Chapter 859 Distance
Arissa looked at Benjamin and nodded. “You need to take care of your mood when you’re in front of the children as well.” “Got it,” Benjamin answered.
Arissa smiled and snuck another glance at him. Seeing how obedient he was being, she reminded him, “Remember to also smile more whenever you’re in Dad’s presence.”
Benjamin shot a look at her and snorted softly. “You just married into the Graham family not too long ago, and you’re already speaking up for him?”
Arissa pursed her lips. “I’m not speaking up for Dad; I’m just saying this for your own good. After all, when you’re happy, Dad’s happy. And when he’s happy, you’ll be happy. Isn’t that right?”
Benjamin grunted. “Who says that I’ll be happy if he’s happy?”
Arissa was rendered speechless. It took her a while to say, “Do you want to see him unhappy, then?”
Benjamin did not reply to that.
“Benjamin Graham, you are now the father to six children! You need to set a good example for them. If you’re close to your dad, the kids will be close to you too. They’re at an age where they’re easily influenced, you know?”
Benjamin glanced at the rearview mirror to look at Arissa. “Do you think Gavin and I are not close?”
Arissa turned her body sideways to look at the man. “Don’t you think so? Gavin’s never been one to talk much, and he doesn’t like to interact with others too. That’s why you thought he was close to you. Although he’s indeed close to you, you’re not the first choice for him to bare his heart out whenever something happens, am I right?”
She continued, “Do you know why that is? It’s because you’re too strict with him. There are times when he’s afraid that it was him who’s done something wrong, and there are times when he simply doesn’t want to cause you any trouble.”
Listening to her words, Benjamin recalled how he had interacted with Gavin. Now that I think about it, I never got along with the kids as well as Arissa does.
“I’ll take note of this.”
Arissa narrowed her eyes. “Take note of what?”
Benjamin raised his brow. “Didn’t you ask me to be more mindful of how I’ll influence the kids?”
Arissa chuckled and said, “I was asking you to get along with Dad. Stop treating him like he’s your superior and you, his subordinate.”
Benjamin pursed his lips. “Dad’s been in the military for a long time. He’s used to giving out orders to other people. It’s quite hard for me to interact with him like how you do.”
Arrisa advised, “What’s so hard about it? Dad’s very affectionate toward me, and I’m sure he would act the same toward you if you weren’t so stern all the time.”
Benjamin knitted his brows. “You don’t need to worry about this.”
Seeing that he no longer wanted to continue with the conversation, Arissa sighed inwardly and shut her mouth. She was afraid that his appetite would be affected if she kept harping on.
Silence ensued, and Benjamin couldn’t get used to it.
He glanced at the rearview mirror and saw her propping her chin up in her hand as she gazed out the window.
“Just tell me what you would like me to do.”
Arissa’s eyes gleamed, and she whipped her head around to look at him. “Does that mean you’ll agree to everything I say?”
Benjamin replied, “Yes.” If I don’t say yes to her, she’ll probably keep sulking.
Arissa beamed from ear to ear. “Well, I’m not asking you to do anything too hard. All you have to do is show some concern for Dad whenever you meet him and smile more. We’ll take it one step at a time. There’s no rush.”
Seeing how happy she was, Benjamin felt his mood brighten as well.
“All right. I’ll take note of this.”
Hearing that, Arissa smiled.
She felt touched knowing that he was willing to take the first step in changing himself for her.
“Benjamin, from now on, just smile whenever you’re feeling happy. The kids will get close to you in time. You’ll retain your position as the all-powerful CEO in the office, but once you’re home, you have to step down from being a CEO to a father. You can’t be too strict with the kids, and you have to play with them for them to get closer to you.”
The corner of Benjamin’s lips lifted slightly, and he reminded her, “I have a word of advice for you as well, Arissa. You can’t spoil the kids too much. There are still some boundaries and rules that must be upheld. Take Jesse for example. You spoil him so much that he sticks to you more compared to the other five children. If this goes on, he won’t have a sense of responsibility when he grows up.”
Arissa chuckled under her breath when she heard that.
