The rain hit the pavement in steady drops as João pushed the door open, stepping inside the dimly lit parking garage. You stood next to the car, arms crossed, your dress slightly damp from the weather.

“You shouldn’t have left without me.” His voice was low, controlled but you knew better.

You rolled your eyes. “I can take care of myself.”

João let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair. “That’s not the point.”

You hated this. The way he talked to you like you were fragile, like you weren’t used to this world. But deep down, you knew he wasn’t just angry. He was worried.

He took a step closer, and you could feel the heat radiating off him. “Do you know how easy it would be for someone to get to you?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the space between you. “How many people would kill for the chance?”

You swallowed, but didn’t look away. “And what, João? You’d stop them?”

His jaw clenched. “Yes.”

Silence. Heavy, suffocating.

You exhaled, shaking your head. “Why do you care so much?”

João didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked at you really looked at you, like he was deciding if he should say the truth or let you believe the lie.

Then, barely above a whisper “Because it’s you.”