
D’NISHA
Don’t!
Anthony stops. D’Nisha walks toward him.
D’NISHA
Did you give Shayla money today?
ANTHONY
Yes.
D’NISHA
So it’s true?
ANTHONY
Yes, but you need to understand why.
D’NISHA
I understand enough. You had Shayla in your house, gave her money, and didn’t think I deserved to know?
ANTHONY
I wasn’t hiding anything from you. Shayla needed help with the baby.
D’NISHA
Then why didn’t you tell me?
ANTHONY
Because I knew you would get angry.
D’Nisha stares at Anthony in disbelief. His answer makes her even more upset.
D’NISHA
So you knew it would hurt me, and you did it anyway?
ANTHONY
That’s not what I meant.
D’NISHA
You always say you’re trying to do the right thing, but somehow I’m always the last person to know!
Anthony takes a step closer, trying to calm her down.
ANTHONY
D’Nisha, please listen to me.
D’Nisha suddenly slaps Anthony. The room becomes completely silent.
D’NISHA
That was for making me feel like I don’t matter.
ANTHONY
You think I’m cheating on you?
D’NISHA
I don’t know what to think anymore!
ANTHONY
I have never cheated on you.
D’NISHA
Then prove it!
Anthony looks down, realizing that words alone may not be enough to repair D’Nisha’s trust.
D’NISHA
If Shayla is only the mother of your child, then there need to be boundaries.
ANTHONY
I understand.
D’NISHA
No, I don’t think you do. You can help your child. I will never tell you not to be a father. But you cannot make decisions behind my back and expect me to stay quiet.
ANTHONY
You’re right. I should have told you.
D’NISHA
And now I need to know something else.
ANTHONY
What?
D’NISHA
How often have you been giving Shayla money?
Anthony freezes. D’Nisha immediately notices his hesitation.
D’NISHA
Why did you stop talking?
ANTHONY
Because there’s something you don’t know.
D’NISHA
What don’t I know?
Anthony takes a deep breath. The secret he has been avoiding may finally come out.
ANTHONY
Shayla didn’t only come to ask for money.
D’NISHA
Then why did she come?
Anthony struggles to answer. Suddenly, his phone rings.
He looks at the screen. It is Shayla.
D’NISHA
Answer it.
ANTHONY
D’Nisha—
D’NISHA
I said answer it.
Anthony slowly answers the call.
ANTHONY
Hello?
SHAYLA
Anthony, we need to talk. There’s something I have to tell you about the baby.
ANTHONY
What happened?
SHAYLA
I can’t say it over the phone. You need to come see me.
The call ends. Anthony slowly lowers his phone.
D’NISHA
What did she mean?
Anthony remains silent.
D’NISHA
Anthony, what is Shayla hiding?
Anthony looks torn between telling D’Nisha the truth and protecting Shayla. D’Nisha’s patience is running out.
D’NISHA
If there’s another secret between you and Shayla, I promise you, I’m going to find out.
D’Nisha turns toward the door.
D’NISHA
And until I get the truth, don’t expect me to trust you.
FINAL MOMENT
D’Nisha walks out, leaving Anthony standing alone in the living room. He stares at the closed door, overwhelmed by everything that has happened.
His phone remains in his hand.
Suddenly, another message from Shayla appears on the screen.
“Anthony, please come alone. You need to know the truth.”
Anthony’s face turns serious.
Whatever Shayla is about to reveal could change everything between Anthony and D’Nisha.
FADE OUT.
What will D’Nisha do when she discovers the truth about Shayla?