A man in a sleek suit stepped through the front door like he owned the place. He wore dark shades despite the dimming light, his posture upright, movements precise — a man carved from discipline and dignity. His eyes roamed the walls with an almost nostalgic softness, as if the house whispered memories only he could hear.
Meanwhile, Star glanced at her laptop resting on the bed. Her eyes widened. Mandume's class schedule! She'd forgotten she still had it.
Just then, Leila emerged from the restroom.
"Wait here," Star said quickly. "Let me go get Mandume. I need to take my father home, but he has school work today."
She rushed toward the hallway, still speaking over her shoulder. "I'll ask Bonita to drive us. Mendu has to finish today's tasks—"
She collided into the suited man mid-stride.
"Oof! Sorry, sir! I didn't see you there," Star gasped, instinctively crouching to wipe the scuff on his shoe. The man didn't move. He just... stared.
"I'm sorry," she repeated, straightening. "I'm Star. You must've seen me before — Mendu introduced me..."
"I just arrived," the man said curtly. "So, no. I don't know you."
Star blinked, caught off guard. "Oh… right. Well, welcome. You must be a very important guest. I'll take you to see Grandma—"
"No need. This is my house. I'll find her myself," he replied calmly, yet firmly.
Star stepped back, flustered. "Alright, if you say so. Good luck, sir."
He nodded and walked past.
In the lounge, Mandume stood chatting with his PA and a few employees. Star burst in.
"Sorry, everyone — can I borrow Mendu for a sec?"
Mandume raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"
"Big time," she replied, grabbing his arm and dragging him into her room.
Inside, Leila looked up in amusement as Star pointed accusingly at Mandume.
"Mr. Davids, CEO of Davids Empire and final year student, did you forget your double life?"
"Is that a problem?" he asked, half-amused.
"Mendu, it's late. You've got a lot to do."
She clicked open her laptop, spinning it toward him.
"I asked one of your classmates to send me your weekly schedule. You've got a report due tomorrow on a practical you skipped. I found a similar one on YouTube for reference. Two hours, and you'd be done. I know you've got paperwork due for your company, so I'm locking you up here to finish this while Bonita and I take my father home."
She reached into his pocket, snatched the car keys, grabbed Leila, and marched out before Mandume could even protest.
Left alone, Mandume stared at the closed door and smiled.
"She really locked me in... wow. Thank you, God, for giving me a woman like this. Even if she forgets she's pregnant sometimes."
Downstairs, Tomas was already heading for the exit when Christine stopped him with Bonita beside her.
"Tomas, leaving already?"
"My wife just called," he replied. "But I'll come visit again soon — properly."
"Where's Leila?" Bonita asked.
Just then, Star and Leila appeared.
"Sorry, Dad. Took longer than expected. Grandma, I'm sorry Dad can't stay longer, but he'll return."
"It's alright, dear. Where's Mandume?" Christine asked.
"He's stuck with school work. He asked Bonita to drive us instead."
Bonita's face lit up. "Me? I'm driving you and your dad home?"
"Yep," Star replied, tossing her the keys.
"Grandma, did you hear that? Star, how'd you manage this? He never lets me drive at night — especially his car."
"We'll talk later. Dad's waiting," Star said quickly.
"Grandma, this is my cousin Leila. She's my age," she added.
Leila gave a polite greeting, and they all left.
In the car, Star's thoughts drifted.
"Wait... Bonita, why exactly doesn't Mendu let you drive his car?"
"He only trusts himself and our mom with it," Bonita answered.
"Oh... okay," Star said, eyes narrowing with thought.
They dropped Leila off first, then Tomas. Star insisted on walking her father to the door.
"I'll just be five minutes," she said.
"But Star—" Tomas began.
She hushed him and knocked on the door. No answer. Three minutes passed. She dialed Frieda — no response.
"See, Star?" Tomas sighed. "Just go home. I'll sort this out."
"I'm not leaving you here, Dad. It's freezing out here — you could get sick!"
"I know... but I'm ready to carry this burden on my own. You did the same once. Let me feel what it's like."
She knocked again. Still nothing. "We'll sleep out here, then," she muttered.
"No, you're pregnant. That's not safe."
Inside the house, young Danielo shuffled to the restroom when he heard the knocking.
"Hello? Who's there?" he called.
"It's your father. Please tell your mom to open the door," Star said, stepping forward.
"…and who are you?" Danielo asked.
"Star. Please — your father's freezing."
Danielo snorted. "Mom's asleep. Besides, Tomas knows why he's outside. Let him handle it."
Star's jaw clenched. "Tomas? That's how you address your father?"
Danielo shrugged. "The man brought a side chick home. What respect does he expect? Anyway, you two can cuddle — it'll generate warmth."
He walked off.
"Did he really just say that?" Star hissed.
"That's Danielo," Tomas sighed. "The mean twin. Daniela would've opened."
"This is not how you raised me. Elders deserve respect — even when they mess up."
"That's your belief. But this is spiritual now."
Star shook her head. "They treat you like this? No. Enough. My refund came in. I haven't spent it yet. Let's put it together and buy back our house."
"We can't," Tomas said quietly. "It's been over a month. They're settled in now. We can't just throw money and expect them to leave."
"Then rent somewhere! This... this is subhuman. Even toddlers are disrespecting you!"
"I'll be fine. Now go. Your sister's waiting."
Star crossed her arms. "No. They'll open the door soon."
Tomas sighed, but she remained firmly by his side.