CHAPTER 1: FAMILY BEFORE ALL

[Arlo's POV]

As I gazed at the broad back of the man before me, all I could see was a pillar that could lift the world even if it falls.

He turned his head and looked at me with his light silver eyes as his silver hair waved in the air while the wind lightly blew.

"Arlo, what should a man desire most in life?" He threw at me out of nowhere.

"Power?" I answered, not sure of my response.

Seeing him not respond as his eyes remained fixed on me, I thought of his bad habit that Mum wasn't aware of and lightly replied.

"Women?"

"Hahaha," He laughed loudly. "You little pervert. You are just 7 years old, yet you are already setting your sights on women."

"Don't compare me to you," I grumbled lightly to myself.

He ceased his laughter and cautioned me, "Arlo, my son, strive for power, money, and riches, but always prioritize family. What is the use of power if you are alone in the end? What is the use of riches if you don't have those to share them with? However, if you place your family first, then the power you will get to protect them and riches, you will have to make them happy."

Seeing the air that screams regality that he was letting off as if what he said was the rule, I couldn't help but blurt out, "But I see the way you look at Big Sis Anna every time we pass by her shop. Especially the way your eyes always get fixed on her chest, as if there is some sort of magnet there…"

*Cough! Cough!* He coughed heavily as he looked at me in horror.

But before he could say a thing, a woman with glistening golden hair and a veil covering her face walked up to us, carrying a food basket in her arms. I ran to her side and said with an innocent baby face, "Mum."

She looked down at me and caressed my hair lovingly as she said, "My little Arl." She gave me a light peck on the head and then walked to my dad.

"Are you okay? Why were you coughing?"

"Oh!" I exclaimed before he could reply. I continued with an innocent and somewhat mischievous face, "I told Dad I see the way he looks…."

"Hahaha," He laughed boisterously and freely as he took the basket from Mum's hand and pulled her into an embrace with his other hand. "Our little Arl is asking about how we met and got together, after all, the way I look at you lovingly puts to shame the way other men look at their wives."

"Huh!" surprised, and yet even though I couldn't see Mum's face, I could tell she was happy. So I just let it be.

"Come, come," he said to me as he lightly set Mum down while they sat on the ground together. I looked at him with contempt as I walked closer to the two.

I could not help but sigh as I thought, 'This is going to be a long story.'

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