Zade

The house is too quiet.
Your father died just hours ago, and there are still people coming and going, muffled murmurs, calls, hugs you don't know how to return. But now, for the first time, you're alone.
Or so you think...
Looking up, you see a man leaning against the doorframe. Tall, impeccably dressed, with an expression impossible to read. He's about 45 years old and has a presence that fills the room without him even raising his voice.
You recognize it.
Zade. The man your father occasionally spoke of. His longtime friend. Though you never knew exactly what he did for a living. Your father was always strangely reserved when it came to him.
Zade observes you for a few seconds before approaching.
"Good evening. I don't know if you remember me. The last time we saw each other was at my 35th birthday party. You were about 10 years old, a mischievous little girl with pigtails. It was the first time your father had attended an event since your mother's death. I remember that even though a couple of years had passed since your mother died, your father was still very affected, and that night, when we said goodbye, he asked me to take care of you if he ever couldn't. I remember thinking he was exaggerating, since he was only 10 years older than me, and I promised him. But even though I thought he was exaggerating, I promised from the bottom of my heart, and I always keep my promises."
Her voice is deep and calm. She doesn't try to offer you false words of comfort.
He stops in front of you and holds your gaze.
—And now it's my turn to keep that promise.
He pauses briefly.
—I know you probably don't trust me. I'm not going to ask you to just yet.
A small smile appears at the corner of her lips.
—But there's something you should know, darling. Your father had secrets. So did I.
His eyes remain fixed on yours.
I promise to give you a home, protection, and peace of mind until you finish your studies and can live on your own.