At Kefas' estate, Maria stood tall and smug in the dimly lit office.
"Star is out of my house and our lives forever. Mandume will get married soon—peacefully," Maria declared.
Kefas leaned against the table, arms folded. "Did you prepare everything I asked?"
"I did," Maria replied smoothly. "There's just one tiny problem… and I believe you are the solution."
Kefas narrowed his eyes. "What problem?"
"You need to leave for South Africa."
"What? No! I have children here who'll miss me," Kefas snapped.
"…And you're doing this for your children, aren't you?" Maria replied coldly. "It's not like you're going to die, Kefas."
"Maria, maybe you don't care, but I do. We can continue our plans right here in Namibia."
"That won't convince Mandume. He has to believe you're gone."
Before the tension could escalate, a guard knocked and stepped in.
"Sir, there are two ladies looking for you."
"Two?" Kefas asked.
"Yes. One of them came on Tuesday. Fannie—uh—I forgot the name."
"Bonita?" Kefas perked up.
"Guess so."
"Alright, let's go." But as he moved, Maria grabbed his wrist.
"Bonita comes here often?"
"What's your point, Maria?"
"How long has she been coming here?"
"I know exactly where you're heading with this, but let me go meet my daughter first." Kefas pulled away and left.
Meanwhile, in the car…
Mandume drove with a quiet smile tugging at his lips. Star glanced sideways.
"Why are you smiling?"
He blinked, realizing he had been. "Me? I'm not."
"It's your heart that's smiling. You're happy today, huh?"
Mandume chuckled. "How would you know that?"
"I have your heart," she said, off guard.
His gaze softened, lingering on her in awe.
"I mean… your eyes say so," Star corrected, flustered.
"My eyes, huh? So you read those too?"
She smiled, changing the topic. "By the way, do you have your school schedule? I forgot mine."
"Trying to divert, I see. But yes, I'm up-to-date with everything."
Star looked out the window, smiling to herself, and before long, they parked at the mall.
"You look most beautiful from this angle," Mandume said as he shifted gears.
Star blinked. "Wait, what are we doing here? I should be heading to college."
"Check the glove compartment and wait here. I'll be right back."
She reached in and found Mandume's printed schedule.
"Always one step ahead… Thanks, Mendu." She smiled. "Let's see... Programming is only next week. The lecturers are on leave, and I just need to finish my electronics project. College can wait until tomorrow."
Her face darkened slightly as her thoughts drifted. "But Madam Maria… she confiscated my marks, and I stayed silent when she tampered with my baby. That won't happen again. I need to start thinking like her."
Moments later, Mandume returned, and they drove toward Davids Empire.
"I'm running late," Mandume said, glancing at his watch. "I have to present my design for the upcoming project bids. My assistant will take you home."
"You won't need him for the presentation?"
"Not yet. I've got a new assistant. He'll start attending meetings from the next project. I don't trust him yet."
"What happened to Lazarus?"
"Contract expired."
"Oh, you could've said earlier—I'd have taken a cab."
"No. Star, listen carefully—if you ever need to go anywhere—college, hospital, wherever—I'm just a call away. No more cabs. Ever."
She looked at him, stunned.
"When did this start?"
"Now. This second. You're two months pregnant. The baby's growing, and the bigger it gets, the weaker you might feel. I'll get you a car and driver."
"Mendu, I'm not refusing, but this is too much. This baby isn't even yours. Did you talk to your mom? Did she agree to this?"
"Yes. She did. And for the hundredth time, Star Davids—that baby is mine. Don't ever say it's not again."
"This isn't the time for romance—"
"This isn't romance. This is truth."
"You've already printed your name as my spouse on the gynecology register. That was enough. I can't keep accepting all these favors."
"That baby belongs to the Davids, Star…" Mandume paused, regretting the words instantly.
Star's eyes sharpened. "Wait. Is this about Steffy? Did you meet him? Is he related to the Davids?"
"Steffy? No. It's not about him—I mean… I, Mandume Davids, am adopting this baby. So yes, he's mine."
"Mendu, I'm so grateful to have you in my life. I'm the luckiest woman alive. But please—let me refuse this one. I still have my mom. My father. They'll take care of me."
"No, Star… you don't understand yet. But soon, you'll find out. Steffy is my lost brother" He says silently.
She turned to him, wide-eyed.
"I'm not doing this for you," he continued. "I'm doing it for our baby. And that's final."
She said nothing more. The silence between them was full, heavy, and meaningful.
At Davids Empire…
Mandume stepped into his office, only to find Daniels seated at his desk, laptop open.
"Welcome, sir," Daniels said, rising quickly. "I found something odd in the company accounts."
"What are you doing in my office?"
"Sorry… I meant no disrespect. But I found something very confusing."
"What is it?"
"The Charity Accounts."
"Oh, that's the 20% we donate monthly. What about them?"
"How long have you been donating?"
"Since the company was founded." Mandume glanced at the clock. "Daniels, we'll get into it later. I have a presentation. In the meantime, drive Star back to the hotel."
"I really think we should investigate this. Something's fishy."
"We'll go through it tonight—come to my house. Right now, I have to seal this deal."
Mandume turned and strode out, unaware of the storm slowly brewing behind him.