Chapter 10 Death Anniversary
Genesis’s POV
"What's wrong?"
Seeing me suddenly turn to look toward the road, Forth asked curiously.
I shook my head and quietly withdrew my gaze.
If I wasn't mistaken, that looked like Eli's car driving past. He was back already?
Tonight was the Martinez and Nelson family gathering. He probably returned for this event.
Anyway, I always avoided such occasions. The thought just circled through my mind before I dismissed it.
I placed several test papers in front of Forth. \[These are practice tests I prepared in advance. Finish these first.\]
Forth took the papers with a smile. "I knew you'd be a responsible teacher."
However, an hour later, he couldn't smile anymore.
Looking at the papers covered in red marks, my eye twitched.
I'd always thought Forth's request for tutoring was just to make me feel better, but seeing this paper in my hands, I finally understood...
He really needed tutoring.
"I spend most of my time training..." Seeing my expression, Forth quickly explained. His blue eyes were full of sincerity. "I just want to improve my grades as much as possible. Even if I don't succeed in the end, I won't blame you."
I nodded and carefully reviewed his paper. \[At least your physics and calculus are decent. We only need to work on Literature, Advanced English, and World History.\]
Forth helplessly covered his forehead. "That doesn't sound much easier. I really didn't want you to see my shortcomings."
I looked at him in surprise. He stared at me with deep eyes, the emotion in them making my heart skip.
\[Everyone has shortcomings.\]
He looked back at the sky and suggested, "It's getting late. Let's stop here for today. Should I drive you home?"
I waved my hand to decline. I didn't want to attract more family attention because of Forth. I just wanted to study peacefully for college.
"But it's not safe for a girl alone at night. If something happened to you because you were helping me study, I'd never forgive myself." Forth firmly took my backpack and walked to his car.
Under his insistence, I could only let him drive me to the intersection below the estate, then walk back myself.
Forth reluctantly agreed.
Back home, I took a shower exhausted, coming out of the bathroom while drying my hair.
"Is your vigilance really this poor?"
I jumped in shock, only then noticing Eli had somehow entered my room and was playing with the charm on my backpack.
\[How are you here?\] I frantically grabbed my phone, also throwing aside the hair towel.
Eli didn't answer me.
His gaze was full of aggression, lingering over my body as if it were tangible.
I uncomfortably looked down, only then realizing I'd casually grabbed a slip nightgown, leaving large areas of skin exposed.
I rubbed my arms, wanting to retreat to the bathroom for a robe.
But Eli stopped me. "Come here."
\[I'm going to change clothes.\] I gestured while backing away, but Eli grabbed my wrist.
"Sit here." Eli forcefully pressed me into a chair and took out a paper bag. "I brought you some food."
He actually brought me food? What kind of miracle was this?
Seeing I didn't move, he sneered and tore open the bag. It was actually a small cake.
"The old man wants me to please you. Are you really this hard to please?"
Jordan only wanted him to put on an act, not let other families see a joke, yet he acted like he'd received some imperial decree.
Besides, when had Eli ever listened to Jordan?
Eli impatiently tapped the table, clearly running out of patience.
To avoid complications, I could only obediently pull over the plate and start eating.
I just hoped after I finished, he'd leave quickly. The pressure of being in one room with him was too much.
However, I'd barely cut into the cake when I felt heat behind me.
It was Eli!
I immediately froze, a tingling sensation traveling up my spine. I didn't dare move for a long time.
"You're nervous?" Eli chuckled softly, his warm breath hitting my ear, making me shiver involuntarily.
I shook my head, but my hand unconsciously started poking at the cake on the plate.
\[I want to sleep. I'll finish the cake.\] I showed Eli my phone, but he extended a finger to push away my phone and smiled wickedly. "Just say you want me to leave, and I'll leave immediately."
Without waiting for my response, he emphasized, "Say it."
This bastard.
I lowered my eyes, forcibly suppressing my anger. No wonder Jordan always got furious with him.
Eli reached around from behind, almost completely encircling me in his arms. This extremely intimate gesture scared me into struggling and dodging, but I bumped right into his solid arm.
"Is this throwing yourself into my arms?" Eli looked down at me. I instinctively looked up, meeting his gaze directly.
This was the first time I seriously looked at his eyes. Unlike Forth, his eyes weren't pure blue, but had hints of gray-green, like a dangerous and mysterious lake that would drown anyone who fell in.
While I was lost in thought, Eli reached over my shoulder and pulled a box of band-aids from my backpack.
Those were what Forth had specially given me this afternoon.
Eli raised an eyebrow, playing with the band-aid box. "Who gave you this?"
I pointed to myself, indicating it was my own thing.
Eli sneered and loosened his fingers, dropping the band-aid box into the trash.
Before I could react, he spun my chair around, leaned down to grip my chin, and threatened, "I'll give you one more chance."
At this close distance, I naturally sensed his anger and didn't dare hide anymore. \[Forth gave it to me.\]
"That punk who was all over you this afternoon?"
He'd actually seen me this afternoon?
No wonder he suddenly asked about the band-aids. I nodded.
Eli looked down, his thumb slowly tracing my lips. The burning temperature made my heart skip a beat.
I immediately turned my head away, avoiding his touch.
Eli didn't continue but leaned against my desk, casually opening a book. "You should know the Martinez family never makes useless investments. You need to study hard and not waste that tuition."
He stared directly into my eyes, threatening, "Especially, you should stay away from those punks."
I obediently nodded. Though I didn't know what had gotten into Eli, it was better to go along with him.
Seeing my compliance, the coldness around him eased somewhat. "What university are you planning to attend?"
Of course, as far from the Martinez family as possible.
I thought to myself, but my fingers typed: \[I haven't decided yet.\]
Eli leaned closer with one hand on the desk, forcing me to meet his gaze. "You can only attend the university closest to home. I need to keep a close eye on you. After all, the old man wants me to please you, doesn't he?"