It'll Come Naturally novel Chapter 38

"No, you need to eat dinner first. You'll get a tummy ache." Edward was very stubborn about certain things, like now -- when he said no, he meant no. He would not budge.

"Okay." The little boy never really wanted any ice cream. He just wanted to vent his anger and divert Edward's attention away from Mary.

Rain, on the other hand, completely ignored what was happening around. He was too busy finding all the expensive, delicate and light food on the menu. The bar tab had cost him plenty last night! He was going to make sure that he ate well enough to make up for that.

Edward surely knew what Rain was thinking. But he kept quiet and just let Rain keep grinding his ax. He had more money than patience, after all. But when all the dishes were served, he was shocked. It was far too much. There was no way they could finish all of the food. He may be rich, but waste was no good virtue.

"Uncle Rain, are you sure you can eat all of this?" Justin looked at him excitedly. He really expected Rain to answer. He was still young, and believed the world revolved around him.

"No, I can't eat them all. But I want to try a little of everything." Rain said in a careless way. He just wanted to taste them all. Anyway there was no rule that whoever ordered had to finish the dishes.

Unbelievable! 'Rain, if you can't eat that much, why did you order them? Don't you know waste is a vice? I want to try them as well, but I won't order that much.' Justin protested in his mind.

"Uncle Rain, you are shameless. Wasting food is a bad thing." Justin stared at him sarcastically as if he was some convicted criminal.

"I am not as brazen as Edward." Who could be more brazen than Edward?!

Edward was embarrassed. He did nothing. Why did Rain get him involved? Rain was too focused on one upmanship. He let Justin draw him in.

"Son, just ignore him. He is like a refugee now. He needs his food." Edward's words hit the bull's eye.

Mary gaped at Edward fetching food for Justin. He was so sweet and caring, but not to her. She grew jealous.

"Auntie, why don't you eat? Don't you like the food? Uncle Rain seems to be enjoying it very much." Justin's words just hit two birds with one stone. On one hand, he seemed to be caring for Mary; but on the other, he derided Rain. Rain blushed, embarrassed. He grabbed some water from the table, hoping to swallow his reply along with the liquid.

"The food is great. It's just I'm not hungry yet." Mary thought she had replied tactfully, but that was not how others saw it. 'If you weren't hungry, why did you tag along ?'

Finally, the dinner was over amid the battle of words. They went back the company without Mary as she said she had something else to do. In fact, she went home to find a strategy.

Her exit made Justin the happiest, of course, as he successfully kicked Mary a safe distance away from Edward.