WELCOME
Anthony, D’Nisha & Shayla — A Proposal Nobody Expected
ANTHONY’S PROPOSAL TURNS INTO CHAOS
SCENE 1 — TURKS AND CAICOS — EVENING
The beautiful sunset covers the beach as waves gently crash against the shore.
Anthony stands near a decorated setup with candles, flowers, and a small table.
Hidden inside his jacket is a ring.
He takes a deep breath, looking nervous but excited.
D’Nisha walks toward him, completely unaware of the surprise waiting for her.
ANTHONY
D’Nisha, I wanted tonight to be different. I wanted to show you how serious I am about us.
D’NISHA
Anthony, what are you talking about? You’re acting suspicious.
Anthony smiles and slowly reaches toward his pocket. Before he can pull out the ring, a voice suddenly comes from behind them.
SCENE 2 — THE INTERRUPTION
SHAYLA
Anthony! Stop!
Anthony freezes. D’Nisha turns around in shock.
Shayla walks toward them, emotional and determined.
ANTHONY
Shayla? What are you doing here?
Shayla looks at the ring in Anthony’s hand. Her expression changes.
SHAYLA
So it’s true. You were really about to propose to her.
D’NISHA
Excuse me? Why are you stopping him?
SHAYLA
Because I need to tell you something before you make the biggest decision of your life.
Shayla takes a deep breath.
SHAYLA
I still have feelings for you.
D’Nisha looks stunned. Anthony slowly lowers the ring.
ANTHONY
Shayla, we have history. I will never deny that. But my life is moving forward.
SHAYLA
Then why does it feel like you keep leaving the door open?
ANTHONY
Because I care about you. But caring about you doesn’t mean I want to be with you.
SCENE 3 — D’NISHA CONFRONTS SHAYLA
D’Nisha steps between them.
D’NISHA
Okay, I’ve heard enough.
D’NISHA
You knew Anthony was here with me. You knew what was happening. So why did you come here?
SHAYLA
Because I needed to say what I feel.
D’NISHA
And you think your feelings give you the right to stop my relationship?
SHAYLA
I’m not trying to steal anybody. I’m telling Anthony the truth.
D’NISHA
The truth is that Anthony chose me.
Anthony steps forward, trying to calm them down.
ANTHONY
Both of you, please. I don’t want this to become a fight.
But the tension continues to rise.
SHAYLA
Anthony, you can’t just pretend our past never happened.
D’NISHA
And you can’t keep using the past to control his future!
ANTHONY
Enough!
SCENE 4 — ANGELINA ARRIVES
Suddenly, Angelina walks toward the group. She immediately notices Shayla’s emotional expression.
ANGELINA
Shayla, what happened?
SHAYLA
Mom, Anthony was about to propose to D’Nisha.
Angelina looks directly at Anthony.
ANGELINA
Anthony, is that true?
ANTHONY
Yes. I was.
Angelina steps closer. Her expression becomes serious.
ANGELINA
Then I have something to say.
ANGELINA
You are not treating my daughter right. You need to think about her feelings too.
ANTHONY
Angelina, I never wanted to hurt Shayla.
ANGELINA
But she is hurt!
SCENE 5 — ANTHONY DEFENDS HIS DECISION
Anthony takes a breath and looks at Shayla.
ANTHONY
Shayla, I’m sorry for every time I made you feel like there was still something between us.
ANTHONY
But I cannot change the past. I can only decide what I do now.
ANGELINA
And what are you deciding?
Anthony looks at D’Nisha.
ANTHONY
I’m choosing D’Nisha.
Shayla looks heartbroken. Angelina remains disappointed.
ANGELINA
So you’re just going to walk away from my daughter like none of this ever mattered?
ANTHONY
It mattered. But that doesn’t mean I can give Shayla the future she wants.
SCENE 6 — THE FINAL PROPOSAL
Shayla steps forward one last time.
SHAYLA
Anthony, if you propose tonight, everything changes.
SHAYLA
After that ring goes on her finger, there is no going back.
Anthony looks down at the ring in his hand. D’Nisha watches him carefully.
ANGELINA
My daughter deserves somebody who understands what she feels.
ANTHONY
And D’Nisha deserves somebody who is honest with her.
D’Nisha takes a step toward Anthony.
D’NISHA
Anthony, I need to know one thing.
D’NISHA
After everything that just happened, are you still sure about me?
Anthony looks into her eyes and slowly opens the ring box.
ANTHONY
I was sure before tonight. And I’m still sure.
Shayla looks shocked. Angelina takes Shayla by the arm and pulls her back.
ANGELINA
Shayla, come with me.
Shayla keeps staring at Anthony.
SHAYLA
This isn’t over.
Shayla walks away with Angelina.
Anthony watches them leave. The beach becomes quiet again.
Anthony slowly gets down on one knee.
D’Nisha covers her mouth in shock.
ANTHONY
D’Nisha, after everything we’ve been through, I still want you beside me.
ANTHONY
Will you marry me?
D’Nisha looks at the ring. Then she looks in the direction where Shayla and Angelina disappeared.
Her expression becomes impossible to read.
Anthony waits for her answer.
D’NISHA
Anthony…
She pauses.
D’NISHA
I need to tell you something before I answer.
THE BIGGEST QUESTION
Will D’Nisha accept Anthony’s proposal after everything that happened?
Or will Shayla’s confession change the future of their relationship?
TO BE CONTINUE.
