Chapter 3: What you talk with Gabriel?

Eveline marched out of the building, ignoring everyone's looks. She was a popular student, not because of her attractiveness, but because of her exceptional academic skills.

Being the center of attention did not bother Eveline back then, but these days she preferred to disappear and live a simple life.

"Hello, little sister," Eveline flinched as Stefan inadvertently stepped in front of her.

Eveline took a moment to compose her beating heart before glaring at Stefan.

"Why has everyone been scaring me since morning?" Eveline sneered, thinking about what had happened with Gabriel earlier in the day, and her expression darkened.

"What is up with this gloominess, and where are you heading, by the way?" Stefan enquired, watching with bewildered eyes as Eveline talked to herself.

"Are you still offended by Gabriel? Stefan laughed heartily, unable to believe Eveline, who had been bothering Gabriel nonstop, would ever become angry with him.

Eveline scoffed as she looked at Stefan, who appeared to be having fun with her situation. It is no surprise that he was unable to believe anything.

"Will you stop making fun of me, or do you want me to kick in your balls?" Eveline warned, stealing Stefan's smile right away.

"W- what did you say?" Stefan fumbled, still unable to comprehend Eveline's statement.

"The same you heard," Eveline replied, nonchalantly.

"Are you okay, Eve? Why does it feel like you hit your head hard when we collided?" Stefan reached out to examine her, but she yanked his hand away.

"There is nothing wrong with me. I am perfectly fine," she said, dismissing his concerns.

Stefan breathed a sigh of relief, but his brow furrowed. "Then why are you acting like that? Did something happen to make you upset with Gabriel, or did you finally realize that he will never melt his heart for you?" Stefan wrapped his hand around Eveline's shoulder and they resumed their walk.

Eveline was like his younger sister, and she enjoyed sharing her problems with Stefan. So, the day he confronted her about her feelings for Gabriel, he warned her to give up.

She now understood why: Gabriel had Tiffany in his heart.

"Look, you are dozing off once more. I am sure you are not feeling well; otherwise, you would not have been laughing to yourself. So tell me what is wrong and why you are upset with Gabriel.

"Who is upset with whom?" a familiar voice asked, drawing Stefan and Eveline's attention.

Gabriel stared at the two before focusing on Eveline and asking, "I asked you something? "Who is upset with whom?"

Gabriel had decided to ignore everything, but when he saw Stefan and Eveline together, he could not resist following them.

Eveline's expression darkened as she glared at Gabriel with the same intensity as him and asked, "Were you eavesdropping on us?"

Stefan cast a terrified look at Eveline. He could not believe his ears and eyes when he saw Eveline talk back to Gabriel, especially with such coldness.

Gabriel was taken aback, but he quickly masked his reaction and took a step towards Eveline.

"What if I was?" he asked, keeping his gaze fixed on Eveline.

Eveline, on the other hand, was startled by their proximity but refused to back away. She had always been submissive to Gabriel and tolerated his arrogance.

She hoped that one day he would be able to acknowledge her love and melt his heart, but that never happened. Instead, it turned out to be the one who watched her fall from the balcony with no empathy.

Eveline scowled at his remark, "Do not you know it is bad manner to eavesdrop on someone?"

Gabriel's lips twitched at her arrogance, but he maintained his composure. He wondered what he had done to deserve Eveline's rude behavior.

"I was not eavesdropping; I just wanted to talk to Stefan, who happened to be with you at the time," Gabriel said, pointing to Stefan, dragging the boy into their argument.

"But you said you wanted to be alone," Stefan replied, perplexing Gabriel.

Gabriel clenched his jaw and gave Stefan a sharp look. He expected his friend to cooperate, but he ended up exposing him.

"Anyway, brother Stefan is yours," Eveline said, turning to leave.

Gabriel watched her disappearing figure with trepidation in his heart. Something about Eveline seemed strange to him, but he could not figure out what.

So, why were you looking for me?" Stefan asked, standing next to Gabriel, but he simply turned around and began walking in the opposite direction, leaving Stefan stranded on the spot.

Eveline spent the rest of the day avoiding Tiffany and focusing on class.

When it was time to leave, Eveline exited the classroom before Tiffany and walked out of the building straight to her car. However, before she could enter, Tiffany called her from behind.

Eveline's grip on the handle tightened, and she turned to face Tiffany, who was running behind her but tripped and fell to the ground with a thud.

Eveline's eyes darkened as she realized what Tiffany had done, but in order to keep her from becoming suspicious, she rushed to her side and assisted her in standing.

"Ah, it hurts," Tiffany said, stumbling on her feet.

Eveline scoffed mentally as she reviewed her plan. She had clearly seen that there was no stone on which Tiffany would trip. She put on an act to get a ride home.

"Eve, would you please take me home? With this pain, I do not think I will be able to travel by bus."

'There you go.'

"Sure, but do not you think we should first see the doctor? What if the sprain is too severe?" Eveline asked, startling Tiffany on the spot, and she stumbled over her words.

"No, I do not think I need to see a doctor.Just take me please."

Eveline knew Tiffany was lying, but she did not drag it out too long and agreed to take her home.

Tiffany assisted herself and entered the car, while Eveline observed her actions and fumed before walking to the other side of the vehicle and entering.

The car soon left the premise with once again Tiffany getting what she wanted.

****

Eveline continued to glance at Tiffany from the side while her attention was drawn to her phone.

She wondered how her so-called friend was able to gain her trust to the point where she never doubted her.

Perhaps she was too kind to her and let her play with her emotions until the end.

Eveline could not help but mock her unfortunate fate.

"You seem perfectly fine?" Tiffany was taken aback by Eveline's words and gave an awkward smile.

She quickly put the phone in her pocket and turned to face Eveline.

"Yes, I think so. Look, I can move my leg too." Tiffany rotated her ankle showing Eveline the improvement.

"So, should I drop you off here? I see you are fine to go on your own now."

Tiffany's smile vanished as she heard Eveline's words, but she soon smiled, breaking her trance.

"I am kidding. I am not heartless to let my friend go alone, especially after you sprained your ankle." Eveline faked a smile, leaving Tiffany perplexed by how quickly her expressions changed from cold to chirpy.

Tiffany broke into an awkward smile and nodded her head in approval.

"Haha, yes"

Tiffany felt apprehensive in front of Eveline. The girl who always listens to her and follows her like a lost puppy was making her nervous.

Tiffany recalled the day she met Eveline and how easily she gained her trust, eventually becoming her only friend and well-wisher.

However, Tiffany was now wondering if she had not gotten to know Eveline better.

"Leo, please pull the car over," Eveline said, snapping Tiffany out of her reverie and bringing the car to a stop.

"We have arrived," Eveline said with a smile.

Tiffany had a habit of asking Eveline to pull over away from her house. Not because Tiffany could not get her there, but rather because she did not want Eveline to see how horrible her life with her inebriated father was, or how poor she was.

"Yes, we are here," Tiffany smiled as she turned to get out of the car, only to be stopped by Eveline.

"Tiffany, what is that you talked about with Gabriel?"

With a wary expression, Tiffany turned to face Eveline and stuttered, "W-what did I talk?" She asked, feigning ignorance even though it was obvious that she understood what Eveline was discussing.

Eveline left Gabriel astounded this morning, but when she saw Tiffany rush to him, she stopped and tried to see through her deception while continuing to brainwash Gabriel.

"I hope you did not badmouth me."