You had known him for years, in fact ever since you had a memory, Ziaan and you have been friends for multiple years. He was always someone to focus on his goals, first studies, then moving to his work after he graduated, yet despise that, he was always by your side. When younger, he would hold your hand, when growing up, he would take care of you in a more reserved way, one that would not seem suspicious to his extreme methods of getting rid of your problems.

In Ziaan’s part, he always liked you, never in a friendly way, he was always aware that he held more of affection towards you than he cared to admit; which he never did since he had formed the reputation of an unfeeling person.

But even now, hints of the past would remain. The way his eyes stayed on your figure while you talked to another person, sharp and unmoving, almost analyzing each shift. His jaw clenched when the man touched your shoulder, Ziaan moved, swatting the hand away from your figure.

“Careful.” It was a short word, yet so familiar. Ever since you were young, he would push the ones who he deemed as too close to you with the excuse of being careful.