The late afternoon light filtered through the dining room windows as laughter and conversation swirled around the table. Olivia sat between Bonita and Mandume, recounting childhood escapades, while Star observed from across the room, stirring her tea with trembling fingers.
Her voice… Star thought, brow furrowed. Could Olivia be the one on the phone? Or is it just a cruel coincidence?
Before she could formulate the question, Christine appeared at her side with a knowing smile.
"Feeling a touch of jealousy, dear?" her grandmother teased, voice soft and conspiratorial.
Star shook her head, forcing a laugh. "Me? Never. Olivia means so much to Mendu—how could I resent that?"
Christine merely nodded, her eyes unreadable.
Star rose and crossed to where the trio sat. Mandume stood to introduce them.
"Olivia, this is Star—my…" He hesitated, flashing Star an apologetic glance.
"Friend," Star supplied, offering her hand.
Olivia took it with a playful grin. "Good—because he's mine." She reached out to hug Star, but Star stepped back.
"Handshake only," Star said, puzzled looks from Mandume and Bonita alike. "I'm allergic to hugs."
Moments later, the two women returned to the kitchen to prepare dinner. The clatter of knives on cutting boards and the aroma of simmering stew filled the air.
"Grandma, may I ask something… personal?" Star ventured, slicing lettuce.
"Of course."
Star paused, measuring her words. "Why do you… dislike Madam Maria so much?"
Christine's knife stopped mid-chop. "Dislike? I don't hate her, Star. She simply no longer deserves my attention."
Star's eyes widened. "But she's your daughter-in-law."
"She was my daughter," Christine replied quietly. "But when David vanished, so did our bond."
Just then, Olivia slipped into the kitchen, wiping her hands on her jeans.
"May I help?" she asked.
"Please," Christine smiled, handing her a head of lettuce. "Bonita had other plans."
Olivia's eyes softened as she worked. "I cook most nights at home."
Christine nodded approvingly. "You'll fit right in."
A crash of cutlery echoed from the counter. Star winced and pressed a hand to her bandaged finger.
Mandume entered moments later, alarm tinting his features the instant he saw her bandage.
"Star, what happened? Did you cut yourself?" he asked, rushing forward.
She shrugged it off. "Just a small nick. Nothing to worry about."
But Mandume reached for her hand. "Let me see."
Star gently pried his fingers away and led him to the living room. He paced, agitated, until Star peeled back the bandage—no trace of a wound remained visible.
"You're hiding pain from me," he accused, voice low. "You can't bear things alone."
Star opened her mouth to protest, but he gripped her hand and pressed it to his chest. "Feel how my heart races? You belong here."
Her breath caught as tears pricked her eyes. Olivia appeared at the doorway, envy etched on her face.
Mandume looked up, vulnerability in his eyes. "Next time, let me help you."
Star nodded, wrapping her arms around him. Maria's voice floated from the dining room.
"Dinner is ready!"
At the table, the family gathered. Olivia elected to serve herself first, while Mandume poured wine. Star placed dishes of steaming vegetables and fragrant rice before them.
Maria summoned Olivia to sit beside Mandume. Star lingered in the kitchen to fetch napkins, returning to see Olivia's bright smile shining next to her man's seat.
Mandume returned, sliding into the seat beside Star. Olivia handed him a plate evidently disapointed.
"Here you go," she said. "You were sitting here."
He smiled, passing the dish back to Christine with a wink. Maria watched Star with narrowed eyes; Star feigned indifference, focusing on her own meal.
After dinner, Star cleared the table. Maria led Olivia upstairs.
"Our rooms are next door!" Olivia exclaimed.
Mandume followed, helping her unfold sheets on a neatly made bed.
They spent the rest of the evening sharing stories by lamplight.
"So, you'll stay all year?" Mandume asked, tucking a stray hair behind Olivia's ear.
"Until I graduate," she replied, voice light. "We'll finish together—friends turned graduates."
He beamed. "Your parents would be proud."
Olivia's smile faded as she touched a framed photo on the bedside table. Tears glimmered in her eyes. "I transferred… because they divorced. No one fought for custody, so I came here."
Mandume reached out, brushing away her tears. "You did the right thing. I'll always be here for you."
Olivia nodded, relief softening her expression. "Thank you."
Downstairs, Bonita tiptoed into Olivia's room the following morning.
"Olivia, you really must be special to Mom," she said quietly.
Olivia laughed, placing a stack of books on her desk. "Seems that way."
"So… where's Star?"
"In her room, I think."
Olivia's eyes twinkled. "Star—a strange name, isn't it?"
Bonita bristled. "She's my sister. Don't mock her name."
Olivia raised her hands in surrender. "Just teasing. I like it—poetic, even."
Bonita sighed, though a smile tugged at her lips. "She'll appreciate that… eventually."
Outside, the dawn light hinted at new beginnings—and secrets still waiting to be unraveled.