The More The Merrier

That's weird. I've been gone for so long, but they haven't called me yet. Usually, they would be scrambling around to look for me already. Aren't Mommy, Zachary, Oliver, and Jesse worried about me at all?

With that thought, Jasper checked his phone, which resembled a watch.

Uh-oh. The battery died.

“Gavin, your food's ready!” Edwin called out when he noticed Jasper as he was about to bring the food over to Gavin's room.

“Okay!” Jasper responded as he ran to take his seat at the dining table.

Seeing that the table was full of delicious-looking dishes, he quickly grabbed a fork and happily dug in.

“Gavin, pace yourself. Please chew your food more slowly!” Edwin urged as the way Jasper ate shocked him. What's going on? Usually, he would chew more slowly before swallowing.

“Mm-hmm!” The boy was beaming with delight as he ate. Oh my gosh! These are heavenly! Jesse would definitely love this!

Suddenly, Jasper slowed down as he felt guilty. Did Mommy, Zachary, Oliver, and Jesse eat yet?

“Mr. Whitley, these are really good!”

“Hehe! I was afraid that you'd get tired of eating the same thing every day! Have some more if you like it!” Edwin suggested as he put more food on his plate.

Jasper caught sight of Benjamin walking toward them and started to eat quietly.

“Mr. Graham!” Edwin quickly prepared cutlery for Benjamin while the latter took his seat to eat with Jasper.

His brows furrowed deeply when he saw Jasper swallowing the food without chewing.

“Chew for thirty times before swallowing!”

“B-But I'm hungry!” Jasper exclaimed in surprise. Thirty times? That's too tiring!

“Don't eat too quickly! No matter how hungry you are, you must chew your food thirty times before you swallow!” Did he not eat well while I was away?

Benjamin glanced at Edwin. “Mr. Graham, Gavin's been taking his meals properly in the past few days! Maybe he's eating so quickly today because he was hungry,” Edwin explained respectfully with his head lowered.

of eyes were looking at Benjamin and Edwin. Jasper paced his chewing. What's up with this rule? He's too strict! Mommy has never

him whenever Jasper didn't chew at least thirty times. This is

he was done, he quickly ran toward Gavin's

search the room as he looked for

be exposed if they do. No, I

nowhere to be found. In that instant, he heard someone

Mr. Whitley?” he asked as he opened

you want to eat it in the

merrily and took a bite. Yay! I get to eat this every day

Mr. Whitley, can I borrow your phone for a little while?” he asked out of the blue when Edwin

reached for his phone in his pocket and

for you!” Jasper tilted the phone to an angle where Edwin couldn't look at the screen and quickly looked

Gavin had done the same thing before, Edwin smiled and

that, he quickly memorized Gavin's number and changed the font size before returning Edwin's phone to him. Good thing Mr. Whitley doesn't have many contacts in

candy is delicious!” Jasper exclaimed with

brush your teeth before

I'll do that! Good night, Mr.

the direction of Gavin's room

bites of the cotton candy and finished it as he waited for his device to be fully charged. After that, he went to brush his teeth and took a bath. Once he was out, the indicator showed that it was fully

Mommy, or is

him: Are

reached for his phone when he heard the familiar sound of an incoming message on

He contacted

reply from Gavin. Gavin texted: Yeah. That's me. Are you at

his brows. Huh? How does

replied: Yeah. But how did you know

texted: I'm with Mommy. Daddy hasn't found out about you yet,

shocked at his reply, but he quickly let out a breath of relief.

quick. It sure didn't take him long

asked: Are

exactly the same! Does Daddy know that you're not