When All Is Said And Done (Completed)

The Bond Between Them

Choi Sang-hyeon removed his eye mask as he sat up in bed feeling more tired than he was when he slept last night. Sighing deeply, he got out of the covers and checked his phone. There are three messages coming from his classmates but the message he's anticipating to get is not in his inbox.

He tried contacting her once again but this time, he only sent a morning greeting. And the reply came instantly. He smiled and sent her another message asking her if they could meet later since it's a Saturday. To his delight, she said yes.

The first time he met his older sister, she was awkward with him. Of course he knew already that she has autism but it amazed him that she is not what he expected for someone with autism. Though she has difficulty in interacting with people, he can tell that she's an amazing person. He liked her instantly because of how mature she thinks and how defiant and righteous she is.

Feeling excited with his meeting with Woo Young Woo, he took a shower less than half of the time he usually spends in there and got dressed with the speed of someone who is going on a date.

The breakfast table was awfully quiet and lonely when he reached the dining hall. His father is away for a business trip and won't be coming until next week. To his surprise, his mother is already waiting for him. Grim expression on her usually smirking face.

"Good morning...Mom." He greeted her to alert her of his presence because she's spacing again.

"Oh, Sang-hyeon. Come on, let's have breakfast." She said and he complied.

The table was only set for one, this made him think that she already had hers or just wanted only coffee for her breakfast.

"I hope you're not going to some play stations again to have fun with your pals. I do not restrict you in anything, Sang-hyeon. I just want you not to be in the company of bad people. Remember what happened with the CEO of Raon? Let that be a lesson for you."

He winced at that. His mother is one hell of a lawyer, she's ultrasmart and shrewd. He can not beat her in any argument and truth be told, he doesn't want to be in disagreement with her. That one time when he blurted out about his sister is something he doesn't want to repeat again. He can't forget his mother's reaction and it sometimes haunts him. She is formidable, strong, and dependable. She never fell short of being a good mom but the horror in her face back then made him regret reasoning out with her.

She always wanted what's best for him by allowing him to choose what he wants but not to the extent that he may become a spoiled kid. When he did something wrong, she scolds him and gives him appropriate punishments. She teaches him that every bad thing he does, there's always a consequence. And he is grateful for that because at a very young age, he came to understand the law.

"You don't have to remind me every time, Mom." He said as he ate. "I always keep that in mind."

"That's a relief." His mother muttered.

He watched as Tae Su-Mi took a sip and glance at the television, and to his surprise again, it was off. That is why it is unusually quiet.

"Do you have plans for today?" She asked him when her eyes went back to him again, and caught him staring at her. "Why? Is there something on my face?"

He shook his head in response but remembered his mother's lecture that he should always answer properly. "No. Nothing wrong with your face."

"What's going on with you?" She asked, squinting her eyes on him like scrutinizing his thoughts as if she could read them. "You're acting a bit off."

Sang-hyeon swallowed his food first, "I'm going to meet Atty. Woo Young Woo today."

Just as he expected, Tae Su-Mi froze in her seat, like literally not moving at all except for the breathing but even then, it was hard for her. For a few seconds, they stayed that way.