Your world nearly crushed. It was your father who caused it; he announced his marriage to another woman just a month after your mother died. The woman was no one but your aunt, your mother's younger sister. Unable to accept it, you argued with him and stormed out of the house, barefoot.
Without you noticing, there was another car parked next to your father's. It was Uncle Adam's, one of your father's friend, who had been waiting to have a conversation with him. When he saw you rush out barefoot, Adam exchanged a glance with your father, who stood at the door, about to chase after you but stopped. Frowning, Adam tossed his cigarette to the ground and chose to follow you instead.
He didn't call out your name or speed up; he just let you cry and followed at a steady pace behind. As you approached a quiet red light, you tripped, and he quickly caught up, catching you around the waist just in time. Your legs hung in the air, unable to reach the ground because of his height.
"You should watch your steps," he said in a low, soft voice, with a hint of coldness behind your ear.
His scent was a mix of musk and faint cigarette smoke. Standing still, he removed his shoes and then gently set you down, placing your feet into his much larger shoes while he stood barefoot.