The next morning, Christine summoned Star to her room with urgency. On her way there, Star noticed something peculiar—Maria was speaking with a man who appeared to be a driver, his hands burdened with plastic shopping bags. They both ascended the stairs and disappeared into Maria's room.
Curious, Star tiptoed behind them. She peeked through the slightly open door—but to her surprise, the room was empty. No Maria. No man.
She stepped back, her eyes narrowing. "Wait… Am I losing my mind? Did I imagine that?" she whispered to herself, rubbing her temples. "No, I saw them. I'm awake, not dreaming. Unless I've started sleepwalking with my eyes wide open."
Still confused but not distracted from her original mission, Star went to Mandume's room. He was sound asleep. Carefully, she locked the door from the outside.
"Let's see how madam plans to 'hurt' you today," she muttered under her breath, then made her way to Christine's room.
"Grandma? Are you alright?" Star asked as she entered.
"You took exactly five minutes and thirty-four seconds to get here," Christine replied with a straight face. Star chuckled awkwardly.
Christine opened a box of aged, glimmering jewelry and gestured for Star to sit.
"This," she said, holding up a bronze bangle, "is my ancestral bangle. Each one has a purpose, but this one… this one is called the Shield Bangle. And I want you to have it."
Star stared, stunned. "Why me? Why would you give me something so sacred?"
"Because I want it to protect you," Christine said. "From people like Maria."
"Grandma, this is too much. It's your ancestral bangle. What if I lose it? Won't I be cursed?"
"No," Christine said with a soft laugh. "You won't lose it… because I know you'll keep it safe. I just want your pregnancy to be protected."
Star hesitated, her voice low but firm. "No, Grandma. I have God. He's been protecting me and my child since the day I entered this house."
"And I believe in God too," Christine responded, more serious now. "But in this family, we also believe in our traditions. You must wear it."
Star shook her head slowly. "Which is exactly why I shouldn't…"
Christine leaned forward, eyes sharp. "This bangle isn't just for you, Star… it's for your baby."
"What?" Star breathed, heart pounding.
"I haven't told anyone this," Christine continued, her tone softer now, "but I feel a connection to your baby. A strong one. Maybe it's because you're like family to me. But your child… your child feels familiar."
Star's confusion deepened. "Did Mandume tell you he plans to adopt my baby? Is that why you're saying all this?"
"Mandume said that?" Christine asked, surprised. "He's really planning to adopt?"
Star's eyes dropped. "I don't know what to say. You're both saying the same things. And I… I'm afraid of what fate is planning for me. It all feels… mysterious."
Christine gently held Star's hand. "Don't worry. The truth has a way of revealing itself… in time."
Star sighed and extended her wrist. Christine fastened the bangle with care.
"…And don't worry," Christine said softly, "you don't need to tell me what you know about Maria. I fear it might trigger your mutism again."
Star nodded, lips sealed.
"It's almost 7 a.m.," Christine said, standing. "Let's get started with breakfast."
Star suddenly remembered something.
"One sec," she said, rushing out.
Back in Mandume's room, he was still peacefully asleep. She quietly unlocked the door and slipped out, pausing briefly to glance into Maria's room again. Maria was there, casually getting dressed.
Star frowned, remembering what she saw earlier—the man, the bags, the disappearance.
"No… She might be cold-hearted, but she wouldn't go that far. I'll just ignore it… for now," Star whispered and headed to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Bonita had just woken up and was disposing of her room's trash when she noticed a guy across the fence, standing still and staring directly at their house. She waved. He didn't respond.
Perplexed, she climbed a small crate and leaned over.
"Hey! Why are you staring at our house like that?" Bonita asked playfully.
The man startled. "Oh—uh, hi! Sorry. I just moved in. Your house is… beautiful."
Bonita smiled. "Thanks. Yours looks nice too. Welcome to the neighborhood."
"Thanks," he said. "I'm Daniels, by the way."
"Daniels from the den, huh?" she teased.
He laughed awkwardly. "Something like that."
"I'm Bonita."
"Nice meeting you, Bonita."
"You wanna come out for a bit?" he asked suddenly. "I wanted to ask you something."
"Sure," she said, stepping out to meet him.
"Damn!" Daniels said when he saw her properly.
"What?!" Bonita asked, giggling.
"You're even prettier up close."
Bonita smiled. "Flattery will get you far."
"Bonita, can you show me around the neighborhood?"
"Like right now?"
"No, this afternoon. I'm tied up until about 4 p.m."
"Oh, perfect! I have university until then anyway."
"You're in uni? Me too—UNAM."
"No way! What a small world," she laughed. "Alright, Daniels. We'll meet again."
They exchanged numbers. Bonita walked back into the house, floating on cloud nine.
"Daniels…" she whispered to herself, smiling like a secret had just bloomed in her chest.
Back in the kitchen, Christine and Star were preparing breakfast.
"Grandma, I've been meaning to ask you something," Star said.
"Go ahead."
"You're all wealthy and respected… but why don't you have servants like other big families?"
"We used to," Christine replied. "But after my son disappeared, things changed."
"So, they were only around when Mr. Davids was here?"
"Yes. Maria said we couldn't afford them anymore, that income would be too tight."
"We spent millions looking for David," Christine added. "People kept pretending to have found him. We even offered a N$500,000 reward. It was chaos."
"Hmm. So the budget cuts cost the servants their jobs too?"
Christine sighed. "It wasn't necessary to fire them. But I stayed quiet. I couldn't understand Maria's motives. But enough is enough—this is still my son's home."
Star glanced at her thoughtfully. "I think you're right."
Bonita entered just then, humming happily. She greeted them warmly and hugged Christine.
Star followed her outside for a moment. "What happened to you? You're glowing."
Bonita grinned. "You know what? Let's just make breakfast."
A message buzzed on Bonita's phone. It was Daniels, asking if they could go to school together.
Star narrowed her eyes. "Mmm, did you finally meet your 'Mr. Monster'?"
Bonita chuckled. "No, just… someone kinda special."
"Mmm," Star said with a smirk. "That new smile says it all."