CHAPTER 2. SCENE 12: INT. RITA’S HOUSE – EVENING
(Rita's car pulls into the driveway. She spots her husband FRANK's car already parked. A rare sight. She sighs, gathers herself, and steps out.)
(She heads to the door, pressing the doorbell. Moments later, ANGELA, the young maid, opens it.)
ANGELA
(smiling)
Good evening, madam.
RITA
(soft smile)
Good evening, Angela. How's my baby girl, Mirabel?
ANGELA
(cheerfully)
She's fine, madam, already asleep.
RITA
(nods approvingly)
That's good. Take my bags upstairs—I'll be there soon.
(As Angela heads upstairs, Rita hears laughter from the dining area. Curious, she steps closer. Her expression changes the moment she sees the scene before her.)
(SELENA, a young, attractive woman, sits comfortably on FRANK's lap. She holds a piece of kanda (cow skin) with a toothpick, playfully attempting to feed him. FRANK, Rita's husband, is relaxed, smiling as he enjoys his meal of Abacha with palm wine.)
RITA
(clears throat loudly, arms folded)
Ahem.
(FRANK and SELENA freeze. Selena slowly lowers the toothpick. Frank looks up, surprised but quickly recovers with a smile.)
FRANK
(cheerfully)
Oh, baby, you're back!
(Rita remains silent, her gaze locked on them. Her face is unreadable, but tension fills the air. After a moment, she turns on her heel and strides upstairs without a word.)
(Frank and Selena exchange glances. Frank sighs, setting his palm wine down.)
FRANK
(softly)
Did she have a bad day at work?
SELENA
(mocking, rolling her eyes)
Hmph. Who cares?
FRANK
(frowns, warning tone)
Hey, don't say that. We are family and have to look out for each other.
SELENA
(shrugs, crossing her arms)
Oh, please. Has her mood ever been good? Since I stepped into this house as your wife, she hasn't been happy for a single day.
FRANK
(sharp, standing up and lifting Selena off his lap)
How do you know?
SELENA
(gruffly, watching him walk away)
Where are you going?
FRANK
(without turning back)
I'll be right back.
SELENA
(huffs, muttering to herself)
Oh, just great. Here comes the enemy of progress to ruin my night.
(She plops back into her seat, picking up another piece of kanda and shoving it into her mouth, clearly annoyed.)
FADE TO BLACK.
SCENE 13 INT. MASTER BEDROOM – NIGHT
(RITA sits on the bed, gently stroking her baby, MIRABEL, who sleeps peacefully beside her. A soft smile forms on her face as she admires her daughter. Then—knock, knock—a knock at the door.)
FRANK
(from outside)
Babe, it's me. Open up.
(Rita exhales deeply, then gets up and unlocks the door. Frank steps in, concern etched on his face.)
FRANK
(softly)
Babe, what's wrong? We need to talk.
RITA
(coldly, turning away)
Please, save it, Frank. I'm not in the mood for any conversation.
FRANK
(firmly)
No, you should talk. What's with this attitude lately? You barely speak to me, you hardly respond to my compliments, and you're shutting me out ever since you gave birth. What's going on?
RITA
(scoffs, then turns to face him, her voice breaking)
You are what's wrong, Frank. You chose her over me.
(Frank's brows furrow in confusion.)
FRANK
(in disbelief)
What? What do you mean?
RITA
(tearfully)
I mean you give her more time, more love, and more attention than you give to me!
FRANK
(shaking his head)
That's not true, Rita. You and I sleep in the same bed more than I do with her. It's you who doesn't give me your time.
RITA
(hurt, whispering)
That's not fair…
FRANK
(growing frustrated)
It's the truth! Every time I come to bed, you're busy with your laptop. And when I try to touch you, you push me away. You say, "Can't you see I'm busy?" What am I supposed to do, Rita?
(Before Rita can respond, there's another knock at the door. ANGELA steps in, glancing at the tense couple before carefully lifting MIRABEL from the bed.)
ANGELA
(softly)
I'll take her to her room, ma'am.
(Rita nods, watching as Angela leaves with the baby. A brief silence falls between her and Frank. Then—)
FRANK
(quietly, almost defeated)
What do you want me to do, Rita?
RITA
(softly, voice breaking, eyes welling with tears)
I am always available, Frank… and you know that.
FRANK
(shaking his head)
No, you're not.
RITA
(whispers, painfully)
You never asked for it… you never, Frank.
*(At that moment, something shifts. Frank steps forward and pulls Rita into his arms, holding her tightly. She doesn't resist. Their bodies pressed together, the warmth filling the gap that had grown between them.)
(Frank lifts her chin, their eyes locking. Rita's breath hitches, her lips trembling. He gently wipes away a tear rolling down her cheek.)
FRANK
(softly)
I'm sorry, Rita. I never meant to make you feel unwanted.
RITA (whispers)
Then show me…
(That's all the invitation Frank needs. He tilts his head down, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. At first hesitant, Rita melts into him, her arms slowly winding around his neck. The kiss intensifies, filled with unspoken longing and emotions they've both suppressed for too long.)
(Frank lifts her effortlessly, carrying her to the bed. As he lays her down, their hands explore each other, reigniting the passion that had been lost. Soon, the room is filled with soft laughter, whispered words, and moans of pleasure as they rediscover their love.)
---
SCENE 14 INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT
(SELENA, making her way to her room, suddenly pauses. She hears the distinct sounds of laughter and moaning coming from the master bedroom. Her expression darkens.)
(Curious, she tiptoes closer and presses her ear against the door. The sounds inside make her jaw clench. She bites her finger, eyes burning with frustration.)
SELENA (muttering angrily)
Tch… What kind of nonsense is this?
(With a heavy sigh, she turns and storms off, her mind already plotting her next move.)
---
MONTAGE – RITA'S CHANGES
— KITCHEN – EVENING (Rita instructs the chef on what to prepare, ensuring Frank's favorite meals are cooked to perfection.)
— DINING ROOM – NIGHT (Rita personally serves Frank dinner, watching him eat with a soft, satisfied smile.)
— BEDROOM – NIGHT (Rita and Frank share intimate moments, their sex life now passionate and intense. Frank's voice echoes in pleasure, calling out her name.)
---
SCENE 15 INT. SELENA'S ROOM – NIGHT
(Selena sits on her bed, arms crossed, deep in thought. She's noticed Rita's efforts and knows she has to act fast. She smirks to herself, determination flashing in her eyes.)
SELENA
(muttering)
So, you want to play this game? Fine. Let's see who wins.
(From that night on, it becomes a battle for Frank's attention. Selena starts making her own moves, making sure she's always around him, flaunting herself, and slipping into his space whenever possible.)
---
SCENE 16 INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT
(One evening, as Rita heads toward the master bedroom, she stops short at the doorway—SELENA is there too, reaching for the doorknob at the same time. Their eyes meet, tension crackling between them.)
RITA
(coldly)
Excuse me.
SELENA
(smirks, folding her arms)
Going somewhere, first wife?
RITA
(narrows her eyes)
Unlike some people, I don't need permission to enter my husband's room.
SELENA (chuckles, stepping closer)
Oh? And yet, here we are, fighting for the same man's attention.
RITA (voice sharp, stepping forward)
You wish you were on my level. A mere maid, an illiterate, challenging me in my home?
SELENA (laughs mockingly, tossing her hair back)
Your home? Funny, because last I checked, Frank is our husband.
(Before Rita can respond, she slaps Selena hard across the face. Selena, stunned for a second, quickly retaliates. The two women grab at each other, a full-blown fight breaking out in the hallway.)
(Suddenly, doors swing open as their respective maids—ANGELA and BISI—rush in, followed by FRANK himself. He steps in between them, trying to pull them apart.)
FRANK
(angrily)
Enough! What is wrfirstong with you two?!
RITA
(breathing heavily, pointing at Selena)
Not until this thing learns to respect me as the first wife in my husband's house!
SELENA (smirking, wiping her lip)
Maybe you should learn to respect yourself , idiot.
RITA (furious, lunges at her again)
You dare talk to me—?!
(RITA and SELENA are tangled in yet another fight, their hands clawing at each other as they pull hair, push, and slap. Their screams echo through the house.)
(This time, FRANK is exhausted. He sighs heavily, rubs his temples, and without a word, turns around and walks into his room, locking the door behind him.)
RITA
(pounding on the door)
Frank! Open this door!
SELENA
(also knocking)
Baby, are you seriously ignoring us?!
(Frank remains silent inside. The women continue their shouting match, but he refuses to acknowledge them.)