Rebirth of Billionaire's Wife - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Alliance

“Hello everyone,” Eveline said, drawing attention to herself with her excited voice as she moved toward the elders.

Gabriel took a deep breath, finally retreating from his sullen mood and smiled.

Eveline greeted everyone before settling next to Stefan.

“You look pretty, honey.” Belle praised Eveline’s simple yet elegant look.

“Not as pretty as you, Aunty. You understand that you will always be my favorite,” Eveline said, giving Belle a blush for her kind words.

“How are your studies going, then?” Richard looked at Gabriel, who straightened in his seat, and then carefully glanced at Eveline. “I hope Gabriel can teach you properly,” he said.

Not someone who got nervous, but wanting to hear Eveline talk about him cautioned him.

Eveline looked at Gabriel, her smile wavering a little. Immediately, she was brought back to their earlier conversation this evening.

“Yes, Gabriel has been a good teacher. I am capable of learning anything by heart,” Eveline remarked, turning away from Gabriel.

“How about you, my beloved son?” Marcus directed a lighthearted comment at Stefan, asking, “Have you been taking your course seriously or are there chances that you repeat the semester this year?”

“Dad?” Stefan complained because he did not think his father would make fun of him.

He was not a serious type, to be sure, but he never undervalued his education. His ability to score enough goals without exerting much effort was a gift from God.

Everyone inside the room laughed.

“Let us head somewhere else before my dad roasts like a marinated chicken,” Stefan proposed, and the foursome moved past the elder and toward the study area.

****

Stefan sighed and extended his arm, saying, “I feel better now.” Taking out his phone, he settled down on the chaise and began playing games.

“That is because you did not want Uncle Marcus to ask further questions about your life,” Daniel said while joining him.

Everyone knew how scared Stefan was of his father when it came to his career.

Stefan, who was raised by a single parent, had a deep understanding of his father. He could be a friend with whom he could share everything, but he could also be a parent who only wanted what was best for his one and only child.

“And what about you?” Stefan asked, scowling as he turned to face Daniel, who was having fun making fun of him.

“Would you like me to inform Uncle Richard of your score for this semester?” he asked.

Daniel instantly stopped smiling and quickly rushed to coax Stefan by massaging his arm.

“Brother Stefan, please don’t do that. I am your favorite brother; did you forget that?”

Stefan gave Daniel a quick look and a satisfied nod, which made Daniel smile.

“Brother Stefan, may I ask why you brought us here?” Eveline, who had been watching them silently, asked.

With no idea what they were doing in the study, Stefan just shrugged. He just managed to get away from his father’s interrogation.

“You are such a mood spoiler, brother Stefan,” Eveline scowled at his frank response. “I believed you were planning something intriguing.”

Eveline would have preferred to converse with the elders since she felt safer among them than in Gabriel’s vicinity.

Even though she did not want to appear uncomfortable, she found it difficult to be around him all the time.

“How about we play games?” Daniel suggested, only to receive a smack on his head.

“I am doing it already, kiddo,” he smirked at his startled look.

Daniel winced and pouted, brushing his head, saying, “You are the only one having fun. What about us?”

“Eve, do you have anything in mind?” he asked, shifting his gaze from Stefan to Eveline.

Eveline snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head.

Gabriel noticed Eveline was acting strange the moment she came to meet them.

‘Was it because of me that she started feeling uncomfortable’

The idea itself caused him to feel queasy, so he cleared his throat only to get Daniel’s attention.

“Brother, do you suggest anything? To just sit here and do nothing is boring.”

Gabriel glanced at Eveline, awkwardly, startled by Daniel’s sudden remark. He was only attempting to divert his attention when he found himself in the spotlight.

“M-Me? No” Gabriel gulped at the sight of Eveline staring at him.

Stefan who was playing glanced at Gabriel and smirked.

“Alright, let us play truth and dare for the time being. It is been a while since we had fun together,” Stefan proposed as he put his phone down and sat up.

“You no longer consider it juvenile,” Daniel shot a glare at Stefan before they began getting ready for the game.

While the four were busy having fun upstairs the elder were now having a serious conversation.

“When are you going to break the news to Eveline? I hope you do not keep it from her for too long,” Richard said, looking at Jonathan gravely.

“Richard, she still has a year left before she graduates. How come you are so keen to take my daughter away?” Jonathan grimaced and glared at Richard.

“The sooner, the better. I am eager to welcome her home as my daughter-in-law.” Richard said, disregarding the gloomy expression on his face.

Belle agreed with Richard.

“On this one, Jonathan, I concur with Richard. As you are aware, there has always been a sincere desire to see Eveline and Gabriel together. You should see how happy they are together, so what is wrong with keeping it a secret from them?”

Jonathan took a sip from his drink and didn’t say a word. It had been decided from the very beginning when their parents fixed this alliance.

Richard’s father expressed his last wish of getting Eveline married to Gabriel and since they both were also fond of the little girl, they instantly agreed on it. They are unable, though, to reveal this secret to the children beforehand.

They initially considered giving them some time, but as soon as they saw how at ease and close Eveline and Gabriel had been since they were young, their reservations vanished.

“Oh, Jonathan, I wish you had another daughter. At least my son wouldn’t have lost his chance with Eveline.” Marcus joked easying the air between them breaking everytone into a peel of laughter.