Mirror of Fate

Chapter 14 - Back in the Saddle

Orla:

The days following my decision to take the stunt rider job moved in a blur. Nara's workplace was a whirlwind of activity, with everyone working to get my work visa pushed through as a priority. I could hardly keep up with the speed at which things were happening. Joon was particularly anxious to get me started, checking in every few hours to make sure there were no delays. His eagerness added to the mounting pressure I felt, knowing that so much was riding on this opportunity.

Finally, the day arrived. My visa had come through, and Joon wasted no time in getting me to the stables on the outskirts of Seoul. It was a beautiful spot, surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery—a stark contrast to the bustling city I'd come to know. The stables were well-kept and spacious, home to a number of horses that had been trained specifically for film production. These weren't just any horses; they were seasoned professionals, just like the actors they worked with.

As I walked through the stable, the smell of hay and the sound of soft nickers greeted me, instantly calming my nerves. This was familiar ground for me, something that felt like home. The stable hands were busy at work, brushing down the horses and prepping them for the day's activities. They greeted me with polite nods, and I did my best to introduce myself, though the language barrier was still a challenge. Luckily, most of them spoke enough English to understand the basics, and I could tell they were curious about this foreigner who'd suddenly appeared in their midst.

Joon was waiting for me by the ring, his usual brisk demeanor softened by a genuine smile. "You ready for this?" he asked, nodding towards the line of horses being led out.

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "Yeah, I think so."

"This is an important day, Orla," Joon said, his tone serious. "The director wants to see you in action. If everything goes well, you'll be training the other actors. No pressure, right?"

I forced a smile, though my heart was pounding. "Right. No pressure at all."

But as soon as the words left my mouth, a new worry crept in—the language barrier. I'd been getting by with the basics, but working closely with a full cast and crew? That was a whole different challenge.

Sensing my hesitation, Nara had stepped in with her usual confidence. "Don't worry, Orla. Most of the cast is younger, so they know some English. And if it becomes too much of a problem, we'll hire a translator. I've already thought of everything."

Her reassurance was a lifeline. She always had a way of making things seem manageable, no matter how daunting they were.

Joon gestured for one of the stable hands to bring over a horse. The man led out a stunning black Andalusian, its coat gleaming in the morning light. The horse moved with a grace and power that took my breath away. The moment I laid eyes on him, I knew we were going to get along just fine.

"This is Raven," Joon said, introducing the horse as he handed me the reins. "He's one of our best."

I took the reins, feeling a rush of emotion as I stroked Raven's neck. The horse nickered softly, his eyes calm and trusting. It had been so long since I'd felt this connection, and it was like a piece of me that had been missing was finally snapping back into place.

"You're beautiful," I whispered to Raven, feeling the tension in my body start to melt away. I led him out to the ring, where a small crowd had gathered to watch.

As I walked, memories from my past started to surface, swirling around in my mind like the dust beneath Raven's hooves. Horses had been a part of my life ever since my mother put me in therapy as a child. It was so long ago, yet I could still remember how it all began.