They all left.
Karen was dropped off at a quiet house. Her sister, Ndeshi, stood waiting for her by the door.
"How did it go?" Ndeshi asked gently.
Karen didn't look pleased. She stepped inside and dropped her bag on the table, a photograph of Vicky and Nathan slipping out.
"I need more time," she muttered, not meeting Ndeshi's eyes.
"So... our father?" Ndeshi asked, visibly worried.
Karen took a breath. "He'll be fine, Ndeshi. His fiancée protected him."
She sank into a chair, rubbing her temples. "What did you cook?"
"Papa's favorite. Wait…" Ndeshi squinted at the photo on the table. "Is this—?"
"What?" Karen asked, glancing at the picture. "Oh. That. That's how it happened. I struck, and his wife came running to hug him. But maybe the intel gave me false info. Only his grandmother was supposed to trigger his pyrophobia—not his wife. That shouldn't have worked."
"No," Ndeshi said, eyes wide. "This is impossible."
"What are you talking about?" Karen frowned.
"That's Paige. She was my classmate back at the academy. We graduated together. But... she died. Five years ago. In a fire accident."
Karen blinked. "I don't know her. Are you sure?"
"Yes. And if she's back, we can save our father."
Karen leaned forward. "How?"
Ndeshi told her.
Cinthia entered her room, the memory of Nathan's episode still fresh. She paced.
"Is Victoria the girl?" she whispered. "If Kuku finds out, Catty's marriage is as good as ruined… May the right thing happen."
Ruben dropped Vicky home. Her siblings were already asleep. She tucked them in and kissed Emily on the forehead, then lay on the sofa, sleepless.
She sat up, troubled by her thoughts.
"I know how phobias work... They change people. Maybe Necro isn't truly rude or heartless," she whispered to herself.
She pulled out her notebook and began drafting her schedule.
"Why are they calling him Nate? Maybe it's just a nickname…" she murmured, noting Kuku's son's engagement among the day's tasks.
The Next Morning
Catty was packing her bags. Monica entered her room.
"It was really nice having you," Monica said flatly.
"When I become your sister-in-law, you could at least learn to greet me properly," Catty replied with a huff.
"You're still dreaming, Catty. You can dream from your own house," Monica retorted before heading to the living room where everyone had gathered for breakfast.
Ruben frowned, pulling photos from an unmarked box delivered the night before. They showed Nate and Vicky embracing. A note was attached:
"Congratulations on your memorial—because there won't be a wedding."
"Who did this? And why are they threatening Nate?" Ruben wondered aloud.
Cinthia walked in.
"Morning, everyone…"
"Cinthy, what time did you get home last night?" Sofia asked.
"It was a long night, Mom. Where's Nate?" Cinthia asked.
Ruben was in Nate's room. He opened the curtain, letting in sunlight that fell across Nate's sleeping face.
Nate stirred, groaning, holding a jacket.
"Morning, buddy," Ruben said with a smile.
"What happened to 'Boss'? Am I under investigation now?" Nate mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"You'll find out. How are you feeling?" Ruben asked.
"What even happened last night?" Nate's eyes locked onto the jacket.
"You had an episode," Ruben replied.
Nate sat up sharply. "What?! Did Kuku come there?"
"No… but she did," Ruben said, nodding toward the jacket.
Nate stared, confused.
Vicky had just returned from escorting the kids to school when her phone rang.
"Victoria," said a familiar voice.
"Yes, ma'am. Good morning?" she answered, unsure.
"Do you know who you're speaking to?" the woman asked.
"No…" Vicky said, trying to place the voice.
"Your friend… Kuku… from the mall."
"Ohhh! Kuku! Good morning, Kuku. How did you sleep?"
"I slept well, my child. And you? How was your event yesterday?"
"It went well, Kuku. Your blessing worked. I'm truly grateful."
"Thank God. But another event must now be planned," Kuku said mysteriously.
"Yes… Kuku, why is everyone getting engaged on Friday?"
"Who else is getting engaged on Friday?" Kuku asked.
"Yesterday, another man announced his engagement… also on Friday. And people mistook me for his fiancée."
"Maybe you're destined to be his wife?" Kuku teased.
"No, Kuku. He already has a wife-to-be," Vicky replied, flustered.
"I'm joking," Kuku laughed. "These days, Fridays are like a free pass—people just do what they want before Monday returns."
"You're right, Kuku. Please send me your address so I can come see where to begin tomorrow."
"I will. And I'll inform my son too, so we can meet later for further negotiations."
"Thank you, Kuku," Vicky smiled, ending the call.
Back at home, Nate sat stunned.
"Necro… saved my life?" he whispered.
"Who's Necro? I'm talking about the jacket," Ruben said.
"Yeah. It belongs to that crazy girl," Nate replied.
"What? What will your fiancée think when she sees it?"
Just then, Catty walked in. Nate quickly hid the jacket.
"Hi babe… Nate?"
Meanwhile, Vicky called Ruben.
"Morning, Sir?" she said.
"Just call me Ruben. How are you doing?" he replied warmly.
"I'm good… How's your boss?"
"He's fine—sound and healthy, all thanks to you."
"Awesome. Did he get the tea?"
"He just woke up."
"He must drink it. Everything will settle after that."
The call ended.
"I'm sorry it had to come to this, Nate," Catty said softly. "But unless your sister approves of me, there won't be a wedding."
Nathan's face darkened with fury.
"What's going on?" Ruben asked, confused.
"Catty wants to walk away," Nate snapped, "because someone else lived my life last night."
"What does that even mean?" Ruben pressed.
"Nate, please," Catty pleaded, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "Calm down. Don't let your anger speak for you."
Just then, Aune walked in, quietly setting a steaming cup of tea on the table before Ruben. Her silence was as mysterious as the timing.
She left without a word.
Nate raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you drink tea?" he asked as Ruben handed it to him.
He leaned in, letting the smoke curl into his nose—there was something oddly comforting about the scent.
"You won't mind if I borrow your first 'health tea,' will you?" Nate said, half-teasing.
He took a sip, and immediately paused.
"…Damn. Aune made this?" he asked, eyes widening in recognition.
"You were just yelling a second ago," Ruben said, watching him closely. "Now look at you."
Nate's expression turned serious.
"This tea…" he said slowly, "who really made it?"
Would you like the next lines to unravel the tea's mystery or circle back to Catty's tension?