A romantic novel

"Think it that way," Eveline said, instantly freezing her gaze.

Gabriel, unaware of Eveline's meaning, stood in shock. It was obvious to him that all it did was alert her to the fact that she was focusing too much.

He was only worried because he knew she would trip if he did not pay attention. However, his generosity was misinterpreted.

"So please explain to me what I did wrong," Gabriel said, crossing his hands over his chest. Boring his eyes into her cold one, he patiently waited for her response.

Eveline found it unbelievable that Gabriel would be interested in learning what went wrong. He would believe that she was insane if she continued to point out his error.

Because all of his actions occurred during her past existence.

Her blood curdled with rage at the sense of betrayal she felt for loving him. But she was unable to say it aloud and allow them to continue making fun of her feelings.

Eveline took a moment to gather her thoughts before casting the same detached gaze on Gabriel.

"Listen, Gabriel. I understand that you initially had no desire to come and instruct me. I forced you to come here because I asked Uncle Richard to. However, I have realized my error and I no longer want to learn anything from you," Eveline said in a low voice, but Gabriel could tell she was speaking with contempt.

Although he had never been accustomed to Eveline's coldness, he felt like a person she detested today.

However, Eveline scoffed as she saw the shift in his eyes.

Was it the suffering she saw in his eyes, or did he really make fun of her for asking him to study with him?

"Therefore, please go and do not bother me ever again." Eveline's words cut like a knife, severing his heart with a merciless blow. "I have already lost my face for crushing on you for years, but now I do not want to associate with you in any way."

Gabriel clenched his jaw in fury at the sound of her harsh words and left Eveline behind as he hurried out of the study room.

"Scoff, does he think I give a shot about his anger?" ignoring Gabriel's reaction, Eveline too left the study room and walked back to her room.

Jonathan, who remained in the living room, observed Gabriel leaving. However, the expression on his face caught his attention.

Gabriel seemed really irritated about something, did not even seem to notice him, and walked away.

Jonathan quickly glanced upstairs, observing Eveline make her way back to her room.

'Did they fight or something?' Jonathan pondered, finding it hard to believe something like that would happen.

Gabriel sprinted to his car and got inside, driving out of the Miller Mansion gate.

He was furious and wanted to yell at Eveline to let out all of his frustration, but to his dismay, he was by himself without Eveline.

Speeding the car Gabriel raced through the road before abruptly pulling the car to the side of the road.

He had never been this annoyed, but today he felt like punching the shit out of someone.

"What does she think of herself? Is she a leader who can say whatever she wants to say, or is she a princess who can make everyone twirl around her finger?" Gabriel slammed his hand on the steering wheel out of frustration.

He could not tell what hurt him more, her rejection or the hateful way her eyes met his.

He had never objected to Eveline's affection for him because she had always been so loving and kind to him.

Sometimes he would feel his heart skip a beat because she was so obvious, but he never once attempted to acknowledge them.

He never once attempted to acknowledge her crush on him, believing it to be a childish thought of her as a young girl.

Over time, he started to get used to her reflex even though he knew she would eventually move on from him and that these fleeting feelings would not last forever.

Even though Gabriel will never accept it, he likes that she did not treat him like a brother because he does not plan to have a sister, especially not one that he practically grew up with.

Still, he hesitated a little because he began to feel that Eveline's actions were not appropriate and that they should just keep their friendship intact.

Gabriel sat there and smirked while staring out the window, his eyes burning with rage.

"I am glad she realized there is nothing we can have together."

Despite having known Eveline since he was a young child, Gabriel did not really believe her. She reminded him of those girls who give up their careers to be homemakers and are content with being housewives.

Another minute passed and Gabriel finally relaxed before he turned on the engine and drove off.

****

Eveline, meanwhile, was content with her quiet moment. She couldn't help but feel satisfied with the look she saw in Gabriel's face.

She had been chasing after him for his attention the entire time, even sacrificing her dignity out of love for him. But today, she felt an even greater sense of fulfillment after confronting him with rejection.

She had just made up her mind to start studying when she heard a knock on the door and saw Jonathan standing there.

Despite being taken aback by her father's appearance, Eveline welcomed him into her room.

"I assumed Gabriel would be instructing you. But the boy just left in fury. Is everything okay between the two of you?" With a hint of hesitation on his face, he inquired.

Although Jonathan was aware that Eveline did not enjoy picking fights, he could not help but wonder why Gabriel would leave when things weren't wrong between them.

"Un, Dad, I told Gabriel that I do not need his help," Eveline said after giving Jonathan's words a moment to register.

Jonathan was at a loss for words and asked, "But did not you pester Richard to convince Gabriel to tutor you?"

Eveline had literally sugarcoated Richard to get Gabriel as her coach in studies and here she was suddenly cutting him off from his duties.

Eveline knew that her choice was hasty, but she had to act harshly to keep Gabriel at a distance.

"Dad, I just realized you were right to say I should not bother Gabriel because he already had a lot on his plate. Additionally, I reasoned, why not follow your recommendation to hire a different tutor?" Eveline said, rethinking Jonathan's advice.

Jonathan found it difficult to comprehend Eveline's abrupt shift in attitude, but he thought it would be better to have a different tutor rather than bother Gabriel with everything.

"So, who would you like to hire? Do you have someone in mind?" Eveline went ahead and gave Jonathan the names of a few professors who could assist her, asking him to give her a break from her nervousness.

****

Gabriel arrived home earlier than anticipated, but he did not stop to greet anyone before heading to his room.

His eyes went dark as soon as he opened the door and saw his brother Daniel sitting in his tidy bed, all the while concentrating on the book he was holding.

"How many times have I told you to keep your shoes off my bed, Daniel? You are messing with my bedsheet." Gabriel detested any attempt to damage his possessions.

He enjoyed having his belongings intact and not having anyone misplace them.

"When did you begin reading romance novels, brother?" Curious about his brother's abrupt change in preferences, Daniel asked.

With scowled eyebrows, Gabriel swiftly took the book out of Daniel's grasp.

"Do not you realize that prying into people's personal belongings is rude?" Daniel glared at his brother after putting the book back on his bookshelf.

Daniel Winston was a typical younger brother who enjoyed causing trouble for his sibling. Someone who was always bothering Gabriel was funnier and more carefree than his older brother, who was cool and collected.

Daniel knew Gabriel would never despise him, no matter how many times he received a reprimand.

He was the kind of brother who liked disciplining his siblings but also loved them with all his heart.

Daniel leaped off the bed and made his way over to his enraged brother. He sensed Gabriel wasn't on a good mood and that made him want to tease him.

"Do not tell me, brother, that you have finally found the one melting your stone-like heart," Daniel dreamily blinked, aggravating Gabriel even more with his foolish comment.

Gabriel did not want to think back to the day that Eveline gave him that book as a birthday present. She had always been considerate of his preferences, but on his birthday this year, she ended up giving him a book—a romantic novel, no less.

Gabriel liked to read and was well-versed in academics, but this time she chose a book that would express her feelings for him. However, she was unaware that he was already conscious of her feelings and how her gift caught him off guard.

Like an eagle eyeing its prey, Gabriel glared at his brother.

"Daniel Winston, you better keep your mouth shut if you do not want dad to find out about your midterm results."

"..."