Ch. 721..730
Chapter 721 Sleep With Her In His Arms
“It’s a good day to bring Issa to go collect you guys’ marriage certificate tomorrow.” With that said, the old man hung up. Benjamin frowned, looking at his phone. He put it down and then continued working all the way until midnight.
It was not until Edwin came in and hurried him to bed that he went upstairs to shower. Upon entering the room, Benjamin was perplexed when he saw that the bed was empty, so after showering, he went over to the children’s bedroom to look for Arissa.
He frowned when he saw all of the children snuggling against Arissa.
When Benjamin realized that the children’s feet were sticking out under the blanket, he bent down to pull the blanket over, but they kept kicking it aside.
After trying it twice, Benjamin gave up and just went back to his own room, but he just could not fall asleep.
He tossed and turn, and he even tried sleeping on Arissa’s pillow, but nothing worked. Before long, he sat up in frustration and went over to the children’s room with his pillow.
After placing his pillow at the side of the bed, he gently moved the children inside and slept sideways on their bed.
Just as he lay down, one of the boys put his leg on him, eliciting a sigh from Benjamin.
When he saw Arissa sleeping soundly, he moved closer and hugged his children and her.
It was only then that he finally fell into slumber.
When morning came the next day, Arissa felt embarrassed when she woke up to Benjamin in the bed with her, together with the children.
She tried moving aside, but Benjamin’s arms tightened around her.
From a close distance, she could see that Benjamin’s features were prominent. The set of brows on his face complimented his face perfectly, and his nose bridge was straight and high. Everything about him was exquisite.
All of a sudden, her eyes met a pair of deep-set eyes, and her heart began to throb faster.
“Just a while more,” Benjamin mumbled as he planted a kiss on her forehead before falling asleep again.
Arissa blinked her eyes in surprise, her heart thumping.
Her heart raced as she looked at the sleeping man.
His loving kiss, coupled with his gentle tone, brought a smile to her face.
A sweet smile spread across her face. She took a long look at him before she gently moved his arm aside and got out of bed.
“Where are you going? It’s still early.”
She turned around when she heard his voice, which was tinged with a hint of annoyance. Then, she was greeted by his disgruntled face.
“I’m making breakfast!” she replied.
“There’s no need. Come back,” Benjamin said, displeased.
“You sleep. I’m not sleeping anymore,” she replied, getting out of bed.
This man is temperamental. He was gentle just a moment ago, and now he is losing his temper with me.
Since Arissa had gotten up, Benjamin could not sleep anymore, so he sat up as well.
When he saw that the children were still asleep, he put the blanket over them before going back to his own room.
Arissa was brushing her teeth when Benjamin arrived. He went into the bathroom and took up his toothbrush.
Arissa looked at him from the corner of her eyes.
“You’re not sleeping in?”
Benjamin glared at her through the mirror.
“Do you expect me to still be able to sleep after you left?”
Arissa was at a loss for words.
She gargled her mouth and spit out the water. “Well, me waking up has nothing to do with you sleeping in.”
He makes it sound as if it’s my fault.
“You already woke me up when you left. How am I supposed to sleep after that?” he muttered, brushing his teeth.
Arissa’s lips twitched, and she moved aside to wash her face. Fine. I’ll just let him be. He’s always so grumpy when he wakes up.
With that thought in mind, she left to change and went downstairs to make breakfast.
Since the children were going to school that day, she decided to prepare more food for them so they could bring some with them.
When Edwin woke up and saw that Arissa was already in the kitchen, he rushed over to help her.
“Mrs. Graham, I should be doing this!”
“It’s no big deal, Edwin. I’m making them breakfast,” she said with a smile.
Since Arissa insisted on doing it herself, Edwin looked around to see if there was anything he could do to help.
“Perhaps you can prepare breakfast for Mr. Graham too.”
“Oh,” Arissa replied shortly.
Edwin shot her a meaningful smile.
Not long after Arissa started busying herself in the kitchen, Benjamin came downstairs in his sports attire. When he saw that Arissa was occupied, he went ahead for a morning jog.
Chapter 722 I Want The Same Breakfast
Benjamin had just run a few rounds when Kingsley’s car pulled up beside him. The car window lowered, and Kingsley waved at him. “Morning, Benjamin. Exercising?”
Benjamin took a quick look at him and picked up his phone. His cold voice rang. “Who let this guy in? Whoever it is, you’re getting it from me. I want you guys to throw him out.”
Kingsley interrupted, “Hey! I came in on my own. I’m so sorry, Boss. I won’t do it again. Please don’t throw me out. You know how embarrassing it is.”
Benjamin scoffed. Kingsley continued, “Boss, I promise I will not poke my nose into your private life anymore, okay? I was just worried! That’s why I listened in for a bit. You don’t have to be this mad. You guys didn’t do anything anyway.”
“Get out of the car, Kingsley Watts!” Benjamin roared, stopping immediately.
That sent a shudder down Kingsley’s spine.
“You don’t want to get thrown out, do you?” Benjamin sneered.
Kingsley got out of his car as told. “So you’re not throwing me out?” he asked playfully. “I’ll do anything as long as you don’t do that to me.”
“Fifty rounds. Don’t you dare take a break,” Benjamin ordered.
Kingsley’s jaw dropped. He looked at his friend in despair.
Fifty rounds? One round is eight hundred meters, and fifty rounds mean forty kilometers! Benjamin’s so cold-blooded!
“Or do you want to run with added weight?” Benjamin questioned, leaving no room for negotiation.
“All right! I’ll do it.”
Kingsley had no choice but to do as he was told. Without even changing into his sneakers, he started running.
He would not have come if it were not for the children.
A few bodyguards ran over to Benjamin to apologize when they saw Kingsley running on the track.
“We’re sorry, Mr. Graham. We didn’t manage to stop Mr. Watts!”
Benjamin’s face darkened. “What are you all waiting for? Run! A hundred rounds!”
“Yes, sir!”
They started running and followed closely behind Kingsley.
A hundred rounds were not a problem for those trained guards, but for Kingsley, he was in for a grind.
He was already dog-tired after only a few rounds.
“What a loser!” Benjamin derided.
Kingsley was upset, but he dared not breathe a word.
It had been a while since he last trained.
Frustrated by Kingsley’s weakness, Benjamin went back home. He no longer had the mood to exercise.
After going back, he sat down in the living room and picked up the newspaper.
I’ll shower after I read the news.
When Edwin saw Benjamin, he took a glass of water and went over.
“Are you done with your morning exercise, Mr. Graham?”
“Yes,” Benjamin replied curtly as he continued reading.
Edwin then made himself scarce and went back to the kitchen to help Arissa.
When Benjamin smelled the scent of delicious food coming from the kitchen, he looked up into the kitchen and saw Arissa preparing breakfast.
What is she making? It smells good.
He put down his newspaper and walked over to her.
“Edwin, put some peanut oil in,” Arissa requested.
“Shall we use some scallions as a garnish?” Edwin asked.
“Yes, please. I like scallions,” Arissa replied happily.
“I don’t like it though.”
A voice came from the entrance of the kitchen. When Benjamin saw that they were actually making savory wraps, he quickly told them his food preferences.
Arissa glared at him. “These are for the kids. They’re not nice without scallions. You don’t have to eat them if you don’t like them.”
A subtle frown settled on his brows. He turned and looked at the other food Arissa had prepared. There were some fresh sandwiches, but Benjamin realized that they also had scallions in them.
His frown deepened.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Graham. Mrs. Graham will prepare yours after this,” the butler weighed in.
Benjamin snorted at Arissa. “I want the same food they have, but without scallions!”
Arissa was agitated. She knew he was doing that on purpose. “You can pick them out on your own, Graham!”
“Do you think that’s even possible?” he questioned, looking at how finely diced they were. “What don’t you show me how you do that?”
He pointed at the freshly prepared and tasty sandwich as he talked.
Arissa was vexed. She did not even know if there was enough bread left for her to make more sandwiches.
She had only made that few sets of breakfast.
“I thought you didn’t like them?” she asked.
Chapter 723 Benjamin Wakes The Children Up
“Well, I feel like having sandwiches today. They look good.” Speaking, he took up the cutlery and flipped the sandwiches. For a moment, Arissa thought his behavior was funny. “Do you really hate scallions that much? It’s pretty nice. You should try it.”
Benjamin glanced at her and then at the sandwiches. He thought for a bit and reached for one while she continued cooking. Hm, not bad. He took another one.
When Arissa came back again, she realized he had already eaten up two plates of sandwiches. “You…”
Arissa stared at him, dumbfounded. He finished two plates. The rest is not enough for the kids. Looking at how troubled Arissa was, Benjamin could not help but raise his brows. “What’s wrong with that? Can’t I eat the food?”
“Yes, you can, but you can’t just eat other people’s share. The remaining food is not enough for the children,” Arissa complained softly.
On the other side, Edwin felt entertained by their interaction.
Benjamin rubbed his nose guiltily and turned toward the butler.
He called out, “Edwin, put the remaining sandwiches all on the same plate.”
“Yes, Mr. Graham.”
Edwin immediately grouped the sandwiches on a big plate and put them in the microwave to heat them up.
Arissa was at a loss for words. She went away and continued making breakfast.
As for Benjamin, he went out after lingering for a while longer.
Then, he went upstairs to shower. After he had changed into a new set of neat and clean clothes, it was already time to wake the children up, so he went over to the children’s bedroom right after.
Since the children were still sleeping, he pulled the curtains aside to let sunlight in.
“Time to wake up, Gavin,” he called, turning toward the bed.
The boy turned to another side and stretched before sitting up in bed.
He rubbed his eyes, looking at his father sleepily.
“Good boy. Go wash up,” Benjamin coaxed, ruffling his hair.
“Tim and Zachary, up!”
Benjamin patted them. “Oliver and Jasper, you guys too! It’s already six.”
When Oliver and Jasper heard their father, they yawned and asked, “Where’s Mommy?”
“She’s making breakfast,” he answered, picking them up from the bed.
Then, he adjusted their clothes before asking them to wash up.
Gavin was already waiting for them to brush their teeth together.
When Benjamin saw that everyone was ready, he went over to call Jesse.
“Jesse! Rise and shine!”
“Mmm…”
She rolled into the middle of the bed, burying her face in the pillow as she continued sleeping.
Benjamin went over and patted her gently on her back.
“Jesse, your brothers are all up already. You should wake up before you’re late for school.”
“No…” the girl protested, rolling all the way to the edge of the bed.
Benjamin was in for a headache. He had already called her twice, but she still refused to get out of bed.
He stood beside the bed, thinking about what he should do with Jesse, who was sleeping soundly.
Meanwhile, the five boys had done washing up. When they saw how helpless Benjamin was, they could not help but find it amusing.
“Is he always like this?” Benjamin asked the boys.
The boys exchanged glances. Zachary, Oliver, and Jasper were the ones with authority to speak on behalf of the group.
Therefore, Gavin and Tim stared at the three of them.
“Yes,” Jasper answered with a nod.
“It’s a chore waking Jesse up,” Oliver added.
“Is there a way to get him out of bed?” Benjamin solicited advice from the kids, since he thought they would know.
“No, there’s no way you can do that,” Zachary replied.
Benjamin was doubtful.
He sat down and pinched Jesse’s nose.
“Wakey, wakey!”
Jesse pouted her lips and retorted but went back to sleep nonetheless.
Gavin chuckled when he saw Benjamin’s effort was to no avail.
Benjamin tried again another time, but Jesse was not being cooperative, so he scooped the girl out from the bed and brought her to the bathroom to wet her face with a towel.
Chapter 724 Being Wary Even At Home
Jesse finally woke up when she felt water touch her face, but the first thing she saw was Benjamin’s stern face right in front of her. The girl pouted as if she was about to cry.
“Am I being too rough?” Benjamin’s voice suddenly softened as he thought he had hurt Jesse with his rough movements. The boys gathered around at the bathroom door as they looked on.
To be honest, they were impressed that Benjamin managed to wake Jesse up by just uprooting her from the bed and washing her face.
“Jesse…” they comforted her. “Gavin!” Jesse’s mood was elevated when she saw all her brothers at the door.
“Come on. Mommy’s downstairs already,” Zachary quickly cut in. He really did not want her sister to start her day feeling upset.
“Where’s Mommy?” she asked.
“She’s making breakfast, so you’d better hurry up,” Zachary advised.
“Okay!”
Jesse nodded and then turned to look at Benjamin.
“Please let me down, Mr. Graham. I can brush my teeth myself,” she said timidly.
“Sure.”
Benjamin put her down and put some toothpaste on her toothbrush for her.
“You guys go get changed,” he said to the five boys.
The boys stared at both of them for a few seconds before they finally went off to get changed.
Benjamin stayed in the bathroom to keep Jesse company.
After Jesse brushed her teeth and washed up, she looked at Benjamin and said, “Mr. Graham, I want to pee…”
Benjamin sat her down, but the girl just did not seem comfortable.
“I thought you wanted to pee?” Benjamin was getting impatient after waiting for a while.
“Yeah… I want to, but could you go out?” Jesse replied weakly.
It was then that Benjamin realized her cheeks were red because she was shy.
“All right. Be quick,” he said.
He then closed the door behind him, but that was not enough for the girl.
She jumped down and went over to lock the door. I can’t let him know I’m a girl!
Benjamin scoffed in disbelief when he heard the door locked. Why is he being so wary even he’s at his own home?
Gavin and the others saw that scene. Benjamin’s puzzled look put a smile on their faces.
When Benjamin sensed someone was looking at him, he swept his gaze past them.
The boys quickly averted their eyes, lowering their heads as they buttoned up.
Benjamin shook his head and walked over to help them.
“Thanks, Mr. Graham.”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
Benjamin combed their hair for them after they were all dressed up. “Go get your schoolbags ready,” he said.
Then, he went to grab Jesse’s uniform. “Are you done? Come and get changed.”
Jesse shrank a bit from his touch.
“Come on. Let’s get you changed. Your brothers are all ready for school,” Benjamin said gently.
Jesse stole a look at her brothers and realized they were all set for school. Even Tim had already put on his new uniform.
Jesse darted over and pulled her uniform away, bringing it with her into the bathroom. Again, she locked the door before she changed.
What’s wrong with this kid? There’s nothing to be shy about.
The boys suppressed their laughs and quickly turned to check their schoolbags. They did not want to risk Benjamin seeing their reaction.
“Tim, do you have your water bottle with you? Make sure you have that,” Zachary reminded.
“Yes. It’s in my schoolbag,” Tim answered.
“Let’s go down together and ask Mommy to fill it up for us,” Jasper added as he joined them.
“I thought we could just get water at school?” Tim asked.
“Yeah, we can, but we usually bring some with us from home. We’ll just refill when we run out of water at school,” Oliver explained patiently.
“I don’t like the water at school. It tastes different from the one we get at home,” Gavin stated as he picked up his schoolbag.
“I see…” Tim replied, also taking up his own schoolbag.
“Why do I feel like your schoolbag is heavier?” Tim asked.
“Oh, we have books in here,” Gavin explained to Tim.
“The headmaster will give you your books after you go to school. Your schoolbag will be much heavier then.”
“I see…” Tim nodded.
“Tim, I think you look good in your uniform,” Jasper complimented his brother.
Chapter 725 Having Breakfast As A Family
“No, you look good, Jasper,” Tim praised. Jasper was delighted. “Haha! I know, right? I’ve always looked good,” Jasper replied with a wide smile.
Zachary said with a hint of sarcasm, “As if all of us don’t look good at all.” Everyone burst out laughing. Benjamin also smiled, looking at the cheerful lot.
“Are you done, Jesse?” He suddenly remembered. Knock!
“Almost!” Jesse hurried up, put on her clothes, and opened the door. “I’m done, Mr. Graham,” she said bashfully. When Benjamin saw that her collar was not folded properly, he bent down and tidied it for her.
Jesse looked at him with a grateful smile. “Thanks, Mr. Graham.” Benjamin pinched her cheek gently. “Let’s get your schoolbag. We’re heading down for breakfast.”
With that said, he put the schoolbag straps around Jesse’s shoulder. When Benjamin stood up again and saw how cute all his children looked in their uniforms, his heart warmed.
“All right. Time for breakfast!” The six kids held hands and went downstairs orderly.
“Breakfast! Here we come!” Gavin exclaimed as he took the lead going down the staircase with Benjamin following at the back of the children.
“Careful, kids,” he reminded when he saw them holding one another’s hands. They nodded and slowed down.
When they reached downstairs, they ran into the kitchen. “Mommy!”
“Mommy!”
The children were excited to see their mother.
Arissa’s eyes glimmered with love when she saw them all dressed up for school.
“Hello, sweethearts! Did you guys sleep well?”
“Yes, Mommy, and we’re all ready for school!” they replied.
“Good! Go put down your schoolbags and get ready for breakfast.”
The children immediately went to the living room to take off their schoolbags.
Arissa turned down the flame on the stove and brought breakfast out.
“You woke all of them up?” she asked Benjamin when she saw him in his suit and tie.
Nodding, Benjamin glanced at her and replied, “Yes. Jesse was a handful.”
Arissa laughed. “I know, right? How did you manage?”
“I brought him to the bathroom and wiped his face with a wet tower,” he replied, sitting down in the main seat.
Arissa laid out the plates while Edwin came over to help set up the table.
When the children were ready, they came over to the dining table as well.
“Morning, Mommy.”
“Morning, Mr. Whitley.”
“Morning, Ms. York.”
The children greeted each of the adults as they sat down.
“Morning, children,” Arissa greeted back, pouring each of them some oatmeal porridge.
“Come on. Eat up.”
“All right,” they answered obediently.
“Mrs. Graham, you should have a seat too. Leave the rest to me. You still have to send them to school later,” the butler reminded her kindly.
“Yes, Mommy. Have breakfast with us,” Gavin chimed in.
The rest of the children said the same as well.
“We’re waiting,” Benjamin said.
Arissa smiled. “All right. I’m coming.”
She quickly went into the kitchen and brought out the rest of the food before taking off her apron to have breakfast with them.
Edwin went over to the children’s side and put food on their plates.
Arissa was delighted to see the children enjoying their breakfast.
“Slow down. The food is hot.”
“Mommy, it’s delicious!” Jasper chirped.
“Yeah! You’re the best cook, Mommy!” Jesse remarked, the corners of her mouth stained with food.
“I like the sandwich!” Oliver added, taking another piece himself.
Seeing that the children liked it, Edwin took an extra piece for each of them.
“Wait, you guys haven’t had any sandwiches!” Tim suddenly said, looking at the empty plate and then at Arissa and Benjamin.
“Don’t worry about us. We already had some,” Arissa assured him with a kind smile.
“Huh?” Zachary was surprised. “You guys had breakfast?”
Arissa shot Benjamin a glance.
Gavin stared at his father in disbelief.
“So you ate this, Daddy?”
“Yes,” Benjamin answered.
The rest of the children were astonished.
Chapter 726 Are You Jealous Of Mommy
Jasper asked curiously, “Mr. Graham, why are you still eating when you already had breakfast?” Arissa teased, “He’s right. Why are you still eating when you already had breakfast?”
“You have guts, don’t you?” Benjamin replied. Arissa looked away smilingly and asked the children to continue eating. They nodded and ate their fill. To them, Arissa’s food was always the best.
While they were eating, Arissa realized Tim was distracted. “What’s wrong, Tim?” Arissa asked. “You miss Great-grandaunt, don’t you?” Zachary asked, looking at him.
Staring at Arissa, Tim said after a pause, “Ms. York, is it okay if I bring this food for Great-grandaunt too?”
Arissa smiled at him affectionately. She was glad that the child wanted to share the good things with Mary.
“I already prepared a set of breakfast for her. I’ll send it to her after dropping you guys at school.”
“Thank you, Ms. York!” Tim replied, still a little nervous.
“Do you miss her, Sweetheart?” Arissa continued asking.
Tim looked up at her with his eyes wide and nodded.
“We might not be able to go to the hospital in the morning, but we can give her a call. I can bring you all to visit her after school ends,” Arissa offered.
Tim nodded enthusiastically.
With that said, Arissa got up to give Shaun a video call.
After confirming with the doctor that Mary was up, Arissa asked to talk to her.
Seeing that Mary was in a good condition, Arissa smiled and greeted, “Morning, Grandaunt!”
“Hey! Morning, Issa!” the old lady greeted with a huge smile.
“Grandaunt, can I swing by after I send the children to school? I’m bringing you some food.”
The six kids gathered around Arissa when they heard Mary had picked up, but they made sure that they did not block Tim’s view.
They figured he wanted to talk to her.
“Great-grandaunt!”
“Hey, Tim! Is that your school uniform? You look amazing!” Mary commented adoringly.
“Yeah. This is my uniform, Great-grandaunt. I will go visit you at the hospital after I finish school later!”
“That’s great! Promise me you’ll study hard at school, okay? Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” Mary reassured.
While they were talking, Benjamin came over to talk to Arissa. “You should get changed. It’s almost time,” he reminded.
Arissa nodded and let Tim continue the conversation. Then, she asked Edwin to pack the food and went upstairs.
“Ah! I forgot!” Arissa suddenly realized she forgot to fill up their water bottles.
“Sweethearts!” she shouted from the staircase. “Go get you water! Sorry, I forgot!”
“Yes, Mommy!” the kids, except for Tim, answered and quickly went to get their own water.
Arissa hurriedly went upstairs to get changed.
Worried that the children might be scalded by the water, Benjamin went to help them up.
“Can someone pass me Tim’s bottle?” he asked.
Gavin passed Tim’s bottle to Benjamin.
“Make sure you take care of your siblings at school,” Benjamin said as he filled up the bottle.
“I will, Daddy,” the responsible Gavin promised with a firm nod.
Since it was almost time for them to leave, Edwin put the lunch boxes Arissa had packed earlier into the kids’ schoolbags.
“Make sure you all finish the food Mrs. Graham prepared during the break,” the butler reminded the children.
“Mommy’s the best!” a few of them exclaimed.
When Benjamin heard that, he glanced at the children, feeling unappreciated.
Zachary laughed when he spotted Benjamin’s gloomy expression.
The kid asked, “Mr. Graham, are you jealous of Mommy?”
“Jealous? Why would I be jealous of her?” Benjamin blurted out.
“You’re jealous because we’re close with her!”
The child hit the nail on the head. Benjamin’s face twitched when he heard that.
Gavin, Oliver, Jasper, and Jesse giggled at the man.
When Tim saw that everyone was about to leave, he bid Mary goodbye reluctantly and came over.
“I’m done!” he said.
Chapter 727 Jesse Is Cuter Than Her Brothers
“We’re still waiting for Mommy, so you can continue to talk to Great-grandaunt,” Gavin said. Tim shook his head shyly and replied, “It’s okay. I already hung up.”
After all, it would cost money to talk over the phone. “Tim, you don’t have to worry about Great-grandaunt. Mr. Bailey will take good care of her. You just need to focus on your studies,” Benjamin assured his son when he saw that he was quiet.
“All right,” Tim said with a nod. Since they were still waiting for Arissa, Benjamin sat down on the couch, facing the six of them.
“Call me or your mommy if you guys need anything at school. Behave yourselves and obey the school rules,” he reminded them.
The six children nodded obediently.
“Drink some water before you guys leave.”
Speaking, Benjamin got up to pour each of them a glass of water.
The children drank their water obediently while they waited for Arissa.
“Uncle Kingsley?” one of them cried out suddenly.
Kingsley, who had just finished his rounds, came into the house covered in sweat. He was panting heavily. The children were surprised to see him there.
“What happened to you? Why are you drenched?” Oliver questioned.
Kingsley smiled as he came over to the table, drinking from the glass of water closest to him. In fact, he quaffed down two glasses in a go without even asking whose those glasses of water were.
After catching his breath, he finally said, “Look at me. I’m exhausted. Poor me, right?”
Feeling puzzled, the children looked at him and then at one another. “Yeah,” they replied in unison.
Kingsley then glared at Benjamin in dissatisfaction.
Benjamin was sitting on the couch as he glanced back at Kingsley without saying a word.
That was enough to shut Kingsley up.
He smiled as he looked at the six children, who were dressed immaculately in their uniforms and were all seated in upright positions on the couch.
The smile on his face deepened. He felt an urge to just pinch their chubby cheeks.
Kingsley took a seat beside Jesse.
When Jesse saw Kingsley sitting down on the couch, she quickly distanced herself.
“Mr. Watts, you’re so dirty. Don’t come near us.”
Gavin frowned and spoke his mind brazenly.
Zachary, Oliver, and Jasper simply pinched their noses and remained silent.
Kingsley was heartbroken when he saw how the kids were disgusted by him.
When he realized that Tim was the only one who did not react the same way, he felt he was somewhat comforted.
“Why are your clothes wet?” Tim could not help but ask Kingsley when he saw the latter looking at him.
The man sighed.
“Well, your daddy is the one to blame. He made me run for fifty rounds!” Kingsley complained, lying down on the couch.
Gavin and Zachary were shocked.
“Fifty rounds?” Jasper exclaimed.
“That’s forty kilometers!”
Kingsley smiled helplessly, secretly shooting a glare at Benjamin, who was having coffee nonchalantly.
Benjamin put down his cup, and that action of his caused Kingsley to flinch.
He took that as a warning to stop blaming Benjamin, so he turned toward the kids instead.
“So, you guys are going to school?”
“Yes!” Jesse nodded. “We had taken breakfast. What about you? Have you had your breakfast?”
Kingsley felt the girl was very kind to ask. “No, I haven’t. Do you have some food for me?”
Jesse looked at the lethargic man and pitied him, so she passed him a plate of fruits on the coffee table.
“I’ll ask Mr. Whitley if there’s any food available.”
“Thank you! You’re an angel, Jesse!” Kingsley remarked with a teary look on his face.
The girl ran into the kitchen to look for the butler.
Kingsley’s gaze trailed the girl, and a smile crept over his lips.
He thought that Jesse was way cuter than her brothers.
Opposite Kingsley, Benjamin glared at him and then looked toward the staircase.
Why is Arissa taking so long?
“I’ll go get your mommy,” he said to the children, getting up from his seat.
The five children wanted to follow as well, but Kingsley stopped them.
“You guys had better not go, or your dad will be very angry,” he noted.
“No, he won’t!” Gavin retorted, but he still sat back on the couch as he was told.
Kingsley laughed. What a prideful child.
“Well, you can try if you don’t believe me.”
Chapter 728 He Can Finally Go To School
“What don’t you go in our stead?” Oliver suggested. Kingsley’s face froze. “Never.” Kingsley was still scarred from what had happened last time. He was certain Benjamin would forbid him from entering the house if he were to go up then.
Very soon, Jesse came back with a plate of snacks. “Mr. Watts, Mr. Whitley said this is all we have, and you can have it.” “Thank you so much, Jesse!”
Kingsley took the plate from her and started eating. The children watched him eat until the butler came and gave them a cup of yogurt while they waited for their parents.
Meanwhile, Arissa was tying her hair when Benjamin entered the room.
He leaned against the door with his hands in his pockets, gazing intently at her.
“Still not done?”
“Almost!” she said, turning to look at him.
She had already changed into new clothes, and she just needed to put on a bit of makeup.
As Benjamin fixed his gaze on her, Arissa swiftly finished everything in a few minutes and grabbed a handbag, preparing to leave the room.
“I’m done.”
Benjamin tilted his head and stared at her face.
“What’s wrong?” Arissa asked, alerted.
Benjamin grabbed her waist and planted a kiss on her lips.
Arissa could feel her heart skip a beat.
“You look perfect,” Benjamin replied in all seriousness.
His answer elicited a hue of pink on her cheeks, and they left together.
They were met with everyone’s gazes when they went down.
Kingsley’s smile deepened when he saw Benjamin holding Arissa’s hands.
Well, whatever it is, I have to say they look good together.
Even the children’s eyes were glued to their beautiful mother.
“Mommy! You look so beautiful!” Gavin said as he stared unblinkingly at his mother.
Arissa smiled at the boy. “You look handsome too, Sweetheart!”
Gavin chuckled.
The rest of the children praised, “Mommy, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“And all of you are the most handsome boys I’ve ever seen!” Arissa replied smilingly.
A sweet smile spread across her face when she saw her children happy and lively.
Benjamin could not help but feel jealous of the children.
She has never smiled at me that way.
“My sweethearts, have you filled up your water bottles?” Arissa asked.
The children nodded.
“Yes, Daddy had it done for us.”
“Have you all gotten your lunch boxes from Mr. Whitley?”
Arissa went over to check the children’s schoolbags.
“Yes, we have, Mommy,” Zachary replied.
Arissa nodded. Then, she lifted three of the schoolbags in each hand.
They were heavy after the children put in their water bottles.
“Let’s go!” she said, heading out.
“I can take mine, Ms. York!” Tim said, taking his own schoolbag from Arissa.
Arissa glanced at him and asked, “Isn’t it heavy, Tim?”
Tim shook his head. “No. I can carry it.”
Tim looked happy to be carrying his own schoolbag. Deep in his heart, he felt grateful that he was finally able to attend school.
He was so excited that his cheeks flushed red.
Arissa read his mind and let him have his schoolbag.
Right then, Benjamin walked over to her and took the other five schoolbags from her. “You bring the kids to the car.”
Feeling relieved, she beckoned the children over.
Kingsley followed the children out with the plate of snacks in his hand. He could not have enough of the lovable bunch.
He especially adored how cute they sounded when they were calling their mother.
“Mommy, are you going to the hospital to visit Great-grandaunt after you send us to school?”
“Yes.”
“Then, are you picking us up after school?”
“Yes!” Upon hearing Arissa’s reply, the children were elated.
“I want to send them to school too!” Kingsley said with a grin.
Benjamin eyed him in distaste.
“You’re going like this?”
Chapter 729 Swooning Over The Children
“I have some clothes in the car. I’ll just change into them,” Kingsley said, feeling hurt. Benjamin snorted coldly while Arissa carried the children to the car’s backseat.
After stowing away the children’s schoolbags, Benjamin helped her with getting the kids into the car. Then, he put on their seatbelts. “Go and sit in front,” he said to Arissa, making sure to check that the children were seated properly before closing the car door.
Arissa turned to him and asked, “You’re driving?”
“Do you want to drive?” Benjamin raised his eyebrows with a hint of a devilish look in his eyes. “I don’t mind,” Arissa replied eagerly.
“You’ll sit in the front passenger seat.”
With that, he opened the door to the front passenger seat and motioned for her to get in.
Arissa pursed her lips, then bent down and climbed into the car.
When she saw him moving to put on the seatbelt for her, she quickly grabbed it and buckled it herself.
Benjamin paused for a moment. Then, seeing that she had turned to talk to the children, he shut the door and went to the driver’s seat.
“Is everyone in their seats? I’m going to start driving now.”
All six children glanced at him and chorused in unison, “Yes!”
They were very excited, since Benjamin seldom drove, and every now and then, they would sneak a peek at him.
Benjamin caught sight of it through the rearview mirror, and his usually unsmiling lips curved slightly upward.
Arissa also smiled when she saw them peeking at him.
“What’s so funny?” Benjamin asked, casting her a quick look.
Arissa was in high spirits and answered happily, “Oh, nothing!”
His smile grew wider. “Did you bring the things for Grandaunt?”
“Yes. I brought everything,” she answered with a nod.
With Edwin in charge of preparing the things, I don’t have to worry about a thing. Everything was placed in the car in advance.
After murmuring an acknowledgment, Benjamin shifted his focus back to driving.
Arissa gazed at him for a while, then leaned back in her seat to rest.
The weather was exceptionally fair that day, and they drove out of Yaleview as the sun rose in the east.
Arissa happened to look at the rearview mirror and spotted a car behind them. “I think Mr. Watts is behind us,” she told Benjamin.
“Yes,” Benjamin answered flatly.
As she gazed at his calm demeanor, she could not help thinking that he was just as cold and aloof to his own friends.
Jasper was a chatterbox and could not bear the silence, so he blurted out, “Mommy, Daddy made Mr. Watts run fifty laps as punishment!”
Arissa glanced at Benjamin with a smile, then turned to look at the six kids.
“Where did he run laps?”
“At our house!” Gavin revealed, snickering.
Arissa was momentarily stunned. She had been busy in the kitchen and attending to the children as they ate that she had not noticed anything.
No wonder Kingsley was covered in sweat when I saw him earlier.
“Why did you punish Mr. Watts?” she enquired, feeling rather curious.
Benjamin looked up and glanced at Arissa through the rearview mirror.
“I did it because he deserved to be punished.”
The corners of Arissa’s lips twitched.
Then, she turned in her seat to ask the children, “Sweethearts, do you know the reason for the punishment?”
The six of them shook their heads.
“We don’t know either, Mommy. Mr. Watts wouldn’t tell us.”
Arissa laughed. It must’ve been something mortifying if Kingsley was too embarrassed to talk about it.
“Sit properly,” Benjamin reminded gently, and she turned back to face the front.
Her eyes flicked toward the man driving with full concentration, then at the rearview mirror.
She could not refrain from beaming at the sight of the adorable children in the back, and a loving expression spread across her face.
My precious children are so good-looking. They could be the face of anything!
Benjamin frowned when he noticed the besotted look in her eyes and snorted coldly.
Is she seriously swooning over the children right now? With a man like me sitting right next to her, why doesn’t she look this way?
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at their destination.
Arissa hurried out of the car as soon as it rolled to a stop. Then, she opened the rear passenger door and started carrying the children down from the vehicle.
Benjamin also alighted from the car and helped the three older children down before getting their schoolbags.
Since the schoolbags all looked similar, he could not tell which one belonged to whom.
Gavin knew with just one glance that Benjamin did not remember, so he reached for his schoolbag and slung it over his shoulders.
Chapter 730 Which Schoolbag Belongs To Whom
Tim followed suit and shouldered his schoolbag too. Zachary even shot Benjamin a disdainful look as he reached for his bag. At a loss for words, Benjamin took the three remaining schoolbags over to Arissa.
“Sweethearts, hurry up and wear your schoolbags.” Taking the schoolbags from him, Arissa handed them to the children so they could wear their schoolbags themselves. Benjamin turned to look at her. “Do you know which schoolbag belongs to whom?”
Arissa glanced at him. “Of course!” she answered as if that were the most natural thing in the world. Hearing that, Benjamin studied the schoolbags that all looked identical to him.
Meanwhile, Arissa bent down to smoothen the children’s clothes and check that their schoolbags were on straight. Noticing that Tim was looking around at his surroundings warily, she patted his head gently and asked, “Are you feeling nervous?”
Tim bit his lip. Since he was in a new environment, he still felt a little hesitant. Arissa gave him a quick hug. “Don’t worry. Just follow your brothers. You’ll feel much more at home after a few days.”
I can understand how he’s feeling. I was like that too when I was younger. I’d feel curious about a new environment but also terrified at the same time. Even after familiarizing myself with the school, I’d still get that feeling at the start of every new semester. That feeling is what people usually classify as homesickness.
Gavin tugged at Tim’s hand and said encouragingly, “Don’t be scared, Tim. We’ll protect you!”
Tim nodded. “All right.”
“Just follow the five of them, and you’ll be fine. If there’s something you’re unsure about, you can ask them,” Benjamin added, caressing Tim’s head.
“Okay,” Tim answered, nodding. Arissa’s heart ached as she sensed his uneasiness, and she gave him a kiss on his forehead.
“You can learn many things in school, and there are lots of fun things to do. You can even make new friends. The day will fly by quickly!”
“I wasn’t used to it on the first day either, Tim. I just followed the others. You don’t have to worry because we’ll all be together. We’ll have class together, go to the washroom together, and eat together. We won’t be apart!” Jesse added, lisping as she spoke and spraying Tim’s face with her saliva. However, he did not mind at all.
In fact, he replied gently, “Okay!”
Arissa stroked his hair and led the kids toward the school.
Slipping on a pair of sunglasses, Benjamin took the other children by their hands and followed her to the school gate.
A number of parents and children turned and stared at them in amazement.
“Why do they suddenly have another child?” someone wondered aloud.
“The child also looks just like the other five!”
“Did they give birth to five or six children? The other kid that’s a little tanned is quite skinny. It looks like he’s malnourished. Why haven’t we seen him with the others before?” another remarked.
“I’m so envious that they have another child!”
“They’re so amazing to be able to have so many children in one go!”
At that moment, Robert came over with the school’s administrators to greet them.
“Ah, Mr. Graham. Why didn’t you let us know you were coming?”
Robert broke out in a cold sweat as he had not expected Benjamin to send the children over that early.
The incident where the children had gone missing from the school was still fresh in his mind, and since it had happened not too long ago, he was worried that Benjamin would still want to pursue the matter.
I have just terminated a team of management staff. If I mess up again, I might not even be able to retain my position as principal.
“We’re just dropping them off.”
Although Benjamin’s voice was cold, he did not sound angry.
He also possessed an imposing aura that came naturally to him and caused others to submit to him subconsciously.
“Yes, of course, Mr. Graham. This way please, Ms. York,” Robert said in a respectful tone, inviting them into the school grounds.
After greeting Robert, Arissa said, “Mr. William, all six of my children will be studying here in the future, so I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to take good care of them.”
Robert relaxed considerably at Arissa’s warm smile.
“Don’t worry, Ms. York,” he promptly replied as he walked alongside them.
“Is all the paperwork completed?” Benjamin queried.
Robert tensed up again. “Yes, everything has been done. Tim can follow the others straight to the classroom.”
“What about his textbooks?” Benjamin reminded in a deep voice.