AAE -- For Better For Worse

Chapter 23

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

"What's this?" Gui-Sung asks as he steps into the kitchen and lays eyes on the bountiful spread on the table set for two.

 

"It's called breakfast, Daddy," Sun-Mi replies with a sparkle in her voice from having effected her surprise. "And this time, I didn't burn anything! Sit down and eat, before the food gets cold!"

 

"Shall I?" he says, grinning as he takes his usual seat and picks up the fork.

 

"Try it, and tell me what you think," she urges.

 

 

Instead, he puts down his fork.

 

"I think ... something is going on," Gui-Sung speculates, looking askance at her. "Last night, your world was going to end. And now, you're all smiles. Even your eyes are clear and not puffy!"

 

 

Sun-Mi joins him at the table.

 

"That's because, after I stopped and counted my blessings, I realized that I still have a lot to be grateful for, especially the people," she reflects thoughtfully. "I can be happy, because I still have my Daddy, the person I love most in the whole world."

 

 

"Then you're really not disappointed that you broke up?"

 

"Of course I am, but eventually I had to come to my senses," Sun-Mi answers. "Being with Senior was only a fairytale dream. Cinderella doesn't exist in real life."

 

"He seemed a responsible young man," Gui-Sung remarks. "I'm a bit sorry, actually. You're sure this is what you want?"

 

"Yes ... Very much ... Without a doubt ... It was the right thing to do," she states adamantly. "Now Senior can be with someone more compatible to him. And I can go to London, with no regrets holding me back from making a new life, with new relationships."

 

 

Gui-Sung gazes fondly at his daughter, admiration beaming on his face.

 

"Why are you looking at me like that, Daddy?" she frets, "Is there something stuck on my face?"

 

"No, I'm just looking at my cute daughter."

 

 

Sun-Mi frowns petulantly, "Humph! Is that all you think of me, that I'm cute?"

 

"Of course not! It's because I'm proud of you ... very proud," he praises her. "My cute little daughter has grown up to be an important international correspondent!"

 

"But I'm not a correspondent, not yet, Daddy. And it's not that important a position either," she corrects the facts as a pretense, while she revels in his doting. "Just starting out, I'll be the most junior on the staff, and won't get the big stories. So don't make such a fuss!"

 

"What matters is not the stories you cover, but that you made it at all," he cheers her on. "You worked hard to deserve this, so why shouldn't I make a little fuss over you?!"

 

"Because it's embarrassing," she objects self-effacingly.

 

"Is it?!" he chuckles. "Really?"

 

Sun-Mi smiles impishly. "If I'm being modest -- yes. But honestly? No!"

 

They laugh together.

 

 

Sun-Mi's mobile ringtone sounds, interrupting them. When she flips it open to look at the caller ID, her smile drops, and she immediately cuts off the call.

 

"Who was that?" Gui-Sung asks, his curiosity piqued.

 

"No one," she curtly declines to inform him.

 

 

The mobile rings again. This time, Sun-Mi lets out an irritated huff, takes the battery out, and sets it on the table with the phone.

 

Gui-Sung watches her actions with concern. "What's going on?" he demands. "Why are you acting like this, Sun-Mi?"

 

She turns her face away as she feigns ignorance, "Acting like what? There's nothing."

 

"I'm your father," he admonishes. "I know when something's not right. Tell me."

 

 

Sun-Mi turns back to look at him, her eyes rolling with tears.

 

"I didn't want you to worry about me, Daddy, so I acted like everything is fine. But the truth is ..."

 

A sob escapes her throat, momentarily blocking further words.

 

"It's that I feel so sad. And I don't know what to do, or where to turn ... my heart hurts so badly."

 

 

"Come here," Gui-Sung invites her, rising to his feet. "Don't hold it in. Cry if you want to."

 

Sun-Mi whimpers, "I'm not a crybaby anymore, Daddy."

 

"I know, but sometimes you need to, anyway."

 

 

He reaches for Sun-Mi's hand, helping her up. She leans into his comforting embrace, dissolving into tears, shuddering with deep sobs.

 

"There, there," Gui-Sung murmurs soothingly, stroking Sun-Mi's hair lightly. "It's going to be all right. Everything will be all right ..."