Third person’s point of view.
(Humphrey’s Home)
Arthur paced to and fro in their small living room, with his fingernails tucked between his teeth as he bite on them thoughtfully.
He slumped on a sofa and reached for the TV’s remote control, he turned on the TV and searched through the channels absentmindedly, until his favourite show popped up.
Even though his favourite show was going on, he couldn’t stop himself from glancing at the kitchen where his mom was cooking breakfast -his conversation with Alpha Jarek flashed back and he groaned.
He took a deep breath, ran his fingers through his hair a few times and got up. He stretched his body slightly and finally decided to approach her.
“My dearest mom” he called when he entered the kitchen.
“Yeah, my sweetest son” his mom called back, there’s a hint of mockery in words.
Arthur looked at the counter, he’s searching for something very simple he could help his mother with and his eyes landed on some carrots in a bowl.
“Have you washed those carrots? Can I wash them for you? Or you wanna dice them like that?” he asked.
His mom paused and gave him a strange look, she knew he’s being nice and obedient because he’s up to something, but she doesn’t know what he’s up to.
“You wanna ask for money, right?” she pointed her knife at her.
He chuckled, shook his head and pushed her knife down.
“I just wanna help you with no returns” he reached for the carrots. “You’ve been working too hard recently and…”
“Enough with the flattering” she cut him off. “If you’re looking for money to give your girlfriend, then forget about it” she growled at him.
He laughed at his mother’s words.
“Mom, I don’t even have a girlfriend, your daughter has chased off all my girlfriends” he sighed.
“Good, wash the carrots” his mother ordered him.
“Yes, ma’am” he started washing the carrots.
He moved away when his mother poured some vegetable oil in a pan, he reached for the bowl of carrots and moved it away from its position.
“Mom, aren’t you tired of being single?” he asked out of the blue.
His mother frowned at his question, she regulated the gas before turning to face him.
“Are you ok, Arthur? Is that a kind of question you should be asking your mother?” she queried him.
Arthur cleared his throat lightly.
“I’m not trying to interfere in your love life, mom, because it’s gross”
He gagged which earned him a smack on the head, but he laughed it off.
“But you’ve been single and lonely since dad passed away, don’t you miss him?”
His mother’s eyes subconsciously moved towards their family photo, it was hanging on the wall in the kitchen -near the window.
“I do miss him, but…”
“Right” Arthur cut in. “There’s always a but” he said.
His mother narrowed her eyes.
“But I’ve been doing great on my own, I don’t let you or your sister lack of anything and I’ve made sure you and your sister have everything your kids your age has… ” she leaned forward while Arthur leaned back. “… so, I see no need for this discussion you’re trying to initiate” she said and straightened up.
Arthur also straightened up, adjusted his jacket and puffed out some air.
“Alright” he muttered.
Then another moment of silence fell on them, but silence and Arthur seems to a very bad combination… he broke the silence within seconds.
“Mom, I’m not trying to poke nose here but… if you’re given an opportunity would you remarry?” he asked.
His mother let out a frustrated sigh, she dropped the spatula she was holding and held the counter.
“Arthur, is there an ulterior motive behind this conversation?”
He laughed.
“Of course not, I just want my mom to find happiness again, that’s what every good son would want for their single mom” he said.
“Happiness?” she asked.
“Yeah” he answered.
“I’m not complaining and I am happy being a single mom, besides, my kids aren’t so young anymore that they’d need a dad to attend their schools activities…”
“I do” Arthur interrupted her and her brows furrowed.
“You do?”
“Yeah” his mom tilted her head in confusion. “I mean, I don’t need him to attend school activities or stuff but…” he trailed off when he realized he’s going out of the point. “… the conclusion of the matter is, I want you to have a man in your life because I’m leaving soon”
“You’re leaving soon?” he nodded. “Where are you going?”
He grinned and scratched the back of his neck nervously, he’s thinking of what to say to convince her into having a new husband -more precisely, marry Alpha Jarek.
“Er…”
“Er.. what?”
He coughed lightly.
“I’ll turn eighteen soon and also find my mate soon, don’t you think you’d be lonely by that time?” He moved closer to her and threw an arm around her shoulder. “Look, mom, I won’t be able to stay with you everyday once I find my mate and you might go into depression which is something we don’t want…”
“Your point is?”
“My point is…” he trailed off and moved away from her, but didn’t say anything -it seemed like he’s finding it hard to say whatever he wanna say.
“Don’t tell me you already arranged a new husband for me in your heart”
Arthur grinned widely and nodded as he clapped his hands.
“You’re truly my mother, you know me so well” he twisted his lips. “I have a recommendation”
“A recommendation? Who’s that?” she asked cluelessly, but just a glance at her one can tell she already has an idea who Arthur has in mind.
“I’ll tell you, but first, you must promise you won’t beat me with that stick” he pointed the spatula on the counter.
Mrs Humphrey’s eyes moved to the spatula, she quickly snatched it from the counter and narrowed her eyes.
“Are you going to say it?!”
Arthur grinned widely that anyone who saw him would think his cheeks are hurting him, he made to take few steps away from his mother, but she was quick enough to catch his hand, hence he couldn’t escape.
“Say it!” she growled at him.
He gulped quietly.
“It’s.. it’s Alpha Jarek” he murmured very lowly but his mother heard him.
She let go of his hand at once as her cheeks flamed up and she turned away from him immediately, letting her back face him, then she cleared her throat loudly.
“You’re so full of nonsense everyday, that’s a very expensive joke and it should end here” she said.
“It’s not a joke, mom” he paused. “I’ve asked Alpha Jarek and he agreed…” he trailed off as he tried to get a reaction from his mother.
“Agreed to what?” she asked with her back still facing him.
“He said you loves you and…”
“He said he loves me?!” she interrupted him at once in an overjoyed tone.
Arthur’s eyebrows knitted together at his mother’s reaction, he wasn’t expecting a fan girl reaction like this from his mother.
Does that means mom has a crush on Alpha Jarek too? He wondered.
Wow! That should mean I can finally be the future Alpha of Evergreen pack! Yay!! He screamed mentally, but he was brought back to reality when his mother smacked his head
“Did Alpha Jarek really said he loves me?” she asked him again, but in a much quieter tone.
“Yeah”
“Oh”
“You’re blushing, mom”
“No, I’m not” his mother denied.
He reached forward and touched her cheek.
“See, your whole face is red and…”
His mother slapped his hand away.
“Get out of my kitchen”
“Wait, what should I tell Alpha Jarek? That you agree to marry him?” he asked.
“Shut up, boy, marriage is not something you can joke with” then she reached for a mop, but Arthur was already out before she could use it on him.
“This boy” she shook her head.
Arthur’s words replayed in her mind and she couldn’t help but giggled loudly, like a teenager who just touched her crush for the first time.