When Harmony got home, she dropped all her things and got ready to go to bed.
The moment she got to the bed, she ended up chuckling.
"I really am following him?" she muttered in amusement there was even bewilderment.
But remembering his face, filled with irritation and concern, she couldn't help but do what he said.
"Who would have thought that he has that side?" she shook her head.
When she did lay her head on the pillow, she couldn't help but sigh.
It had been a while since she laid her head on a pillow to sleep early, not simply to take an afternoon nap, the way she had been doing in the infirmary of the school.
It was as if she was waiting for someone to command her to go and rest before her body and mind would follow.
Thinking about it, Gabriel was right.
She was racing against time.
She only had one life; if she wanted to pursue what she wanted, all she could do was race against time.
To absorb every bit of knowledge she could in order to move forward once she stepped out into society.
Simply knowing a lot was not enough. She needed to know more.
She felt that if she did not do this, it would take her more time to get what she wanted. And she did not want that; she needed to achieve her goal in the shortest possible time.
Soon, she fell asleep, succumbing to tiredness.
...
Gabriel was in deep thought on his way home.
'She was genuine when she reacted about her dying,' he thought.
Though it was something he already knew from how she went against Patricia.
Harmony might not be showing who she truly is, but she is someone who cares deeply about life, whether it is hers or others'.
And because of that, Gabriel felt that she was someone worth getting close to.
'Come to think of it, she is someone who is quite capable. Doing such deep research on an area she obviously had no interest in before and gaining such an outcome.'
He thought back to when Harmony told them of the plan she came up with for Kenneth and his team.
He was looking at her closely, and he could tell just how seriously she had planned it.
It was not her duty, nor did anyone ask her for it, but she did everything on her own without asking anything in return.
'She even seemed like she had enjoyed what she did.'
"She doesn't seem like Luca, who can do anything he wants, but someone who puts a lot of effort into everything, reaching the best outcome."
"Who?"
"A classmate of mine."
"And who is that classmate of yours?"
"Miss Thomas, the wallflower of the cla—"
Gabriel frowned when he realized he was already talking with someone else.
When he looked up, he found out that he was already home and was now facing his two elder brothers, who spoke to him one after another.
Jackson Crassus, currently 24 years old, is the oldest brother, radiating an effortless charm that's hard to ignore. His jet-black hair is slightly messy in a way that feels intentional, complementing his sharp yet relaxed features.
Caspian Crassus, four years younger than Jackson, has a calm and approachable presence that feels grounded yet still radiant. His jet-black hair is slightly wavy and often left in a casually tousled style, giving him a boyish charm despite his thoughtful demeanor.
Jackson isn't one to dominate conversations, but when he speaks, his words carry weight, often laced with a dry wit or subtle humor that catches people off guard.
Caspian has an easygoing smile and a soft-spoken voice that carries a quiet confidence, making people want to listen when he speaks.
Gabriel is usually reserved, a man of few words, but when he does speak, he has a tendency to go on and on, often to the point of nagging.
If not for the fact that they bore a resemblance, people would wonder if Gabriel was the brother of these two, considering how cold and serious his aura is.
"What are you guys doing here?" he frowned.
Both were studying at City S with their respective courses.
"That hurts, youngest. We are on break and visiting home, but here you are frowning at us," Jackson shook his head.
Not that they were shocked or angered by his behavior; they were already used to this.
"Hmmm," Gabriel simply nodded, walking past the two of them.
"So, who were you talking about?" Caspian followed him and asked.
"Indeed, it has been a while since we last heard you speak so much," Jackson added.
Gabriel inwardly berated himself for speaking his mind. He was not usually like this, only when he was thinking a lot.
He glanced at them but did not offer any more words.
Not that the person they were asking about was important, nor was he curious about Harmony Thomas.
He was simply amazed at the little things he realized about her.
"Boring," Jackson complained, seeing him being adamant in not saying anything.
"Anyway, how is school?" Caspian also gave up on knowing.
"The same as always."
The two brothers looked at one another and shrugged, not like they needed to worry about him since he was the smartest and most hardworking among them.
"Tsk, why is our youngest so mature? Can't you let us enjoy doting on our youngest brother?" Jackson plopped down on the sofa.
"Doting?" Gabriel turned to them after getting himself a glass of water.
"Well, we can't nag you, so doting it is, since you are too good at everything," Jackson said in a relaxed tone.
"Nag..." Gabriel repeated.
"What's wrong?" Caspian asked.
Gabriel smirked, "I guess I can be an older brother as well."
He then walked to his room, leaving his two older brothers to wonder what he meant.