Entwined Futures
The Sculpture in the Hall
Vale Enterprises Gala – Side Hallway]
Vivian Langford
(thinking)
Vivian Langford
Ugh. Too many people... too many cameras...
Why did I even come to this thing?
[She quietly slips out of the ballroom, following the “Art Exhibition – East Hall” sign.]
Naomi Lin
You’re not supposed to be here.
Vivian Langford
(startled)
Vivian Langford
I-I thought the art room was open?
Naomi Lin
Unless you’re a billionaire or staff... with a good excuse.
Vivian Langford
(nervous smile)
Vivian Langford
Does “lost art student” count?
Naomi Lin
Only if you have good taste.
Vivian Langford
You remember me?
Naomi Lin
Vivian Langford.
Naomi Lin
Your mother sponsors half the art in this building.
She also hates modern sculpture.
Vivian Langford
(laughs softly)
Vivian Langford
That sounds like her.
[Naomi stares for a moment too long... then turns and taps a panel on the wall.]
[A curtain lifts, revealing a steel sculpture – wings mid-motion, caught in place.]
Naomi Lin
It’ll be unveiled later tonight.
Naomi Lin
But you’ve already broken the rules, so...
Vivian Langford
(eyes wide)
Vivian Langford
It’s beautiful.
Vivian Langford
And kind of... sad?
Vivian Langford
Like it wants to fly, but it’s stuck.
Vivian Langford
Caught between soaring and falling.
Naomi Lin
You’re not wrong.
[They stand in silence, side by side.]
Vivian Langford
You’re not like the others, are you?
Naomi Lin
Is that a compliment or an insult?
Vivian Langford
A compliment.
[Naomi lets out a short, surprised laugh.]
Naomi Lin
Huh. That’s new.
Vivian Langford
(thinking)
Vivian Langford
I like that sound.
Naomi Lin
Don’t get used to it, Langford.
Naomi Lin
I’m not usually this nice.
Vivian Langford
That’s okay.
Vivian Langford
I like earning it.
[Naomi pauses—visibly caught off guard.]
[The distant sound of music swells—guests being called back.]
Vivian Langford
Thanks… for letting me stay.
[Vivian walks off. Naomi watches her go.]
Naomi Lin
...That girl’s going to be trouble.
The Proposal
Grey Family Mansion – Ethan’s Bedroom]
Ethan Grey
Great. Another morning in paradise.
[Phone buzzes – Group Chat: “Grey Family Royal Court”]
Isabella Grey
Breakfast. Now. Formal attire.
Isabella Grey
And bring your attitude in check, Ethan.
Ethan Grey
Wouldn’t dream of doing otherwise.
Dining Room – Grey Family Mansion]
Marcus Grey
Ethan. Sit down. We need to talk about your future.
Ethan Grey
What is it this time? Boarding school in the Arctic?
Isabella Grey
It’s an arranged marriage.
Ethan Grey
...Sorry, I thought you said “arranged marriage.” That a new family punishment?
Marcus Grey
You’ll be marrying Adrian Vale. CEO of Vale Enterprises.
Ethan Grey
...Excuse me, Adrian Vale as in childhood best friend who disappeared for 10 years and turned into a corporate robot?
Ethan Grey
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Vale Enterprises – Adrian’s Office]
[Door opens. Ethan walks in unannounced.]
Ethan Grey
Hey, stranger. Heard we’re getting married. Should I pick out napkins or what?
Adrian Vale
(without looking up)
Adrian Vale
Ethan. Still dramatic, I see.
Ethan Grey
And you’re still cold. So that hasn’t changed either.
Adrian Vale
(finally meets his gaze)
Adrian Vale
I didn’t agree to this either. But we both know how our families work.
Ethan Grey
Wow, what a proposal. Really warms the heart.
Adrian Vale
This isn’t about love. It’s about legacy.
Ethan Grey
Then what happens when we hate each other, huh?
Adrian Vale
We pretend. That’s what we’re good at.
[A beat of silence. Their eyes linger a little too long.]
Ethan Grey
Why does he still look at me like that?
Ethan Grey
Like he remembers everything... and feels nothing.
Ethan’s Rooftop – That Night]
[He lies on a lounge chair, staring up at the sky.]
Ethan Grey
Marrying Adrian Vale.
Ethan Grey
Because a part of me still wonders what it would’ve been like...
Ethan Grey
If he hadn’t left.
Whispers in the Halls
Hawthorne Academy (Elite Private School)
School Courtyard – Morning]
Clara Montague
Where are you??
Ethan Grey
Still recovering from being sold like a vintage handbag.
Ethan Grey
I’ll be there in 10.
Hawthorne Academy – Front Gates]
[Ethan steps out of a sleek black car. A few students turn to stare.]
Student N1
That’s Ethan Grey, right?
Student N2
Yeah. Heard he’s marrying Adrian Vale. CEO of Vale Enterprises.
Student N1
No way. He’s like... eighteen.
Ethan Grey
Great. The gossip mill’s working overtime.
Hawthorne Academy – Rooftop Garden Lounge]
[Clara, Julian, and Vivian are waiting with iced coffees.]
Clara Montague
There he is! The boy with a wedding ring in his future!
Ethan Grey
(flopping into the seat)
Ethan Grey
Ugh. Please tell me you spiked this coffee.
Julian Cross
So it’s true? You’re really marrying the “Ice King” of the corporate world?
Ethan Grey
Yup. And he’s still as emotionally available as a dead cactus.
Vivian Langford
But you used to be close, right?
Ethan Grey
Yeah. Before he ghosted me for ten years and came back with a Rolex and trust issues.
[Annalise Sinclair scrolls through her phone, fuming as she sees the online headline: “CEO Adrian Vale Engaged to Grey Heir”]
Annalise Sinclair
(thinking)
Annalise Sinclair
No. No no no. This has to be a mistake.
Annalise Sinclair
(out loud)
Annalise Sinclair
He wouldn’t choose him.
He was mine first.
[She glares down the hallway where Ethan just walked past, surrounded by friends.]
Annalise Sinclair
(thinking)
Annalise Sinclair
You’re not going to take him from me, Ethan Grey.
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