Star knew then—Mandume could never fully understand. Maria had loved him too well, too constantly, for him to see her true face.
"Oh God… how do I make Mendu believe the woman he calls 'mom' is a danger to him?" Star murmured, her voice nearly vanishing in the thick air between them.
Mandume's brows drew together.
"Can you just tell me what's going on?"
"Mendu, please—your father is in danger," she began, but at that exact moment, Mandume's phone rang. Star used the distraction to slide the gun along her waist, tucking it close to her skin, hidden.
After the call, Mandume looked electric with excitement.
"What's going on?" Star asked, cautious.
"Grandma's home! Come on, let's go!" he said, already starting the engine.
"Wait—you have a grandma?" she asked, startled.
"Yeah, my dad's mother. She's a vibe. You'll love her," Mandume chuckled.
"But Mendu, we were just talking about your dad," Star said, confused.
"Exactly. That's why I'm excited. I have an idea. Grandma always wanted someone to help her find Dad without going to the cops. When he disappeared, she was stuck in the UK with legal drama. She's married there. She went silent after he vanished… but now she's back!"
"So she just called you now? No warning?" Star asked, suspicious.
"Nope. Total surprise. But don't worry—Grandma's amazing."
"There's fire on the mountain," Star muttered under her breath.
When they arrived, Star stepped out of the car and immediately spotted Maria walking barefoot from the side gate. Her fingers brushed the hidden gun. Their eyes met—Star's searing with fury, Maria's narrowed and cold. Star lifted her shirt slightly, letting the gun peek just enough for Maria to see, and signed her to stay quiet.
"Mom, where are you coming from?" Mandume asked, rushing to help her.
"I went to the clinic to get your father's medical records. I don't want my kids to be disappointed in me anymore. Please forgive me," Maria said tearfully.
"Mom… I was just angry. I should've understood you better. We'll find him—together," Mandume reassured her.
Maria sobbed softly.
"I've failed as a mother and wife. But I want to make things right again."
Star watched, disgusted. Maria caught her glare and… winked.
"Of course I didn't tell Mendu anything. He wouldn't have listened anyway," Star muttered.
At the door, Mandume turned to Maria.
"Mom, smile. I've got a surprise for you. Go put your shoes on—look presentable. We're walking into… Grandma's homecoming!"
Maria froze. Her face went pale.
"Mom… is here?" she stuttered.
Star noticed.
Why did she suddenly look like she saw a ghost? Is grandma a threat to her too? Star thought.
Inside, a powerful voice echoed:
"Surprise!"
Mrs. Christine Davids—graceful yet commanding—stood in the living room.
"Grandma!" Mandume exclaimed, rushing to embrace her. Her smile bloomed… until she saw Maria. Her expression instantly hardened. But when her eyes landed on Star, it softened again.
She let go of Mandume and walked past Maria, straight to Star.
"Oh, what beauty! What's your name, darling?"
"Star," she replied, uneasy.
"She's my best friend, Grandma. She lives with us now," Mandume added.
"Such a lovely name… and face. You're home now, dear. Call me Grandma."
Star managed a small smile.
"Thank you, ma."
Christine turned to Maria, feigning civility.
"Oh, almost forgot. Maria, how are you? You look… pale."
"I'm fine, ma," Maria said flatly.
"Didn't expect me, did you?"
"No… I mean, yes… I just didn't know you were coming," Maria stumbled.
Christine raised a brow.
"Well, surprise."
"Grandma, we're so happy. 2016 is long past," Mandume said, trying to lift the mood.
"That cursed year took my son and gave me silence," Christine whispered, bitter.
Mandume leaned forward.
"Grandma, we've found clues. Dad might still be alive. Star found a report from Paola Asylum."
Christine's face contorted.
"That's… a psychiatric institution, isn't it?"
"Yes. And Mom knew. All along," Mandume said, his voice breaking.
"What?!" Christine turned sharply to Maria.
"Ma, please—I…" Maria tried.
"Let me tell her," Mandume said, stopping her. "Dad's mentally unstable, Grandma. He's been under treatment all these years, and Mom kept it from us."
Christine stood.
"You what? You hid his illness from his own mother?"
Maria broke down.
"I did it for Mandume. I thought I was protecting him."
"Protecting him by lying?! How dare you—how dare you keep my son from me!" Christine shouted.
"Grandma, please—don't fight. We need to stay united," Star said, placing a hand on Maria's shoulder. "We all want the same thing. Let's focus on finding Mr. Davids."
Christine, now trembling, nodded.
"He's my only son. This feels like a punishment…"
"And yet… you're here. You came. That means you haven't given up." Star moved to her. "My mother used to say, never act from anger—it only leads to destruction."
Christine held her tears.
"I will find my son. That's why I came."
"Ma, your prayers are powerful. With your strength, we'll bring him home," Star said.
"You didn't even welcome your favorite person properly," Star nudged Mandume.
"Um...where's Angel? The house has been radio silence since I arrived" Christine says as she sits
"Ah, Bonita! She's probably at campus. I'll get drinks!" Mandume dashed off.
Maria silently slipped to her room, perhaps remembering something. Star, now alone on the couch, felt the cold steel against her skin.
"Oh God, this gun... I can't let anyone see it," she whispered.
Christine looked at her.
"So, Star—you live here now?"
"Yes ma. My family's going through something… Mom asked madam to let me stay here for the year."
"Your mother and Maria are friends?"
"No… Mandume asked her. They've never met."
Christine studied her.
"Just friends, hmm?"
"Y-Yes ma," Star stammered.
"My grandson, friends with someone this beautiful? Doubtful. Is he born again or something?" Christine teased.
Mandume walked in with drinks.
"Why do you always doubt me, Grandma?"
"Look at you," Star said, taking the glasses from his hands. "Why didn't you ask for help?"
"You're here now, just relax."
"When the wife is home, she serves the guests," Star replied cheekily, pouring the wine.
"Wife?" Mandume raised an eyebrow.
Star's hand paused. Their eyes locked.
"I… I mean hypothetically. Just sit down," she said, flustered.
Mandume smirked, settling into his seat. Christine, however, kept watching. Watching them.