Decoupled • KTH : Book 1✔

Chapter 53

Taehyung

"It was hard," I sulk and whine over the call as I sip my cup of coffee, sitting at the edge of the couch.

"It will be hard, she's still a young child. We need to be very patient with her, Taehyung," Maya responds calmly.

"I know..." I answer wearily, my shoulders slumping. "Maya, thank you for stocking up things and cleaning the house yesterday. It really meant a lot," I pass on my words of gratitude for her help yesterday, and Maya laughs softly.

"Anytime. Did you cook breakfast for her, TaeTae?" She asks in a concerned tone.

"Yeah, I'm going to make sandwiches, but if you hadn't given that wake-up call, I wouldn't have even opened my eyes," I speak softly as I finish drinking my coffee.

"Will you be taking her to the ballet class today?" Maya has already memorized Areum's schedule, and she seems to be full of questions, but my brain is so exhausted that I'm finding it hard to keep up.

"Yeah, I have to. I only don't know how to handle her questions," I answer quietly.

For the past few weeks, Jang-Mi would usually pick up Areum after her ballet class, and she would take care of her lunch as well. After that, I would pick her up from there to spend the rest of my day with her before dropping her off at Jang-Mi's place at night. But today it's going to be a little different.

Maya exhales deeply, sensing the anxiety and exhaustion in my voice.
"TaeTae, breathe. Take it easy, baby. We can find a way to give her the answers, don't worry about it and stress out," her words feel like soft breeze blowing on my open wounds, the tone of her voice making the creases on my forehead to disappear.

"Can we meet for lunch? At the usual diner. I think it's time for Areum to meet you," I put forward a plan out of nowhere.

"I was actually about to ask you if I can cook some lunch and bring it for you both to eat after her class ends. But if we go out, do you think she'll like it? As in, if I accompany you both..." Maya asks a little hesitantly.

"We'll have to see, but I think if she gets to know you gradually, it'll be a lot better than something too sudden..." I respond quietly, leaning back on the couch and allowing my body to sink into the softness.

"I guess so too..." Maya says after a bit. "She might not be okay with outside food, Taehyung. Do you want to bring her home? I'll cook what she likes," she suddenly sounds a little cheerful.

"That sounds better, actually. Honestly, after just one night, I'm already craving some warm and tasty homemade food, and I bet she'll want it too. And, yeah, Areum likes bibimbap and fried chicken with low spice," I laugh softly when she lets out a squeaky little 'yay'.

"So that makes two of you for bibimbap then," Maya chuckles. "What time will you be here?" She checks with me.

"I'll bring her there after her ballet class," I pull away my phone and check the time on it before putting it back to my ear. "It's time to wake her up now. I'll see you then...around 12?"

"Yeah, sounds good. I'll see you guys then," Maya passes a kiss to me before we end the call.

I proceed to wake up Areum, who starts off her day with a cartload of questions about Jang-Mi, and why she isn't here yet. It is then that I'm really tempted to ask her if she ever did the same when she was away from me on the other days of the week.

"Bubba, you've asked so many questions. Can I ask you one?" I ask her as I make her sit down on the kitchen counter and pick out two slices of bread for her.