Dancing On Thin Ice // KTH

Chapter 61

Carmela nervously stood behind Tae unlocking the front door of his house. The door clicked open and an anxious feeling ached through Carmela, as she followed him inside.

The house was small and cozy, with the kitchen and living room all in one hall. The mismatched furniture was positioned around a small T.V. and in the corner, was a row of counters, a stove, and a tall fridge. A little dining table was almost in the middle of the place, near the kitchen. Carmela glanced around as Tae kicked off his shoes and put the keys on the ottoman in the living room. Carmela took off her own shoes and stepped onto the soft white carpet that covered the entire floor. The house smelled fresh, sweet and flowery. Ha, guess this really was Tae's house.

"Mina? Come here, we got a guest." Tae called into the hallway Carmela assumed leaded to the bedrooms.

"That's a nice name." Carmela said, still standing by the door.

Tae turned around and gazed at her. Then he cleared his throat and waved his hand to the living room.

"Um... come and sit--" He started, but he was cut off by a rapid pit-pat of feet and loud cheering.

"TAE, TAE, TAE, TAE! Did you bring me Carmela? YES!" A cute little girl in a white and yellow striped t-shirt and had dark tangled hair, ran all the way up to Carmela. A giant smile was stretched onto her chubby face.

Carmela was flustered and surprised, stepping back a little, but she kindly smiled and sort of leaned down to the little girl.

"Hey there. Nice to meet you Mina." Carmela said, sticking a hand out. Mina's wide eyes twinkled and she suddenly became shy. She shook Carmela's hand slowly and gently, and Carmela laughed at her adorableness.

"Hi, Carmela! I'm super happy you're here! Do you... do you want to be friends?" She twirled her curly hair with her stubby fingers.

"Of course! How old are you Mina? Do you go to school?" Carmela asked, hands on her knees.

"Do I go to school? Duhh, I'm 11 years old--" Mina froze in her sentence, her eyes going wide. 

Her sight shifted to behind Carmela. Furrowing her brows, Carmela looked behind her. Tae was standing there, hands on his hips. But his angry expression immediately dropped as Carmela spun around to him, and he quickly turned away towards the kitchen.

"U-um... Hahaha, I didn't go to school today, because Jessica, that's my babysitter, told me Taehyung was coming early so I stayed up all night and all morning waiting for him!" Mina said, but this time in a cute voice.

"Wow, you're such a sweet sister. But that's unhealthy staying up so long, you know."

"Yeah, I know. But I just couldn't help it." Mina shrugged her tiny shoulders and chewed her cute puffy lips. But then she broke into a smile again. "How old are you, Carmela?"

"Me? I'm 19, but my birthday's coming up in October. Just a couple of weeks left!" Carmela said enthusiastically.

"Wow! You're really old! My brother is a little older than you, he's 22 years old. Yep, I think... that works... yep, I like that." Mina scratched her chin, deep in thought, and Carmela straightened up. She cleared her throat about to say something, but Tae's voice called from the kitchen.

"Mina! Go and show Carmela your room."

"That's a great idea! Let's go on a house tour!" Mina squealed and grabbed a hold of Carmela's hand. 

"Don't go to my room, though, kay? I mean it." Tae growled a warning, as they sped passed him in the kitchen.

Mina briefly nodded but her smile was mischievous and insincere. She led Carmela away, to the hallway leading to the bedrooms. But Tae called again from behind them, and Carmela turned around. He was filling a pot with water as he spoke.