(The whole day passes joyfully. Later that evening, Damian scrolls through the trending posts and excitedly shares them with Ella.)
Damian: Look! People are loving it!
Ella: Really?
Comment 1: Okay, but I don't get why people hated her before. She wrote a great story.
Comment 2: Looks like I'm sticking to the end.
Comment 3: I heard the drama has a sad ending, but I don't want the characters to die or get separated!
Comment 4: True! She wrote a great story. I wanna say sorry for hating on her.
Comment 5: Damian looked awesome in those historical clothes!
Ella: Hey, look! This one's about you.
Damian: Which one? Oh, this one—about my clothes?
Ella: Still. (She smiles.)
(They both smile at each other. Mr. Mah, sitting in the front seat, watches them quietly through the rearview mirror.)
(Soon, the car stops at Ella's house.)
Ella: Bye.
Damian: Bye.
(The car drives off. Damian focuses back on his tablet, still smiling. Mr. Mah glances at him through the mirror.)
Mr. Mah: Damian.
Damian: Yeah?
Mr. Mah: How's your neck pain now?
Damian: Way better. And the scar's fading too — I think your idea worked.
Mr. Mah: That's good. So… if you're healed, how about going back to how things were?
Damian: (confused) Going back? Why?
Mr. Mah: I mean, what's the need for a PA now? You don't really need her anymore.
Damian: (smile fades) I'm not completely healed yet.
Mr. Mah: Damian… be honest with me.
Damian: About what?
Mr. Mah: Do you like her?
(A long silence fills the car. Damian doesn't answer.)
Mr. Mah: What happened? Why are you so quiet?
Damian: I don't get what you're trying to say. (voice edged with irritation)
Mr. Mah: Damian… (sighs) If you like her, you'd better talk to your parents first. Because as your brother and as your manager, I'll say this — you shouldn't.
Damian: It's my life.
Mr. Mah: That's exactly why I'm saying this. A rumor destroyed her once before. If this happens again, the hate will be immense. Do you really want her to face that again?
Damian: You're manipulating me. I know you are.
Mr. Mah: I'm just saying — your actions are yours. And now… the decision to keep her or not is also yours.
Silence fills the car again as Damian looks out the window, conflicted.)
Scene: After Damian reaches home…
Damian walks in, still fuming.
Damian: (throws his shoe on the floor) "A brother? If you really thought of me as a brother, you would've never said that!" (angrily throws the other shoe) "It's my life — I can do whatever I want! I'm not a puppet!"
He drops onto the sofa with frustration, staring at the ceiling for a moment before turning his gaze to his phone.
Damian (muttering): "Talk to parents? I'm not a kid. I earn my own money, I've earned respect — I can choose who I want to be with! They'll obviously support me… not my manager."
He sits up, his expression softening.
Damian (quietly): "But what if… they don't?"
He shakes his head.
Damian (trying to convince himself): "No… they'll never…"
He unlocks his phone and scrolls through his small contact list. His finger hovers uncertainly over a few names He hesitates for a moment, sighs deeply, and finally presses "Call."
---
Cut to Ella's room:
Ella, already in her nightdress, is about to sleep when her phone rings.
Ella: "Who's calling at this hour?" (she checks the screen) "Why is he calling me?"
She picks up.
Ella: "Hello?"
Damian (over the phone): "Hey, are you free?"
Ella: (glancing at her bed) "Well… yes. What happened?"
Damian: "The party's still left. Wanna go out somewhere?"
Ella: "Out? Are you crazy?"
Damian: "Then how about a crazy place?"
Ella: "But how will I even reach there?"
Damian: "Don't worry, it's on me. Just get ready — I'll be there in ten minutes."
Ella: "Ten—wait! I'm not even—hello? Hello? Damian!?"
(She looks at the phone; the call's already ended.)
Ella: "Oh, shoot! Rey! Help me!!"