Damian sits in the back seat of his car, city lights reflecting off the tinted windows. His phone rings — it's Mr. Mah.
Damian:
Yes, Mr. Mah?
Mr. Mah:
How was your day?
Damian:
You know it better than anyone. You planned it.
Mr. Mah (chuckles):
Right. Anyway, I spoke to that girl today.
Damian (shocked):
You did what?!
Mr. Mah:
Relax. I think she might agree to the deal.
Damian (raising voice):
What deal? And how could you talk to her without asking me first?
Mr. Mah (calmly):
I don't need your permission to talk to someone.
Damian (defensive):
Still, if she's going to be around me all day, you should've told me!
Mr. Mah:
And do what? Take you along so you could scare her off the moment you saw her? You would've gone, "You don't want to do it? Great. Leave."
Damian (grumbling):
I'm not that rude.
Mr. Mah:
With people you don't like? You are. Listen, if she agrees, she'll do it for a week. If we see no change, we let her go. No harm done.
Damian stays silent for a moment, staring out the window. He remembers her awkwardly pushing her hair off her face, saying, "No, that's my hairstyle." A small smirk escapes before he catches himself.
Damian (low voice):
Fine.
Mr. Mah:
Good. Goodnight.
Damian:
Yeah... goodnight.
The call ends. Damian leans back against the seat, the city lights dancing across his face. A shadow of a smirk fades.
Damian (to himself):
She won't even last two days.
Scene: Ella's room – Sunday morning
Ella is pacing in circles, nervously clutching Mr. Mah's business card.
Ella (muttering to herself):
I want that money... but I can't stand that creepy guy for even a minute. What should I do? What should I do?
Rey sits calmly on a chair, watching her with an amused expression.
Rey (dryly):
Don't you feel dizzy? You've been circling this room like a racing horse for over an hour.
Ella (stops abruptly):
Then what should I do?!
(She stumbles slightly, dizzy)
Okay… maybe I do feel a little dizzy.
She flops onto the bed, dramatically covering her face with both hands. Rey stands up and walks over, sitting beside her.
Rey (softly):
Hey. Take it easy. Just try it.
If you feel like you can't do it, then stop.
But at least give it a shot — for yourself.
Ella slowly lowers her hands, revealing her conflicted expression.
Ella (exhaling):
You're right. I shouldn't give up before trying.
She picks up her phone and starts dialing, her thumb hesitating over the call button.
Rey (playfully):
Here — let me help.
(She taps the call button before Ella can stop her)
See? Not that hard.
Ella (shrieks):
Rey!! Why did you—?!
Mr. Mah (on the call):
Hello?
Rey (whispering urgently):
Speak!!
Ella (clears throat nervously):
H-Hello… It's me, Ella. The café girl.
Mr. Mah (pleasantly surprised):
Oh! The café girl! So, did you think about my offer?
Ella:
Yes, but… can I try it first? I'm not sure if I can really do it.
Mr. Mah:
Of course! You can start today if you want.
Ella (eyes widening):
Today?