To spread her wings to the world

Surprisingly, Ava let out a long, deep sigh. She pinched the skin on the back of her grandpa's hand.

"And here I thought my life will be easy," she said almost sounded like a joke.

Willow Sr. tensed. Yes, he had expected that. Who in their right mind wouldn't complain about living in a complicated household? Yet, Ava's next sentences made him gaped in awe.

"On January, two directors at W&J Corporation were fired and recently its financial department was restructured due to corruption. I guess since the company itself continuously in turmoil of betrayal, more or less is the family that is the root of the company itself," her voice was low almost like talking to herself.

Willow Sr. who almost made a trip to hell after listening to his granddaughter's earlier joke, was once again surprised to hear the vocalization of her thoughts.

A strange yet assuring confirmation that his granddaughter was indeed a genius pricked his earlier plan to pamper her to the point that no one can make troubles for her.

Now, he wanted to give her freedom while at the same time provide the protection she required. For someone to really grow, he or she needed freedom.

Still, for a six years old girl, to remember the things that only mattered to the adults, he usually perceived it as a lie.

Then again, Ava Willow had proved him otherwise. How? he felt like an idiot for not knowing the answer.

"The news was broadcasted on every TV and radio channels when that happened," Ava explained for she pitied the struggle that was clearly seen on the face of her grandpa.

Butler Bong who was listening to their conversation took a glance at the Grandmaster. For once, he saw himself in Willow Sr. current state. Shocked, perplexed and terrified.

At the same time, they both thought that the little cute girl who was with them would someday create a name for herself in whatever endeavor she took.

"Grandpa, I have a request," Willow Sr. snapped back to reality after wondering to the land of endless expectations to a certain someone. He nodded vigorously. Eager to know what would she request of him. Whatever it'd be, he will in all his power make it come true.

"I hope I can attend proper school," Ava expressed her request. Something she couldn't have while living at the orphanage. Her normal classes were always held inside the tiny classroom at the orphanage.

"Granted... anymore?" Willow Sr. asked. However, after seeing the 'what do you mean?' kind of look from his granddaughter, he frowned.

"That's all?" he tilted his head to see his granddaughter's face. He hoped she would request more from him. Alas, seeing the questioning look on her face, he knew that was the only request she has.

Willow Sr. cleared his throat, something he had done many times since he met the granddaughter of his.

"You can request more," he tried his luck.

"Hmm, no. I'll keep it for later. For now, that's my only request. I will not request to take care of my wellbeing because that's naturally an adult's responsibilities," Ava said as a matter of fact.

She watched her grandfather blinked multiple times, carelessly caressing his well-groomed hair and fixed his neat collar.

Butler Bong also witnessed such occurrences and he had the urged to present his Young Miss with big salutation.

The reason why? Well, she was the only one who able to create such effects on the Grandmaster of the Willow Household.

For the rest of the journey, Ava entertained her grandpa's chitchat before unknowingly fell asleep.

Soon, they reached the junction towards the Willow Residence. Ava opened her sleepy eyes and from the road, she could see the massive house that was built on the very top of the valley.

It was a magnificent view, one that seemed to appear from the fantasy books she had read. Except, when both were presented side by side: fantasy versus reality, the latter won by leaps and bounds.

"Do you like the house?" Willow Sr. could see the admiration in Ava's eyes, hence he asked the question.

Ava nodded and for once she let her composure get wild and asked the questions that continuously formed inside her consciousness.

The grandfather excitedly answered all her questions only to learn that it was an exhausting job, especially to his brain.

The little one intricate questions made him cracked his head for answers. He even thought of inviting the architects that designed the residence to give a thorough presentation on the process of designing and building the house to satisfy his granddaughter's thirst for knowledge. Thankfully, the sessions ended the moment the thought popped in his mind.

"Little princess, now that we are here. If there is anything that you dislike, you must tell me. And about the members of Willow Household, grandpa had tried to rise them well, but who knew if I somehow nourished a snake in my bosom. So, if you meet one, your power ranger is here," Willow Sr. had his serious tone as well as an idiom to convey the meaning to his granddaughter. He puffed his chest to convince her to rely on him.

Ava giggled as she watched her grandpa's antics. "Okey grandpa, I will run to you if I meet one. Be ready with your guns and some snack," Ava spoke with a trace of giggles.

The old man was humored as he laughed his heart out loud. He walked to the entrance and made a hundred and eighty degrees turn to face his granddaughter.

"Ava Willow, my granddaughter, welcome to our home," he said before pulling the girl to his embrace.

Ava rested her head on her grandfather's chest. Unbeknown to anyone, the calmness she felt earlier had gone away and replaced with concerns and fears of living a new life. And the more she consumed herself on such thoughts, the hug tightened as if comforting her.

Willow Sr. squatted down and stared at his granddaughter who obviously tried to appear calm on the surface.

He knew that the tough appearance she showed was to camouflage the fear she had within.

In the end, the child in front of him was only six years old.

Too young and inexperienced when it comes to living in the real world especially the world of high society where a genuine human being was the rarest.

"I'll work hard!" Ava suddenly exclaimed. Her smile grew wider the moment her grandfather patted her head.

"You are free to do what you want. No restrictions and I will always support you. Except, no bad things," Willow Sr. explained again.

He wanted Ava to know that returning to the household wasn't meant to tie her down but to help her spread her wings to the world and one day live the life she dreams of.

"Let's go inside,"

Ava stared at the hand offered to her. As soon as she reached out her hand, it was immediately cuffed in the secure warmness of her grandfather's palm.

She breathed in and out before walking towards the entrance that led to a beautiful landscape full of local and foreign blooms of flowers.

Then, the moment her eyes were retracted from the man-made beauty, she was greeted with a loud, choral greeting.

"Welcome to Willow Residence, Young Miss Ava,"