Star crept up the staircase, careful not to let her footsteps betray her presence. The corridor stretched ahead like a silent witness, and her heart thumped with quiet urgency. She approached Bonita's room slowly, keeping her back to the wall. She was nearly there when—
Thud.
"Ouch!" Star gasped, stumbling back.
She had bumped into something—someone.
"Oh... it's you," she stammered. Her eyes lifted to meet Mandume's unreadable face.
"What are you sneaking around for?" Mandume asked, his tone laced with suspicion.
"I… um…" she stuttered, trying to come up with something that didn't sound exactly like the truth.
Mandume folded his arms. "Have you seen Mom? Or Grandma? Or even my sister since we got back?"
"No, not really," Star replied. "I saw Bonita in the kitchen, but not your mom or grandma. Maybe they're in their rooms?"
"They're not," Mandume said, his brows furrowed. "I just checked the entire house. They're gone. And I really need Mom right now."
"You should try calling her," Star suggested.
"I will," he muttered, fishing his phone from his pocket. "And where were you going, by the way?"
"Boni," she whispered quickly and awkwardly. Mandume gave her a side glance but said nothing, heading back downstairs.
Star, still uneasy, continued toward Bonita's door. Mandume dialed his mother, but the call went unanswered. He then tried Christine. Her phone rang—from the living room. Moments later, the front door creaked open, and Christine walked in carrying plastic shopping bags.
"Mandume, you're back already," she said, smiling. "How's Star doing?"
"She's fine, Grandma. Where were you?" he asked, trying not to sound as anxious as he felt.
"I went to the market to grab a few kitchen essentials," Christine said, lifting the bags slightly.
"Have you seen Mom?"
"She's not home?" Christine's face changed.
"No. She's not answering her phone either."
Christine paused, then gave a tight smile. "Maybe she went to the garage? She mentioned needing to fix something with the tires."
Mandume shook his head, his voice tense. "We just changed the tires a month ago, Grandma. They're practically brand new. Tires don't wear out that fast."
Christine's smile didn't waver. "Still, it won't hurt to double-check. And please, make some time for me later. I need to talk to you about something important." She disappeared into her room before Mandume could protest further.
Sighing heavily, Mandume decided not to overthink it. Maybe she was right. He headed to his room and buried himself in schoolwork, hoping it would distract him from the knots twisting in his gut.
Upstairs, Star reached Bonita's door. She peered through the small gap near the handle, holding her breath. Bonita was changing clothes, her face still stained with tears.
"She's changing?" Star whispered to herself. "Going out? Still crying too…"
Star narrowed her eyes. Something's off.
She and her mother might be planning something. I can't afford to let my guard down—not now. Not again.
Just then, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned and jumped.
"Star?" Christine's voice was sharp.
"Oh! Grandma…" Star fumbled, heart pounding. "I was just… checking if Boni was asleep. Didn't want to disturb her. Hehe…" Her laugh was awkward, clearly nervous.
Christine gave her a long, measured look.
Maria warned me, Christine thought. She said Star wasn't in our family's interest. So why is she sneaking around outside Bonita's door?
The door opened, and Bonita stepped out.
"Oh, Granny—you're back," she said softly, adjusting her jacket. Her eyes were red.
"Are you heading out?" Christine asked.
"Yes, I'm going to see a friend," Bonita replied quickly. "If Mom asks, please let her know."
Christine nodded and left.
Bonita's eyes fell on Star. "Oh, Star…"
"I just… wanted to talk," Star said, the first thing that came to her mind. "But you go ahead. We can talk later."
Bonita hesitated. "I can stay… Actually, I wanted to go see Tiffanie. I just don't know if she'll even listen to me." Her voice cracked.
Star blinked. "Tiffanie?"
Bonita nodded, her face trembling with emotion.
"Is everything okay?" Star asked, her voice softer now, genuinely concerned.