SCENE 1 — SHAYLA’S HOUSE — AFTERNOON

The afternoon sun shines through the living-room windows. Shayla stands in front of the mirror, fixing her hair when she hears a knock at the door.

A smile appears on her face. She walks toward the door and opens it.

SHAYLA

Anthony! I didn’t know you were coming.

Anthony steps inside and looks around the room.

ANTHONY

I was in the area, so I thought I’d stop by and talk to you.

Shayla closes the door behind him. Her attitude immediately becomes more confident. She keeps smiling at Anthony and tries to stay close to him.

SHAYLA

You always say you’re just stopping by, but somehow you always end up staying.

Anthony laughs awkwardly, sensing that something about Shayla’s behavior is different.

ANTHONY

You know how things are. I just wanted to check on you.

SHAYLA

Then come sit down. We have plenty to talk about.

SCENE 2 — SHAYLA’S LIVING ROOM — MOMENTS LATER

Anthony sits on the couch while Shayla sits nearby. She keeps complimenting him and reminding him of their history.

SHAYLA

You know, Anthony, sometimes I feel like you forget how much we’ve been through together.

ANTHONY

Shayla, I haven’t forgotten anything. But things are different now.

Shayla looks directly into his eyes. She moves closer, clearly trying to get his attention.

SHAYLA

Are they really?

Anthony pauses. The atmosphere becomes uncomfortable.

ANTHONY

Shayla, what are you doing?

SHAYLA

I’m reminding you that I’m still here.

ANTHONY

You shouldn’t be doing this.

SHAYLA

Why not? You’re looking at me like you’re surprised.

Anthony stands up, realizing he needs to create some distance.

ANTHONY

That’s not what this is.

SHAYLA

Then tell me to my face that you feel absolutely nothing.

Anthony looks conflicted. He knows that allowing the situation to continue could destroy the trust D’Nisha has placed in him.

SCENE 3 — OUTSIDE SHAYLA’S HOUSE — SAME TIME

D’Nisha pulls up outside Shayla’s house. She gets out of the car holding her phone.

D’NISHA

I just need to talk to Shayla.

She walks toward the front door. Before knocking, she hears voices coming from inside.

D’Nisha suddenly recognizes Anthony’s voice. Her expression changes immediately.

D’NISHA

Anthony?

She slowly opens the door.

SCENE 4 — THE SHOCKING DISCOVERY

Anthony and Shayla turn around at the sound of the door.

D’Nisha is standing there.

Silence fills the room. Anthony’s face immediately drops.

D’NISHA

Anthony… what are you doing here?

ANTHONY

D’Nisha, listen. This isn’t what you think.

D’NISHA

Don’t. I came here expecting to have a normal conversation. Instead, I walk in and find you two standing here like this.

SHAYLA

Nothing happened.

D’NISHA

Then why does it look like something was about to happen?

Shayla becomes quiet. Anthony knows he has to explain himself.

ANTHONY

I came here to talk. Shayla started acting differently, and I was trying to understand what she wanted.

D’NISHA

And you couldn’t leave?

ANTHONY

I should have.

SCENE 5 — D’NISHA CONFRONTS SHAYLA

D’Nisha steps closer to Shayla. Her voice remains controlled, but the disappointment in her eyes is obvious.

D’NISHA

You knew exactly what you were doing.

SHAYLA

You’re blaming me for everything because you don’t trust Anthony.

D’NISHA

I’m not blaming anyone. I’m looking at what’s happening right in front of me.

Anthony steps between the two women.

ANTHONY

Please. Both of you, calm down.

D’NISHA

No, Anthony. You need to answer me.

D’NISHA

Why did you come here alone?

ANTHONY

Because Shayla and I needed to talk. We needed to discuss our past.

D’NISHA

And while talking about your past, you forgot about your present?

Anthony looks down. Her words hit him hard.

ANTHONY

No. I never forgot about you.

D’NISHA

Then you should have remembered what you promised me.

SCENE 6 — ANTHONY TAKES RESPONSIBILITY

Shayla becomes frustrated with the conversation.

SHAYLA

D’Nisha, you’re acting like Anthony belongs to you.

D’NISHA

No. Anthony doesn’t belong to me. But if he chose to be with me, then he owes me honesty and respect.

Anthony slowly nods.

ANTHONY

You’re right.

D’NISHA

I don’t want excuses. I want the truth.

ANTHONY

The truth is that I made a mistake by coming here and allowing this situation to go this far.

Shayla looks stunned.

SHAYLA

So now you’re blaming me?

ANTHONY

I’m taking responsibility for my own actions.

D’Nisha looks at Anthony for several seconds.

D’NISHA

Then prove it.

ANTHONY

I will.

SCENE 7 — D’NISHA MAKES HER DECISION

D’Nisha points toward the door.

D’NISHA

Then we’re leaving.

Anthony looks at Shayla one last time.

ANTHONY

Shayla, I think we need some distance.

SHAYLA

You’re really choosing her?

ANTHONY

I’m choosing to respect my relationship.

Anthony walks toward D’Nisha. She remains hurt, but she allows him to walk out with her.

SCENE 8 — OUTSIDE SHAYLA’S HOUSE — EVENING

Anthony and D’Nisha walk toward the car. Neither speaks for several seconds.

D’NISHA

Anthony.

ANTHONY

Yes?

D’NISHA

I love you. But love doesn’t mean I’m going to ignore disrespect.

ANTHONY

I understand.

D’NISHA

If you want me in your life, you have to give me a reason to trust you.

ANTHONY

I will. I promise.

D’Nisha looks back toward Shayla’s house.

D’NISHA

And Shayla needs to understand that there are boundaries she cannot cross.

ANTHONY

I’ll make sure she understands.

SCENE 9 — THE NEXT MORNING

The next morning, Anthony receives a message from Shayla. He reads it silently.

D’Nisha notices his serious expression.

D’NISHA

What did she say?

Anthony hesitates before handing her the phone.

ANTHONY

She wants to meet with both of us. She says there’s something we need to know.

D’Nisha reads the message carefully. Her expression becomes determined.

D’NISHA

Then we’ll go.

ANTHONY

Are you sure?

D’NISHA

Yes. This time, she’s going to tell us the truth.

Anthony looks at D’Nisha. He knows this meeting could change everything.