Adeline asked seriously while looking at the faces of her sons one by one at that time. She didn't have to wait for long to find out the answer. She knows all her children really well and trusts them fully but she can't help but remind them always about family ties, as she is a mother.
"All of us have the same answer mother, no matter how much you ask us. We will never abandon each other. " Aiden answered with a smile.
All of her other sons also smiled. It was clear on their faces that their answers were the same, just like what Aiden was voicing.
They really didn't care about power and wealth which Adeline felt very thankful for. Look like she and her husband succeeded in raising them to be wonderful people, even though they both have shortcomings as parents.
"I know you will all be fine. I am the one who raised you so I know, but still, I want to talk to you all before your father says anything. I really don't want our family to be divided because of this. We are not really a normal family, our path is full of various challenges and perceptions. What we have to overcome all this is each other and as a mother, I am always worried. Especially towards Ariana..."
Yes. Even if Ariana is a tough girl she is still a girl and that alone makes Adeline worried the most. She is still a baby in her eyes!
"Mother you didn't have to worry. We will protect her no matter what. She is our dear little sister anyway. " Asher said confidently, not wanting their mother to think too much.
"You already know us really well mother. We are really protective of her. " Ashton said next.
"Well, looking at her life, she didn't have much choice but to stick with us forever." Adeline hit Ariel's hand a little after he said that. But as she knows how bad Ariana is with her studies, she then finally lets out a laugh.
"Oh my, how did I give birth to these lovable sons! Do I really deserve this? " Adeline immediately got up from her seat.
"Come here, give your mother some tight hugs all of you."
All four of them also get up and did what she wanted like they always did before ending their tea time.
A few days later,
The day went on as usual until late afternoon after Ariana got home from school.
Du-Dun...
All of the brothers are now in their father's office at the mansion while circling around the coffee table in the middle of the office.
They are currently staring intently at something in the center of the coffee table while their father is just sitting on the main sofa while drinking warm tea.
"What are you all pondering over there for so long?" After a few minutes, Alexander finally asked. He knew very well what was going on in the minds of his sons at that time.
They are actually looking at Ariana's report card that she confidently brings it back home. It's nothing new but the result is shocking as always!
"Where's mother?" That is what Ariel asked before anything.
"She's still got some work to do so she'll be home late." The father said calmly.
Hearing that, slowly, all of them sat on the sofa that also surrounded the table with the report card involved. As soon as their backs hit the seat, Ariel in fast worked with his mouth.
"How can she get all Cs?"
"I do feel a bit disappointed as we help her with her studies, especially math." Aiden sighed a bit as he personally taught Ariana that subject.
"Well, it's better than last time if we think positively." Asher still wanted to defend Ariana as she used to get D and E so this is better.
"This is final and she barely graduated, but still... At least she can graduate, right? " Ashton didn't know what to say anymore. Ariana did try to study before the last examination,
Even if at the last minute!
Ariana started scratching her suddenly itchy ears.
"How bad they talk about me?" She knows that well.
She now was sitting outside the office door at that time on one of the benches while playing games on her cell phone. Patiently waiting for herself to be called by her brothers after they have done with her report card analysis (Dissing her if she can say it truly).
Hearing all that, Alexander just laughed at that time. He actually remembers his past. He also is the same as his daughter in terms of studying. He also barely passed the examination. Probably much worst!
"Father!" All of them now said that to stop their father from laughing.
"It just... How funny. How come I have five children, but only Ariana follows me in this? " Alexander seems unable to contain his laugh now.
"Are you bad at studying too?"
What Ariel just asked making Alexander stop laughing immediately.
Truth is, no one knows about that past, except his wife. Also, he never told his children about his teenage years to save his face but now... Looks like he is digging his own grave.
All of his four sons looked at him seriously.
"Ahem, forget about that. She is finishing high school, that's the important thing."
All four sons could only sigh. But it's true. They only expected that from Ariana and she did it. Thankfully!
"Call Ariana inside. She is probably tired of waiting. " Alexander now directed.
Now, Ariana joins them inside the office with a smile.
"Are you that satisfied with your report card?" Ariel started to provoke.
"Of course, aren't I clever? It is so much better than before. I don't even get a D or E." Ariana looked really felt proud despite what her brother might think about it.
Ariel knows very well that he just eats his own provocation. Sweat even began to come out of his forehead because of his little sister. He knows he can't win against her!
"Of course, you are doing good, you are my daughter," Alexander said while looking at his only daughter who was sitting across from him.
Once again, all four of his sons looked at him with narrow eyes. They are still suspicious of what he said earlier.
Cough! Cough!
Alexander coughed a little before he started looking serious. He gathered all his children today not just to discuss Ariana's grade, but also to discuss something important. For the continuation of his legacy.
"Enough about this, I gather all of you today actually, because there is something I need to say. After thinking and discussing with your mother, we decide to step down as a leader of our Black Eagle Organization as the rumor that circled around said. I'm sure all of you already heard about that."
Alexander started observing all of his children. All of them didn't look surprised, but Ariana flinched a little hearing the news. Looks like she really didn't care about what was going on and ignored any rumors.
'Just like she always does. ' Alexander smiled before continuing.
"I didn't want to make the decision alone. As all of you are my heirs, I wanted to know your opinion before making a decision on who is worthy to inherit this legacy. Of course, all of you are in this together, but the burden of responsibility will be held by those who hold the leader title and I'm sure all of you know how heavy that position is."
Ariana is just playing with her finger. Not interested in joining the conversation as she was already satisfied with what she is doing and was never greedy to be more than that. But that doesn't mean that she isn't a bit curious!
"Let Ariana do that father." Aiden started.
Ariana, who heard that sentence jumped a little in her seat as she never expected this selection to be too open like this.
'Aren't we going to vote with paper? ' That's what she thought.
"Yes, father. We promise to be her loyal backbone and always be by her side. " Ashton followed. They have already decided this for years and Alexander is actually aware of this. He just wanted to make sure that this is the best decision.
"Among us, Ariana is the most suitable one based on what she achieved so far. She's the most fearless among us. " Asher also gave his thoughts.
"That's right, father. Although I don't want to admit it openly, we all have our own skills, but Ariana is the best one on the field. The one that should be possessed by a leader... Just like you. " Ariel said that on a serious note.
But apart from all these praises, deep inside their evil mind, they feel bad as she is not good at anything except fighting, so, they decide to just convince their father to let her inherit the mafia organization so that she will not become a beggar in her later life.
Ariana however, was speechless after hearing all that and didn't know what she was supposed to say.
'Why am I feeling like something missing? After looking at their faces. ' Ariana seems can feel her four brother's inner thinking.
Thinking for a while, Alexander looked again at his only daughter. He knows his daughter's strength and he actually agrees with all of his sons.
Deep inside his heart, he knows Ariana is his best choice as he also wanted his sons to be her knight on the back while she's leading the whole army. Unexpectedly, his four sons also think like that.
After a while, he looks into Ariana eyes, deeply.
"Do you want to take this responsibility?"