Flashback.
Matthew
"Why are you staring at your money, Auntie? Instead of staring at it blankly, you should invest in Z company. I can guarantee you that they will make your money double." I told my Auntie.
She was busy counting her money beside me. We had our family reunion. Everyone was talking and catching up to one another, asking some things they didn't even need to know were being asked in this gathering, and she was busy looking at her money.
She glanced at me. "How can you say that Z company will double my money, did your parents invest in that company?" Auntie asked.
I shake my head. "No. I read one of their magazines, and they explained how they process things. It is just my opinion, though. You don't have to do it if you are unsure about it," I answered. "I'm pretty interested in investment, and I've watched a lot." I added to add more credibility.
She sighed and started to keep her money in her wallet. "I need money. Your Uncle has been gambling nonstop, and I must pay our bills. I don't even know how to save money for our needs." Auntie shared.
I can see how much she's stressed about her husband, who, as we all know, gambles in the casino. He did not mind how Auntie was suffering to pay their bills. He's one of the black sheep in our clan. He only knows how to use his money but doesn't know how to save. For short, he is my irresponsible Uncle.
"Don't mind what I said a while ago. Just pay what you need to pay," I told her. I took my wallet and looked to see if I had money. "This is my allowance. Pay this with the bills you need to pay." I added and handed her my money.
She immediately shook her head and pushed my hands a little. "No, you don't have to," Auntie said. "How can I get your money when it is your allowance?"
I pushed back my hands toward her. "Do not worry. I still have my own money. I won't give you these if I don't have extra. Just pay me when you guys are not that tight anymore. I understand your situation, and this is the only way I can help you. Accept it, please." I said.
Auntie smiled and finally accepted the money. "Thank you, Matthew," she said. "I will surely pay you back." she promised.
After a few weeks, my Auntie hurriedly came to our house. I had my breakfast that time when she arrived.
"Where is Matthew?" I heard her asking.
Mom and Dad look at me. "I didn't do anything bad." I defended myself.
"Matthew!" Auntie yelled and ran to me.
I was about to defend myself because I thought she would smack me, but she just hugged me. "Is this how you greet me in the morning, Auntie?" I asked.
She is now swaying my hands back and forth after she let go of me.
"Did Matthew do something bad or what?" Dad asked.
She shook her head defensively. "Oh, no. It's not that bad. Remember when we had our reunion?" she asked my parents. Both of them nodded their heads. "He told me to invest my money in Z company. He even lent me his allowance." Auntie shared.
"What happened? Did he fail you?" Mom asked Auntie.
"It is the opposite one! My money has doubled, and I can pay our debts now. I went here to tell him I had made it. If it were not for him, I would be in prison already!" Auntie shared excitedly.
"Is that true, Matthew?" Dad asked, so I nodded reluctantly.
Auntie handed me a small envelope and said, "Here. This is my payment for what you lent me. I also came here to pay you back. Thank you for what you told me that day."
"No worries. I am happy that you are not stressed anymore." I answered.
"Do not hesitate to come to me when you are in tight, okay? Your Auntie will help you no matter what."
I was born with the skills to handle business. That is why when I was in high school, my relatives, my parent's friends, and last but not least, my parents asked me how to make their businesses bloom.
I became their business guru. Every Sunday, I had a meeting to answer their questions about whether they should invest. If their business blooms or not, what should I suggest to improve their business and so on.
In that way, I can earn money. I am not accepting their payment after my suggestion, and I will take it if their business makes it.
I didn't mind helping others, and I didn't mind it, not until my parents became greedy.
"Matthew, do not accept any questions from them starting now." my dad said when I came out of my room.
"Why?" I asked back.
"Do I need to explain? You need to stop and tell them you won't help them anymore. Is it that hard to understand?" Dad replied.
"You should just focus on how we can grow our business more. Helping them will make our business lose." Mom said.
"I can do them all. They just need to ask me things. It depends on how you plan to manage your business, right? So why are you so worried about that?" I asked back.
"Just stop." Dad answered.
They won't let me help others because they are scared that the people, I help will be more successful than their own business. They almost made me run their business full-time.
One day, I told them that I wanted to take a rest. I want to rest, not because I am too lazy to do it but because I am busy with schoolwork. Exams are coming, projects and assignments are waving, and I don't know how to start it when I still have to manage their business.
They got mad and even grounded me from going out, only if I went to their company to help them.
It tired me out, so I decided to rebel.