THE COMPANION

In Annabelle's Bedroom,

At 7:00PM.

Annabelle wakes up and suddenly finds herself in her room.

Annabelle: (Wonders) How did I get here?. Did the maid carry me to my room after she saw me sleeping? (leaves her bed and hurries downstairs. Sees the maid cleaning). Beatrice!.

Maid: Yes madame.

Annabelle: (Stutters) Did you... by chance.. carry me to my room while I was sleeping?.

Maid: No Mam, your husband did. (Giggles) You two looked so perfect together. Oh, Sir David went to get some fresh air outside if you want to join him (resumes cleaning).

Annabelle: (Murmurs to herself) My husband? (walks outside and sees David sitting in the garden. She decides to join him).

David: (Sees Annabelle approaching him) Is she awake?.

Annabelle: (Approaches him and sits not too closer to him while watching the stars) Do you like watching the stars at night?.

David: I do. (Fixes his gaze on her) Do you?.

Annabelle: (Nodes in agreement and then exhales) I used to watch them every night, a long time ago. Probably when I was about 8 years old. I feel like they can actually understand me.

David: (Slightly smiles) Me too. (Looks up to the stars) They're beautiful.

Annabelle: (Smirks) I made a lot of wishes that didn't come through. I feel like they're just wasting my time, you know.

David: (Teasing) Did they tell you they were going to grant your wish?.

Annabelle: I told you to stop mocking me.

David: I'm not mocking you. Why do you feel like I mock you all the time?.

Annabelle: Because we don't agree with each other.

David: (Suddenly realizes he's being too friendly with her. His facial expression changes to being serious) Why did you come here?.

Annabelle: What?.

David: Why did you agree to marry me?.

Annabelle: If you're going to ask me that again, then I better leave (stands to leave when David pulls her back to sit). What are you doing?.

David: Stay for a bit.

Annabelle: I would if you just asked nicely.

David: Does it work for you?.

Annabelle: (Her heart starts beating fast) What?.

David: If I suddenly become nice to you?.

Annabelle: (Ignores and smirks)

David: Though I may not know much, I'm sure you equally had a rough time. (Now that I think of it, my secretary didn't mention anything about her father. Even on our wedding, he wasn't present) You've never spoken about your dad. Where is he?.

Annabelle: (Without hesitation) He left!.

David: Left?.

Annabelle: Yes, he left us. My parents are divorced.

David: (Divorced?) Doesn't it affect you?. You can't have them both be by your side whenever you need them to be.

Annabelle: Why should i?, when I have my mom to be there for me?. You know, for as long as I can remember, she's been to all my graduations. She took care of me whenever I got sick even if she had to leave work, whenever someone bullied me at school, she came running right away to bully them back. She's been through so much with me and still, i never got to tell her how grateful I was (tears suddenly rolls down her cheek) and how much I admire her. (Suddenly smiles) She's a tough one.

David: (His eyes suddenly become teary after hearing Annabelle explain) I see.

Annabelle: Instead of wasting my time trying to question the world, I'd rather be grateful, because even if they're no longer together, I know it was for the best. Some people are just not meant to be together.

David: What about all the emotional trauma one parent has to go through?.

Annabelle: (Confidently) She has me!. She has her kids to look up to whenever she feels like she can't handle it. What my father couldn't give her, we at least gave her that, eternal love.

David: (Suddenly breaks down in tears as he leans his face on Annabelle's shoulder) I've been a bad son.

Annabelle: No you haven't (patting his head softly). You just didn't know how to deal with the pain you felt inside.

David: He left us, he died even before he could be a better (stutters) father....to me (Annabelle continues patting his head softly).

1 Hour Later

David and Annabelle walk back inside. David feels a little bit embarrassed because he cried earlier.

David: (Stutters) Uhm...thank you.

Annabelle: For what?.

David: (Feeling more embarrassed) For....., everything!.

Annabelle: My mom used to tell me, whenever you say thank you or I'm sorry, you should be able to give a reason for whatever you're thankful or sorry for.

David: Thank you for being a good friend. Good night (walks upstairs in a hurry).

Annabelle: (Laughs) Is he acting shy right now? (watches him go upstairs to his study).

BACK IN AUSTRALIA

In Geoffrey's And Jenifer's Apartment,

In Harry's Bedroom.

Therapist: (To Harry, seated on his wheelchair) I was newly assigned to you today. I'm your therapist. (Harry doesn't say a word and she continues) What exactly can I do to help you?. Whatever it is, I'm ready to help. (Harry still doesn't say a word) Okay, we'll start from the beginning. Is there something that bothers you constantly that you can't talk about to just anyone?. Anything at all!.

Harry: (Finally opens his mouth to speak) Anna..

Therapist: (Confused) Anna?. Who is she?. Is she someone you know?. (Harry nodes in agreement) Tell me exactly how you know her.

Harry: (Suddenly remembers how he met her, their first kiss, his birthday, their couple T-shirt's, the last day he met her. It all seemed like it was just yesterday to him. He suddenly tries to stand up, but he can't. The sweat from his head rolls down his face. Stutters) I need... to see her.

30 Minutes Later.

Therapist: (Talking to Geoffrey, Jenifer and Diana in the living room) The only person that can help your son right now is the name he keeps mentioning, Anna. Has he ever mentioned that name to any of you? (they all stars at each other without uttering a word). If he doesn't meet this person, I'm afraid he can never walk again.

BACK IN AMERICA

In Stephanie's House

Stephanie is looking at David's picture on her phone. She feels so much anger and betrayal that she tears it to pieces.

Stephanie: (Quickly picks up her cigarette on the table, places it on her lips, lights it up and starts smoking) I promise you, I will make you pay for leaving me. You and that bitch will pay for everything I had to go through.

At David's House

Annabelle has just arrived home from work. It's raining outside and she struggles to close her umbrella after walking inside.

Annabelle: (Closes her umbrella while facing the door. She turns to go upstairs when she suddenly bumps into David who was just standing there. She suddenly screams in shock while moving back and almost falls, but David catches her) Oh my God!.

David: Are you okay?. (They stare at each other for a while and she suddenly regains her standing position) Did I scare you?.

Annabelle: What do you mean?. You were right behind me just when I turned around.

David: (Laughs) I'm sorry.

Annabelle: Are you laughing?.

David: Your face is just so funny right now.

Annabelle: (Starts to laugh as well because David seems to have a funny laugh. They both laugh together) You're so funny.