LOVE BEYOND THE PAGES

--- Scene 1: Love Beyond the Pages (INT. SMALL APARTMENT - NIGHT) The room is dimly lit by a desk lamp. Papers are scattered across the desk, scribbled with half-finished sentences and crumpled drafts. A laptop sits open, displaying a partially written manuscript. KARA, a mid-20s aspiring author, sits hunched over the desk. Her glasses slide down her nose as she stares at the screen, her fingers hovering above the keyboard. She’s exhausted but determined. KARA (muttering to herself) Come on, Kara. Just finish the chapter. You can do this. Her eyes drift to a framed photo beside the desk—a younger Kara holding up a copy of her favorite novel, grinning from ear to ear. Below the frame is a sticky note: “One day, you’ll write something even better.” She sighs, frustrated, and leans back in her chair. I poured my soul into this story. Why can’t I figure out the ending? She glances at the screen one more time. The words “The Kingdom of Elarion” are bold at the top of the page. She hesitates, then hits save and closes the laptop. Kara stands, stretching her arms. The faint sound of thunder rumbles outside. Maybe some tea will help. She moves to the kitchen, but as she pours water into the kettle, the lights flicker. She freezes, glancing around. Uh… okay. Weird. Suddenly, the room is bathed in an eerie, golden glow. A soft hum fills the air, growing louder. Kara clutches the counter as the glow intensifies, enveloping her completely. Her surroundings begin to distort, the walls and furniture twisting as if being sucked into a vortex. What the—?! She’s pulled off her feet and into the golden light. Her scream is cut off as everything goes silent. (FADE OUT) --- Scene 2: Into the Novel (INT. LUXURIOUS BEDROOM – MORNING) The sound of birds chirping filters in through the open window. The room is grand, almost overwhelming—marble floors, gold-accented furniture, and a massive king-sized bed draped in silk sheets. Kara stirs, her eyes fluttering open. She frowns, blinking against the bright sunlight streaming in through the curtains. KARA (groggily) What the…? She sits up, clutching her head. Something feels off. She looks around, her confusion growing. KARA Where am I? Her gaze falls on a mirror across the room. She gasps, scrambling out of bed. The woman staring back at her isn’t entirely her—but a refined, elegant version of herself. She’s dressed in a satin nightgown, her hair neatly styled. KARA (stammering) This isn’t… me. Before she can process, the door swings open. A poised maid enters, bowing slightly. MAID Good morning, Mrs. Blackwood. Would you like breakfast in the dining room or brought here? KARA (wide-eyed, muttering) Mrs. Blackwood? She freezes, her mind racing. It clicks. KARA (whispering) Oh no. This… this is my novel. The Kingdom of Elarion? No… wait. This is my other story. The CEO romance. The maid looks at her, puzzled by her silence. MAID Madam? Are you feeling unwell? Should I call the doctor? KARA (snapping out of it) No! No, I’m fine. I’m just… not hungry right now. The maid bows and exits, leaving Kara alone to process. She paces the room, muttering under her breath. KARA Okay, Kara. Think. You’re in your novel. You’re Mrs. Blackwood. That means… Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching. The door opens, and SEBASTIAN BLACKWOOD, the aloof, cold CEO, enters. He’s every bit as she described him—tall, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, with sharp features and piercing gray eyes. His presence fills the room with an intimidating aura. He barely spares her a glance as he adjusts the cufflinks on his sleeves. SEBASTIAN You’re awake. Good. Kara swallows hard, feeling her heart race. She remembers everything now—their marriage, his coldness, his unresolved feelings for his childhood sweetheart. This is the man she’d written as a distant, icy perfectionist. KARA (nervously) Good morning. SEBASTIAN I’ll be in the study. Don’t disturb me unless it’s important. Without waiting for a reply, he strides out of the room, leaving Kara standing there, stunned. KARA (muttering to herself) Well, that went… just like I wrote it. Great. She sinks back onto the bed, burying her face in her hands. KARA What have I gotten myself into? (FADE OUT) Scene 3: Unwelcome Reality (INT. MANSION HALLWAY – MORNING) Kara grips the silky sheets beneath her, still reeling. Her mind races as she stares at the massive double doors Sebastian just walked through. KARA (muttering to herself) Right. So, I’m in my own novel. Married to him. And he’s just as cold as I wrote him. Fantastic. She runs a hand through her hair, trying to collect her thoughts. The weight of reality—this fictional reality—settles over her. KARA (to herself, pacing) Alright, Kara. Think. How do these stories go? The heroine either suffers in a loveless marriage or fights to win the cold CEO’s heart… or—oh God—gets divorced and left penniless. She groans, flopping back onto the bed. KARA (gritting her teeth) I am not going to be a tragic side character in my own damn story. Determined, she sits up, adjusting the satin nightgown. If she’s going to survive this, she needs information. Quickly. She swings her legs out of bed, wincing as her bare feet touch the cold marble floor. Glancing around, she spots a wardrobe—massive, ornate, and likely filled with ridiculously expensive clothes. KARA (muttering) Might as well look the part. She yanks the doors open. Inside, rows of designer dresses, tailored suits, and heels she’s sure cost more than her rent in the real world stare back at her. KARA (deadpan) I could buy a whole apartment with this closet. She pulls out a simple, elegant outfit—nothing too extravagant, but refined enough to match the version of herself she’s supposed to be. A few minutes later, she steps into the hallway, her heart pounding. --- Scene 4: Ice and Fire (INT. STUDY – BLACKWOOD MANSION) Kara hesitates outside the heavy wooden doors, taking a deep breath. She remembers this room well—it’s where Sebastian buries himself in work, avoiding his wife at all costs. KARA (to herself) No time for nerves. If I’m stuck here, I need to do something. She knocks, but there’s no answer. Typical. Rolling her eyes, she pushes the door open. Sebastian is at his desk, papers spread out before him, fingers moving swiftly across his laptop keyboard. His suit jacket is draped over the chair, sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal his toned forearms. He glances up, his sharp gray eyes locking onto her. SEBASTIAN (coolly) What is it? Kara straightens, determined not to be intimidated. KARA We need to talk. Sebastian leans back in his chair, assessing her with an unreadable expression. SEBASTIAN I’m busy. KARA (crossing her arms) And I’m your wife. So we’re both suffering. A flicker of amusement—so brief she almost misses it—crosses his face. But his voice remains indifferent. SEBASTIAN Get to the point. Kara steps forward, gripping the edge of the desk. KARA This… marriage. We both know it’s a mess. You don’t love me. You barely tolerate me. And frankly, I’m not interested in playing the role of the neglected wife. Sebastian’s jaw tightens, but he says nothing. KARA (leaning closer, voice firm) So tell me, Sebastian—what do you want from this? Because I refuse to be a ghost in my own life. A beat of silence. Then, slowly, Sebastian stands. He towers over her, his presence overwhelming. SEBASTIAN (quietly, dangerously) You think you can change things? Kara lifts her chin, refusing to back down. KARA I think I deserve to try. Their gazes lock—an unspoken challenge crackling in the air. For the first time, something shifts in Sebastian’s eyes. Amusement? Interest? Something else entirely? He steps back, his voice calm but edged with something unreadable. SEBASTIAN Do what you want, Kara. Just don’t expect me to play along. With that, he turns back to his work, dismissing her. Kara exhales slowly, her pulse racing. KARA (to herself, leaving the room) Okay. Challenge accepted. (FADE OUT)