Moyo couldn't stop blaming herself, although she knew it wasn't her fault that Cassie felt insecure at home, but somehow she felt if she hadn't joined the family, the things happening at the mansion wouldn't be happening.

No one was calm in the mansion. Florence had been on the phone from the moment Cassie ran out of the mansion, and George had run after her. He wasn't back yet; neither was Cassie.

It didn't help that it was late. It made Moyo bothered. She knew if it was her, she had nowhere to run to in Lagos, but Cassie might have friends to run to. It might be the only reason she had confidently run away from home.

The moment Florence went outside, Moyo followed her. The maids were all handing around; no one could retire for the day. Moyo bit her nails until she saw Anu in a far corner with her mother. Eagerly, she joined them; she wanted someone she could talk to, and Florence seemed like the last person who wanted to converse with anyone.

She greeted Anu's mother and dragged Anu with her.

It was as if Anu expected it as she questioned her immediately, "What happened? I heard Cassie left the mansion in anger. Why did she?"

Moyo sighed. How was she supposed to know what was going on in the head of a lady like Cassie? Everything Cassie did never ceased to amaze her. So, instead of a response, she responded with her question. "Has Cassie ever ran away from home before?"

Her heart beat as she waited for Anu's response.

Anu bit her lower lips and then looked left and right before nodding, "She did it once."

Moyo held Anu's sleeve, "When? Did she come back that same day?"

Anu shook her head, "She came back a week later, but I think her parents knew where she was then."

"Then finding her shouldn't be a problem then." She said, trying to console herself. If she had done this before, then it wasn't her fault that Cassie had run away from home.

Just then, George came back. Moyo ran towards him but there was no Cassie behind him. Florence stood beside him with a frown on her face. Before anyone could say a word, she shouted. "You couldn't find her, right? How could you? How could you raise your hand to slap our daughter?"

Moyo glanced around to see if anyone was spying on them. Thankfully, the maids got the hint and had retreated inside. It was just the family outside.

George didn't utter a word but sighed, excused himself, and moved inside. The ladies followed behind, one in anger and the other out of curiosity, but when he stopped at the door to their room, Moyo withdrew and moved to her room. She could barely sleep as she awaited any news regarding Cassie. She promised herself not to sleep, so she picked up her phone to keep herself busy. She tried calling Cassie a few times, but her phone was switched off.

The strange light that penetrated Moyo's eyes made her yawn lazily, and she rubbed her eyes before sitting upright. She stretched and glanced towards her window. It was daybreak, and she hadn't closed her window the previous night. On reflex, she picked up her phone only to see the battery was low. She hadn't bothered to charge last night; that was when she remembered she wasn't supposed to have fallen asleep. Cassie was somewhere out there, and here she was sleeping in the comfort of their bed.

She jumped up and run towards their parent's room. For the first time she forgot to knock before opening the door. It was empty. She ran down the stairs, trying to look for her parents, but met with silence everywhere.

It was eerie.

Even the maids that were always busy doing one thing or the other were nowhere to be found. It was as if everyone had planned to be missing in the mansion. Just then she heard the sound of a door, and turned back to see her father coming from a room she never knew existed. His face looked rough like he had barely slept, but he forced a smile at her.

"Good morning, my princess."

Moyo had no idea what was good about the morning, but responded before asking, "Did Cassie came back home? And where's mummy?"

George rubbed his eyes with his hand, "Can we get something to eat first?"

Moyo nodded; leading the way to the dining. "I don't think there is food.

He chuckled, "I am sure there is, the maid must have prepared earlier than before. Go and check the kitchen well."

She did just that and was surprise to find food in a plate hidden in the microwave. Used to dishing out food, she dished there and placed it gently in front of her father.

Moyo didn't say a word although she wanted to ask a lot. She wanted to know where her mother had gone. She wanted to know why her father was so comfortable eating when Cassie was out there missing. It made it difficult for her to swallow her food at ease. She could count the number of spoons she forced into her mouth while her father had eaten in comfort.

Was he not bothered about Cassie?

How could be continue eating like nothing happened at home?

"Stop staring at me that way." He said suddenly, making Moyo realize she had been staring at him without eating. She averted her gaze immediately. "I know you are worried. Don't be. Cassie is fine. She's with your mother."

Moyo eyes widened, and before she could control her mouth, she was already asking another question, "So, where are they?"

"Somewhere safe," he responded with a smile. "Eat, princess, and get ready for school. I'll drive you to school today."

Finally, Moyo was able to swallow her food with the thoughts that Cassie would surely come to school. If their mother was with her, she would lead her to school.

The ride to school was the best she ever had. Her father made it fun that she barely thought of Cassie all the way. Moyo had easily asked questions without fear. In that short ride she was able to learn more about her new family.

When she got to class, the first thing she did was check Cassie's seat; it was empty.

Sadly, Moyo took her seat beside Aaron.

"What's wrong?'

She looked at him in surprised. How did he know something was wrong, immediately?

She didn't reply. There was no way she was sharing the family secret with strangers.

"Is it about Cassie?" He asked again.

Moyo swapped her head at him. How did he know?

"Cassie is absent and you are present. That was how I know."

She frowned. "You said your thoughts out. I heard it."

She nodded. Okay.

The rest of the day was in between listening to teachers and swapping her head to see if Cassie decided to turn up to school. When Ms. William came to take the attendance, she stated the Cassie was absent for medical reasons.

For the first time, a lot of people turned to her. They had noticed she always come to school with Cassie. So, they had asked about her. Someone had boldly asked if she was changing school like she changed her surname.

Amidst those questions, Moyo ran out of the class. There was no hiding it, her life was interwoven with Cassie's.