Tomas' phone buzzed. Frieda was calling.
He stepped out onto the terrace, expecting to find Louisa—but froze. The sight before him stopped time.
The terrace wasn't just beautiful. It was transformed—bathed in candlelight, petals scattered, a table set for two, and in the center… a heart. Familiar. Painful. Romantic.
Star lingered in the hallway, watching her father from a distance.
Tomas approached the heart slowly. His fingers brushed its outline. His smile was soft, but his eyes carried decades of regret.
"Aww… my poor father," Star whispered to herself. "Now where did Mom go?" She glanced around, then quietly slipped away.
At the Davids mansion…
Mandume, suited and focused, was heading out when he met Daniels near the staircase.
"Daniels, I'm sorry—I've got an important assignment. I think you should go over this with my mom tonight and bring it back to me tomorrow," Mandume said, already moving.
Daniels narrowed his eyes. "I'm here to work with you, and you're prioritizing love over the company crisis?"
Mandume stopped. "Company crisis? You tried to kill me today. You're the crisis."
Daniels tensed, jaw clenched. "What?! I did what?!"
Just then, Olivia entered—dressed in a red, sleek outfit. She looked stunning. Mandume blinked twice, shaken by the resemblance. For a second, he thought it was Star. Daniels noticed.
"Perfect. Just great. Why did you suit black?" Olivia hissed in a low voice, irritated.
"Olly… where are you going dressed like that?" Mandume asked, confused.
Maria walked in, her smile wide. "Wow… my children! How lovely you look together. May the gods bless you."
"Mom…" Mandume started, but Olivia cut in smoothly.
"Mom, we're going out." Bonita appeared at the top of the stairs, watching them with puzzled eyes.
"Mom, please don't embarrass us. We're having a date, remember?" Olivia said, winking quickly at Mandume.
Mandume caught on. He recalled what Grandma Christine had warned:
"Your mother might forbid you from seeing Star."
He straightened. "Yes, Mom. We're going on a date."
Bonita blinked. Daniels looked like he'd just swallowed a stone.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Maria gushed. "May your night be filled with joy."
"Thanks, Mom," Mandume smiled. "Oh, and please go through the files with Daniels. I'll finish up with them tomorrow."
"Of course. Don't worry about a thing," Maria assured.
Mandume and Olivia exited, waving as Maria stood there, beaming.
Bonita looked from the door to Daniels. "What's going on? Am I the only one lost?"
"I thought your brother was dating Star. She's even pregnant with his child…" Daniels muttered.
"Exactly. I'm just as confused as you are," Bonita whispered back.
Maria turned to them.
"Daniels, what files is Mandume referring to?" she asked.
"I needed to work with him, but I guess love takes priority over business," Daniels said, his voice laced with sarcasm.
"Don't mind him," Maria said. "Once he's focused on something, he doesn't let go."
"I didn't mean to disturb you," Daniels said politely.
"It's alright. Actually, join us for dinner. Wouldn't you like that?" Bonita asked with a warm smile.
"Yes!" Christine chimed in, stepping in from the backyard. "Stay with us—Star and I will cook!"
"Star?!" Bonita blinked.
"Agh… forgot she's not here," Christine said awkwardly.
Daniels cleared his throat. "Thanks, Grandma. But I've got assignments to finish at home."
"But you'll still work with Mom, right?" Bonita asked, trying to hide her disappointment.
Daniels sighed. "Boni, if the boss doesn't care… why should the employee?" He turned away, disheartened.
"I'll walk you out," Bonita said softly and followed him.
Maria turned to her mother. "Mom… I didn't see you today."
"I'm making arrangements," Christine said.
"Arrangements for what?"
"To bring Star back."
Maria frowned. "She's with her parents, Mom. Let her be."
Christine narrowed her eyes. "I wasn't born yesterday, Maria Ezra. Get that in your head." She walked away.
Back at the apartment…
Star entered the room and found Louisa waiting.
"Mom? Why are you back already?"
Louisa stood with arms crossed. "Star, how much did you spend on all that I saw out there? Champagne? That food? Are you really going on a date with Mandume, or is this part of something bigger?"
Star smiled coyly. "Mom, relax. I just want you to enjoy yourself without grilling me."
"I want to see your bank balance."
Star blinked. "My refund's still intact, Mom. I was at the Davids', remember? Barely spent anything. Breathe."
Just then, Tomas walked in. He looked around. Only Star was in the room.
"Dad… is something wrong?" Star asked.
But Tomas didn't speak. He just pulled her into a long, tearful hug.
Louisa peeked from the bathroom doorway, moved to tears as she watched Tomas hold their daughter.
"Dad?" Star asked again, confused.
Tomas finally pulled back. His eyes glistened. "I'm just… happy. What your mother did out there—it's the same thing I did for her on our first date… before I ruined everything."
Star smiled. "Then you better hurry before she changes her mind."
"You're right!" Tomas grinned and hurried to change.
Louisa slipped out quietly, heading back to the terrace with a soft smile.