Welcome to the Armstrong
After getting on the armored van, Finn quietly sat on the opposite side where the two soldiers were sitting. He was looking down at his feet the entire time and kept on thinking about how he's going to be treated in this new family he was sold to.
Finn
Do you know anything about the Armstrong family? What are they like? Are they nice?
Soldier 1
All I know is that they're one of the richest families in existence. They own several businesses that became popular after The Great Calamity. You know the Nextgen Center?
Finn
(Henry mentioned that before)
Finn
It's the big building where conventions are held, right?
Soldier 1
Exactly. That convention center is owned by the Armstrong.
Finn
Wow. They really are rich.
Soldier 2
I heard that Jeff Armstrong's eldest son is the new CEO of Nextgen Co.
Soldier 1
Well, he is the most suitable heir in all the Armstrong brothers. He's strict, smart, and good at handling people. He's the ideal candidate
Finn
He sounds independent and reliable.
Soldier 1
He really is. Unlike the youngest son, Jesus! That guy is a troublemaker ever since he was a kid. He's an adult now, but he's still immature and a happy-go-lucky man.
Soldier 2
I mean, if I'm as rich as him I'd be the same to be honest.
Finn
How about the middle child? What's he like?
Soldier 1
Oh, him? He's a weird one. Even though he's an Armstrong, he doesn't like the spotlight. He doesn't shout to the world that he's rich and famous.
Soldier 2
He's humble and likes to tinker with cars. That's his hobby, I guess?
Finn
He sounds like a good guy.
Finn looked out the window and was surprised to see where he is about to live starting today.
Finn
It's a Victorian mansion?!
Soldier 2
Jeff Armstrong inherited this place from his grandfather. He was the favorite grandson, and he decided to stay here with his sons.
Soldier 1
Let's go. I think we kept Jeff waiting long enough.
The two soldiers escorted Finn from the van to the front porch of the house. There waiting by the door was an old man in his 70s.
Soldier 1
It's good to see you again, Mr. Armstrong.
Mr. Jeff
Good to see you again, Porter.
Soldier 1
We brought your new helper.
Jeff Armstrong looked behind the soldier and saw a nervous young boy.
Mr. Jeff
Well isn't he young. *fixes glasses* Let me take a good look at you.
He walked towards Finn and examined him from top to bottom. He smiled genuinely at him that caught Finn off guard.
Finn
(His smile looks familiar)
Mr. Jeff
What's your name, boy?
Finn
I-I'm Finn... Finn Grayson, sir.
Mr. Jeff
Well then, Finn Grayson... Welcome to the Armstrong residence!
Mr. Jeff
You may now leave us, officers. I can take it from here.
Soldier 1
Yes, sir. Let's go, Dean.
Soldier 2
See you again someday, sir Armstrong.
The two soldiers walked back to the armored van and drove off. Finn was left with the head of the household, Mr. Jeff Armstrong.
Mr. Jeff
Oh, I can't wait for you to meet my sons.
Finn
I heard some things about them from the two officers earlier.
Mr. Jeff
Ah, I see. Well, let's get inside, and we'll talk on the way to the living room.
Finn followed Jeff inside, and he was amazed by the beautiful interior of the house. Everything looked so clean and well-maintained from the family portraits to the vases displayed on pedestals.
Finn
Your house is very beautiful, sir.
Mr. Jeff
Well, thank you, Finn. But the person you should thank for the cleanliness here is my housekeeper, Maria. She makes sure that everything in this house is clean and shiny like my bald spot here *points to his head*
Finn
*laughs* you have a great sense of humor, Mr. Jeff.
Mr. Jeff
I got it from my father who loves to crack jokes when he was still alive. Bless his departed soul.
Finn
(He's very friendly and easy to talk to)
Mr. Jeff
How old are you, Finn? And where did you come from?
Finn
Oh! I'm 21, and I used to live in Cleveland with my grandma.
Mr. Jeff
The same grandma who sold you to me?
Mr. Jeff
Hmm... When she came up to me and said she knew someone who would be perfect for the job, I was relieved.
Mr. Jeff
But then she told me that she had a price for that person and I thought, "This must be a scam". But I bit the bait anyway.
Mr. Jeff
I asked her who that person was and how much do they cost. She said that it's her grandson that her daughter left her twenty years ago before The Great Calamity happened. She asked for the price of one hundred thousand dollars.
Mr. Jeff
Don't sell yourself too short, Finn. That's less than what you're worth. Nobody has a price always remember that. It doesn't matter if they're a celebrity, a politician, or just a commoner. Humans cannot be priced.
Finn
But you bought me, didn't you?
Mr. Jeff
It's more like an adoption, really.
Mr. Jeff
You see, the moment your grandma decided to sell you to me, I already knew that you weren't in good hands. Because no grandparent or parent is cold-hearted enough to sell their family for any price. I wanted to take you in despite not knowing anything about you. I can't stand seeing young kids being maltreated. That's why I "bought" you from her. It's not business... It's personal.
Finn
But why adopt me? Am I not here to be your servant? I'll do my best to be useful!
Mr. Jeff
I don't need more servants, Finn. You see, I've always wanted a grandchild. But none of my sons have given me any. They're all old enough to marry and yet every single one of them doesn't even have a girlfriend. They're all busy with different things.
Finn
So I'm like... Your grandson?
Mr. Jeff
I hope my sons won't mind. I mean, if they won't give me a grandchild before I die, then I'm going to adopt one instead. That's reasonable, right?
Finn
Y-yes, I guess so. We're not getting any younger.
Mr. Jeff
Exactly. Oh! We're here.
The two entered the living room. It's big and has a chandelier hanging at the center of the room. A fireplace is built on the wall opposite to the door and a big portrait of Mr. Jeff in his mid 40s is hung right above it.
Finn
This room is bigger than our entire first floor. We've never had a fireplace before,, so it's freezing during winter. I just cover myself with lots of blankets to keep myself warm as much as possible.
Mr. Jeff
You won't be cold anymore. Furthermore, you can sit by the fireplace as much as you want whenever you feel like it. You're safe here, Finn.
Mr. Jeff
Mr. Jeff is too formal... Just call me... Grandpa.
Mr. Jeff
Too fast? Sorry, we'll get to that stage in the future, but I promise you I will earn your trust.
Finn smiled and Jeff did the same. They both sat on the sofa near the fireplace.
Mr. Jeff
Let's just wait for my sons to arrive. But before then, I'll ask Maria to get you something to eat and drink. What would you like?
Mr. Jeff
It's okay, Finn. You can ask for anything. What do you usually like to eat?
Finn
Uhm... To be honest, I haven't eaten anything other than canned beans for the past twenty years of my life. So I don't know what other foods taste like.
Mr. Jeff
My word! No wonder why you're so skinny and frail. I'll have the cooks prepare a feast for dinner. You'll taste all kinds of food here. If you want something, don't be afraid to ask Maria or the cooks, okay?
Finn
O-okay... Thank you very much.
Mr. Jeff
For now, I'll have Maria bring you cookies and a glass of milk. It's time for you to start eating different kinds of food other than canned beans.
Jeff took a small bell from the coffee table and rang it repeatedly. A few seconds later, a woman in her 30s came in.
Mr. Jeff
Finn, this is Maria, our housekeeper. Maria, this is Finn, the new part of the family.
Maria
Nice to meet you, Mr. Finn.
Finn
Nice to meet you, too.
Mr. Jeff
Maria. Could you please prepare a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Finn?
Maria hurriedly walked out of the room to prepare the food for Finn.
Finn
When will your sons arrive?
Mr. Jeff
Any minute now, I guess?
Mr. Jeff
Speaking of the devils, here they are!
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