She walked downstairs to get her phone, but as she picked it up, her eyes caught her second device blinking. Curious, she unlocked it—six missed calls from her man. She immediately dialed him back.
Maria's voice exploded through the line.
"Why are you calling me? Star came here just to humiliate me! You'll pay for this!"
Bonita overheard and snatched the phone from her ear.
"How exactly is Star embarrassing you, Mom?" she asked coldly.
Maria froze.
"B-Boni? You're talking to me?" she stammered.
"What were you planning against Star?" Bonita pressed, her voice steady and accusing.
"It was nothing! I just... I saw you coming and pretended to be on a call. I wanted you to talk to me," Maria replied, nervously laughing it off.
Bonita's face hardened.
"Do you think I'm stupid? I won't let you pull any more stunts. Nothing you scheme will ever touch Star. Do you understand me?"
She hung up without waiting for a reply and walked away to find Mandume and Star.
"Mendu, you're embarrassing me," Star whispered.
"No, I'm not. How was your day?" Mandume asked, undeterred.
"I'm still mad at you," she replied flatly.
"But—"
Before he could finish, Bonita wrapped him in a hug.
"I'm proud of you, brother. Please… stay like this forever," she said sincerely.
"Thanks, sis," Mandume smiled.
"Hi Star," Bonita turned. "How did the meeting with your father go?"
"It was amazing… actually, I want to introduce you all."
Star stepped aside. Tomas and Leila emerged from the shadows.
"Dad, Leila—this is Mandume and Bonita. Mendu, Bonita—this is my father, Mr. Tomas, and my sister Leila."
Tomas extended a hand.
"So this is the young man Star's been talking about. Pleasure to meet my son-in-law."
Mandume blinked, stunned.
"Dad…" Star muttered in embarrassment.
"She mentioned you first today. That caught my attention—Star doesn't say a name unless it means something."
"It's great to meet you, Mr. Tomas. She's said a lot about you too," Mandume replied.
"Well then, it's mutual," Tomas nodded. "I'm Tomas—Star's father."
"And he's Mandume, Dad," Star clarified with a smile.
Mandume turned to Leila.
"You must be Leila. From the way Star glowed when she spoke about you, I can tell you're very special to her."
"They grew up together," Tomas added. "She's Star's only true friend and sister."
"It's an honor to finally meet you, Mandume," Leila said warmly.
"Leila, meet my sister, Bonita," Mandume added.
The two women exchanged hugs.
"Come in, you're welcome here," Mandume said graciously.
"There are two more people I want you to meet," Star said, leading the way inside.
As they walked, Leila nudged Star.
"Mandume is way cuter than you described," she teased.
"He's single and searching," Star replied with a teasing smile.
"You talk too much," Star added, laughing.
"Boni, can you keep Leila company for a bit? I'll be right back."
"Of course. Come on—let's head to the bar," Bonita said, leading Leila over.
Meanwhile, Star found Christine among the guests. She gently took her father's hand and led him toward the older woman.
"Grandma," Star called.
"Oh, Star! Back already?"
"Yes—and I want you to meet someone very special. Grandma, this is my father, Mr. Tomas. Dad, meet Grandma Christine."
"Evening, ma'am," Tomas greeted, bowing his head with respect.
"Now this is a good evening!" Christine beamed. "It's a joy to finally meet you. How are you?"
"Grateful. Thank you for accepting my daughter as your own."
"That's nothing," Christine replied. "Star is a blessing. We couldn't ask for a better daughter."
"She is," Tomas agreed. "I'm just thankful she found you."
"You're always welcome here, Tomas. Visit her anytime."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Where's Maria, Grandma?" Star asked.
"Likely in the kitchen or her room."
Star seated her father on the couch and poured him a drink before heading off to find Maria.
Bonita and Leila sat down with their glasses of wine.
"What do you usually drink?" Bonita asked.
"No preferences. Just bring what you like."
Bonita poured the wine.
"Can we be cousins too? Since Star is like my sister?" Bonita asked.
"I'm not very good at being cousins," Leila admitted.
"Neither am I. So maybe we'll learn together."
"Cheers," they said in unison, clinking glasses.
"So… are you happy Star's staying here?" Leila asked gently.
Bonita hesitated, the memories of how she mistreated Star flashing in her mind.
"Yeah… I am," she said, unsure.
"Are you sure?" Leila asked again.
"She's… a good person. I'm fine with her being here."
"Then can I tell you a secret about her?"
Bonita stiffened.
"I don't want to hear it."
"It's for your own good."
"No, Leila. I hated her, and all she gave me was love. The last thing I want is more of her secrets. Just keep it to yourself."
Leila looked impressed.
"You really do care for her. But Bonita… Star is extraordinary. She sees beyond the surface. Even if you're hiding something from her—she already knows."
Bonita's eyes widened.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Before Leila could answer, Mandume strolled in.
"Someone got herself a new best friend," he teased.
"She's amazing," Bonita grinned.
"Leila, how do you know me so well? Even my voice?"
"Star described everything. Even your voice—said you speak like a girl, without a base," Leila smirked.
Bonita burst out laughing.
"Sad truth, brother."
"Where is she? I need to speak with her," Mandume grumbled.
"With Grandma. You won't do anything," Bonita teased.
"I know. But I need a drink. Why would Grandma throw a party like this?"
"She misses Dad. This reminds me of him."
"He'd have stood here shouting: 'David's Architecture is your family too! Your rich uncle!'" Mandume mimicked, and they all laughed.
"I wish I could wake up one day and just hear: 'Surprise! Dad's back,'" Bonita sighed.
"Don't worry," Mandume said quietly, remembering what his mother had told him. "Your wish will come true. Very soon."
"Where's Mom anyway?" he asked.
Maria paced in her room, fury and frustration eating her alive.
"This girl is a witch," she muttered. "Every evil I plan flips into her favor. I'll deal with her. But first—I have to fix the lie I told Mandume."
She clenched her fists as Star's name lit up her phone.
"Is she calling to mock me again?"
Her eyes narrowed. The war was far from over.