What Are We Called?

Tense

"You stay here while I'm inside," Mrs. Son told her guards.

"Mom?" Chaeyoung called, trying his best to act surprised, "C-Come in."

Her mother closed the door behind her and began to walk towards the two who were stunned by her. As she approached them, Mina nervously bowed in front of her.

"This is Myoui Mina, Mom. She's a classmate...and a friend."

"Good evening Mrs. Son, nice meeting you." Mina greeted as she shook Mrs. Son's hand.

"You must be very good friends to share clothes." Mrs. Son said as she gave her daughter a meaningful look.

"She was teaching me how to cook when I accidentally spilled the sauce on her shirt, so I let her borrow mine for a while." Chaeyoung defended.

"Is that so?" her mother slowly nodded.

"Um, by the way, I'll be off now Mrs. Son," Mina turned to Chaeyoung, "Gotta go, thanks."

"Why don't you have dinner with us? It's Saturday tomorrow so there's nothing to worry about." Mrs. Son said.

It was a suggestion but the authoritativeness in her voice made it sound like a command.

"But..."

"Please don't decline. This is the only way I can pay you back for helping my daughter clean her own condo unit."

Chaeyoung flinched after hearing what her mother just said. Mina was also surprised that Mrs. Son figured it out without catching them in the act.

"P-Pardon?" she asked as if she didn't understand what she said.

"I'm sorry my daughter bothered you for nothing." Mrs. Son apologized as she ruffled Chaeyoung's short hair, "She's not used to fixing his problems on his own."

"Excuse me, Mom. I did not ask them for help. It was them who insisted it."

Her mother turned around and started to walk to the dining room.

"Why don't we continue our talk while eating?"

Soon, they both followed Mrs. Son there. She sat at the end of the table, emphasizing the superiority. She gestured the two to sit opposite of each other.

The food that Mina cooked not long ago was still there, presented on the table. It was a mix of Chinese and Japanese cuisine that sure pleased the eyes. They were still steaming hot, and the aroma lingered in the air.

Mina was the one who led the prayer. After that, they started serving theirselves with the food.

"How's Chaeyoung doing in school, Mina?" Mrs. Son started.

As if she really cared.   - Chaeyoung said in her mind.

"To be honest, she's always in her own world when our teachers discuss the lessons, but when she's asked about it, she always know the answer. She also does good in performances though she doesn't look like she's not taking it seriously. Because of her acting skills, she was chosen as a part of the play."

"I don't know if I should be happy or what."

"You don't need to act concerned, Mom. You don't care either way." Chaeyoung then munched on her teriyaki salmon.

That felt like a slap to her mother.

Mrs. Son let out a sigh, knowing that Chaeyoung was right. As much as she wanted to explain, she's sure her daughter won't listen anyway. It had been that way ever since her biological father died of heart disease. They both grew cold to each other as the years passed by, leading to where they are right now.

"Enough of Chaeyoung already. Let's talk about you." Mrs. Son told Mina.

Mina paused for a while to swallow the contents of her mouth and to organize her thoughts.

"I was born in Texas, but I grew up in Japan. When I was ten, our family moved here because my dad was once working here as a mechanical engineer. We were contented on how our life goes. But unfortunately, more than a year later, Dad died due to an electrical accident in their company's facilities. Mom had to support me alone so she worked to sustain our needs. She accepted multiple jobs so she could get extra income for the two of us. She was working too hard that her body could not handle it anymore. She acquired TB when I was thirteen. The medications for it were still not available that time that's why we found it hard. We reached the point that I had to skip classes just to take care of her, as her body was getting weak over time. In the end, she left me - just like Dad did.

My aunt promised to support me financially. She kept on sending monthly allowances so I could sustain myself. But I figured it will not be enough since it's just a small amount so I decided to work part-time as a cashier/waitress for extra income. I also took an examination for scholarship in our school and hopefully passed it. Now, what I'm worrying about is college. I will be needed to apply for a scholarship again that's why I'm trying to do well in class so I can pass the exam next year."

Mrs. Son just nodded as a reply.

That simple response already gave Chaeyoung a hint that her mother is up to something.... again.

"How old are you again?"

"Nineteen."

Chaeyoung braced her self for whatever her mother is going to do.

"Leave us for a while, Chaeyoung." her mother ordered.

"But I'm eating here!" Chaeyoung protested.

"Then take your food out with you. Just let us talk alone."

Chaeyoung was savoring the orange chicken at that time that's why she was pretty annoyed with what her mother made her do.

She carried her plate and utensils to the living room where he continued eating. She was definitely sure that they were talking about her, and it made her worry a bit.