The word struck him harder than anything else she had said.
Not once had she asked how much money he earned.
Not once had she complained.
Not once had she suggested leaving.
Instead, she was making plans.
With him.
For him.
For their future.
« Dazibo? » she asked. « Why are you looking at me like that? »
He took a slow breath.
« Because no one has ever chosen me over my circumstances before. »
She squeezed his hands gently.
« Then you’ve been surrounded by the wrong people. »
The next morning, Dazibo asked Tama to meet him outside a large office building in the center of Asaba.
Confused but curious, she agreed.
When she arrived, she found him standing beside a black luxury SUV.
Several employees greeted him respectfully as they passed.
« Good morning, sir. »
« Welcome back, Mr. Dazibo. »
Tama frowned.
« What is this? »
He looked nervous.
More nervous than he had been in the tiny house.
« There is something I need to tell you. »
Slowly, he explained everything.
The businesses.
The investments.
The wealth.
The old house.
The test.
As he spoke, Tama’s expression changed from confusion to disbelief.
When he finished, silence settled between them.
« You lied to me, » she said quietly.
His heart sank.
« I know. And I’m sorry. »
She looked away.
« I understand why you did it, but it still hurts. »
« I was terrified, » he admitted. « Every relationship I’ve had changed the moment people learned who I was. »
Tama studied him for several seconds.
« Do you know what hurts the most? »
He shook his head.
« That you thought I needed to be tested. »
He lowered his eyes.
