The house is unusually quiet.
Anthony sits on the couch, scrolling through his phone. His expression suddenly changes when he notices something suspicious.
He looks up.
Wait… Wayne gave D’Nisha money?
Anthony puts his phone down and thinks for a moment.
He knows D’Nisha has been acting differently lately.
Anthony gets up and walks toward the kitchen.
D’Nisha is standing by the counter, checking her phone.
D’Nisha, can I ask you something?
D’Nisha turns around.
Yeah. What’s up?
Anthony watches her carefully.
Why did you take money from Wayne?
D’Nisha freezes for half a second.
She quickly hides her nervousness.
Money? What are you talking about?
You know exactly what I’m talking about. Wayne gave you money.
D’Nisha sighs and puts her phone down.
Anthony, it’s not what you think.
Then tell me what it is.
D’Nisha looks away.
The podcast made some profit. Wayne gave me the money because of that.
The podcast?
Yes. He said I deserved it.
Anthony studies her face.
Something about her explanation doesn’t feel right.
So that’s all it was?
That’s all.
Anthony nods slowly, but his eyes remain suspicious.
Okay.
D’Nisha picks up her phone.
I’m actually going shopping.
Shopping?
Yeah. I need a few things.
She grabs her purse.
I’ll be back later.
D’Nisha walks toward the door.
Anthony watches her leave.
His expression becomes serious.
Something isn’t adding up.
He grabs his keys.
After a moment of hesitation, Anthony follows her.
D’Nisha drives through the busy streets.
A few cars behind her, Anthony follows carefully.
He keeps enough distance so she won’t notice him.
Where are you really going?
D’Nisha turns into a shopping center.
Anthony follows.
She parks her car and walks toward the stores.
Anthony parks farther away.
He watches her disappear inside.
D’Nisha walks through the mall.
She looks around at several stores.
She picks up a few items, but her mind clearly seems somewhere else.
She checks her phone.
A message from Wayne appears.
D’Nisha smiles slightly.
She quickly locks her phone.
D’Nisha walks out carrying shopping bags.
She looks around.
Wayne is waiting nearby.
D’Nisha’s expression changes immediately.
She walks toward him.
Anthony is standing across the parking lot, watching everything.
His eyes widen.
Wayne?
Anthony stays hidden behind a parked vehicle.
D’Nisha approaches Wayne.
You finally made it.
I told you I was coming.
Wayne smiles.
D’Nisha looks around nervously.
Did anyone see you?
Relax. Nobody knows.
Anthony hears enough to become even more suspicious.
He watches them carefully.
So this wasn’t about shopping.
Wayne reaches for one of D’Nisha’s shopping bags.
Let me help you with that.
Thank you.
They begin walking together.
Anthony follows from a distance.
He sees Wayne looking at D’Nisha differently.
The two stop near Wayne’s car.
There is a moment of silence.
Wayne looks directly into D’Nisha’s eyes.
You know I’m always going to look out for you.
I know.
Wayne steps closer.
D’Nisha doesn’t move away.
Anthony watches from across the parking lot.
His face becomes tense.
Wayne suddenly leans in and kisses D’Nisha.
Anthony freezes.
His eyes widen in disbelief.
For several seconds, he says nothing.
He simply stares.
No way…
D’Nisha pulls back from Wayne.
She looks around.
Wayne smiles at her.
Anthony’s jaw tightens.
The answer to all his questions is suddenly standing right in front of him.
Anthony steps away from the vehicle.
He is angry, but he forces himself to remain calm.
D’Nisha and Wayne still haven’t noticed him.
Anthony watches them talking.
His mind races.
She told me she was shopping.
He looks at the shopping bags.
Then at Wayne.
Then back at D’Nisha.
And this is what she was really doing?
Anthony clenches his fists.
He considers confronting them.
But he stops.
Instead, he quietly pulls out his phone.
He takes a moment to breathe.
He doesn’t want to explode without knowing the whole story.
Wayne gets into his car.
D’Nisha stands beside him.
I’ll call you later.
Okay.
Wayne drives away.
D’Nisha watches him leave.
She turns around.
Suddenly, she sees Anthony standing several feet away.
Her smile disappears.
Her face turns pale.
Anthony?
Anthony slowly walks toward her.
Shopping?
D’Nisha looks down.
She knows she has been caught.
Anthony, I can explain.
Explain what?
D’Nisha struggles to find the right words.
It’s not what you think.
Anthony lets out a bitter laugh.
I think I just saw Wayne kiss you.
D’Nisha remains silent.
Anthony shakes his head.
You told me the money was from the podcast.
It was!
Then why were you meeting him secretly?
D’Nisha looks around.
She realizes there is no easy way out.
I didn’t want you to misunderstand.
You lied to me.
D’Nisha’s eyes fill with emotion.
I was scared.
Anthony takes a step back.
His anger is mixed with disappointment.
You should have told me the truth.
D’Nisha wipes a tear from her cheek.
Anthony, please.
Anthony looks toward the road where Wayne disappeared.
Then he looks back at D’Nisha.
I trusted you.
D’Nisha lowers her head.
Neither of them speaks.
The sound of traffic fills the silence.
Anthony slowly walks away.
D’Nisha watches him go.
Anthony!
He stops for a moment but doesn’t turn around.
Please let me explain.
Anthony closes his eyes.
He is clearly hurt.
Not here.
He continues walking.
D’Nisha remains standing alone in the parking lot, holding her shopping bags.
Her secret is no longer a secret.
Anthony gets into his car.
He sits silently behind the steering wheel.
His phone begins ringing.
He looks at the screen.
D’Nisha is calling.
He watches the phone vibrate.
After several rings, he finally answers.
What?
D’Nisha’s voice is emotional.
Anthony, please. I swear there’s more to this.
Anthony looks through the windshield.
The sunset reflects across his face.
Then tomorrow, you’re going to tell me everything.
He ends the call.
Anthony starts the car.
As he drives away, his expression remains troubled.
The truth he discovered today has changed everything.
And Anthony knows this is only the beginning.