#ChunR4

[potential-fate]

“And finally, the kitchen.” Elaine said, “It’s all fully furnished, at least with the basics. I expect you’ll add stuff to make it more your own as the years go by and you accumulate things” 

She smiled at Abe and he tried not to cringe. 

“What, honey?” She frowned once more, and Abe attempted a halfhearted smile. 

“It’s great mom.” 

She put a hand on her waist and gave him a disapproving look, “What’s wrong then?”

[potential-fate]

“Smaller?” Elaine gave him a confused look, “Honey, you were the one who said you needed space for a roommate…” 

“I—” That wasn’t what he’d said at all. He’d said he’d already made plans with Callum to move in together. In Copperhead City. 

“This house is a good size!” Elaine quickly started back up, “the master is on the main floor just here, and there’s two bedrooms upstairs.” 

”Why would I need—… “ He sighed, and gave in to his mother’s excitement, “Okay, show me the upstairs…” 

He let his mother drag him up the staircase behind them. 

[potential-fate]

“It’s a beautiful house, don’t you think?” his mother looked at him excitedly. He wasn’t sure she’d ever been this excited about real estate before. 

“Uh… yeah. It’s great.” 

“You don’t like it…” She frowned slightly. 

“No, mom it’s a great house,” Abe bit his lip, “I was just… expecting something…. Smaller?” 

Abe tried not to grimace. Smaller wasn’t right. ‘Less permanent’ was more accurate. When his mother had told him he needed to come home to help her with business, he couldn’t really refuse. 

When he tried to say he couldn’t afford it, and that there was no room at her house with the three younger Chun kids, she’d said she’d house him. And when he’d attempted to use Callum as a scapegoat to get out of it…

[potential-fate]

After what felt like hours, but in reality was likely only 30 minutes, his mother offered to free him and Callum of her presence. She pulled him into a hug, and Abe tried not to let it show how shocked he was at that. He couldn't remember the last time his mother had shown any of them physical affection.

He wondered absentmindedly if it was mainly a show because they weren't alone.

“Well, honey… I am so glad you like the house.” Elaine said, as she pulled away, “And as I said before, it’s a gift, obviously. To thank you for helping me with these ‘big shot’ lawyers from Olsen Corporation.”

“You know I’d help either way, mom…” Abe said. 

“Of course, hon.” Elaine patted his arm once more, then looking towards Callum, she smiled the same polite smile she had plastered on before, “I do hope you settle in well here Callum” 

“I’m… sure I will, ma’am.” Callum said, “Everyone here seems quite… nice.” 

When Elaine turned and opened the front door, he shot Abe a look.

Abe only smiled apologetically at him from the doorway.

[potential-fate]

Abe watched as his mother and Callum made small talk on the obvious topics. What Callum had done for schooling and how he planned to use said degree, what his parents did for work, that sort of thing.

"Callum, an off topic question, but did you have braces as a child?" Abe gave his mother a confused look. Why on earth would she care about that?

"Uh... no," Callum rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"oh, well then you must be lucky," Elaine said simply, "You have such a pretty smile. I'm sure you get all the girls attention. Maybe you can teach my son something after all."

Abe cringed, silently giving Callum a look that begged him not to say anything in response to that. If Callum saw it though, he didn't acknowledge it.

"ah... haha, thanks." Callum smiled in embarrassment.

His mother smiled politely the entire time, but Abe knew better than to trust that. He’d seen her do the same to every friend he’d ever had, every acquaintance of his father’s and anyone Lucy or Nathan brought home. He expected she’d probably do the same of the other mothers at his youngest sibling’s daycare, if she’d ever been the one to drop them off. Luckily the other parents in town were saved from Elaine’s judgment since his father took care of their kids more often than not. Callum, unfortunately, was not.

[potential-fate]

“Listen Honey,” She said, “I know things are all happening at once right now, but trust me once you settle in you’ll love this house. It’s a very good location compared to the offices, and everything in town, you can entertain any and all of your friends here” 

Abe rubbed the back of his neck. All his friends who were still speaking to him were Callum’s friends. They lived in the city. There was no way they were gonna come out here to the middle of nowhere to hang out. 

“And as for your friend….” Elaine looked thoughtful for a moment, “I’m sure he’ll like the place too.”

Abe plastered a smile on his face, “Yeah, I’m sure.” 

Callum was going to kill him because of this house. But he couldn’t tell his mother that either. 

“When did you say he would be here?” Elaine said, “I’m eager to meet this new friend of yours that you’ve never mentioned, but that you are close enough to live with.” 

“I uh… told him three.” Abe said, glancing at his phone quickly. It was 3:10. 

“Hm.” Elaine looked toward the door, “Well, I’m sure he just got lost. Especially if you were expecting an apartment.” 

As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door.

[potential-fate]

“Nothing mom…” He started, “you just… you said you needed my help for a few months with this business situation…” 

“Yes, that’s correct,” Elaine nodded. 

“I was expecting… I don’t know… an apartment? I guess…” Abe said, “So this is just a bit jarring.” 

“Oh… Oh!” She touched her chin softly for a moment, “I should have let you help pick it out, I suppose. It was just a very good deal, and well… Now you don’t have to worry at all!” 

Abe looked at the kitchen in front of him. It was a nice kitchen, not that he’d get any use out of it. For the last ten years of his life, he’d either let his father or Roman cook for him. Both of the former were great. He was a terrible cook. 

“You know... no moving later necessary.” Elaine continued, “At least, not if you don’t want to. This house is perfect for your lifestyle Abe…” 

He looked at her in confusion. His lifestyle? His mother didn’t know anything about his life…

[potential-fate]

Abe gritted his teeth. Elaine sighed quietly, “You know, I know it���s hard losing a friend, but he was always trouble, Abe. Whatever he did, you made the right choice in making new friends instead.” 

He chewed on his bottom lip silently for a moment. 

“Yeah….” he said finally, “thanks mom.”

It wasn’t like he could explain to his mother that while he had technically been the one to ditch Roman, it was Abe’s fault they weren’t on speaking terms. That would require a lot more information than he was willing to share with his mother. 

[potential-fate]

“Of course mom…” 

“Well, I just worry about you.” Elaine said simply, patting his arm, “You know, you seem a little… off since you got back.” 

“I…. yeah.” Abe glanced away. You bought me a house I don’t need, for a future I don’t want, in a town I wasn’t planning on living in… and now you’re asking about my lo— 

“I do hope it’s not about your friendship with that Bellamy boy.” Elaine muttered.

[potential-fate]

“You know… It’s got plenty of room, you can use one of the rooms upstairs as an office for now, the other can be your friend’s room?” Elaine waved towards the staircase once more, “And it will continue being a good space for when you eventually find a nice girl and have kids.” 

Abe held back another grimace. Another ‘lifestyle’ his mother didn’t know about. Another secret he didn’t know how to even begin telling her. 

“Frankly I’m surprised,” Elaine said casually, the nervous smile she wore was the only thing that gave her away, “You really didn’t find any university girls to your liking?” 

“I– Uh… No mom, I didn’t” 

“I mean, here it made sense.” Elaine said, “Kaeileen Rivales and Ulyssa Durant aren’t exactly ideal girlfriend material. Always liked Pia…” 

“Mom.” 

“Sorry, sorry, I know you’re just friends.” Elaine shushed him, “I saw her with her fancy new boyfriend around town anyways. They look very happy.” 

Abe nodded halfheartedly. He’d barely spoken to Pia in a year.

“Don’t you want to be happy like that honey?” Abe couldn’t help the frown that followed that question. Leave it to his mother to bring up his love life when showing him around the kitchen.