"If I'm a baby boy in her phone, then it's only fair she's a mom, right? But 'mom' sounds too formal… not cute. 'Mommy' sounds better."
That was all that went through Arthur's head when he saved her number like that.
Now, he sat quietly, a bit confused, glancing at Natalia, who looked—was that annoyance? Displeasure?
He couldn't tell.
What if she doesn't like it?
Still… he wasn't going to change it. Hmmph!
As the silence in the car stretched longer, Arthur started to feel guilty—despite how insistent he'd been just moments ago.
But... he wasn't going to back down.
The growing silence was finally broken when Natalia's phone rang, snapping both of them out of their thoughts.
"It's Uncle Kevin," Arthur said after checking the screen, then looked at Natalia. She just gave a quick nod and gestured for him to answer.
"Hello, it's me."
"Little guy?"
"Yeh, yeah. Old man, you ditched me! We could've gone to the mall together."
Arthur pouted.
"Really? If we'd gone together, I'm sure we wouldn't make it out before dinner. I know you too well."
"So that's how you see me? Not cool, Uncle. Not cool."
Arthur faked a dramatic sigh, and Uncle Kevin laughed from the other end.
"If you're worried about your ice cream, don't be. It's safe in the fridge. You just have to come home."
"Really?! Thank you, Uncle Kevin! You're the best!"
"Heh! No need for all that sweet talk. Where are you two anyway?"
"Uh… just passed the children's park."
"Alright then. Drive safe."
After hanging up, Arthur debated whether to hand the phone back to Natalia or keep it with him until they got home.
He peeked at her—but she didn't even glance his way.
So he pouted and faced forward too.
The rest of the ride was filled with silence. Arthur, naturally chatty, felt the discomfort much more than Natalia, who actually preferred quiet moments.
Though… she didn't mind him being so chatty.
She already got used to it as yesterday, there wasn't a moment Arthur wasn't talking when he was left alone with her mom or dad. And god, he was loud too.
She already knew he was chatty, loud, very spoiled and needs constant attention.
Also, those were a few Natalia hated in people.
But, surprise! She couldn't bring herself to dislike him let alone hating him.
"Sigh…"
Natalia's thoughts were cut off by Arthur's exaggerated sigh—and the not-so-subtle side glances he'd been throwing her for a while.
She noticed. But she didn't react.
Because if she did… she feared she'd end up making this guy pout and probably do something a bit unhinged again.
Seriously, she might lose her mind if she stayed near this omega any longer.
"My phone."
When they finally arrived home, Natalia spoke up. But Arthur had completely forgotten he was still holding her phone.
When she asked, he blinked at her, totally blank for a few seconds until realization hit.
Natalia now had solid proof why her mom called him an "airhead."
God, he was so dumb.
'But it feels wrong to call him dumb. He's cute, after all… But I can't just excuse his behavior because of that. How has he survived on his own this long?'
Natalia watched as Arthur carefully looked down at the phone in his lap, then handed it over like he was returning something sacred.
She couldn't tell if he was trying to be funny or if this was just genuinely him.
'Okay… at least he's a very cute idiot.'
She took the phone back, then watched, confused, as Arthur didn't get out of the car.
"We're home," she reminded him.
Arthur looked around—though he already knew that—then said in an oddly polite voice,
"Ah. Thank you for the ride."
Natalia raised an eyebrow.
'So polite?'
This was the most well-behaved she had seen him since yesterday.
'I don't like it…'
It caught her off guard.
'Natalia... you've officially gone crazy.'
She brushed off her own thoughts as she had this urge to tease him and make him blush like he always does.
Natalia then held out her hand, palm open.
"My payment for the ride."
Natalia said casually.
"P-payment? I don't have any money on me…"
"Don't lie. I saw Dad give you some this morning. You couldn't have spent that much."
"B-but it's mine now! Why are you trying to steal it?"
Arthur hugged his bag like she might snatch it from him. Natalia felt a bit insulted by that—but she brought it on herself.
"Calling me a thief again?"
"Well… aren't you? I didn't ask you to pick me up. Besides, Uncle never asks for payment."
"Exactly. I'm not Uncle. I am a thief. So I need payment."
"I'm not giving you money."
"I don't want money."
"W-what do you want then?"
Arthur stuttered.
Natalia smirked, her gaze fixed on him. And, Arthur squirmed under the weight of her eyes, trying to look anywhere but at her.
'I feel mean, but… god, it's so fun to make him blush.'
"What do you think I want?"
She asked. Arthur stared at her like he was trying to solve a riddle.
He looked so serious.
"You're so slow."
Natalia muttered.
"Well… I don't know much about you, so… what do you like?"
Arthur asked, genuinly curious and excited.
"Haa… I don't want much. Mom told me you made necklaces for them?"
"Ah… D-do you want one too?"
"Yeah."
Natalia rarely asked for things like this. But she didn't feel embarrassed either.
And, it seemed like Arthur was very happy by her request from the way he beamed.
"I will make one!"
Arthur grinned, eyes lighting up again.
"Then will I be able to wear it to tonight's dinner? Do you need more time?"
Arthur's face twisted into something between disbelief and amazement. He hadn't expected her to care so much.
She wanted a necklace he makes...
'God...My chest hurts because it's beating so hard.'
Arthur's face flushed as he shook his head.
"I can make it. Alas, It's not like I make everything from scratch. I just attach pieces and make some unique looking ones."
"Well… however you make it, it's still made by you," she said, her voice steady, eyes flicking toward him. "I saw the one you did for my mom. It looked beautiful."
Arthur froze for a second, caught off guard by the praise.
He then nodded quickly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks."
Finally, he stepped out of the car after her, still riding the quiet high of her words.
'She praised me...'
Arthur giggled to himself and trailed behind her, only to get distracted again as his eyes drifted to her back. He didn't mean to stare—really, he didn't—but of course, he failed.
There was just something about the way she moved—confident, deliberate. The curve of her waist under that sharp button-up. Everything about her posture demanded attention, even if she never asked for it.
And… well, yeah. She had a big butt too.
'Okay, not bigger than mine—but come on, Arthur. Really? Her butt?'
'I'm getting creepy again. I need help. I seriously need help.'