Zaian stepped closer, ignoring the mess on the table, ignoring Clara entirely. His focus was only on me. “I can’t believe this. How long has it been? You look… different.” His eyes softened, taking me in with something like pride. “And you look more beautiful of cause." He said with a small smile.
My throat tightened unexpectedly. “Zaian,” I managed, my voice quieter than I wanted. Raya, wide-eyed, looked between us like she’d just uncovered state secrets.
The professor’s brows furrowed slightly. “You know each other?” he asked Zaian.
Zaian laughed, adjusting his glasses. “Know her? She’s my junior. One of the most promising minds I ever worked with, back then.” He shot me a look, teasing but fond. “Though she vanished without a trace. I thought we lost you to the ordinary world
