GATEWAY 🝔 LEE JENO

🝔 1.11

"You can't ride a horse?" her features fell apart and her jaw dropped dumbfounded. A little disappointed and frustrated. Not at him but herself. Pursing his lips, Jeno nodded. Ga-eun heaved some air out before running her palm over her face.

"You should've told me before I buckled up Fena for you Jeno. Mum walked to work today" she muttered the last part. However, due to them standing in front of one another, only a foot away, he heard every word. Apologetically he glanced down. Upon spotting the dejected look across his face she waved her hand reassuring him that it's ok.

"It's fine. It's my fault. I should've asked beforehand instead of presuming that you could" stepping away, she looked over to Fena. It's been ages since the mare stepped out of her stable. Patting her neck, Ga-eun grabbed her reins and took her back into the stables clearly upset. "I'm sorry Fena. Maybe tomorrow. I already put the luggage onto Roman. I promise to ride you tomorrow"

Jeno bit his lip trailing his sight on the girl as she locked the gates securely. Walking over to Roman she effortlessly jumped onto his back without even using a step up stool. Sorting her long skirt out she adjusted herself to a comfortable position before drifting her sight to the boy that stood still awkwardly like a statue. "Hop on" she gestured to him as Roman stepped closer to Jeno so that he could climb onto his back.

Eyeing her briefly he tilted his head down to the stepping stool in front of him. Taking a huge gulp down his dried up throat he shut his eyes tight excruciatingly slow feeling a sensation of discomfort settle within him.

How embarrassing

Clicking his tongue he used the stool lifting himself up before seating properly on Roman. As soon as the boy was comfortably on the stallions back, Ga-eun turned towards Fena. Waving a small good bye she gave a subtle kick onto Roman's side indicating him to make a move. "Remind me to teach you how to ride a horse Jeno"

At her sudden statement, he furrowed his brows tilting his head over to see her face better. "But what about your mum? I would rather not take Fena than watch her walk to work because of me" Instantly Ga-eun shook her head in disagreement. 

"I don't like mum walking to work but our cake shop isn't far so she refuses to take Fena. She just doesn't listen" Ga-eun exhaled gently, upset by her mothers behaviour.

"Do I need to learn?" he internally cried slightly fearing the height as he glanced down at the distance from the ground. Even though Jeno tried his best to not make it obvious that he isn't exactly fond of the whole riding a horse, Ga-eun easily spotted the small wariness that rang in his voice.

Snickering, she nodded vigorously. "Yes, you do. Roman will struggle to carry both of us and the luggage all the time. It's going to weigh him down. On top of that I think Fena likes you" she stated taking him by surprise.

Last time he approached the mare, she pulled on his hair. Strange thing is that she finished her lunch yet she still pulled on him. At first he thought that she just has a abnormal size stomach however Ga-eun stated how this time it wasn't out of hunger.

Don't tell me she did that because she likes me - he mentally cried.

But before he could question the girl, Ga-eun became busy with patting Roman. Digging her hand into her satchel, the girl yanked out some sugar cubes to which Roman immediately ate.

"Grab on" she directed to Jeno as they reached a wider open road. All this time Roman was walking. He wasn't even trotting. But now the girl ordered Jeno to hold on tight. Tilting his head, he tried to get a look at Ga-eun to ask why. 

Sadly not a single word could leave his mouth as something unexpected happened. Ga-eun's lips morphed into a sly smirk. Kicking Romans side a bit harsher than the first time, she hit the reins.

It all happened so sudden. To fast for him to even comprehend properly.  It was far from similar to the one he was familiar with during their ride in the forest. Not a light trot but instead the stallion was galloping at high speed. Ferocious amounts of air, sharply hit Jeno's face at a sudden heightening pace. The air resistance was so strong that he couldn't keep his head straight. Cold icy breeze sent goosebumps along his skin that was hidden and concealed under his sleeve. A sweet scent of jasmine flew through the air as Ga-eun's hair ran along with the wind.

Masses of adrenaline escaped into his bloodstream triggering something he did not think he had inside of him. A deafening scream of help and pain left his lips. Holding for dear life he reflexively leaned forward, wrapping his arms around the girl's waist tightly pulling her closer to him in fear that he was on the way to afterlife.

Ga-eun's breath hitched at the sudden contact. Her heart rate raced along with Roman's gallop. A heated sensation raising up to her ears not expecting the intimacy Jeno began. But then when she glanced over her shoulder she found his cheek pressed tight against her shoulder. Eyes screwed shut and constant whimpers leaving his lips. She couldn't help but let a majestic laugh leave her soft lips, finding the boy's fear hilarious.

Jeno on the other hand was in tears crying for help

High way to Heaven !!