FADE IN: INT. DAVE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON

The room is quiet, but the tension is growing with every passing second.

OMNI stands near the couch, holding her phone tightly in one hand. Her expression is uneasy. She keeps glancing toward the front door, as if she is considering leaving before the situation gets worse.

DAVE stands a few feet away from her. His face is serious, and his eyes are fixed on Omni. He has been thinking about Amber all afternoon, worrying that Omni might reveal something that could destroy the relationship he has been trying to protect.

Omni takes a nervous breath.

Dave, I need to talk to you about something.

Dave looks at her suspiciously.

What now, Omni?

Omni hesitates. She wants to speak honestly, but the look on Dave’s face makes her uncomfortable.

I just think we need to be honest about what’s going on between us. This situation is getting too complicated, and I don’t want to keep pretending everything is fine.

Dave shakes his head impatiently.

What are you talking about? Everything is fine.

No, Dave. Everything is not fine. You know that, and I know that.

Dave steps closer.

Then tell me exactly what you think isn’t fine.

Omni lowers her eyes for a moment before looking directly at him.

Amber deserves to know the truth.

The moment Amber’s name leaves Omni’s mouth, Dave’s expression changes. His jaw tightens. He stares at Omni as if she has just threatened to expose everything he has been trying to hide.

What did you just say?

I said Amber deserves to know what’s happening.

Dave lets out a frustrated laugh, but there is nothing funny about his expression.

You better not be thinking about telling her anything.

Dave, why are you acting like this? I’m not trying to start a problem. I just don’t want to be caught in the middle of your situation with Amber.

Dave points toward her.

Listen to me carefully, Omni. You are not going to tell Amber anything. Do you understand me?

Omni’s eyes widen. She has never seen Dave look at her with such anger.

Why are you talking to me like that?

Because I need you to understand what I’m saying. Whatever happens between us stays between us. You don’t go running to Amber and telling her everything.

Omni takes a small step backward. Her fingers tighten around her phone.

I don’t like the way you’re speaking to me.

And I don’t like the fact that you’re talking about telling Amber my business!

The two stare at each other. For a moment, neither of them speaks. Then Dave moves closer again, lowering his voice.

You hear me? You’re not telling Amber a damn thing.

Omni looks toward the front door. She suddenly wishes she had never agreed to have this conversation with him.

INT. DAVE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS

Omni tries to keep her voice steady.

Dave, I’m not your enemy. I’m trying to figure out where I stand in all of this.

Dave folds his arms.

You know where you stand.

No, I don’t! One minute you’re acting like everything between us is fine, and the next minute you’re worried about what Amber might find out. How am I supposed to feel about that?

Dave looks away briefly. He knows Omni is asking questions he does not want to answer.

You’re making this bigger than it needs to be.

I’m not making anything bigger. I’m telling you how I feel.

Her voice begins to tremble.

I have feelings too, Dave. You can’t expect me to sit here and act like none of this affects me.

And I’m telling you not to bring Amber into it.

But what if she asks me directly? What am I supposed to say then?

Dave’s expression hardens.

You tell her nothing.

Nothing?

That’s exactly what I said.

Omni stares at him, struggling to understand how the man who had been affectionate toward her could suddenly speak as though she had no right to make her own decisions.

So you want me to lie to her?

I want you to stay out of my relationship with Amber.

Then why did you bring me into this situation in the first place?

Dave does not answer immediately. The silence between them becomes uncomfortable. Omni watches his face, waiting for an explanation. Instead, Dave points his finger at her again.

Let me make something very clear. You’re not going to tell Amber anything about us. And if you try to expose me, you’re going to regret it.

Omni freezes.

Are you threatening me right now?

Dave steps closer, his voice becoming more aggressive.

If you tell Amber, I’ll beat you up. Do you understand what I’m saying?

Omni’s face loses its composure. She takes another step backward, frightened by the threat. For the first time, she realizes this conversation is no longer simply about keeping a secret. Dave is trying to control what she says by making her afraid of what he might do.

Dave, please. You don’t have to threaten me.

I’m not trying to hurt you.

Then don’t give me a reason to get angry.

Omni looks down at the floor. Her eyes begin to fill with tears, but she tries desperately to keep herself from crying in front of him.

I never thought you would talk to me like this.

Don’t start acting like I’m the bad guy here. You knew this situation was complicated.

I knew it was complicated. I didn’t know you would threaten me for asking you to be honest.

Dave turns away, running a hand over his head.

I’m not going to keep repeating myself.

Omni remains silent. She wants to argue with him and tell him that he has no right to frighten her into silence. But the fear in her chest is growing stronger than her anger.

INT. DAVE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER

Dave walks toward the window and looks outside. He takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Omni stands behind him, still holding her phone.

Her mind races. She thinks about Amber, everything she could tell her, everything Amber might ask, and how quickly this entire situation could explode. But she also thinks about Dave’s threat. What would happen if she ignored his warning? Would he actually hurt her? She does not know, and that uncertainty terrifies her.

Dave turns around.

Are we clear now?

Omni does not answer immediately. Dave narrows his eyes.

Omni, I’m talking to you.

She flinches slightly at the sharpness of his voice.

Yes, Dave. I hear you.

That isn’t what I asked you. I asked if we’re clear.

Omni takes a shaky breath.

I understand what you’re saying.

Dave walks back toward her.

Good. Then promise me you won’t tell Amber anything.

Omni presses her lips together. She feels trapped between what she believes is right and what she is afraid Dave might do.

Dave, can we please just calm down?

I’ll calm down when I know you’re not going to cause problems for me.

I’m not trying to cause problems.

Then give me your word.

Omni looks at him for several seconds. She searches his face for even a small sign of regret. There is none. Finally, she nods slowly.

Okay.

Dave watches her carefully.

Okay, what?

Omni’s voice becomes almost a whisper.

Okay, fine. I won’t tell Amber.

Dave’s shoulders relax slightly. He seems satisfied now that he has received the answer he wanted.

That’s all I needed to hear.

Omni looks away, hiding the tears gathering in her eyes. She has agreed to his demand, but she does not feel relieved. Instead, she feels disappointed, frightened, and deeply hurt.

Can I go now?

Dave gestures toward the door.

Do whatever you want. Just remember what we talked about.

Omni nods. She walks toward the door slowly, trying to keep her emotions under control. Before leaving, she turns around one last time.

Dave, I hope you understand that I’m doing this because I don’t want things to get worse. Not because I think the way you’re treating me is right.

Dave looks at her without responding. Omni waits for a moment, hoping he might apologize. He says nothing. She finally opens the door and steps outside. The door closes behind her.

EXT. DAVE’S HOUSE – FRONT WALKWAY – CONTINUOUS

Omni stands outside, breathing heavily. The fresh air does little to calm her nerves. She looks down at her phone. Amber’s name appears among her recent contacts.

Omni stares at it for a long moment. She could call Amber right now. She could tell her about Dave’s behavior and the threat he made. But the thought of facing Dave’s anger again makes her hesitate.

She locks her phone and holds it against her chest.

(whispering to herself) What am I supposed to do now?

Her eyes fill with tears. She wipes them away quickly as a car passes nearby. She does not want anyone to see her crying.

For a moment, she considers going back inside and demanding an apology. But she knows the conversation would probably turn into another argument. She starts walking away from the house.

Every step feels heavier than the last. She came to see Dave because she wanted clarity about their relationship. Instead, she is leaving with a secret she never wanted to keep and a threat she cannot easily forget.

INT. DAVE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – SAME TIME

Dave stands near the window, watching Omni walk away. He crosses his arms and exhales. He believes the problem has been handled. Omni has promised not to tell Amber anything, and that is all he wanted from the conversation.

He picks up his phone and checks the screen. Amber’s name appears in his messages. For a moment, he considers calling her. Then he changes his mind. He does not want to risk a conversation that could lead to uncomfortable questions.

(muttering to himself) As long as Omni keeps her mouth shut, everything should be fine.

He puts the phone down and walks toward the kitchen.

But his confidence hides a dangerous mistake. He believes that frightening Omni into silence has solved his problem. He does not consider the damage he has done to her trust. He does not consider that someone who has been threatened may eventually decide that staying silent is no longer an option. And he certainly does not consider what might happen if Amber discovers the truth from someone else.

EXT. QUIET STREET – EARLY EVENING

Omni reaches the sidewalk and stops beneath a tree. She takes out her phone again. This time, she opens her messages with Amber. Her fingers hover over the keyboard.

She types a few words.

AMBER, I NEED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT DAVE.

She stares at the message. Her heart pounds. After several seconds, she deletes the words one by one. She cannot bring herself to send them. Not yet.

Omni locks her phone and slips it into her bag.

(quietly) I can’t believe he would do this to me.

She looks toward the sky, fighting back another wave of tears. She remembers Dave’s warning: “You’re not going to tell Amber anything.” Then she remembers his threat: “If you tell her, I’ll beat you up.” The words replay in her mind, making her feel powerless.

But beneath her fear, another emotion begins to emerge: anger.

Omni realizes that Dave has put her in an impossible position. He wants her to protect him from the consequences of his own action