"Hey, Teacher Arthur."
Arthur was about to go to his next class when a female teacher followed him. She and Arthur had shared brief conversations before, if he remembered correctly. So he was confused why she would follow him to talk to him.
"Is there any problem?"
Arthur asked politely as the other teacher sighed.
"I just wanted to let you know… Teacher Gavin is asking everyone if they've seen your alpha. I think you've become his new target. Just be careful. He will do everything to dig into your life now that he seems interested."
Ah… Teacher Gavin.
That old guy…
"Ah… thank you for telling me, teacher."
"Actually, he did the same to me. I came with my boyfriend one day, and apparently he saw us. Since then, he cornered me and kept asking about him all the time. I only got rid of him because I ended up telling him whatever he wanted to know."
The teacher said, and Arthur stared at her, deep in thought, realizing he had actually become the next object of his curiosity.
Gosh… this is so annoying.
"I see… thanks again for the warning."
Arthur kept thinking about it even while he was teaching in the classroom. He did everything to avoid Teacher Gavin, even taking extra work and teaching absent teachers' classrooms the whole day.
But slowly, the reality sank in as he realized how much of an issue this was going to be.
There was absolutely no peace for him at school.
The good feeling he had at the start of the day was now nowhere to be seen, as he had been running around avoiding Teacher Gavin while still thinking about what his next step should be.
Maybe he should file a complaint before it was too late?
But he was just a curious man and wasn't bothering him while he worked, so it might not be a valid complaint.
"Yaaay!"
As the final bell rang, the students cheerfully packed their bags. Arthur also quickly grabbed his things, signed his name, and rushed to the gate, now ignoring everything at school as he remembered Natalia was coming to pick him up and he didn't want to bring workplace stress out of the school.
'Is she here?'
Arthur looked around with a held-back smile, then noticed the familiar car at the back. He walked toward it, the smile now fully on his face.
But before long, he felt a tap on his back to which he didn't bother turning around and ignored, fearing it might be Teacher Gavin.
But it wasn't. Thankfully...
"Teacher Arthur!"
It was Jax.
The sweet boy.
Arthur paused and turned back, looking at the young boy curiously.
"Yeah?"
"I-I'm sorry I forgot to come earlier. This… we made this in class. I heard Auntie tell you like sweets."
"Ah… you could've kept that. It's alright."
"No. I wanted to share a piece of the cake. It's chocolate too. Please accept it."
"Ah… thank you, Jax."
Arthur patted the boy's shoulder and watched the carefully wrapped slice of chocolate cake before saying goodbye and rushing to Natalia.
He didn't think much of the boy, other than feeling grateful and proud that he remembered him. So, he also obviously didn't notice the boy staring at him leaving, cheeks flushed and smiling brightly.
Arthur put the cake in his bag, then opened the door, his smile hidden as nervous excitement settled in.
He slowly got in, sneaking a glance at Natalia, who seemed distracted by something ahead.
"…Mm… let's go?"
Arthur's voice broke the silence. Natalia turned to him, nodded, and started driving.
Somehow, it felt heavy, unlike in the morning and it seemed like she was in a bad mood.
'Maybe I should share that piece of cake with her? Sweets help moods…'
Arthur opened his bag and pulled out the cake, then turned to Natalia hesitantly.
"Mm… your friend's brother gave me a slice of chocolate cake. C-can I feed you a piece?"
Arthur watched Natalia turn to him for a moment, then stare at the cake in his hand before looking back at the road.
"You want to feed me?~"
Arthur blushed at Natalia's usual flirting tone and felt relieved she was back to her usual self.
"…Yes."
"Then do it, dear."
Arthur smiled secretly, savouring the word 'dear' as he grabbed a small piece, and carefully pushed it past her lips, making sure not to make a mess.
It was the first time he was feeding her, and he had to make sure he did it right.
He was so careful that his fingertips touched and stayed on Natalia's lips for way too long. Natalia teasingly pressed her lips, and Arthur felt his cold fingertips tremble. But he still didn't pull away. He watched her in a daze, gulping, face red.
"Don't just feed me. You eat too."
Only when Natalia spoke again did Arthur pull his hand back, nodding as he slowly took a piece himself.
He still watched her, the taste of chocolate not fazing him today. His eyes were locked on Natalia's lips and it's that sense of touch overpowering the chocalate taste today.
He wanted it again.
A taste.
A kiss.
Arthur looked out the window, unknowingly eating half of the piece in his attempt to distract himself.
Natalia noticed and secretly smiled, finding him adorable.
"So… you're not going to feed me anymore?"
Natalia wasn't done messing with Arthur, obviously...
"Ah… I'm sorry. Here."
Arthur leaned in again to feed her, but she held his hand, kissing it instead of taking the cake.
Arthur gulped, eyes wandering shyly as his stomach flipped in excitement.
By the time they were close to home, the cake was gone, but despite being careful, Natalia still had a little icing left at the corner of her lips.
She knew about it. She kept it there on purpose.
When Arthur noticed it he wasted three whole minutes hesitating and wondering how to approach it.
When he finally pointed it out, Natalia tilted her face toward him, satisfied with herself as she watched Arthur rub his ear.
Arthur's trembling fingers slowly reached her face, wiping the icing away so gently.
Now, Arthur stared at the icing on his fingertip, gulping, having the urge to just lick it in but before he could or he could gather the courage to do so, Natalia grabbed his hand, eyes never leaving him, and licked it gently as she then wiped his hand with her handkerchief.
Arthur's breath shook as he recalled the brief moment her tongue touching his finger now.
He wished she did it longer...
He wished her lips stayed on him longer...
Either way,
He was miserable now.
'G-god… I think I'm having a heart attack…'