Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound sliced through my dreams like a blade. I jolted upright, heart thumping. Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I turned to the clock. Nine o'clock? Had I really passed out that quickly?
Another knock, more insistent this time. Curiosity nudged me out of bed, and I padded toward the door, still wrapped in the fog of half-sleep. The moment I opened it, everything changed.
A girl stood there, my age, with short brown hair and eyes the exact shade of my uncle's wife's mesmerizing blue. She smiled, warm and familiar, though we'd never met.
"Hi, Ravenna," she said brightly, extending her hand. "I'm Ella, your cousin."
Without hesitation, I threw my arms around her. "Hello, Ella," I smiled into her shoulder.
She laughed, returning the hug without awkwardness. "It's so great to finally meet you! Oh my gosh, your curls are gorgeous! And your eyes... wow. They're like emeralds."
A shy blush crept across my cheeks. "That's very sweet of you. You're really pretty too, Ella."
She grinned and squeezed my hand, her energy contagious. "Come on! Dinner's ready. Everyone's downstairs."
As we descended the staircase, the soft hum of voices grew louder with each step until it swelled into a full chorus of conversation and laughter. But the moment I entered, everything paused, and eyes turned.
"My beloved," my grandmother's voice floated over the clinking of cutlery and murmur of voices. "Why are you standing there? Come sit."
She gestured to an empty chair, and I slid into it. The wooden seat creaked beneath me, grounding me like an anchor in this sea of newness.
The table before me was a masterpiece: a golden roast chicken glistening under candlelight, surrounded by peas the color of spring, ruby-red tomatoes, and clouds of mashed potatoes. The scent of rosemary, thyme, and roasted garlic wrapped around me like a hug.
But it wasn't the food that warmed me most; it was the atmosphere. Candles flickered, casting dancing shadows on faces that, while unfamiliar, felt oddly like home. In that moment, surrounded by gentle laughter and the hum of kinship, I felt something I hadn't in a long time... belonging.
Later, the family drifted to the living room, and I followed, the afterglow of dinner still lighting my chest. My uncle leaned forward, smiling with genuine curiosity.
"So, Ravenna," he said, "tell us what you've been up to since graduation."
A surge of excitement rushed through me. This was it, the chance to talk about my dream.
"Well," I began, heart racing, "I studied art history and then specialized in interior design." My words came fast, fueled by a passion I could barely contain. "It's what I've always wanted to do."
My uncle blinked in surprise, then nodded with interest. "Interior design? That's wonderful! Have you had a chance to use your skills yet?"
I sighed. "Not yet. I just graduated last year. I had a few offers, as an architectural designer, even an interior engineer, but I've only just arrived here."
Before he could respond, Lucas jumped in.
"Wait, Ravenna! Do you even know what our family business is?"
I blinked. In all the excitement, it hadn't even crossed my mind. "Honestly?" I laughed. "I haven't had the chance to ask Grandpa. Between jet lag and settling in, everything's been a blur."
Grandpa chuckled from his chair, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ah, youth. Always running to catch up."
Then his tone shifted, turning thoughtful. "We're in architecture, Ravenna. I'd say that fits your passion quite nicely, doesn't it?"
The words hit me like lightning. Architecture? My grandfather's company?
A thrill surged through me, electric, surreal. Was this fate handing me the chance I'd been searching for?
Uncle reached for my hand, his grip firm. "If you're interested, you could start tomorrow."
The idea bloomed instantly in my mind: working with family, finally doing what I loved. But a quiet voice of caution whispered back.
"I'd love that," I said slowly, "but it's important to me that I'm treated like anyone else—no special treatment because of family."
A moment passed, quiet, reflective. Then my uncle nodded. "Of course," he said with conviction. "You'll be here on merit. Nothing more, nothing less."
Relief unfurled inside me like a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "That's all I needed to hear."
I turned toward Grandpa. "Also... I'd prefer to use my mom's last name professionally. I don't want anyone assuming I got this because of family ties."
He nodded without hesitation. "That's very mature of you, Ravenna. I understand completely."
Lucas, phone in hand, looked up with a mischievous grin. "Well then, don't forget—you've got an interview tomorrow."
I froze. "Wait... what? Seriously?"
He glanced up from his phone, a mischievous spark in his eyes. "Definitely. And just so you know, you're the baby of the group."
I blinked. "Wait, seriously?"
Lucas chuckled, sliding his phone into his pocket. "Yep. You're the youngest one here."
I laughed in disbelief. "I thought Ella and I were the same age!"
"Not quite, sweetheart," Ella chimed in, looping an arm around my shoulders with a teasing smile. "I've got you beat by two years."
Lucas smirked. "Which makes me ancient, twenty-eight apparently."
He clutched his chest in mock horror as Ella laughed. "Please, you're not the oldest! Don't forget my brother exists."
Lucas perked up with dramatic flair. "Exactly! The one and only: Nathan. The real senior citizen of the house."
A realization clicked in my mind. "Oh!. I didn't even know you had a brother."
"He's off in Italy, conquering the business world," Lucas said with a grin. "Or, well, working. But still, very dramatic."
I smiled. "That explains a lot."
"And since we're laying out surprises…" He straightened up a bit. "I'm the COO, by the way."
My jaw dropped. "Wait... what? You?"
Lucas laughed, clearly enjoying my shock. "I know. I look too young for that kind of responsibility."
"No offense," I said, still gaping, "but you seriously don't look twenty-eight."
"Ah," he said, tapping his temple. "Don't be fooled by the charm."
Warm laughter circled the room like a soft blanket.
My aunt Amelia clapped her hands gently. "Now that the mysteries are cleared, I suggest we all get some sleep. Big day tomorrow."
My grandfather's laugh rolled out like distant thunder. "Couldn't agree more. Rest well, Ravenna."
The day had been a whirlwind of new faces, unexpected truths, and flickers of something exciting just beginning to take shape.
With quiet goodnights, we slipped from the cozy room and into the dim halls. I found my way through the twists and turns, led by soft golden lights. When I finally stepped into my room, the bed felt like heaven.
I sank into the mattress, the sheets welcoming me like an old friend. My eyelids fluttered closed as fragments of the day danced through my mind, faces, voices, laughter.
A quiet sigh escaped me. Tomorrow was a blank page. And for the first time in a while, I was eager to write on it.