Chapter 62

Arlo was among the lucky few to be born into an incredibly wealthy family, but despite the luxury, he had always carried chaos around him like an accessory.

At ten years old, he was crouched behind a marble pillar in the east wing corridor of the Frantz mansion. His dark hair slightly tousled, his lips pressed tightly to suppress a laugh.

Next to him, was Pierce, twelve and already far too dignified to go along with what Arlo wants, yet here he is, clutching two water balloons in both hands — filled with vinegar instead of water.

“Are you sure about this?” Pierce whispered, handing the other one to Arlo.

Both their gazes were locked on a specific door, waiting for it to open.

Arlo’s emerald eyes sparkled in delight, “Kate uses mom’s lavender perfume every morning. This time, she’ll smell like vomit.”

Pierce finds it funny that he can’t help but snort.

Finally, the door opens.

The sound of footsteps approached them.

Kate, eighteen years old, and determined to be the perfect assistant for Florence Frantz, walked down the hall carrying stacks of fertilizers. Her hair was neatly braided, her posture straight and stiff while giving off the vibe of someone who wants to be taken seriously.

Arlo glanced at Pierce, counting while raising his fingers.

One.

Two.

Three!

The two of them threw their balloons at Kate’s direction, instantly exploding upon impact and dousing her with the sour, pungent smell of vinegar.

“WHAT THE FU—“

Arlo and Pierce bolted away, their laughter and rushed footsteps echoed in the hallway.

“ARLO FRANTZ! YOU LITTLE—“ Kate can be heard running after them, but two young boys were much faster.

They turned to a corner too sharply that they slammed against a tall figure, sending them falling back on the porcelain floor.

Arlo and Pierce were still giggling as they looked up from their spot and saw another dark-haired Frantz.

His older brother, Anthony, fifteen, and already carrying the weight of the family’s future on his shoulders. His posture was rigid, like one would see from a soldier.

Anthony gazed down on them with a striking glare that would send anyone bowing or gluing their forehead on the floor in a kneeling position, doing anything they could just to avoid looking at his sharp eyes.

Behind him, just a few steps away, is Tom Frantz, their father.

Tom had a rather oppressive presence. It felt like the air around him turned instantly cold.

The laughter between Arlo and Pierce died instantly, pulling themselves up and brushing off the dust from their trousers to stand straight at the sides.

Tom glanced at the boys, got a whiff of that vinegar scent, then looked at Anthony with his sharp glare.

“Handle it,” he said, taking out his phone and answering a call.

The second Tom left the hallway along with his bodyguards, the heaviness went with him.

Arlo and Pierce breathed out and did a double high five, laughing.

“You boys having fun?” Anthony spoke, pulling his necktie loose and ruffling his styled hair.

Arlo burst into a quiet laughter. He knew he could always count on Anthony to not snitch on them.

“You should have seen what we did, Anthony!” Arlo grinned while Pierce covered his mouth, shaking from laughing.

Anthony chuckled, walked closer and ruffled both Arlo and Pierce’s hair,

“Execution could have been cleaner, but nevertheless, it was a solid distraction. Father left after smelling that vinegar.”

Arlo’s eyes beamed, “Does that mean you could play with us now?”

Anthony shook his head, smiling kindly at the young boys, the complete opposite of how he presented himself a minute ago.

“I still have things to do, maybe next time.”

Kate’s footsteps approached rapidly from behind, fuming and red-faced.

“You two are impossible!” She yelled, pointing an accusing finger at them.

Anthony straightened in an instant and dropped his kind smile. “Enough,” he said firmly, like a person of authority. “What you two did is irresponsible, especially not towards Kate. Apologize. Now.”

Both Arlo and Pierce lowered their heads, drew their shoulders forward and apologized sincerely.

Kate blinked. Surprised that they gave up like that without a fight. She glanced over at Anthony and said, “Thank you,” She hesitated for a bit, but left afterward.

Arlo then turned to Anthony, “You ruined the fun,”

Anthony crouched down to his level, meeting his eyes. “Fun is only fun if it doesn’t hurt people, Arlo.”

Arlo scoffed, “But she’s not family,”

Anthony’s smile softened, “That doesn’t mean she doesn’t matter,” he stood back up, after making sure Arlo understood what he said.

“But I want to hurt them. They’re lower than us, small and puny.” Arlo glared back, glancing at Pierce to see if he agreed with him, but Pierce just went quiet.

This also made Anthony pause for a moment and stare at his little brother, deep in thought.

He breathes in and loudly breathes out before speaking, hoping whatever he says now will influence his little brother.

“Hurting people doesn’t make them small. In fact, it makes them stronger because they survived something big.”

Arlo went quiet for a while, thinking about what Anthony said because to him, his older brother’s words were like God’s words. He looks up to him so much.

“I’m off, go visit mother. I heard she’s looking for you,” Anthony waved his hand in the air and left, feeling dread crawl all over his chest.

Arlo reached the garden, slipping through leaves and branches until he spotted that familiar golden hair among the bed of yellow flowers.

His face instantly brightened, “Mom!”

Florence turned, a smile already plastered on her beautiful face. She knelt just in time to catch Arlo’s small body and pressed a kiss against his temple.

“I heard you were misbehaving,” her voice sounded like sunlight touching bare skin, overflowing with warmth and soothing to the ears.

“Did Kate tell you?” Arlo grumbled.

Florence spoke, not scolding. “Arlo, my flower.” Her fingers brushed off dirt from his face with a tenderness that makes him feel safe. “If you’re going to do something naughty next time…” she began, her eyes crinkling at the side from smiling thinly. “Make sure there are no witnesses.” She teased.

Arlo nodded, “Alright, next time!”

Florence laughed, like wind chimes.

“My boy is such a troublemaker,” she said, touching Arlo’s cheeks. “Maybe someday, someone will straighten you up,”

Arlo crossed his arms, trailing behind his mother as they made their way across the field of flowers.

“I doubt,” he huffed.

Florence glanced down at him, and looked back in front with a knowing smile.

“I know you’ll meet someone who can make you hide your fangs and make you sit down like a puppy,”

“I’m not a puppy!” Arlo huffed again.

Florence ignores his whining, “Oh, but darling, all Frantz are the same.”

Arlo may not have understood it now, but he would be soon after meeting a certain someone.

The founder of the Frantz family met his wife and queited down. Arlo’s grandfather found his love and retired immediately from work. Tom was the same. The moment he met Florence, his permanent scowl disappears because sometimes, what a man needs is not money or fame but a woman who would make them understand that life is nothing without love.

Despite Tom’s fearsome presence, he loved his family.

Every summer, he would bring his family somewhere meaningful. Not the luxurious villas or massive yacht type of vacations. No, he would take him where he knew his sons would learn something.

This summer, he chose a small town.

Their villa rested on the outskirts, away from the prying eyes of nosy neighbors.

It was a modest place, but there was a stable and horses, so Arlo was satisfied.

Anthony and Arlo raced through the fields, laughter free and unguarded.

But then—

Anthony hears it.

A cry.

Something fragile.

“Did you hear that?” Anthony stopped his horse and looked beyond the fence towards the forest.

Arlo shook his head, “Probably an animal,”

Anthony shook his head, “No, it sounded human.”

“Meh, let them.” Without a shred of care, Arlo turned his horse around, but Anthony hopped off of his horse and went towards the sound.

“Hey! Where are you going?!” Arlo called.

Anthony, without looking back, yelled.

“If someone needs help, you help them!”

He pushed through thick bushes and leaves, avoided roots that felt like traps and followed the sound as fast as he could.

Until finally, Anthony sees her.

A young girl, injured and lost.

“Hey, there… it’s okay now, I got you,” Anthony slowly approached her, and every step he took closer calmed the girl down.

“My name is Anthony, I’m here to help.”

The girl stared back at him, teary-eyed and flushed.

“Can you speak? What’s your name?” Anthony stretched his hand in her direction.

She hesitated but eventually reached for his hand and held it tightly.

“Kerri…” she answered.