Chapter 6: INSECURE

Zebastian's point of view...

We were driving to Raven's house. I was supposed to take her on a date, but I got bored. I'm referring to what I heard earlier. Why TEMPO, of all companies in the world? That was a major affront on my part.

I'm aware that Raven's family does not think I'm the right man for her. They have seen me as the person I am now, working in my father's old car shop. Raven didn't expect me to waste my time and knowledge working in my father's shop, which is no longer the case.

I understand how Raven's friends perceive me; I know and understand that they want Raven to have a successful and comfortable life, and I admit that I can't provide that for her right now.

I took a deep breath, knowing Raven would eventually decide to leave me. I know it will hurt, but I need to go through all of this. I need to know what she can do to demonstrate her patience and love for me.

"That was too deep, love; is there any problem?" she asked abruptly when she noticed I wasn't saying anything inside my old car.

I simply smiled at her. "Nothing, love; I'm just thinking about your job; I mean, I'm glad you're finally employed, and I wish you all the best in your career."

"Are you certain, love? I mean,..."

"It's Axel's company; are you concerned that I'll feel bad about it? If I say yes, what will you do?" I inquired solemnly.

She keeps to herself. She can't even look me in the eyes.

"See? You can't answer me. It doesn't matter how I feel. It's your life, and I know you applied there because of the irresistible salary, and I understand that. Don't worry, because I will support you because I love you, and I am happy if I see you happy, so don't bother," I said, holding her hands.

She gave me a friendly smile.

"Love, you are good at business; you won every competition in business management, and I know that if you apply to a company, you will be hired right away."However, if you apply to a TEMPO company, we will always see each other and work in the same company."

I stated it. I know she's going to say that, and I'm ready with an answer.

"It's your choice to apply there. It's a great opportunity on your part, and I am not stopping you. I will not stop you from working there, even though I know Axel likes you a lot and that he even tried to steal you from me. Working in his company would be the least thing that I do. I knew it, and I also know that your parents are on his side. But I trust you, I trust you more than anyone else. I know that you will stay with what we have.." I didn't say that just to keep her conscience from doing unsavory things at work. I stated it.because I really trust her and I believe in what we have.

"Thank you, love, I promised I'd be there only for my job and nothing else... thank you for trusting me, I love you." She approaches me and kisses me.

She rested her head on my shoulder, and it was the sweetest scene I'd ever witnessed. Being with the woman I most adore. Though she couldn't see it now, the woman who inspires me to be the best version of myself, I knew she wouldn't appreciate it, but I hoped she'd be proud of me someday.

"Now that you're here, do you think I still have something to show your mother?" I inquired. I don't want to ruin her day. I'm already thinking about what might happen inside their house.

"I think it would be better if you came in; if you don't show up, my mom will think you're being disrespectful, but at least you tried," Raven said as she gripped my hand.

I gave her a friendly smile. I exit the vehicle and open the door for her. I took her hand and assisted her in getting out of the car.

She smiled and stared at me, saying I was the most valuable thing she owned.

"Finally, you're here! I thought you were going to look for a job! See, I was right.. you'll just see your boyfriend, and what? Go out on a date?" Mrs. Reeve exclaimed, her face flushed with rage.

"Mom! We didn't go anywhere to have a date; I just got back from my interview, and good thing I got hired; can you please calm down? Zeb just came to take me home," Raven defended me.

"Ma'am, Raven was correct. Actually, she's with her friends, and I just took her home. Anyway, I'm leaving. Thank you for letting me in," I said, turning away from Raven.

"Love, could you please stay for a while? I'll just make you something to drink."

"Raven, just let him go! We don't have stocks anymore, okay?" Mrs. Reeves exclaimed as she looked at Raven.

"Love, I really need to leave. Dad is waiting for me. We have an emergency at the shop, and he desperately needed me. Don't worry, I'm not hungry.. it's enough for me to see you to make my day." I bit my lips and smiled at her. I know it makes her laugh deep down.

"I'm so sorry, love; don't worry, I'll make it up to you," Raven said, kissing me.

It's a good thing her mother just left, or she'd go against that kiss again.

"I have to leave."

I left.. I left with bad feelings, knowing that her family would never like me.

Rane, her youngest and only brother, was also present. I smiled at him, and he returned my smile. He's nice, and I know he likes me because of Raven. It's just that their parents don't understand.

"Hey, are you going?"

"I just brought Raven home!"

"Oh, I thought you'd stay a while. Well, you don't have to explain; I know mom was there. Take care," he said as he dashed into the house.

My phone began to ring.

"Dad?"

I hurry into my car. I must return home.

Zebastian's Point of View

My car was going so fast. I didn't waste time getting home. It's good news in some ways, and I'm still hoping for it. I don't want to set any expectations. It's just that I want my sufferings to end and to spend the day with Raven.

I promised my father that I would not abandon him and would remain with him in that location until everything was fine.

When I got home, I saw Dad sitting on the couch. He's clearly waiting for me.

"Dad!"

I approached him and noticed he was holding a piece of paper with a specific address written on it.

I looked at him, my eyes filled with questions.

"This is all I got, Zeb, I tried to ask for more, but her friend didn't say anything, I wanted to try. I know these will help, but how? We don't even have money to get here," he said frustratedly, and I could feel the pain in his heart.

"Dad, we don't even know what's in there, we can't gamble on that piece of paper, especially since we don't know the friend you're referring to; it could just be a trap or a scheme," I explained. As a son, I know that was a negative response.

I don't want him to have any more false hope than he already has. I've known him for 20 years and have never seen him give up. He is surrounded by pure love, which I greatly appreciate as his son, and I will not hesitate to be that kind of man.

He took a deep breath and gave me a sad look.

"It's been 20 years, Zeb. I didn't change anything—me, the house, the shop—but I was hoping that someone would come and knock on the door to complete us. You grew up with me without ever experiencing being taken care of by a woman, or a mother, to be more specific. It was painful for me to see you grow up slower than I had planned. I can see how much you yearned for a mother, and now that you are 22, I

My father's eyes welled up with tears. That was the only time I saw him cry in my 22 years of being a mother and a father. I felt his pain and knew how much it hurt him.

As a son, I feel obligated to console him. I need to inform him that he provided me with more than I was supposed to have.

"Dad! You're not supposed to be saying that. You did everything to give me the family I'd always wanted. We may not be as happy as any other family out there, but you filled my heart with love and made me feel so special, and that is incomparable. So stop blaming yourself or thinking you failed. You are the best, okay?" I tapped his shoulder as I gripped it.

He smiled and turned to face me, more solemn than before.

"Zeb, maybe it's time for you to leave this place. Explore the world and experience it so you can live your life to the fullest. I know you have a bright future ahead of you. Don't let yourself be stuck in this place and wait for nothing," Dad said, which surprised me.

"What are you saying, dad? Are you giving up now?" I asked, my brow furrowed and my gaze fixed on him.

"Making a fresh start doesn't mean giving up. Sometimes we have to leave somewhere to begin a new chapter of our lives. Something progressive and meaningful Something that will give us a better life with the one we love I know Raven is just waiting for you to ask her to settle down."

I understand what my father is trying to say. He wants me to leave and look for a job that matches the path I've chosen—a life I've deserved since the beginning.

"We already discussed this, Dad; we agreed that you would send me to school, but I would not leave or go anywhere else unless..."

"It's been a long time, son. You've stayed with me, and you've proven how much you care about me. 20 years is more than enough. You're 22 now, and it's time for you to live your own life. Explore the world, and look for the destined life for you to live. I know Raven wants that for you, too." He gripped my hands. That was so tight that I could tell he was serious.

I do have plans. I, too, have goals in life, one of which is to convince Raven to stay with me and become my wife. But how can I do that if I know my father will be left alone, with a lonely heart? How heartless would it be for me to let him live his life alone if I could still choose to stay with him?

"Dad, Raven loves me so much, and she understands my plans, why I'm doing this, and why I chose to stay here in our shop. She has a good heart, and I know she won't fail me." I smiled at him to ease his heartache.

I know he's losing hope, but I want to be his only hope—his hope for a happy life, even though I know I'm not enough.

"You don't have control over things in this world, son. You never know when Raven will change her mind and realize she has no future at the shop. She's beautiful and intelligent. She has a job now, and I know guys will be around her. She's still a human and can be teased; how do you know if one day she will make up with you? How will she feel if one day she's fed up with a life that she thinks you could only give her?" Dad

"Dad, don't compare Raven to anyone. She isn't going to do that. Yes, she's trying to persuade me to apply for a job, but she's just trying to be nice, and I will not leave you here. I can let anyone leave and be out of my life, but not you. I have seen how you sacrificed and worked just to send me to school; I have seen tears in your eyes, and I will not let myself be the cause of those tears

He fixed his gaze on me.

"Even if Raven is the one who will abandon you?"