After school, Star and Bonita headed home, walking side by side.
"Boni, I'm really worried," Star whispered, glancing around. "There's this private number that keeps calling me. It started yesterday."
Bonita frowned. "What's it saying?"
"It speaks in riddles... yesterday, it said my days of enjoyment are over."
Bonita stopped in her tracks. "What? A man or a woman?"
"It's a girl's voice," Star said, her tone dipping lower. "And if it's not you, then who the hell is playing with me?"
Bonita hesitated. "We can't call back private numbers… What exactly did it say today?"
Star's voice was tight. "In class, it said, 'Only three hours left.'"
Bonita's eyes widened. "Three hours? Star, that's serious… What do you think will happen?"
"I don't know. But whatever it is, I'm ready," Star replied, though the fear in her eyes betrayed her words.
By the time they reached home, it was close to 4 p.m. Bonita was already prepping to meet Daniels.
"Star, can you walk me to the gate?" Bonita asked casually.
"Where are you off to?" Star raised an eyebrow.
"Just… around," Bonita replied vaguely.
"Just around?" Star folded her arms. "So, when are you going to tell me about Mr. Monster?"
Bonita chuckled nervously. "Okay, okay. I met him this morning. He's cute. He just moved in and asked me to show him around."
Star gave a soft smile. "I'm happy he's making you smile again."
They reached the gate and waited.
"Can you stop smiling?" Star teased. "Or did he already ask you out?"
"No! Not yet…" Bonita blushed.
"He will. Guys don't just ask for tours for nothing," Star said knowingly.
Bonita's smile faded briefly, remembering Star's mysterious calls.
She looked so stressed. Maybe if I help her, she'll trust me again.
"Star," Bonita said gently, "if that number calls again, don't keep it to yourself. Let me know. Please. It's the least I can do to repay you."
"Don't worry about me. Don't let it ruin your night. I'll be fine," Star assured her.
"There he is!" Bonita said, spotting Daniels stepping out of his house.
But before Star could greet him, her phone buzzed—and Christine's voice called from inside.
"Just say hi for me," Star said with a wink. "Go on. Enjoy."
—
"Grandma?" Star called out.
"Come. I want to show you something," Christine said, leading her to the backyard.
"I just got these live flowers. Mr. Davids used to love these."
"They're beautiful," Star said, kneeling to touch a petal.
"I'm giving them to you," Christine said softly.
Star looked up, confused. "Me?"
"Yes. I want you to take care of them. Water them every morning."
"I will. I love them… and I hope they bring Mr. Davids back."
Christine's eyes darkened slightly. "For as long as they live, he lives."
Star stood. "Wait… Grandma, do you mean his life depends on these flowers?"
Christine turned to her. "No, darling. I gave you this task because only you can handle it."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll understand soon. Come. Let's go inside."
—
Meanwhile, Bonita walked with Daniels through the neighborhood.
But his attention wasn't on her. Not really. It felt… off.
"So, who do you live with?" Daniels asked casually.
"My mom, grandma, brother…" she paused. "You just saw a girl leave—she's my sister."
Daniels nodded slowly. "And your father?"
"He's abroad," she lied smoothly.
"So, you're the last born?" he pressed.
"Yeah… wait, why are you asking about my family? What about yours?"
Daniels gave a short laugh. "You'll get to know me in time. I'm… let's just say, the mystery of my family. I don't talk about them."
"Why not?"
"They live around here. They don't know I'm close. Don't ask why."
That sent a chill down Bonita's spine, but she masked it.
"I'm studying Business Management at NUST. You?"
"Architecture."
"Oh, my brother's also studying Architecture—he's in his final year."
Daniels smiled faintly. "Can't be a coincidence, huh?"
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing. Just… interesting," he said, his smile hollow.
—
Back at home, Star paced the living room. Her phone buzzed again.
A message from the private number:
"Tick-tock."
Her chest tightened. What's going to happen? Is Mandume safe?
Just then, she saw his car pull up. Relief washed over her.
"Mendu!" she shouted, rushing to him.
Mandume stepped out, opening his arms for a hug—but Star ran right past him. His face fell.
"Are you okay?" she asked urgently.
"No," he said coldly, brushing past her.
Star followed. "Mendu! What happened? What did they do?"
He stormed into his room. Star trailed him, panic rising.
"Mendu, please talk to me!"
He stood with his back to her. Star tapped his shoulder—he spun so fast she stumbled. He caught her mid-fall, pulling her close.
"Well… you asked," he murmured.
"What?" Star whispered, flustered.
"Are you going to hug me… or do I have to force you?"
"What are you talking about?!"
"You asked how I am. It'll cost you a hug."
She sighed and hugged him.
"That wasn't from my Star. That was from duty," he said, teasing.
"Mendu, stop. I'm serious—what happened?"
"Relax. I was joking."
Star stared. "Wait… you're okay?"
"I'm fine. Why are you acting so nervous?"
She sat on the bed. "Because I've been getting threats. From a private number."
Mandume's mood shifted instantly.
"What?! Star, why didn't you tell me?"
"They said I should enjoy my time… because it's about to blow up. They called after lunch too. Said my 'farewell lunch' was nice. That means… they're watching us."
"They?" Mandume's jaw clenched. "A woman, right?"
"Yes… a girl's voice."
"That's it. It's her. My sister."
"No, Mendu, no. I thought so too—but it's not her. The voice is different. This… is someone I don't know."
"She's working with someone. Someone close. Don't trust her sudden affection."
"Mendu, please. Boni is trying. She's changing. Can we just… watch and wait?"
Mandume exhaled. "Fine. But if she's behind this, I'll end it."
"Don't let her see you're suspicious. Please."
"Only because you said so."
Mandume pulled off his shirt. Star caught sight of his abs and froze.
"I… I'll be in the living room!" she blurted, fleeing.
Mandume just smirked.
—
Daniels and Bonita returns from their tour.
The night air wrapped around them as they strolled slowly down the quiet street. Their footsteps echoed softly on the pavement, the only sound aside from the distant chirp of crickets. A streetlamp flickered overhead, casting broken light onto their path.
Daniels walked a little slower, stealing glances at Bonita. "So, Bonita," he began casually, hands tucked into his pockets, "thanks for your company tonight. Shall we meet again?"
Bonita offered a small smile, her eyes soft beneath the moonlight. "No, thank you. I haven't been out in days… had a lot on my mind lately."
"Really?" Daniels tilted his head, intrigued. "Maybe we should change that. What are your plans for the weekend?"
She looked up at the sky, thinking. "Hmm… it's my birthday this weekend. I'm not sure what my family's planning. They tend to be... secretive when it comes to surprises."
Daniels chuckled. "So, they usually throw you a party or something?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Every year, without fail. I'm expecting the same this time."
He grinned. "Then maybe I should come by. Crash the party a little."
Bonita gave a light laugh. "You think so?"
"Yeah…" he slowed his steps as they reached the gate to her house. "I'll finally be in my house."
She froze, one foot on the step. "Excuse me?"
Daniels blinked, as if surprised by his own words. "I mean… we're friends now, right?" He chuckled, brushing it off. "Your house is mine too, huh?"
Bonita stared at him for a second longer than necessary, trying to read something in his face. Then she nodded. "Right… I'll be waiting, then."
She stepped inside the gate, giving him one last look before walking toward the porch.
Daniels stood there for a moment, watching her disappear into the shadows of the house.
The smile on his face remained, but it changed—twisting into something colder. Calculated. Vengeful.
His jaw tightened.
"Soon," he whispered to the empty night. "Soon, Bonita."
And then, like a ghost fading into darkness, he turned and walked away.