Anthony Secretly Gives Shayla Money for Kai
Warm afternoon sunlight pours through the windows.
Anthony sits on the couch, scrolling through his phone. His expression suddenly changes when he reads a message from Shayla.
He reads it again.
Shayla is asking him for money because of Kai.
Anthony slowly lowers the phone.
She needs money for Kai?
He looks concerned.
A moment later, D’Nisha walks into the room and notices the worried expression on his face.
What happened?
Anthony hesitates.
Shayla just messaged me. She says she needs money because of Kai.
D’Nisha immediately becomes suspicious. She sits beside Anthony and looks at him seriously.
Anthony, don’t do it.
Why?
Because I don’t believe her story.
D’Nisha folds her arms.
Shayla is using Kai’s name to get money from you.
You can’t know that for sure.
I know exactly what she’s doing.
She is trying to pay her house rent, Anthony. She knows you care about Kai, so she’s using him as an excuse.
Anthony becomes uncomfortable.
D’Nisha, maybe she really needs help.
Then she should tell you the truth.
Don’t let her make you feel guilty just because Kai is involved.
Anthony looks down at his phone. He doesn’t answer.
Promise me you’re not going to give her any money.
I’ll think about it.
D’Nisha immediately realizes he isn’t agreeing with her.
Anthony…
But Anthony stands up.
I have to handle this myself.
He walks toward the hallway. D’Nisha watches him leave, clearly worried.
Anthony walks away from the living room. He pulls out his phone again.
Another message from Shayla appears.
Anthony stares at the screen. He knows D’Nisha told him not to give Shayla anything, but his concern for Kai is stronger.
I’ll help you.
He pauses. Then he sends the message.
A few seconds later, Shayla replies.
I’ll meet you.
He puts his phone away.
Shayla stands beside her car, anxiously checking her phone. Anthony approaches.
Anthony, thank you for coming.
I don’t want D’Nisha knowing about this.
Why?
Because she thinks you’re using Kai’s name to get money from me.
Shayla quickly shakes her head.
That’s not true.
Anthony studies her face.
I just need help right now.
Anthony reaches into his pocket.
This is between us.
Shayla accepts the money.
Thank you, Anthony.
Just make sure Kai has everything he needs.
I will.
Neither of them notices a car approaching from the other side of the parking area.
Inside the car is D’Nisha. She had followed Anthony after becoming suspicious.
D’Nisha suddenly sees Anthony handing money to Shayla. Her eyes widen. Her expression changes instantly.
She is hurt. And furious.
ANTHONY!
Anthony freezes. Shayla turns around.
What are you doing?
D’Nisha, listen—
No!
I told you exactly what she was doing!
D’Nisha, don’t start something you don’t understand.
I understand everything.
I warned you not to give her money.
I was only trying to help.
You were trying to help her behind my back!
This has nothing to do with you.
D’Nisha looks stunned by his words.
Nothing to do with me?
You secretly met Shayla, gave her money, and then hid it from me. How does that have nothing to do with me?
Anthony remains silent. Shayla looks uncomfortable.
Anthony was only helping me because of Kai.
That’s exactly what I said you would do!
I asked him for help. He decided to give it to me.
And you believed her?
I don’t want Kai to suffer because the adults can’t get along.
D’Nisha’s anger softens for a second, but her disappointment remains.
Then you should have talked to me.
Instead, you chose to keep a secret.
A tense silence fills the parking area.
I’m leaving.
Go ahead.
Shayla gets into her car and drives away.
Anthony and D’Nisha remain standing there. D’Nisha looks deeply hurt.
You know what hurts the most?
It isn’t the money.
It’s the fact that you looked me in the eyes, listened to everything I said, and then secretly did the exact opposite.
Anthony lowers his head.
I didn’t mean to hurt you.
But you did.
D’Nisha, I just wanted to make sure Kai was okay.
And I wanted to make sure you weren’t being taken advantage of.
You didn’t trust me.
D’Nisha walks toward the car.
D’Nisha, wait.
She stops but doesn’t turn around.
If Shayla really needed help for Kai, you could have told me.
But if she was really asking for money to pay her rent, then you just helped her do exactly what I warned you about.
Anthony has no answer.
D’Nisha gets into the car. Anthony watches as she drives away.
His face fills with regret. For the first time, Anthony realizes that the money wasn’t the real problem.
The Secret Was the Real Problem
Anthony’s secret decision has changed everything.