After lectures, Star went home with Bonita. Mandume wasn't back from work yet, but he managed to text Star:
"I'll take you to meet your father today."
But Star insisted,
"No, just stick to your schedule. I'm meeting Leila too—it'll only waste your time."
Mandume agreed. Meanwhile, Maria was quietly working on a plan against Star—something dark was brewing.
At a small restaurant in town, Leila stepped out of a cab and walked in, spotting Star at the far end. The two hugged tightly, the joy of reunion written all over their faces.
"You're glowing, girl!" Leila said, eyeing her up and down. "Did you turn right and rich overnight?"
"I know, right?" Star laughed.
"In the movies, people in rich and respected houses wear wings. Where's yours?"
"Ah! You and I both know I've never liked those things."
"Mmh, middle-class roots never fade... and where's your bodyguard, Madam Soft Life?" Leila teased.
"Leila, stop," Star chuckled. "I haven't changed. Even if they assigned me one, I wouldn't want it. That's just not me."
"Agh. I forgot—you're Star. So tell me about this new family. Be honest: do you sleep in the same room as Mandume?"
"You never change." Star laughed again, shaking her head. "Where do I even start? It's a long story... but I'll give you the short version."
She told Leila everything—from the Davids' twisted home life, to Maria's hidden cruelty.
"Wait, wait, wait—Mr. Davids disappeared five years ago, but you say they think he vanished last year? How are they so blind?" Leila blinked in disbelief.
"Madam's love is a powerful illusion," Star replied coldly. "She's got Mendu wrapped around her finger. He thinks she's his hero, his everything. He doesn't even know she's not his real mother."
"So... Mandume's real mom is dead?"
"Yes. Maria told me she killed her. A car accident. Mendu was only one."
Leila's jaw dropped.
"Leila," Star leaned forward, her voice low and fierce, "I need your help. I can't let him keep drowning in betrayal. We have to expose that woman."
"Say your hubby," Leila said with a smirk.
"Will you help me or not?" Star asked sharply.
"Of course, love. Anytime. Where do we start?"
"Follow my lead. But listen—the real reason I asked you here today: I need you to sit nearby and record. My dad is coming to meet me... after the whole pregnancy news... but I don't trust his intentions. So just blend in and act normal. Wear something he won't recognize."
"I don't even have a cap or a hat!"
"Take my hoodie. You'll be fine. I'll order something for you."
Just then, Star's phone rang. It was her father.
"Where should I meet you?"
She texted him the restaurant's location. As she and Leila positioned themselves, an unknown man suddenly approached Star's table and sat down.
"That seat's reserved, sir. I'm waiting for someone," Star said politely, extending her hand. But the man ignored her, shook her hand, and sat like he owned the place.
"I am the one you're waiting for, Star," he said, smiling.
Star froze. Leila squinted from her corner.
"That's not her father," she whispered to herself.
"Sorry... who are you exactly?" Star asked.
"How have you been, Star? Did you order already?" he said casually. "Oh, no? I'll order then. Waiter!"
"I know you like milkshake," he added smugly. "Milkshake and water, please."
Star narrowed her eyes. Something was off. She watched closely as the waiter walked off—and that's when she saw it: a packet slipping into her milkshake. Spiked.
Keeping calm, she tapped a quick message to Leila and signaled Maria (hidden on standby) that the situation was under control.
"Is that your friend over there? Should I say hi?" the man asked, standing.
"No need. Your order is coming," Star replied calmly, pushing him back into his seat.
"But I want to greet her—hey, girl!" he shouted, waving at Leila.
Leila smiled back, playing along.
"So... let's talk about—" Star began.
"Let's talk about our love story!" he interrupted excitedly.
"I meant—let's talk about who sent you," Star said coldly.
The drinks arrived. Star took her milkshake and stood up. The man drank his water. She turned back suddenly, splashing the milkshake directly onto his head.
"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!" she cried out. "Waiter! Waiter!"
Leila tried to stifle her laughter.
"Star! What is this? I just had a haircut!"
"I lost my balance—please, go to the bathroom and clean up," Star said sweetly.
"Waiter, take him to the restroom... no, never mind. I'll escort him myself," she added, guiding him halfway there.
Then she whispered in his ear:
"When Mrs. Davids asks if you succeeded, tell her everything was done as per her orders. And good luck not fainting in the washroom... since you drank that spiked shake."
His face paled.
As Star walked away, he stood frozen, realizing she'd outsmarted them. He recalled Maria's orders—to drug Star, drag her to a hotel room, take pictures. But he'd tasted the shake himself.
"How did she know?" he muttered, dazed.
Back at the table, Leila returned.
"What was that?" she asked.
"I'm not even sure," Star said. "But come on—position yourself. My dad's on his way."
They switched tables as the waiter cleaned up the mess.
At the office, it was nearly closing time. Maria walked into Mandume's office.
"Did you get the file from payroll?" she asked.
"Yep, already signed. Payments should process this evening," Mandume replied.
"I'm proud of you, son. So diligent. The leave really paid off."
"Thanks to you, Mom. But now I've got a pile of work waiting at home."
"What are you doing exactly?"
"Part-time school, remember? I was supposed to get today's notes, but my friend hasn't sent them yet."
"I thought you were picking them up after taking Star to her father?" Maria asked.
"Nope. Star took a cab. That gave me time to process the payments."
"Hmm. I thought you two agreed on that last night."
"She insisted. Said she was seeing her cousin too."
Maria frowned. "I just hope she's really meeting her father... and nothing else."
"Mom, you worry too much. Star isn't a child."
"You say that... but I still have my doubts. I don't know what you see in that girl. I just don't want another Tiffanie situation. Be careful, son."
Mandume exhaled sharply. "Honestly, Mom... your love is too much."
Maria looked stunned.
"No, I don't mean I'm ungrateful," he added quickly. "But you talk like Tiffanie's breakup scarred me for life. I've moved on. She has too. Just so you know—she has a new boyfriend."
Maria gasped. "You're lucky you're driving—I could slap some sense into you! She's just trying to make you jealous."
"And I'm not. You know what, Mom? Let's talk about anything else besides my relationships."
Maria rolled her eyes. "I really regret spoiling you. You've gotten too used to me."
Mandume just laughed. That only made her angrier.