You More than Anything in the World (Arissa)

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?

been taking his meals properly in the past few days! Maybe he’s eating so quickly today because

Jasper paced his chewing. What’s up with this rule? He’s too strict! Mommy has never been as fussy as

Benjamin would reprimand him whenever Jasper didn’t chew at least thirty times. This is the hardest meal that I’ve had! Ugh. The food doesn’t taste

was done, he quickly ran toward Gavin’s room and locked the door. Once that was done, Jasper continued to search

be exposed if they do. No, I must find a

how hard he looked, Gavin’s number was nowhere to be found. In that instant, he heard someone knocking on the door. Jasper beamed when he knew that it was

asked as he opened the

make this for you! Let me know any time if you want to eat it in the future!” Edwin informed as he passed the

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

phone for a little while?” he asked out of the blue when Edwin was

phone in

you!” Jasper tilted the phone to an angle where Edwin couldn’t look

Edwin smiled and waited patiently at

for a while. After that, he quickly memorized Gavin’s number and changed the font

cotton candy is delicious!” Jasper exclaimed with

teeth before you sleep!”

Mr. Whitley!” Jasper waved and closed

in the direction of Gavin’s room

in to charge his phone. He took 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 teeth and took a bath. Once he was out, the indicator showed that it was

Mommy, or

texted him: Are you

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

Jasper! He contacted

from Gavin. Gavin texted: Yeah. That’s me.

his brows. Huh? How does he

did you know that?

hasn’t found

was shocked at his reply, but he quickly let out a breath of relief. So he really is

 Are

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