Shayla: I tolerated Iman, not to have him boss me around. Now, in his anger, Iman Secret Exposed, will Iman try to impress Delícia and leave Shayla, or is he just flirting with Delícia for fun? Read More
When love turns toxic, even smoke can’t hide the truth.
Shayla draws the line — but Iman crosses it with fire and betrayal.
And when Delícia enters the picture… the whole house is about to burn. 🔥
SHAYLA’S LIVING ROOM – EVENING
Dim light filters through half-drawn curtains. A faint haze hangs in the air — the scent of smoke mixed with tension.
SHAYLA, in a soft house robe, sits on the couch watching KAI color in his sketchbook. A knock at the door.
She exhales slowly.
SHAYLA
(under her breath)
Here we go again.
She opens the door — IMAN stands there, tall, smooth, and already holding his lighter.
IMAN
(smiling)
You look tense, baby. Let me light up and calm the vibe.
SHAYLA
(stiffly)
Not tonight, Iman. Kai’s got a cold. I don’t want smoke around him.
IMAN
(relaxed laugh)
You act like I’m blowing it in his face. I always smoke by the window.
He walks in anyway, setting his expensive duffle bag on the counter. The smell of “gas” fills the room again.
KAI starts coughing softly.
SHAYLA
(trying to stay calm)
I said not here, Iman. Please — not when he’s home.
IMAN
(turning around, voice sharpening)
You got a problem all of a sudden? Last week it was fine.
SHAYLA
It was never fine! I just kept quiet because you helped me when I needed it.
Beat. Silence thickens.
IMAN flicks the lighter once — then stops. His eyes narrow.
IMAN
So now the fifty grand don’t buy no peace in this house?
SHAYLA
(angrily)
It doesn’t buy respect either!
IMAN
Oh, so that’s what we on now? You gon’ talk to me like that?
He steps closer. She doesn’t back away.
SHAYLA
I’m talking like a mother — not your toy.
He stares at her, disbelief flickering across his face.
CUT TO: INT. SHAYLA’S BEDROOM – LATER
The room is silent except for faint city noise.
Shayla sits at the edge of the bed, tears threatening to fall. Her phone buzzes — a text from ANTHONY.
“Kai still coughing. Keep him inside tomorrow. I’ll drop off some medicine.”
She sighs deeply, clutching the phone.
Then another buzz. This time — DELÍCIA.
“Girl, I saw Iman earlier. He was acting real funny. You okay?”
Shayla hesitates. Her gut twists.
INT. IMAN’S CAR – NIGHT
IMAN drives aimlessly, smoke swirling inside the car. The streetlights flash against his glassy eyes. His jaw tightens as he replays Shayla’s voice in his head.
SHAYLA (V.O.)
“You can smoke outside. Not around Kai.”
He scoffs.
IMAN
(to himself)
I’m grown. Nobody tellin’ me where to light up.
The phone on his passenger seat lights up — DELÍCIA calling.
He stares at it for a second… then answers.
IMAN
Yo.
DELÍCIA (V.O.)
(smiling voice)
Heard you and Shay had a little... situation. You good?
IMAN
(laughs bitterly)
She trippin’. Actin’ like I’m some bad influence.
DELÍCIA (V.O.)
(chuckles)
You? Bad influence? Never. You just misunderstood.
IMAN smirks, tapping his lighter against the steering wheel.
IMAN
You free tonight?
DELÍCIA (V.O.)
Maybe. You bringing that same energy... and a little something to smoke?
IMAN
Always.
He hangs up — a dangerous glint in his eyes.
INT. SHAYLA’S LIVING ROOM – NEXT MORNING
The light is soft and gray. Shayla makes tea, eyes heavy from lack of sleep. Kai plays quietly on the rug.
BROOKE (her neighbor) knocks gently, stepping in.
BROOKE
You okay, Shay? You look like you didn’t sleep.
SHAYLA
(quietly)
I didn’t. Iman and I... had words.
BROOKE
Let me guess. Smoke again?
Shayla nods, rubbing her temples.
BROOKE
Girl, that man ain’t gon’ change. Money or not.
SHAYLA
I know. But it’s not just that. I saw something in him last night... like he wasn’t even here anymore.
INT. DELÍCIA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT (SAME DAY)
Music hums low. DELÍCIA, confident and playful, pours two glasses of wine.
IMAN sits across from her — relaxed, a slow smile spreading.
DELÍCIA
You really let her talk to you like that?
IMAN
(smiling, shaking his head)
Not for long.
DELÍCIA
(leans closer)
Then maybe it’s time you keep your smoke... and your peace... somewhere new.
IMAN
Maybe I already found that.
Their eyes lock. The tension thickens — flirty, dangerous.
DELÍCIA
You sure you ready to play this game, Iman? Shayla don’t play fair.
IMAN
Neither do I.
INT. SHAYLA’S HOUSE – SAME TIME
Shayla scrolls through her phone.
Her heart sinks as she sees a video story — DELÍCIA posting a boomerang of two wine glasses and smoke drifting in the background.
The caption:
“Vibes. Real ones know.”
Shayla’s hand trembles.
SHAYLA
(whispers)
No... he wouldn’t.
Kai walks in, holding his toy car.
KAI
Mommy, you okay?
SHAYLA
(smiling weakly)
Yeah baby. Mommy’s just... thinking.
But her eyes say something else — rage, heartbreak, and realization.
INT. IMAN’S CAR – LATE NIGHT
Iman sits outside Delícia’s apartment, phone in his hand. He scrolls to Shayla’s contact. His thumb hovers over “Call.”
He sighs — guilt flickering for a moment. Then he locks the phone.
He lights up. Smoke fills the car again.
IMAN (V.O.)
(to himself)
She knew who I was when she met me.
He exhales slowly — eyes empty, lost in thought.
INT. SHAYLA’S KITCHEN – NEXT MORNING
Shayla stands at the counter, dressed sharply, her demeanor cold now — like someone preparing for a battle.
She picks up her phone and records a voice note:
SHAYLA (into phone)
You can play your games, Iman. But remember — when the smoke clears, truth always stays.
She sends it.
INT. DELÍCIA’S LIVING ROOM – SAME TIME
Delícia’s laughter fills the room. She opens a bottle of champagne.
IMAN checks his phone, listens to Shayla’s voice note. His smile fades.
DELÍCIA
What’s wrong, baby?
IMAN
(staring at the message)
Nothing. Just old smoke catching up.
He looks out the window — the city lights blur as if lost in fog.
EXT. SHAYLA’S BALCONY – NIGHT (LATER)
Shayla stands outside, staring at the same skyline. The night breeze brushes her hair.
She holds Kai’s small hoodie — the faint scent of smoke still on it.
She closes her eyes.
SHAYLA (V.O.)
I let you in, thinking love would clean the air. But all it did... was fill it with clouds.
She exhales deeply, her expression hardening.
INT. DELÍCIA’S APARTMENT – SAME NIGHT
Delícia steps closer to Iman, who seems distracted.
DELÍCIA
You sure you’re here with me?
IMAN
(quietly)
Yeah... I’m here.
But his eyes drift — not toward her, but toward something unseen.
The weight of Shayla’s words lingers.
FADE OUT — BUT HOLD ON THE SOUND OF A LIGHTER FLICKING...
Smoke rises once more, curling like a secret between them all.
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