The Tycoon’S Fake Fiancée
running
mane(fl)
(Sobbing) Please, Gevorg... stop the car. You’re driving too fast.
raffi(ml)
(Gripping the steering wheel) Shut up, Mane! You think you can embarrass me in front of my partners? You’re my fiancée. You represent me
mane(fl)
I didn't do anything! I just wanted to go home. My parents forced this on me, isn't that enough for you?
raffi(ml)
(Laughing coldly) Your parents sold you to me because they were bankrupt. You’re a debt payment, Mane. Nothing more.
mane(fl)
(Whimpering) I can't breathe... please...
raffi(ml)
(Glancing at the rearview mirror) Hey, Levon. Look at her. Crying over a little lecture. Is this the woman I’m supposed to marry?
...
(Smirking) Honestly, Boss? She looks pathetic. Though, she does have a certain look when she’s desperate.
mane(fl)
(Leaning forward, desperate) Levon, please... help me. Tell him to stop. You see what he’s doing!
raffi(ml)
(Laughs) Boss, did you hear that? Your girl is asking me for help.
...
(Amused) Really, Mane? You’re begging my driver?
...
Sorry, Mane Jan. I work for the man who signs the checks, not the girl who cries in the backseat.
raffi(ml)
(Slamming the brakes) Get out.
mane(fl)
What? We're in the middle of the city...
...
(Grabbing her arm) I said get out! If you want to act like a victim, go walk home.
mane(fl)
(Stumbling out of the car) Fine! I’d rather walk than spend another second in this cage!
...
(Leaping out after her) You think you can just walk away from me?
mane(fl)
(Running) Stay away from me!
...
(Lungeing forward, grabbing the fabric of her evening gown) Get back here!
mane(fl)
(Screaming) Let go!
...
(Holding a large piece of her dress) Look at you now. Half-naked in the street.
mane(fl)
(Breathing hard, standing in only her black sports bra and athletic shorts she wore underneath) Keep it. I’m done.
...
(His eyes darkening) Levon, get her!
mane(fl)
(Sprinting) Not today!
...
(Running behind her) You can't outrun a car, Mane!
mane(fl)
(Darting into a narrow alley) Watch me!
[Outside "The Velvet Room" Club]
mane(fl)
(Chest heaving, seeing a neon sign) A bar... please let it be open.
...
(Blocking the entrance, adjusting a wig) Whoa, slow down, honey! This is a high-end club, not a gym. Where’s the rest of your outfit?
mane(fl)
(Looking back, seeing Gevorg’s car lights) Please... someone is chasing me. Let me in. I’ll do anything.
...
You’ve got the look, but we don't do charity. You want safety? You gotta earn it.
mane(fl)
How? Just tell me!
...
One of my girls bailed. We need a show. You want to hide? Go do a strip dance. The lights are bright enough that he won't see your face from the back, but the crowd will be your shield.
mane(fl)
(Pausing, terrified) A strip dance? I... I’ve never...
...
(Shrugging) Then enjoy whatever that guy in the suit is going to do to you.
...
(Shouting from the street) Mane! I see you!
mane(fl)
(Gasping) Okay! I’ll do it! Just let me in!
...
(Smirking) Door's open, darling. Stage is that way.
[Inside the Club - 2 Minutes Later]
...
(Banging on the door) Move aside, freak. I saw a girl run in here
...
(Yawning) Entry is 50,000 Dram. And watch your tone, honey.
...
(Slapping a stack of bills onto the counter) Keep the change. Where is she?
...
(Pocketing the cash) In the crowd somewhere. Or maybe on the stage. Good luck finding a needle in a haystack of glitter.
[The Stage - Under the Spotlight]
mane(fl)
(Walking onto the stage, legs shaking) Oh my God... what am I doing?
...
(Whistling and cheering) Go on! Take it off!
mane(fl)
(Closing her eyes, the music pulsing through the floor) Just move. If you don't move, he'll catch you.
song
[Backstage – Dressing Room]
mane(fl)
(Bursting through the heavy velvet curtains, chest heaving) Please! You have to help me!
...
(Startled, holding a lipstick mid-air) Who the hell are you? Security! How did this half-naked girl get in here?
mane(fl)
(Grabbing the dancer’s arm) Please, don't call them. My fiancé... he’s right outside. He’s going to take me back and I can’t go. I’ll do anything. Give me a costume, hide me!
...
(Pulling her arm away coldly) Look, honey, I’ve got my own problems. I’m on in five minutes. This isn't a shelter, it’s a business. I can't help you. Now get out before you ruin my makeup.
mane(fl)
(Voice booming from the hallway) MANE! I know you’re back here! Open every damn door!
...
(Voice booming from the hallway) MANE! I know you’re back here! Open every damn door!
mane(fl)
(Eyes wide with terror) He’s here. He’s right there!
...
(Sighing) Not my circus, not my—
mane(fl)
(Looking at a shimmering, floor-length silver gown on a rack) I’m sorry. I’ll pay you back someday. I promise!
...
Hey! That’s my finale dress!
mane(fl)
(Yanking the dress off the hanger and ducking behind a screen) I’m sorry! I have to!
...
(Banging on the dressing room door) Open up! I’m looking for a girl!
...
(Applying her lashes, annoyed) She’s not in here, you brute! Go check the basement!
[Moments Later – The Stage]
...
(Whispering frantically to Mane) You’re late! And why are you wearing that? I told you to strip, not dress up for a gala!
mane(fl)
(Trembling as she zips the silver gown) I can’t strip. I’ll give you a better show. Just let me stay in the light.
...
Fine. Get out there. If the crowd boos, I’m throwing you to that angry man at the bar myself!
mane(fl)
(Walking onto the stage. The bright white spotlight hits her, blinding her for a second) Just don't look at him. Look at the ceiling. Look at the stars.
...
(Silence. Then, murmurs of confusion)
"What is this?"
"Is she going to dance or just stand there?"
"We paid for a show, not a funeral!"
...
(Pushing his way to the front of the stage, his face purple with rage) Mane! Get down here! You’re making a fool of yourself and my name!
mane(fl)
(Standing perfectly still, her hands clenched at her sides. She is silent, her eyes darting across the room) ...
...
(Standing up, disgusted) This is pathetic. I didn't come here to watch a girl cry in a stolen dress.
...
(Tossing a napkin on the table) This club has gone to the dogs. Let’s go to the lounge down the street.
...
(Panic-stricken, grabbing the curtain rope) Oh no. My regulars are leaving! She’s ruining my reputation! I have to close the curtain!
raffi(ml)
(Sitting in the center VIP booth, his voice calm but commanding) No.
...
(Freezing) Mr. Raffi? She’s a disaster! Look at them leaving!
raffi(ml)
(Leaning forward, his dark eyes fixed on Mane) Let her be. She hasn't started yet.
mane(fl)
(Seeing Raffi’s steady gaze. She takes a deep breath and grabs the microphone stand) I can't run anymore. I have to fight with the only thing I have left.
mane(fl)
(Singing softly, an old Armenian soulful melody) "Kele, kele... Walking, walking... under the moon of my sorrows..."
(Slowly, the room goes silent. The people who were leaving stop in their tracks.)
(Her voice grows stronger, filling the room with a haunting, beautiful power. She begins to move—not a strip dance, but a graceful, traditional Armenian-style dance mixed with modern desperation)
...
(Stunned into silence, watching her from the foot of the stage) Mane? Since when do you...
raffi(ml)
(A small, intrigued smile forming on his lips) Beautiful.
mane(fl)
(Spinning, the silver dress catching the light like a thousand diamonds. She is no longer a victim; for three minutes, she is the queen of the room)
(As the song ends, a deafening roar of applause breaks out. People are standing, cheering, and throwing flowers from the tables.)
mane(fl)
(Chest heaving, tears streaming down her face) Thank you...
...
(Wiping his eyes) Oh my... she’s a gold mine. I’ve never seen the crowd like this!
...
(Reaching up to grab her ankle) Okay, show’s over! Mane, come with me now!
raffi(ml)
(Standing up and snapping his fingers) Security.
...
(Two massive men instantly block Gevorg) Sir, you need to step back.
...
Do you know who I am?! That’s my property!
raffi(ml)
(Walking toward the stage, ignoring Gevorg completely) Manager.
...
(Bowing slightly) Yes, Mr. Raffi? Anything!
raffi(ml)
(Handing him a black card) Clear her schedule. Get her some water. And send her to my VIP room immediately. We have a contract to discuss.
...
Right away, sir! Mane, darling! Did you hear that? The King of Yerevan wants to see you!
mane(fl)
(Looking at Raffi, breathless and scared) Why?
...
(His voice low and smooth) Because, Mane... you just gave the performance of a lifetime. And I think it’s time you stopped performing for him, and started working for me.
...
(Screaming as he is dragged toward the exit) I'LL KILL HIM, MANE! YOU HEAR ME? YOU'RE MINE!
mistake kiss
[Inside the VIP Room – Dim Lighting, Scent of Expensive Cigar Smoke]
mane(fl)
(Walking slowly into the room, her silver dress shimmering under the low amber lights. She begins to move, her hips swaying to the faint music from the club below.)
raffi(ml)
(Sitting on a velvet sofa, a glass of amber liquid in his hand. He watches her with a cold, analytical intensity.) You’re still dancing, Mane. The show is over. Stop performing and sit down.
mane(fl)
(Continuing to dance, her eyes fixed on the plush carpet) I’m paying my debt to the club. I don’t sit with strangers for free.
raffi(ml)
(Voice dropping an octave) Look at me.
mane(fl)
(Refusing to lift her head, her hair veiling her face) No.
raffi(ml)
(Setting his glass down with a sharp clack) I don't talk to people who won't look me in the eye. I have an offer for you. Come to my estate. Tonight. I’ll provide you with a life your parents couldn't dream of—and a level of protection Gevorg can never break.
mane(fl)
(Stopping her dance, her voice trembling) I am not a bird you can just buy and put in a different cage. I refuse. I’d rather take my chances on the street.
raffi(ml)
(Leaning back) The street is where Gevorg is waiting with a car and a pair of handcuffs. Are you sure?
mane(fl)
(Quietly) I’m sure.
...
(Voice erupting from the hallway, followed by the sound of a struggle) Where is she?! I know she’s in one of these rooms! Out of my way!
mane(fl)
(Gasping, her heart hammering against her ribs) Oh God... he’s here. He’s going to kill me.
raffi(ml)
(Unmoved) Last chance, Mane. The door is about to open.
...
(Kicking the door open) Mane! You—!
mane(fl)
(Acting on pure instinct, she lunges toward Raffi, grabbing his lapels and smashing her lips against his in a desperate, deep kiss.)
raffi(ml)
(Stiffening for a split second, then his hand slides behind her neck, deepening the kiss with a possessive grip.)
...
(Stopping dead at the entrance, seeing only the back of a woman draped in a silver dress kissing a powerful-looking man in the shadows) ...Uh. Wrong room.
...
(From behind Gevorg) Told you, Boss. Let’s go. This looks like one of the high-rollers. We don't want trouble with the VIPs.
...
(Grunting, slamming the door shut) Fine. She must have slipped out the back.
mane(fl)
(Pulling away instantly, her face burning, wiping her mouth) ...He’s gone.
raffi(ml)
(A dangerous smirk playing on his lips) Well. I suppose that means you’ve accepted my offer after all. You don’t kiss a man like that unless you’re ready to follow him home.
mane(fl)
(Breathless) It was a distraction! Nothing more!
raffi(ml)
(Standing up, towering over her) To the world, you just claimed me. And I don't let people claim me for free. Let's go. My car is waiting.
[The Estate – Raffi’s Master Bedroom – Midnight]
mane(fl)
(Looking around the massive, cold, modern room) Why is there only one bed? I’m not staying in here with you.
raffi(ml)
(Walking toward her, his expression unreadable) You’re wearing a stolen, tattered dress that makes you look like a common club girl. You’re in my house now. You will look like a lady.
mane(fl)
(Backing up) What are you doing?
raffi(ml)
(Reaching out, his fingers catching the thin silver strap of her gown) This needs to come off.
mane(fl)
(Eyes widening) Stop it!
raffi(ml)
(Reacting with a sharp CRACK as her palm connects with Raffi’s cheek) How dare you!
raffi(ml)
(His head turning slowly back to her, a red mark blooming on his skin. His eyes are like ice.) You think I brought you here for that?
mane(fl)
(Clutching the dress to her chest, sobbing) You’re all the same! You think because you have money, you own my body!
raffi(ml)
(Stepping into her space, his voice a low growl) Listen to me carefully. I did that so you would stop wearing that slutty rag and put on the clothes I’ve provided. I have no interest in taking a woman by force. I am a businessman, not a predator like Gevorg.
mane(fl)
(Blinking back tears, her voice small) ...I... I’m sorry. I just... I’m scared.
raffi(ml)
(Straightening his shirt, his tone turning clinical and cold) Don't be sorry. Be smart.
mane(fl)
Why did you do it? Why did you pay the manager? Why did you bring me here? You don’t even know me.
raffi(ml)
(Walking toward the door, stopping with his hand on the handle) You want to know why you’re here? Open the top drawer of the nightstand. Your answer is inside.
mane(fl)
(Watching him leave) Raffi?
raffi(ml)
(Without turning back) Sleep, Mane. Tomorrow, your new life begins. Whether you like it or not.
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