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 been as fussy

didn't chew at least thirty times. This is the hardest

he quickly ran toward Gavin's room and locked the door. Once that was

room as he looked for clues or ways to

No, I must find a way to call Gavin to see

was nowhere to be found. In that instant, he heard someone knocking on the door. Jasper beamed when he

Whitley?” he asked as he opened the

you want to eat it in the future!” Edwin informed as

Mr. Whitley!” Jasper took the cotton candy merrily and took a bite. Yay! I get to eat this

while?” he asked out of the blue when Edwin was

for his phone in his pocket and passed it to Jasper

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

smiled and waited patiently at the door without the slightest bit of

while. After 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

candy is delicious!” Jasper exclaimed

brush your teeth before you sleep!” Edwin reminded with a doting

do that! Good night, Mr. Whitley!” Jasper waved

the direction of Gavin's room before he went

a few more 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

or is

Are you Gavin? I'm

phone when he heard the familiar sound of an incoming message on his phone. When he read the

He

Gavin. Gavin texted:

his brows. Huh? How does he know that

know that?

Mommy. Daddy hasn't found out about you

quickly let out a breath

was quick. It sure didn't take him long to call

asked: Are

guess so? We look exactly the same! Does Daddy know that