Chapter 2: LOOKING BACK

It was eight years ago.

Raven's Point of View

I had just gotten out of bed, and it was the first day that I didn't have to rush around for school. Graduation is over, and now I enter a new phase of my life. I'm 20 years old and recently graduated from college with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Management.

I was the eldest of Mr. and Mrs. Adelina and Lucas Reeves' two children.

Rane, my spoiled brat brother, is one of my siblings. Maybe it's because we adore him so much.

"Good morning, Raven, so what are you up to today?" my mother inquired.

I was raised in a modest and moderate manner. We are not wealthy, but we have enough to eat three times a day or whenever we want. We can go out for family gatherings as well as family dates. My father was a government employee, and my mother was a teacher, but she retired because dad was already taking care of our finances, and now that I am finished with college, I can also assist them.

My younger brother is a third-year college student, and I need to prioritize him.

"Rest for a while, Mom, and maybe this afternoon I'll get my resume ready for job hunting," I said.

She looked at me as if she was about to say something. I can read her mind, and I know she doesn't want to hear it again.

"Job hunting, or you'll just go out and meet your boyfriend... you know, Raven, I don't understand why you stick with that guy."

" Mom said, as she always does when I talk to her in the morning.

"Here we go again, mom!" When are you going to stop demeaning Zeb? He was just trying his hardest to please you and your father. He's not doing anything wrong, believe me. " As Zebastian's girlfriend, I feel obligated to defend him."

"He doesn't need to try it again and again, Raven; the answer will always be no!" We will not allow you to enter that man's world. You won't have a bright future with him. Take a look at him. He can't even afford new clothes, despite the fact that he has a job. I can't imagine how much he makes per day! " Mom explained.

Zeb was assisting his father in their car shop. Since he graduated from college, that has been his chosen field. He's 22 and two years older than me. I just don't understand why he refuses to look for a good job. I wanted to ask him, but I am sensitive enough to understand how someone feels when they see you looking helpless.

"That's what he wanted to do, mom! That shop means so much to him, and I can't do anything if he wanted to stay and work there." "Please mom, I know Zeb has plans as well; perhaps he was just trying to earn some money, and..."

"Raven, I have my doubts.

What? Maybe he was just waiting for you to get a job so he could sit back and wait for you. Stay away from him before it's too late. He won't give you anything in the future. Why not just choose Axel? "Mom said, and it's been a month since she's been working on Axel.

Axel came from a well-known family in our neighborhood. He was born into a wealthy family. He is the only son and runs his own company.

"Mom, Axel is not the type of guy who will like me; his kind has standards, and I know that's not going to be me. Don't aim for the stars, mom; I love Zeb, and..."

"Look at his family! They can't even ask you to visit their house and offer you something; why? They don't have anything to offer, so what they earn is just enough for them!" "Love will not feed you all your life, Raven! Don't give me that shit because it won't work. Look at his family! They can't even ask you to visit their house and offer you something; why? They don't have anything to offer, so what they earn is just enough for them!"

My mother's message was heartbreaking. I understand that she wanted to see me prosper and succeed, but why should she underestimate Zeb's abilities?

I can't think of anything else to say in Zeb's defense. My mother was correct, but I can see why Zeb values their business so much. He finished college because of it. because of his father's tireless efforts in that junk shop I can see how much he values his heritage, which my parents couldn't see.

"Mom, I just want you to know how much Zeb values his father's sacrifices; that car shop was the reason he was able to finish college, and that means so much to him; not every child in this world has had the opportunity to go to college, and for Zeb, that was a great achievement."

"Achievements will not be possible until you earn money from them, Raven. You study, you will look for a decent job and earn.. build a house.. but things that you needed and wanted. That is achievement, and Zeb doesn't have that. That doesn't make him man enough to be called successful. So stop defending your boyfriend, because he will always be nothing to us." Mom said, and she looked at Zeb.

I had no choice but to look at the table where breakfast was waiting for me.

"Hey sis, what a bad morning for you, I heard," Rane exclaimed.

He's finished his bath, as usual, and is eager to see his friends. What should you expect from a spoiled brat on vacation?

"You mentioned it..."

"Don't worry, mom; as long as you're happy, just keep going," he said, winking at me.

"You don't have to be that way all the time; one more year and you'll be done with school, so you better take it seriously; life isn't like kindergarten, Rane; be serious at times."

"Hey! I know! I was just enjoying vacation, okay? Don't worry; when school starts, I'll focus on it. I know what's been going through your head, so don't panic. I got you, sissy!" He said as he hugged me tightly.

That's what makes him so endearing. He motivates me to look for work as soon as possible. I know it won't be easy, but I was confident that it would be worthwhile.