Christmas Eve

With a gentle smile, Raven rose from his seat and offered his hand to Mia.

"Come on, let's make the most of our time together before we head to dinner. We can find another place to explore."

Mia's disappointment faded as she took his hand and stood up, looking into his eyes.

"You're right. As long as we're together, it'll be a memorable Christmas Eve."

As they left the fancy shop behind, the sound of honking cars and chattering people filled their ears as they walked down the bustling streets, their fingers intertwined.

As she walked, the aroma of fresh baked goods wafted through the air, mingling with the sound of laughter from passersby.

Raven and Mia explored small boutiques and took in the lively atmosphere of the city.

They entered a cosy cafe, where they sipped on hot chocolate, indulging in the sweet and creamy taste that warmed their hearts.

As the evening drew closer, they made their way to a nearby park adorned with twinkling lights and a towering Christmas tree.

Couples and families gathered around, spreading holiday cheer.

Raven and Mia found a cosy spot on a bench, cuddling up to each other as they watched the joyous scene unfold.

Raven then looked at his watch and sighed.

"It's 12:44. We gotta head home." Raven said to Mia.

Mia didn't want to leave his embrace, but still got up with disappointment.

"Ok, let's go home."

After arriving home, Raven and Mia changed into more comfortable clothes and then went downstairs.

"Raven, Mia, are you here?" Their mother called out from the kitchen.

The two of them entered the kitchen.

"Oh, there you are."

Raven's mother was standing in the kitchen.

"What is it, mom?" Mia asked.

Her mother said nothing and took out a few gifts.

"These are the gifts that you're giving to your cousins. Sign them and we'll hop in the car and start heading to their home."

Raven nodded and took the gifts, and Mia signed as well.

"Your brother will come late, so don't worry about him." She said, taking the gift from their hands.

"Let's go." Their father said, dangling the car keys.

Raven and Mia followed their parents out of the house and climbed into the car.

The atmosphere inside the vehicle was tense, as the thought of spending Christmas Eve with their cousins weighed heavily on their minds.

As they drove to their cousins' house, Mia broke the silence.

"I hope everything goes smoothly tonight," she said, her voice filled with a hint of worry.

Raven squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Don't worry, we'll stick together and make the best of it. We can still enjoy our time together."

Mia smiled gratefully at him, finding solace in his words.

They both knew that their cousins had a strained relationship with them, often causing tension and conflicts during family gatherings.

But this time, they were determined to rise above it.

When they arrived at their cousins' home, the familiar sight made Raven's heart sink a little.

The extravagant decorations and the large gathering of relatives emphasised the stark contrast between their families.

Their cousins were known for their materialistic lifestyle and extravagant parties, while Raven's family embraced a simpler and more down-to-earth approach.

Even when his uncle had one of his lungs removed, his aunt borrowed money just to throw a party.

The money was actually for the family to take care of themselves.

His uncle heard about this and the fact his aunt also had an affair while he was in the hospital brought down the family.

He sold his store and bought a house and didn't talk to his wife anymore.

Raven shook his head and continued walking.

Such things are too messy to think about now and he can't do anything about it.

Inside the house, the air was filled with chatter and laughter. As they entered the living room, they were greeted by their aunts, uncles, and cousins, who exchanged polite greetings.

Raven and Mia's presence seemed to have little impact, as their cousins were already immersed in their own conversations and activities.

The gift exchange soon began, and Raven and Mia reluctantly joined the circle.

They handed out their carefully wrapped gifts, hoping to mend the strained relationship with a small gesture of goodwill.

However, as their cousins unwrapped the presents, their expressions turned sour.

One cousin, Ryan, smirked and held up the gift Raven had given him.

"Wow, look at this junk!" he exclaimed, tossing the gift aside carelessly.

The other cousins joined in, ridiculing the gifts and making snide remarks.

Mia wasn't surprised by their behaviour, but still felt a burst of sadness in her heart.

Raven said nothing but gently took her hand and played with it to soothe her emotions.

Their parents exchanged disappointed glances, but they too remained silent, not wanting to further provoke the cousins.

As the gifts continued, Raven, and Mia gave each other their gifts.

As Mia opened hers, her face brightened up as she found a cute pair of socks and a new hair clip inside the box.

"Raven, look! I got a new hair clip!"

Mia held up the hair clip and admired its sparkling crystal beads.

"I got you a pair of socks too, but I forgot to put them inside the box," Raven said, taking the socks out of his pocket.

"Aw, they're so cute!" Mia exclaimed, putting the socks on.

She took the hair clip out of her hair and put it on Raven, brushing the soft strands away from his face.

"Thank you for the hair clip." She smiled.

"It suits you," Raven said, looking into her eyes.

He took out his phone and took a picture of her, capturing her beautiful smile and shining eyes.

She then took a picture of him, admiring his handsome features.

"Wow, we look good together," Mia said, showing Raven the picture.

Raven chuckled and wrapped his arms around her.

"You look amazing. I can't wait to see you on Christmas Day."