It was a rainy evening.

The sky outside was painted in shades of deep gray and indigo, matching the moody atmosphere inside the grand Montenegro mansion. Raindrops tapped rhythmically against the tall glass windows, creating a soft, soothing sound that somehow made the silence feel even heavier. Everything around me felt too big, too elegant, and too intimidating. The high ceilings, the expensive furniture, the low murmurs of adults talking—it was a world that felt far away from mine.

“Stay behind me,” Liam said firmly as we stepped across the threshold, shaking off the dampness from outside.

I nodded silently, my small hands clutching tightly onto the back of his shirt, using him as my shield.

I was only 14 years old.

I was still wearing my crumpled school uniform, the fabric feeling too simple amidst the luxury surrounding me. I felt small. Tiny, almost. And completely unsure of how to act or where to look.

I kept my head low, my long hair falling like a curtain to hide my face, sticking close to my brother’s back—

Until I saw him.

Zander.

He was sitting comfortably on the spacious sofa, one leg crossed over the other, looking completely relaxed and at ease. He was laughing at something my brother had said earlier, his head tilted slightly back, revealing a sharp but gentle jawline. There was something effortlessly magnetic about him. The way he carried himself with so much ease. The way his smile reached his eyes, making him look warm yet undeniably cool.

He looked older. Much older than me. More mature. More confident. Like someone who belonged anywhere, like the world was made just for him to walk in.

Then, his eyes shifted.

And they landed directly on me.

He paused.

Not dramatically. Not like in the movies where time stops completely.

Just… a small pause. A brief second where his laughter faded, and his movement stilled.

Like he noticed something unexpected. Something that caught his attention.

Slowly, he stood up and walked toward us. His steps were long and confident, closing the distance between us in just a few strides.

“So this is Elara?” he said, his voice deep and smooth, a faint, playful smile forming on his lips.

I froze.

My heart started beating fast against my chest. He was tall—so tall that I had to tilt my head all the way up just to meet his gaze. He looked down at me, his dark eyes scanning my face with a look that was slightly amused, yet incredibly gentle.

“You’re really quiet. Are you always like this?” he asked, his tone teasing but not mean.

I couldn’t find my voice. My mouth felt dry, and my mind went blank. I didn’t answer.

Before I could even think of what to do or say, he reached out. His large hand hovered for a split second before lightly tapping the top of my head.

The gesture was simple. Casual, almost.

But strangely warm. His touch was soft, sending a strange tingling sensation down to my toes.

“H-hello…” I mumbled, my voice barely a whisper, cheeks turning bright red as I quickly hid behind Liam again, seeking safety.

Zander let out a soft chuckle, a low and pleasant sound that vibrated in the air.

But as he stepped back, returning to his place, there was something deeper and more thoughtful in his gaze as he looked at me one last time.

He didn’t understand it yet. It was just a feeling he couldn’t name.

But for some reason…

In that quiet moment, amidst the sound of the rain…

He felt like he wanted to look out for her.

Days turned into weeks, and the rainy season seemed to linger, much like the memory of that first meeting.

Zander became a constant presence in our lives. He was always there, either at our house or wherever Liam was. And every single time, his eyes would somehow find me.

It wasn’t obvious. Not to anyone else, at least.

To others, he was just being nice. He was just the good older brother figure, the responsible friend who happened to be good with kids.

But I felt it. The way he treated me was different.

Whenever we were in the same room, he would make sure there was always something for me to eat or drink.

“Elara, do you want milk tea?” he would ask, already pulling out his phone to order, or sometimes holding a cup he bought beforehand. “Less sugar, right?”

I would always stare at him in surprise. How did he remember? We barely even talked.

He would just smile that familiar smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You looked like you’d like this.”

He never made me feel awkward or left out. Even when the conversation turned to things I couldn’t understand—topics about college, work, or things that adults talked about—he would find a way to include me. Or better yet, he would make sure I was comfortable just sitting there, playing with my phone or doodling on a notebook, without feeling like I was intruding.

One afternoon, it started pouring heavily again. I forgot my umbrella at home, and I was standing by the school gate, hesitating whether I should run or wait for the rain to stop.

Then, a familiar black car stopped right in front of me.

The window rolled down, revealing his face.

“Get in,” Zander said, his voice clear despite the sound of the rain. “I was passing by.”

I blinked, confused. “But… aren’t you supposed to be at the university?”

He leaned his head slightly, looking at me with that amused expression. “Can’t I pick up my favorite little girl?”

I blushed furiously but opened the door and got inside. The car was warm and smelled like his cologne—something fresh and calming.

He handed me a towel. “Dry your hair. Don’t get sick.”

As he drove, I secretly looked at his side profile. His hands on the steering wheel looked strong and capable. His jaw was sharp, his expression calm. He looked so mature, so reliable.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked suddenly, without taking his eyes off the road.

I jumped slightly, quickly looking away. “N-nothing!”

I heard him chuckle softly. The sound was low and warm, filling the quiet space between us.

He didn’t know it, and neither did I back then.

But every time he bought me food, every time he waited for me, every time he looked at me with those gentle eyes…

He was building a wall of protection around my heart.

He was taking care of me in silence, long before he even admitted it to himself.

He treated me like I was something fragile. Something precious.

And slowly, without realizing it, I started looking forward to seeing him too.

Time flew by, and the rainy days were slowly replaced by the warmth of the sun. But no matter how the weather changed, the feeling he left in my heart remained the same—constant and steady.

I was getting older, but to him, I was still the little girl he used to pat on the head. Or so I thought.

One afternoon, I made a decision. I told Liam I was going to the library to study, but my feet took me somewhere else entirely. I took the bus, my heart pounding nervously against my ribs, until I arrived at the large gates of his university.

It was a world completely different from mine. Older students walked around, looking busy and mature. It was his territory.

I stood there shyly, holding a cold drink in my hand, hiding slightly behind a pillar. I told myself I just wanted to see him, just for a second, and then I would leave.

My eyes searched frantically through the crowd, looking for that tall, familiar figure.

And then, I saw him.

Zander.

He was walking with a group of friends, wearing casual clothes that still made him look effortlessly handsome. He looked so cool, so relaxed, like he owned the place. He was laughing at something someone said, his expression bright and carefree.

But then, as if he felt a pull, his gaze wandered across the courtyard.

And he saw me.

His laughter stopped instantly. His eyes widened slightly, clearly surprised. He said something quickly to his friends and excused himself, walking towards me with long, fast strides.

"Elara?" he called out as he approached, stopping right in front of me. He looked down, one eyebrow raised in amusement. "What are you doing here?"

The way he looked at me made my cheeks burn instantly. I looked at my shoes, avoiding his intense gaze.

"I... I just passed by," I mumbled, lying badly. "I was in the area."

Zander let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. The sound was warm and affectionate.

"You little liar," he said softly, his voice dropping to a whisper that only I could hear. "You came all the way here just to see me, didn't you?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't. My silence was louder than any words.

He didn't push me though. Instead, he smiled—a genuine, happy smile that made his eyes crinkle beautifully.

"Wait here," he said.

Minutes later, he came back with food and snacks, making sure I was full and comfortable. He walked me all the way to the bus stop, making sure I got on safely.

As the bus started to move, I looked out the window and to my sirprise . He was still standing there, watching me leave.

I did'nt know it back then .

But seeing me show up at his world, looking small and shy just to see him...

It meant more to him than I could ever imagine.

It made his heart skip a beat too.