He stayed too close. Close enough that whenever she turned around unexpectedly, she found him already watching her.
And the look in his eyes was no longer the same.
Something burned there. Something she did not know how to face.
Gradually, she began avoiding him. Yet avoiding Erian proved impossible. Somehow, he always found a reason to remain nearby.
"One of these days, someone will try something again," he would say.
Or,
"There are too many strangers around today."
Then, one afternoon, he suddenly spoke while looking toward the alley beyond the courtyard gate.
"Someone is watching you."
Caelith arched her brows. "What?"
Erian's gaze remained fixed upon the distant street.
"For the past few days, someone has been lingering nearby."
Caelith followed his line of sight. The alley lay quiet and empty beneath the afternoon sunlight.
There was no one there.
"Perhaps you're mistaken?"
Erian shook his head. "No."
He finally looked at her, his expression unusually serious.
