Tying A Tie For Benjamin
“Jesse, can I hold you?” Edwin asked, reaching out for the girl.
Jesse shook her head and dodged Edwin’s outstretched arms.
Arissa smiled in amusement and said to her daughter, “Mr. Whitley wants to hold you. Won’t you let
him?”
“No! I want Mommy to hold me!”
Jesse wrapped her little arms around Arissa and pressed her face into her neck, inhaling her mother’s
scent happily.
Mommy smells so good!
Benjamin frowned when he saw her blissful expression.
It’s unbecoming for a child to be so attached to her mother.
“Sweetheart, your mommy has been carrying you for a long time. Her arms are tired. Why don’t you
walk on your own?” Benjamin said with a frown.
Jesse glanced at Benjamin and saw his serious expression. Guilt flooded into her little heart.
She whispered to Arissa, “Mommy, you can put me down now! I can walk!”
Arissa noticed Jesse’s timid expression. She turned and saw the stern look on Benjamin’s face.
He says he wants to bond with the children and yet, he treats them so sternly…
“Mommy, we’re done! Let’s go and have breakfast!” Gavin said, running over with his three younger
brothers.
“Let’s go then!”
Arissa put Jesse on her feet.
The five children excitedly ran ahead and obediently climbed onto their designated chairs.
Benjamin pulled out a chair for Arissa. “Sit here!”
Arissa glanced at him strangely. Benjamin ignored her, pulled her over, and nudged her into the seat.
“Let’s eat!” Benjamin said to the children as he sat down in his place.
The butler had prepared a sumptuous spread for their breakfast. The five children thanked him happily.
Then, they turned to Arissa and said, “Mommy, let’s eat!”
“Hurry up and eat!”
Arissa smiled back at them, but she did not pick up her fork until her children had started digging in.
Benjamin watched them eat and felt his own stomach grumbling. He began tucking in himself.
After breakfast, Arissa wanted to send the children to school, but they refused to let her.
“Mommy, you don’t have to trouble yourself! We can go to school on our own!” Gavin insisted.
“Yes, Mommy. You should rest at home; you’re not feeling well. You don’t have to send us!” Zachary
chimed in.
“Mommy, you should go back to sleep. If you feel any discomfort, remember to get Mr. Whitley, okay?”
Oliver reminded her.
“Mommy, don’t worry about getting us to school. You can come to pick us up in the afternoon after
you’ve had a good rest!” Jasper said.
“It’s cold outside, Mommy! Go into the house quickly and close the door! Don’t let the cold wind get
you!” Jesse said, pushing her mother towards the door.
Arissa’s heart melted at the concern shown by her five children.
“Okay, then, get in the car quickly!” she urged. “I’ll go inside after you kids go to school!”
She picked up their schoolbags and nudged them towards the car.
Benjamin opened the car door for the five children to get in. Then, he took their schoolbags from Arissa
and put them away in the trunk of the car.
“Settle in and buckle up your seatbelts!” Benjamin reminded the children.
The five of them obediently buckled in and sat quietly in their seat.
They waved goodbye to Arissa who was standing by the front door.
“Bye, Mommy!”
“Goodbye, my sweethearts! Be good at school!” Arissa waved back at them with a smile.
“Yes, Mommy!” Zachary shouted back at her and smiled happily.
Benjamin closed the car door and turned to Arissa.
“I’ll drive them to school. You rest at home. Don’t worry about work. I’ll get Ethen to take care of it.”
“Thank you, Mr. Graham!” Arissa nodded thankfully.
Benjamin glanced at her. He pulled out his necktie from his pocket and handed it to her.
“Help me tie this!”
Arissa’s eyes widened in surprise. She looped the tie around his neck and formed a neat knot.
Benjamin bent his knees slightly so she would not have to tiptoe.
Arissa tightened the knot lightly around his neck.
They were standing so close that she could feel his warm breath on her cheeks.
Arissa took a step back and lowered her eyes shyly.
Benjamin gazed at her timid expression. She was a beauty, and his heart melted just a little.
He stretched out his hand and gently tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.
Arissa raised her head and found herself looking into Benjamin’s brooding eyes.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda