The Last Chapter ✔

Tenth

Nine

I looked horrorstruck at the long trail in front of us. The journey until now was not easy but neither too challenging.

The only problem was the long hour car ride but the guesthouse we stayed at was really good. Like not very luxurious or modern but simply comfortable. I had suddenly started finding comfort around everything I moved by which was strangely very very new to me.

It was because I knew I couldn't get any better so I was trying to accommodate in everything that is available to me. I concluded this theory in my head although knowing very well that it was partially true. Because it wasn't JUST everything comfortable that I passed by but everything which somehow included Joong. And that brought back the memory of yesterday's night.

"Go to sleep early we need to trek tomorrow so I will wake you up very early in the morning." I could hear Joong instruct me but I was very busy selecting clothes to wear the next day.

"Are you even listening to me?" He looked so done as he stood infront of me blocking my view.

"Oh yes I am." I nodded obediently.

"Tell me what I just said." He folded his arms in his chest emitting a dominating aura.

"That I need to go to sleep early because you'll wake me up early tomorrow.

"And after that?" He demanded looking dead serious. I ransacked my brain to find any clue for his answer but found none. I smiled at him sheepishly trying to cover for my fault.

He leaned down slowly too slowly for a human being to move and for a second I thought he was going to kiss me or something like that judging from the proximity but he just kept his head an inch away from mine piercing his gaze onto my eyes. My breath hitched when he spoke next in a deep heavy voice.

"Next time onwards listen to me carefully. I said do you have any closed toe shoes? It will be helpful for tomorrow's trecking."

I gulped unconsiously finally taking a deep breath as he started leaning away but something caught my nose making me follow his earlier movement this time. He backed away immediately startled for my sudden movement.

But I didn't stop pulling his shirt, that's not violating the deal remember, and sniffing on it.

And ahh I was correct. He smelled so nice, comfortable, not like my Grandma but still strangely comfortable, peaceful, serene. He smelled not like the loose soil but the ones that were wet with the fresh raindrops. He smelled like rain.

"What are you a dog?" He asked irritated trying to pull away from my iron grip on his shirt.

"Eiii stop moving. I'm just smelling you." I scolded him.

"Smelling me? Am I a flower that you are smelling me? And what happened to the deal?" His voice was shaking now making me curiously look up at him to find his face looking so scared.

"No deal is broken there is no skin contact." I stated proudly giving him a smirk.

"Don't smile like that." He almost whispered that out.

"And why is that? Are you falling for my smiles?" I joked laughing loudly but he didn't object or joined in my laughter just kept looking at me with a blank express.

"Nine inform me when you are done with your dreams. We'll start then." I heard an annoyed voice quickly recognising it to be Joong's cause who else can be always annoyed?

"Oh C'mon look at his face he is definitely scared." Pavel interrupted who was guiding us all the way to the summit. "Nine don't stress so much it isn't that tough and it's only 750 metres hike to the summit point." He added giving me a warm and energetic smile.

"Okay then what are we waiting for let's go." I cheered enthusiastically pulling an instant smile on Pavel who walked infront, to lead us the way, and a tiny smile on Joong who did his best to hide it though. So prudent.

But all my energy vanished when we were halfway to the summit. The trail never ended and everytime I asked Pavel he would say "oh we are just there", "a little more", "oh we are almost there".

"Pavel....Pavel stop. Let's take a breath." I was panting like a dying fish trying to get some air to my lungs.

"Alright let's take a 5 mins break hmm?" Pavel suggested looking at Joong who looked unbothered just the way he has been behaving since yesterday a bit cold and distant.

"Break then." He muttered softly stealing glances at me. I quirked my brow looking at Pavel who himself was eyeing both of us dubiously.

We both stared at each other for a second before shrugging as if letting go of the topic like that.