SON & FOSTER FATHER

Dinner went on merrily for the Han family that evening. As usual, their father sat down with them at the dining table and silently ate his food till he was done. When he finished, he placed his spoon on the top of his plate and looked at Noah.

"Have you received any news from the university?" He asked, wearing a stern expression.

Noah, who was still eating didn't bother to look up at his father. He swallowed the food in his mouth first before he spoke. "Yeah, I did. Earlier today, in the construction site I received an email from them." He answered naturally.

"What!?" Sonny exclaimed. "Why didn't you say anything about this, little one? Did they reject you?" She asked in trepidation.

Noah's family members stared at him, waiting for him to reveal his fate to them.

"I was accepted and given a full scholarship." He spoke with his mouthful, not caring to see the expressions of his family members.

"My God," Sonny gasped and used her hand to cover her mouth. As she stared at Noah, she couldn't help but feel proud and happy. "Congratulations Noah, you should have informed us earlier, I would have prepared something better for dinner." A tear slipped out of her eyes.

Isabella and Sophia smiled at Noah, looking at him with love and pride in their eyes.

Han Haeun, Noah's father left the dining table and made his way to the kitchen. While he left no one paid attention to him.

"You make it sound as if you just took the garbage out. With that deep, cold voice of yours and your nonchalant attitude, it's no wonder my friends fall for you." Isabella proceeded to pat Noah's head.

Her seemingly nice gesture earned a glare from Noah. 'I don't care about your friends and who they fall for, just don't touch my head again.' He thought, also trying to use his glare to convey the words in his mind.

Suddenly, Noah felt a hand embracing him from the side as he was seated. "Congratulations Oppa, I'm proud of you," Sophia uttered softly and tightened her hold on Noah. Even while Noah was seated, Sophia was still a few inches shorter than her brother.

Almost everyone in Italy knew the university named La Scala, it was the most prestigious school in the country and possibly, their continent. La Scala dates back to the early '80s, founded by the leader of a wealthy family, Gabriele Enzo.

The school was made for the gifted; in the sense that you are either gifted with brains, talent, or money. 80% of the students in the university possess either one or two of these gifts, there is a minority of them that possess all three.

La Scala, in terms of academic excellence, had already reached that of the likes of Oxford, Cambridge, and Yale, before the late '90s. The university reached its peak before the beginning of the 21st century. The only downside was their way of admitting the students.

The university does not just accept anyone, even if you possess money. Every student in that school has to have a form of advanced literacy, only then will their financial ability be put into the equation and weighed. They hold an exam for every student that wants to join the university, with a cut-off mark of 85%.

Students that graduated from the university were assured success, regardless of where they came from. It was the dream of studious scholars to attend this university, despite its rigid and inaccessible system.

La Scala had its own rules, for example, they demand that the students attend classes in their departmental uniform provided by the school. This is to help differentiate them and at the same time create a feeling of unity amongst the students.

The university is also a firm believer in the ranking system. They hold a scholarship event around the world every 3 years, and out of the thousands of people that apply, only 100 students will be selected and awarded scholarships into the university.

Noah sighed, "You girls just won't let me eat in peace." He muttered in annoyance.

Whether he was really annoyed or not, Sophia didn't care, she tightened the hug once more; trying to get her brother to reciprocate with the same gesture.

Noah sighed once more, he knew what his sister wanted. "Thank you, short stuff. You can let go of me now." He flashed a little smile and tapped her hands.

Sophia made sure to kiss her brother's cheeks before she left for her seat.

"Come closer so that I can give you a kiss on the cheek too?" Isabella stretched her neck and brought her lips closer to Noah.

"I'd rather kiss a toad." Noah shifted back, increasing the distance between the two of them.

"Chances are that you are going to get poisoned," Isabella replied.

"Exactly, so I'll take my chances thank you."

Isabella's smile froze before it turned into a scowl, she sucked her teeth and faced her food. Although they were just joking, Isabella felt a bit hurt by his comment.

'That's for taking my money without my permission.' He smirked.

Sonny and Sophia were giggling at the theatrics that Noah and Isabella put on. The night became a joyous night for them, the good news that Noah brought along gave them that much-needed relief.

Haeun returned to the dining table with a bottle of beer that had its cap removed. He sat down and asked; "So, when do you plan on moving to the school's dormitory?"

Haeun's voice brought everyone back to reality, the atmosphere went from joyous to suspense.

"Probably a week before the semester starts." Noah gazed into his father's eyes.

"I see, since you have been awarded a full scholarship, the school will provide a monthly allowance for you. How much of that are you going to give to us?" Haeun asked before chugging down the beer.

"Haeun!!" Sonny glared at her husband.

"What? It is only right that he gives us something back in return, after all, that we have done for him, raising him as our own." Haeun uttered coldly.

"He doesn't need to give us anything in return. I raised him as my son because that is what he is to me." Sonny was on the verge of snapping at her husband.

"It's alright mum," Noah reassured. "The school is going to provide me with €10,000, I will send 20% of the allowance to you every month."

Haeun's arched a brow at Noah, "Just €2,000, is that all that we are that we worth to you?" The anger in his voice could be heard.

Sophia had seen Noah and their father fight many times, but she couldn't get used to the violence. She went closer to her mother for comfort.

"If it's you, maybe." Noah shrugged his shoulders.

"You insolent boy, you live under my roof and still have the guts to look me in the eye and talk to me like that!!" Haeun gripped the bottle in his hand tighter.

"You forget that half of the money used to pay the rent came from my pockets, my sweat." Noah reminded and arched his head higher, trying to exude his dominance.

"The two of you, that enough!!" Sonny yelled at them. The whole room became silent.

"I'm sorry, mom."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, little one, and you most definitely don't have to send a dime home." She said softly.

"Aera!! You spoil the boy too much!" Haeun raised his voice as he complied. This made the fire that Noah has been trying to suppress in his heart, burn brighter.

"He is my son, I will spoil him if I please." She retorted, shutting her husband up.

"From the remaining 80% of my allowance, 50% percent will be given to you mom. You can use it to get the necessities for the house, and also buy baking ingredients for Sophia." Noah revealed.

"Didn't you hear what I said earlier? You don't need to send us a dime." Sonny frowned at Noah.

"I insist, mom, it is the only way my mind can be at peace. Me being so far away from home, away from the 3 of you, I don't think I can bear it if I don't do this."

Haeun scoffed and left the apartment with the bottle of beer in his hand. This wasn't an unusual occurrence, so none of them reacted, particularly to his departure.

Sonny sighed, "I understand, but do not hesitate to call home whenever you are in need of anything. Congratulations, once again, Noah." His mother smiled.

"Thanks, mom." He smiled back at her.

Noah and his foster father, Han Haeun Chris, began building a boundary between their relationship as father and son 3 years back. They argued, fought, and cursed at each other.

This issue surfaced as a result of Haeun's drive for some level of perfection from his children and also, the issue that caused a huge rift in the family, Sonny's firstborn running away from home, however, this is a story for another time.

Haeun was once a father that Noah loved and respected. The Han family used to live together in peace and harmony until Haeun took some risks and made some bad investments that eventually led to his bankruptcy and a huge pile of debt.

No matter what he tried to do, his debt didn't reduce, it only got bigger as time went on. The irony of the economic system. As if his bad decisions in investment weren't enough, Haeun was desperate enough to seek assistance from a loan shark.

This was the major turning point for their family, because of the loan shark, they lost many things.

Haeun began gambling and drinking, the way he spoke and treated his family changed. He became harsher and more physical in his approaches.

The day Noah saw him hit Sonny was the day they fought for the first time…