Man In Love

Fred's life with Victoria is sterile. She withholds affection, citing scripture. On their anniversary, he brings a necklace, reaches for her—she prays over him instead. The rejection sends him into the night. He finds Ese, a street worker. They haggle, then sleep together. He returns. In 'Man In Love', his need transforms into tenderness. He learns Ese's past: sold as a child, her mother dead from the trade. He sees beyond her body. Love grows. Victoria's suspicion sharpens. She arrives at Fred's home, uses her spare key. She finds Ese hiding in the closet, half-dressed. She screams, brands her a whore, a destroyer. Fred intervenes, tells Victoria to leave. He ends their relationship. Victoria weeps. Fred chooses Ese. Andy, Fred's friend, warns him: 'She'll ruin you.' Fred ignores him. Victoria cannot accept. She follows Fred, confronts Ese outside her apartment. She slaps Ese. Ese fights back, scratches her face. Neighbors gather. Fred arrives, separates them. He knows Victoria will never stop. He decides the only way to end the chaos is to marry Ese. He proposes on a park bench. Ese says yes, tears in her eyes. The wedding is on a beach. A pastor officiates. Andy stands beside Fred, resigned. Ese wears a simple white dress. Fred slips a ring on her finger. Victoria receives a phone call from a friend who saw the wedding on Facebook. She hangs up, drops to her knees, cries out to God. A pastor from her church arrives later to comfort her. She sobs on his shoulder. On the beach, Fred kisses Ese. The waves roll in. Victoria's faith is empty.