Tldr: For context, in the past we work together for sometime. I developed feelings cause we were emotionally there for each other. He used to vent about how difficult his partner was in the past with me. We had long conversations and meetup sometimes as it’s long distance. It was close friendship + the emotional bond similar to that of a partner’s.
He obviously relies on me and frequently vents to me at that time. Then when we worked together, we used to play a lot and get to know each other a lot. I didn’t know back then he had a partner. He said it was his room mate. After about 6 months, I confessed to him but he said he needs to prioritise his family. I tried to go to his city but he was cold and he also had issues already with his partner as he wants to leave her but is still hesitating.
I got tired of it and left. Fast forward a month later, someone in my family died and he pushed himself back to my life. We had decent conversations and long conversations but not really emotionally into each other anymore.
Now, my problem is he is going back again. He is of late messaging me once or twice a week asking how I am. Then, we end up having 3 to 4 hours of chatting. And it seems like he wants to carry my problems as well or solve them. I’m already used to taking care of it myself. Now, I’ve mentioned I’m overworked just to vent.
He told me it so happened he’s looking for additional work again and wants to work with me again. It screams red flag. Because not only is he wanting to emotionally bond often. He said he wants to work with me even if it’s free just so that my burden will be gone.
I don’t know what to do with this guy. He clearly rejected me in the past but wants to emotionally bond with me. He also keeps praising me on his messages so I don’t know what his deal is.
Edit: He seems to have left his partner because he is going back to my city (where his parents live) as his mother is getting sickly