Olivia gently held Mandume's hand under the table. The gesture confused him—and didn't go unnoticed by Christine and Maria.
"Morning, everyone. Morning, Mom," Mandume greeted, still glancing at Olivia.
"How was your morning, my son?" Maria asked.
"I'm good, Mom. I called Star earlier—she said she's fine."
"Oh, that's good news," Christine replied with a relieved smile.
"Hey, newbie," Mandume turned to Bonita with a smirk.
"Newbie? What's that supposed to mean?" Bonita frowned.
"You're just one day old in adulthood," he teased, making the room burst into soft laughter.
"She hasn't seen anything yet," Maria added, sipping her tea.
"Adulthood isn't complicated at all," Bonita rolled her eyes. "You all talk about it like it's some kind of business assignment. Take a chill pill."
"Some business assignment?" Tiffanie interjected with a smirk. "Boni, there's a time called 'hard decision-making.' It knocks everyone out eventually."
"Agh, you only need to make decisions that make you happy," Bonita shrugged.
"Honestly, I'm an adult too, and I don't think it's all that stressful. It's not a choice—it's a phase," Olivia added.
"Olivia is right!" Maria agreed. "Being an adult is a must. And when you are one, your responsibilities should mature too."
"Exactly, aunty," Tiffanie nodded.
"Tiffanie," Maria suddenly turned to her. "Last I recall, you only used to sleep over here when you were with Mandume. Why are you still here?"
"Mom!" Bonita said quickly. "She's here for me now, not for my brother."
"I know that, but sleeping over is unnecessary."
"Why are you making a mountain out of an anthill?" Mandume chimed in. "Tiffanie's here for my sister, that's all."
"So, Tiffanie was yours too? You're a bad guy," Olivia teased.
"Mind your business, Olly."
"Relax, chill," Olivia chuckled, raising her hands.
At the Hospital
Star sat on the hospital bed, waiting for the discharge process. Her thoughts drifted.
Let me call my sweet mom... it's been too long, she thought.
She dialed.
"Mom?" she said softly.
"Star? How are you?" Louisa's voice burst through.
"I'm... I'm fine... I'm—" Star stuttered.
"You are? Are you really fine? Star?" Louisa's voice turned frantic.
"I'm in the hospital, but—" Star said, and suddenly, Louisa appeared before her, panicked, touching her all over.
"But what? What happened? Where are you sick? My baby—" Louisa cried.
Star blinked—and the vision disappeared. She shook her head.
"I can't take a chance... I'll call her when I get home," she whispered.
The doctor who had attended to her earlier passed by, noticing Star lost in thought.
Hmm... this girl, he muttered, walking quietly into her room.
"Oh... you're back," Star said, sensing his presence.
"I was told to be discharged today, so..." she added.
"You're discharged!" the doctor snapped.
"Oh… ah… sorry," Star said nervously. "So... no subscription?"
"You know how to read, right? Go through your report," he said, turning to leave. Star instinctively reached out and touched his arm.
He paused—something in her touch stirred him strangely.
"Sorry," she said softly, holding her ears. "Please forgive me for earlier, sir."
The doctor crouched in front of her, taking her hands.
"You could've been discharged hours ago. That's why I came early. But you..."
"I'm really sorry, sir. Just please... don't insult me," she whispered.
"You're behaving like a child. It's okay," he said gently. "Stubbornness won't get you far."
He handed her the papers. "Here's your subscription. Mr. Archi knows your follow-up schedule. It won't be with us anymore."
"Who's Mr. Archi?" Star asked, raising a brow.
"Your hero," the doctor smirked.
"I'm Star," she said plainly.
"I know. Why are you telling me?"
"Just to remind you a Star doesn't need a hero," she said coolly. "So tell me, who is Mr. Archi and why is he responsible for my health?"
The doctor sighed. "You always have an attitude. It was a compliment. Mr. Davids left a message: any future follow-ups will be handled by his private team."
"You should've just explained earlier."
"So now that you know my name, what do I call you?" she asked.
"You planning to call me often?"
"No. Just want to know your name."
"You can call me whatever you want."
"I need my nerves for something else," she said flatly.
"You'll never change," the doctor muttered with a strange smile as he walked away—then turned to look at her one more time, as if something was blooming in his chest.
Back at the Davids Residence
After breakfast, Mandume stretched.
"Mandume, want to go for a drive?" Olivia asked.
"I need to pick Star up from the hospital," he replied, checking his phone. "She should be out by now."
"No need," Maria said, standing up. "You two enjoy. I'll go get her."
"The last time I enjoyed, Star almost died. I'm not taking that chance again, Mom."
"Brother, relax. What if we throw her a welcome party while Mom fetches her?" Bonita suggested.
"That's a no too."
"Mandume," Maria said sternly. "Take my word. Go out with Olivia. I'll bring Star back."
"Alright... but Mom, we need to talk about Star when you come back."
"I've got everything under control."
Mandume hesitated, then left with Olivia.
Later That Day
Tiffanie grabbed her bag. "Boni, I'll be back later—I need to check on my mom."
"Alright. Don't keep me bored. Daniels isn't replying to my messages either," Bonita said, heading to the door.
Ding-dong.
She opened it—and froze.
A delivery man stood there holding a flower bouquet and a gift basket.
"Bonita Davids?"
"I'm here," she said cautiously.
"Sign here. These are for you."
She took the envelope attached to the gift basket and read:
"I shouldn't have said what I said to you yesterday. I'm sorry, Boni. I'll make it up to you. That's your birthday gift. I'm not home right now, but I'll be back soon. –Daniels"
"Who's it?" Tiffanie called from the living room.
"A... fairy tale," Bonita said in a daze.
Tiffanie rushed over. "What?!"
"Oh my God... This basket isn't just yours. I'm staying!" Tiffanie said, grinning. Bonita didn't move—she was too stunned, staring at the flowers.
"Do you have a secret admirer?" Tiffanie teased.
"I woke up today, had breakfast... Mandume went out with Olivia... Mom went to get Star... but when did I fall asleep?"
"What kind of talk is that?"
"Wait… the delivery is from Daniels. You said he's just your crush. Can a crush go this far? At least... not in Namibia!"
"That's why I need you to pinch me."
"Are you serious right now?"
"I think I'm dreaming."
Tiffanie pinched her.
"Ouch! Not a dream... That means... Daniels... Daniels—"
"—likes you!" Tiffanie exclaimed.
"Yes! Yes, Tiffanie! My life is finally perfect again. Now I just need to take care of one more thing."
"What one more thing?" Tiffanie asked.
"You'll know... at the auspicious time," Bonita said, her eyes gleaming.