Indebted To You (A BaekYeol Fanfic)

Part V

Baekhyun

I tried to stuff the thoughts of Chanyeol helping me with my tie into the depths of my mind. I tried to explain it away, thinking of any plausible reason that someone who clearly didn't like me would help me. I didn't really come up with anything, but I thought it was best to not overthink it or think about it at all really. As long as my dad and I were living in his house, he would always see us as intruders, people he needed to tolerate. There was really no use in me getting my hopes about us actually getting along. 

I managed to find my way to the dining room again, where I saw Mr. Park and Chanyeol. 

"Good morning, Baekhyun," Mr. Park said to me, smiling when he saw me enter the room. "Please, come sit. You're just in time for breakfast."

"Okay," I said, nodding and bowing faintly before tip-toeing my way over to a spot across from Chanyeol.

"I hope you slept well last night," he said as he put a napkin on his leg. "I'm sure you would have much rather been sleeping in your own bed, huh?"

"No, sir, I slept very well," I said, shaking my head a little. "You're very good at picking out mattresses. I felt like I was sleeping on a cloud."

He chuckled as he poured some milk into his coffee. "I can't take the credit for that. My late wife was in charge of decorating and furnishing the house when we first bought it, so it was all her." 

I smiled, though I was surprised to hear that Chanyeol had lost his mother, too. From the way he acted, so cold and recluse, I could tell the wound was still fresh for him, so I didn't bother continuing on that subject. 

My dad came into the dining room not long after I started eating to wish me luck on my first day at a new school. Mr. Park asked him if he wanted to join us for breakfast, but he politely declined and said he'd already eaten when he got up earlier. I thought he would be able to relax a little bit more now that we had a roof of our heads, but I guess he felt obligated to work even harder now so he wouldn't feel like a freeloader. Very typical of my dad, always thinking there was a price to someone's generosity.

"I called the school this morning to let them know they'd be getting a new student, so everything should be arranged for you when you get there," Mr. Park said after we had all finished eating. "I also told Chanyeol to make sure he's there to help you in any way you need until you get adjusted, so please don't be afraid to tell me if he doesn't follow through."

"Dad," he whined as he rolled his eyes.

Mr. Park just dismissed him with his hand and kept talking to me. "Our driver will take you to school and pick you up later. Chanyeol has his number, so feel free to get it from him should you ever find yourself in need of a ride."

I nodded my head, smiling still. "Thank you, Mr. Park," I said. "I really appreciate all you're doing for my dad and I."

"It's my pleasure. Your dad has done so much for us. It's only right I return the favor." I smiled at his words. Before I met him, I didn't know rich people could be so genuinely nice. I wondered why Chanyeol didn't seem to have much of his kindness.

"We should go," Chanyeol said, suddenly standing up from the table and picking up his backpack off the floor. "We'll be late." I stood up too when I saw him headed for the front door, saying goodbye to Mr. Park before catching up with Chanyeol.

He was already getting in the car by the time I closed the front door. I stopped and sighed for a moment, mentally preparing myself to be around people who were much worse than Chanyeol all day. Reinforcing my bag over my shoulder, I headed to the car, thanking the driver as he held the door open for me. I got in and there were two sets of elongated seats. Chanyeol sat on the one side, and I took the seat across from him. I felt too scared to sit next to him.