Nice To Meet You, Father

"What's your name?" Lily asked.

"Alexander Von Ainsworth," Alex answered with a smile. "Just call me Alex."

"How old are you?"

"Eight years old."

"I'm also eight years old," Lily said. "When were you born?"

"I was born on the eighth day of the month of Fortitude," Alexander replied.

Lily tilted her head in confusion. "Month of Fortitude?"

Alex nodded his head. "The month of Fortitude is the eight month of the year."

"Oh! So, you were born in August," Lily commented. "I was born in April, so that makes you older than me."

"April?"

"The fourth month of the year."

Alex smiled. "I see, you are born in the month of the Emperor."

"Emperor?"

"Mmm."

Abbie watched as Lily and Alex talked to each other. It was a heartwarming scene to see. However, there was one problem. She was right smack in the middle of the two kids! The three were sitting on the couch while waiting for lunch to be served. Abbie felt like the third wheel in a low budgeted Koreanovela starring the future CEO Alexander Von Ainsworth, and the future Female Lead, Lily Matthews.

"The two of you stay here," Abbie said. "I'll help mother in the kitchen."

Abbie was about to stand up when she felt Lily cling to her arm. She was shaking her head as if telling her not to go anywhere.

"You and Alex can just talk and keep each other company," Abbie said with a smile to encourage her little sister. "Don't worry, Alex is a good boy."

"D-Don't leave, Big Sister," Lily pleaded. "Stay here."

'Eh? Don't tell me she's still afraid of Alex?' Abbie mused. 'But she was talking to him just a while ago. Don't tell me…'

Abbie looked at her little sister and saw that she looked a bit anxious. Her guess was right. Lily was only able to talk to Alex because she was around. If she left then her little sister would return to her shy and meek personality.

"Ok, I won't go away." Abbie sighed as she sat back down on the couch. "Lily, I hope that you and Alex become friends. Since he is older, make sure to call him Big Brother. Understood?"

Lily nodded her head and sat beside her.

"B-Big Brother Alex," Lily spoke shyly. "Can I call you Big Brother from now on?"

"You can." Alex nodded his head in affirmation. "Then I'll call you Lily from now on."

"Big Brother."

"Lily."

"Big Brother…"

"Lily…"

Abbie looked at the ceiling. The corner of her lips was twitching as she listened to the two children address each other from the side.

'I guess this is a good start,' Abbie thought. 'I should bring Alex here during the weekends so he can interact with Lily and, perhaps, help her to become a bit more sociable.'

While Abbie was deep in her thoughts, a middle-aged man came down the stairs. He was wearing black shorts and a sleeveless shirt. He looked at the three people seated in the living room and frowned. His name was James Matthews, Abbie's and Lily's father.

'Who is the little brat that is talking to my darling daughter?' James felt his liver itch. 'You dare to cradle snatch my daughter? You must be tired of living!'

(A/N: Don't ask me how he felt his liver itch. I have no idea as well.)

James stormed down the last few stairs with a determined look. Lily was the apple of his eye and he wouldn't allow a snotty brat to get close to her. He stood in front of Alex and gave him an intimidating stare. The young boy returned[his stare with a smile on his face.

'You've got guts, huh!' James thought. He glared at Alex, but his intimidation had no effect on the younger boy.

'So this is Master's father.' Alex gazed at the middle-aged man. 'I need to make a good first impression.'

"Nice to meet you, Father," Alex said in a cheerful voice. "My name is Alexander Von Ainsworth. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Who are you calling father?!" James almost roared in fury. "I will not let you touch even a strand of my baby girl's hair!"

"Father, even if you say that, Master and I were meant to be together," Alex's voice was soft, but there was an undeniable firmness in it. "The Gods have decreed it. With or without your permission, I'll be staying by her side."

"Y-You!" James was shocked by the boy's reply. His wife had already told him that Abbie would be bringing a guest along and he was just an eight-year-old brat. However, this brat in front of him didn't even feel intimidated by his presence. Instead, he even openly declared that he would stay by his daughter's side?

'What nonsense is this?!' James thought.

He wanted to beat the boy so badly, but he was not someone who raised his hand against children. Even when his own kids were growing up, he never spanked them when they did something wrong. James believed that kids shouldn't be exposed to violence or they would carry it with them when they grew older. He didn't know how to proceed and could only glare at Alex.

"Oh! So, you will stay by my daughter's side?" A soft chuckle sounded from behind James.

Amelia placed her hand over her husband's shoulder and gave him the "Calm-your-tits-old-man" look. She then gazed at the cute boy in front of him and her lips curled up into a grin.

"So you're planning to marry my daughter?" Amelia asked.

"I-If Master wants it," Alex said in an almost inaudible voice. "A-Alex will marry."

Abbie choked on her saliva when she heard Alex's words. 'Marry me? Do you want me to go to jail? Grow up first then we'll talk about marriage!'

James and Amelia thought that the one Alex wanted to marry was their daughter Lily. They were not aware that Alex was referring to Abbie!

"Well, I'll give you a chance," Amelia said. "But, you have to wait for a few more years. After all, you're still just eight-years-old."

"Understood, Mother," Alex replied.

"Mother. I like the sound of that!" Amelia chuckled and patted the boy's head. 'One cute son-in-law GET!'

"Amelia, we need to talk," James commented from the side. Although he tried to hide the bulging veins on his forehead, it was obvious that he was about to have a stroke if he didn't calm his tits soon.

"Shut up and go prepare the table!" Amelia ordered. "Make sure to bring out the best plates we have."

James immediately retreated and went to the dining room to prepare the table. The henpecked husband had no right to voice his opinion in this house!