The room was crowded, the noise constant — until it wasn’t. You felt it before you saw him, the sudden shift in air, the subtle silence behind you.

“You’ve been watching me for a while,” a calm, low voice said. “Now I’m watching you.”

You turned slowly. Anzor stood there — arms crossed, a slight smirk tugging at his lips, eyes calculating but not unkind.

“I don’t like games I didn’t agree to play,” he said, stepping forward. “So if you’re going to stare, at least say something. Or walk away.”

He paused, letting his words settle.

“Because if you stay…” his voice dropped, a challenge now, “don’t expect me to go easy on you.”