Lauren Walks In and Catches Delicia Crossing the Line With Wayne

INT. WAYNE’S MANSION – LIVING ROOM – EVENING

The room is quiet, but the tension between Delicia and Wayne is impossible to ignore.

Wayne stands near the window, looking outside with his arms crossed.

Delicia walks toward him, clearly frustrated.

DELICIA

Why do you keep doing this, Wayne?

Wayne slowly turns around.

WAYNE

Doing what?

Delicia shakes her head.

DELICIA

Introducing me to other girls. Acting like I’m supposed to smile and accept it.

Wayne gives her a confused look.

WAYNE

Delicia, I never told you that you had to accept anything.

She steps closer.

DELICIA

Then why do you keep putting me in that position?

WAYNE

Because you’re making this more complicated than it needs to be.

Delicia looks hurt.

DELICIA

No. You’re making it complicated.

THE QUESTION

Wayne looks away.

For a moment, neither of them speaks.

DELICIA

You know exactly what you’re doing.

WAYNE

And what exactly am I doing?

Delicia takes another step toward him.

DELICIA

You’re keeping me close enough to care, but far enough to make me feel like I don’t matter.

Wayne’s expression becomes serious.

WAYNE

Delicia, you knew what this was.

She stares at him.

DELICIA

Did I?

Wayne doesn’t answer.

Delicia’s frustration grows.

DELICIA

Every time another girl walks through that door, you expect me to pretend I don’t see what’s happening.

WAYNE

Because you’re not my girlfriend.

The words hit her hard.

Delicia slowly looks down before meeting his eyes again.

DELICIA

Then what am I?

Wayne pauses.

He looks directly at her.

Silence fills the room.

Delicia looks surprised by the question.

Instead of stepping back, she moves closer.

DELICIA

You really want me to answer that?

Wayne watches her carefully.

WAYNE

I’m asking you.

Delicia is now standing only a short distance away.

Her voice becomes softer.

DELICIA

Then look me in the eyes and tell me I mean nothing to you.

Wayne doesn’t respond.

Delicia takes another small step forward.

DELICIA

Go ahead.

Wayne’s expression changes.

WAYNE

Delicia…

DELICIA

No. You asked me what I am to you.

Wayne looks uncomfortable.

WAYNE

You’re someone I care about.

Delicia’s eyes narrow.

DELICIA

That’s not an answer.

WAYNE

It’s the answer I can give you.

She shakes her head.

DELICIA

No, Wayne. That’s the answer you give when you don’t want to admit the truth.

LAUREN ARRIVES

Wayne takes a breath.

WAYNE

And what’s the truth?

Delicia moves even closer.

DELICIA

That you don’t want to lose me.

Wayne remains silent.

Delicia’s confidence grows.

DELICIA

You can introduce me to whoever you want.

She pauses.

DELICIA

But you know there’s something between us.

Wayne looks toward the hallway.

WAYNE

You need to stop.

Delicia raises an eyebrow.

DELICIA

Stop what?

WAYNE

Crossing a line.

Delicia gives him a faint smile.

DELICIA

Maybe you should’ve told me where the line was.

Wayne’s face becomes serious.

WAYNE

Delicia, don’t do this.

She stands close to him.

DELICIA

Now tell me.

Before Wayne can answer, the front door opens.

Neither of them notices immediately.

LAUREN walks into the room.

She stops.

Her eyes immediately lock onto Delicia standing extremely close to Wayne.

Her expression changes from confusion to shock.

WAYNE

Lauren…

Lauren doesn’t respond.

She looks at Delicia.

Then she looks at Wayne.

THE CONFRONTATION

Delicia slowly steps back.

DELICIA

Lauren, it’s not what—

LAUREN

Don’t.

Lauren raises her hand.

LAUREN

I don’t want an explanation from you right now.

Wayne steps forward.

WAYNE

Lauren, listen to me.

She looks at him.

LAUREN

I am listening.

Her voice is calm, but her eyes are filled with disappointment.

LAUREN

I’m just trying to understand what I walked into.

WAYNE

We were talking.

Lauren lets out a short, disbelieving laugh.

LAUREN

Talking?

She looks at Delicia.

LAUREN

That didn’t look like just talking.

DELICIA

We were having a conversation.

LAUREN

A very close conversation.

Wayne immediately steps between them.

WAYNE

Lauren, nothing happened.

Lauren looks at him.

LAUREN

Nothing happened?

Wayne nods.

WAYNE

Nothing happened.

Lauren takes a slow breath.

LAUREN

Then why was she standing that close to you?

Wayne hesitates.

That hesitation tells Lauren more than his words could.

LAUREN

WAYNE’S ANSWER

Wayne tries to explain.

WAYNE

Delicia was asking me what she means to me.

Lauren’s eyes narrow.

LAUREN

And what did you tell her?

Wayne pauses.

Delicia watches him closely.

WAYNE

I told her that I care about her.

Lauren’s expression changes.

LAUREN

You care about her?

Wayne nods.

WAYNE

Yes.

Lauren looks at Delicia.

Then back at Wayne.

LAUREN

Do you care about her the same way you care about me?

Wayne doesn’t answer immediately.

The silence becomes unbearable.

Delicia’s eyes remain fixed on him.

Lauren waits.

LAUREN

Wayne?

He finally speaks.

Lauren looks surprised.

Wayne turns toward Delicia.

WAYNE

Delicia, I should’ve made that clear before.

Delicia swallows her emotions.

DELICIA

Then why didn’t you?

Wayne struggles to answer.

WAYNE

Because I didn’t want to hurt you.

Delicia shakes her head.

DELICIA

You already did.

She turns away.

THE FINAL WARNING

Lauren watches Delicia walk toward the hallway.

Wayne looks at Lauren.

WAYNE

Lauren, I’m sorry you had to see that.

Lauren doesn’t immediately respond.

She steps closer to him.

LAUREN

I’m not angry because Delicia has feelings for you.

Wayne listens.

LAUREN

I’m angry because I need to know that when someone crosses a boundary with you, you’re going to have enough respect for me to stop it.

Wayne nods.

WAYNE

You’re right.

Lauren looks directly into his eyes.

LAUREN

Wayne reaches for her hand, but stops himself.

WAYNE

I should’ve stopped the situation sooner.

Lauren slowly nods.

LAUREN

That’s all I needed to hear.

THE SUSPENSE

A heavy silence follows.

From the hallway, Delicia watches them from a distance.

Her expression reveals that this conversation isn’t over.

Wayne notices her.

For a moment, he looks caught between two worlds.

Lauren follows his gaze.

She sees Delicia standing there.

LAUREN

Wayne…

He turns back to her.

LAUREN

Whatever happens next, make your choice clear.

Wayne looks at Lauren.

WAYNE

I will.

Lauren walks past him toward the hallway.

Wayne remains standing alone in the living room.

Delicia slowly disappears from view.

Wayne closes his eyes for a moment.