Mandume was still angry with Star, but the more he let the frustration simmer, the more he felt something was off. The weight of his emotions didn't sit right, and by morning, he made up his mind—he needed to apologize.
The night before had been long for everyone. Tiffanie had crashed in Bonita's room, while Bonita opted to sleep beside her mother. Star, however, was so drained that she forgot to take her medication.
The Morning After
Mandume woke up early, determined to make amends. He knocked on Star's door, but there was no response. Figuring she was still asleep, he let himself in.
There she was—curled up under the blankets, her breathing steady, her lips slightly parted. Without thinking, Mandume reached over and gently closed her mouth before sitting beside her, watching as she slept.
Downstairs, Tiffanie rushed home to prepare for school. Bonita did the same, while Maria busied herself in the kitchen, working on breakfast.
Star stirred. Her lashes fluttered before she cracked her eyes open, her vision still blurry. A shadowy figure hovered nearby. She blinked a few times, her sight clearing—only to find Mandume staring at her.
Her face flushed instantly.
"Oh—what are you doing here? Did something happen?" she mumbled, sitting up.
"Yep, a lot happened…like the fact that you snore," Mandume teased, smirking.
"What?! I don't snore!" Star grabbed a pillow and chucked it at him.
"You do. And I have proof."
"Proof? Did you take a picture of me sleeping?"
Mandume casually held up his phone. "Sleeping with your mouth open means snoring."
Star gasped. "You're an idiot! Delete it! Delete that photo, Mendu!"
"Nope. It's cute. Maybe I should make it my wallpaper."
"You wouldn't dare—"
She lunged for his phone, but Mandume lifted it high above his head. Star stretched onto her toes, trying to snatch it back. In the struggle, Mandume lost his balance and fell back onto the bed—Star landing right on top of him.
A heartbeat of silence.
Star's hands were pressed against his chest. She could feel his heartbeat, fast and unsteady. Mandume stared into her eyes, caught in the moment, his breath hitching.
The air between them changed. A quiet, unspoken current of something deeper passed between them.
Then, just as quickly, Star snapped out of it. She grabbed the phone and scrambled back.
"Got you!" She grinned triumphantly.
Mandume raised an eyebrow. "The phone's locked."
Star's expression dropped. "Oh… how bad." Reluctantly, she handed it back.
"Don't think you won. I'll get my revenge."
"Ah, maybe in your dreams." Mandume smirked.
His eyes drifted to the nightstand, where Star's medication lay—untouched. His smirk faded.
"Did you take your meds last night?" he asked, more serious now.
Star froze. "Uh…oh my—I totally forgot!"
Mandume's jaw clenched. "Really? Star, you're pregnant! How can you be so careless about your health?"
"Whoa, are you seriously yelling at me again?"
That snapped Mandume back to why he was there in the first place.
He sighed, rubbing his neck. "Star… about last night. I'm really sorry. I was angry, and I took it out on you. I just… I love my mom, and the thought of something happening to her—"
"Did I say I would harm her?" Star cut in.
Mandume hesitated. "No… like I said, I was just angry."
"So you're still angry now?"
"No, I'm not. I swear. I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?" He moved closer, arms slightly open, silently asking for a hug.
Star stared at him, then—without a word—grabbed her medication and walked out of the room.
Mandume slumped back onto the bed, groaning. "Ah! How could I be this reckless?"
In the Kitchen
Star walked into the kitchen, where Maria was preparing breakfast.
"Morning, madam," Star greeted.
"Morning, sweetie! How was your night?" Maria's tone was cheerful.
Star swallowed. "Fine." But her mind flashed back to the conversation she overheard the night before—Maria and Bonita plotting her death.
Maria's eyes flickered to the medication in Star's hands. "Oh, dear, are those your meds?"
"Yeah, I forgot them last night, so—"
Maria quickly took them from her. "No, no, you have to eat first!" She gestured toward the table. "I made something special—maybe it'll be your new favorite."
The way she said it made Star uneasy.
"I… I already ate," Star blurted.
Maria frowned. "When?"
"Uh, just now! I had some banana bread. Took my meds already, see?" Star grabbed a glass of water, swallowed the pills, and hurried out.
Behind her, Maria muttered, "Why is she so nervous? Hmm… this might be an opportunity. Hit where it hurts."
But Star had only gone a few steps when she heard Maria's words. She clenched her fists.
Breakfast Tensions
Maria served breakfast, taking plates to each person's room.
When she entered Mandume's room, he sighed. "Mom, we've talked about this."
"It's just breakfast, son. You all are taking too long, and the food will get cold."
"No food in rooms, Mom. Please."
Maria crossed her arms. "Just sit and eat, I'm running late."
Mandume sighed. "Fine. But put mine at the dining table. Star will probably eat there too."
Maria's smile was laced with something unreadable. "Oh? So you choose Star over me now?"
Mandume groaned. "Mom, that's not what I meant."
"Mmhmm. Love has blinded you, Mandume. Remember—she's pregnant with someone else's child."
"Mom!" His face turned red. "I'm not in love with her! I… I just care, that's all. She's smart. And she saved Bonita from jail."
Maria chuckled. "Mandume, I wasn't born yesterday. Your eyes tell a different story."
Mandume scowled. "Mom."
Maria laughed, patting his shoulder. "Alright, alright. Eat your breakfast. It's already past quarter."
As she left, her expression darkened. "My son may be in love with you, Star. But I won't let you take him from me. He's my valuable asset."
The Trap Tightens
Downstairs, Mandume noticed Star's untouched plate on the dining table. He sat, waiting for her.
A moment later, Star appeared, dressed for school.
"Aren't you late?" she asked.
"Nah. Your breakfast is here—getting cold."
"I already ate."
Mandume frowned. "Bonita, you ate already, right?"
"Yeah."
Mandume turned to Star. "Then whose plate is this?"
Maria answered smoothly. "It's Star's. She loves eating at the table."
Star hesitated.
"Where are you going?" Mandume asked.
"To college."
Mandume held up her medical report. "So you didn't see this? You're on sick leave, Star."
"Cheese… a whole week of just sleeping?"
"Yep. And it starts now." He grabbed her wrist.
Star's heart pounded. She couldn't stay in this house.
"Hey, relax! I just need the school's internet."
Mandume smirked. "Oh? Let me connect your phone to Wi-Fi, then."
As he did, her phone suddenly locked—snapping pictures of him.
Mandume froze. "What the hell?!"
Star paled.
What just happened?