Okoye felt internally angry for an outsider to treat her far better than an outsider, bringing her to tears. The night was perfect to zero flaws, and for the very first time, she was happy. Okoye was delighted and realized she didn't want to be satisfied because she wanted Attuma to fail. In her failure of wanting him to die, she couldn't help but feel something more for him, and in realization, she became terrified. Attuma had surprised her with a giant blanket stitched in colorful Talokanil patterns placed with pillows for sitting and all her favorite Talokanil foods he wanted to share with her. Attuma listened with a smile as he didn't have a mask, but the gills on his neck were protected. Attuma took her hand in his as she shared the reason why she worked so hard to become a Dora, how Okoye distanced herself from her friends, and partially hated Nakia for having the love, support, and admiration of her family and the boy she once had a crush on but still admire as a strong leader. Her parents told her she wouldn't make it and to give up and not embarrass her family. The feeling of joy when he threatened he would feed her parents to sharks if only he had met her years ago and they would have already been happily married with children and her body worshipped. Her eyes widened in shock, but she was so glad her melanin hid her blush—the fact that she felt turned on by this threat questioned her sanity, but his attention felt terrific. His attention felt terrific; she gasped in realization at the thought; he made her happy. She couldn't do this, or he shouldn't do this? Why was it so hard to want this? Why was this so hard to take this? Why did she feel she didn't deserve this? Grabbing her beads, she decided to call him. She needed to know if she was making the right decision in giving him a chance.

"Okoye." he sounded delighted about her call, "I was just thinking about you." Why did this feel wrong?

"Do you love me?" the line stayed silent as if he was trying to say the right words.

"Okoye, I never stopped loving you."

"I was on a date tonight." The line stayed silent again. "W'Kabi, I had a great time, and someone is interested in courting me."

"It's that man that picked you up. The outsider?" Okoye sat on her bed, leaning her back on the wall.

"yes."

"How was it?" Okoye took a deep breath and sighed.

"I had fun." admitting the truth. "The man made me feel special and happy and reminded me of something I had forgotten. I don't know how to explain it any other way, but I don't know why I feel this way."

"What do you mean you don't know why you feel this way?" Okoye closed her eyes at his question.

"I can't do it."

"Thank Bast. I am so glad you picked me." Okoye heard the relief in his voice, and the feeling in her chest dropped.

"I didn't pick you. I didn't pick anyone. I need you to stop messaging me, and I need to think about what I want."

"Do you love him?" Okoye rolled her eyes.

"No, I don't love him, but I also do not know how I feel about you either; our parents and yourself trying to persuade me isn't helping. Things have changed W'Kabi, and I need to figure a few things out with everything that had happened."

"How can I prove that we belong together?" the sound of desperation in his voice made her feel awful, but this wasn't about him and what he wanted. It was about her.

"By giving me time and not leaving ten to fifteen messages. I am safe and heard you, but this isn't about you and what you want. It's about me, and I don't know what I want now. I need to go." Hanging up before he said another word, she used her bead again to make a call before hanging up, placing her kimoyo beads back on the nightstand. Changing out of her clothes into the comfy fitted night clothes, she was gifted the knock on her door. Okoye took another deep breath before opening the door and locking eyes with Attuma.

"I got here as fast as I could." Attuma frowned his eyebrows with worry.

"I don't know what I want, but I think I do. I'm just not sure yet." Attuma took a step forward as she took a step back.

"You deserve so much, and I know I can give it to you." Okoye gulped at his words.

"What if I want you just to hold me, kiss me till I'm out of breath, your hands placed..." Slowly taking his hand, placing it on her left breast. Her heart raced at the vulnerability she was showing. Attuma looked down at his hand, seeing hers placed on top of his, gently palming her breast.

"I will give you all you ask and more."

"Kiss me," Okoye whispered, breathless, and Attuma smiled.

"You don't even need to ask. Just take." Okoye placed her hands on the back of his neck, pulling him down and smashing their lips together. She needs to try this, and even though it scares her, something about this feels right.