Nathalia’s POV
As we approached the field where the actual target shooting was taking place, I immediately spotted Stephen’s other friends, who were all practicing. Except for Oliver, who was sleeping off to the side.
I wonder how he can manage to sleep with this kind of noise.
We stopped in front of an empty cubicle, facing a target not too far away. Ashter, Rhyz, Ryza, Riley, and Ace were all engrossed in aiming at their respective targets, not bothering to glance our way. I almost jumped each time they fired their guns.
I bit my lower lip. It seems I need to get used to shooting as well.
“Will this be your first time holding a gun?” Shantel asked me.
I nodded slowly.
She smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll guide you. Welcome to the team!” She extended her arms to me, and I hesitantly accepted.
I winced at her words. I wanted to tell her that I didn’t want to join their team. It seems my life here might get even more complicated.
Stephen let go of my hand. “You’ll be fine. Just follow Shantel’s instructions. I’m just here.” He winked at me before positioning himself in another vacant cubicle.
Cole and some of Stephen’s men were scattered around. They had earpieces on and seemed to be communicating as they surveyed the area.
Shantel stepped away for a moment and returned with a gun and what looked like a headset.
“This is a pistol,” she said, holding the gun. “And this will serve as your ear protection from the loud noise,” she explained, indicating the headset she held.
I nodded in response.
“I’ll go first. Just watch me, okay?”
I nodded again as she took her position. She put on the headset before slowly raising her right hand, holding the pistol.
“First thing, you need to relax. One of the things that you must learn in target shooting is to remain calm and focused. You need to clear your mind because it might affect your performance.”
I listened silently, watching her. Her face showed no emotion, as if she had no life.
But my attention was grabbed by Stephen as he started shooting. I immediately focused on his main target and couldn’t help but gasp when I saw that he hit it with his first shot.
“Wow.”
“Nath, focus,” Shantel said emotionlessly.
I turned to look at her again and forced a smile.
“Now, raise your arm and put all of your strength on it. Then, place your index finger on the trigger blade and position it. Aim at your target and maintain your finger until the breaking point before you release and go through the gunshot.”
I almost screamed as she suddenly fired the gun. But I couldn’t help but be amazed when she hit the main target as well.
“The pistol must not move when discharging. It’s what you must maintain with your finger to have a good trigger pull and hit the target. Moreover, do not close one of your eyes when aiming for the target. It will reduce the scope of the vicinity in your vision.”
She removed the headset she was wearing and handed it to me. She also handed me the gun, and my hands were trembling as I took it.
She tapped my shoulder again. “Relax. Remember, stay calm, then focus,” she reminded me.
I hesitated as I positioned myself and copied the stance she showed earlier. I wanted to watch Stephen, but I couldn’t even bring myself to glance in his direction.
Focus, Nath. Focus!
I took a few deep breaths before I managed to calm down and stop trembling.
Slowly, I raised my right arm and aimed at the target. It took a while before I summoned the courage to pull the trigger, and I made sure not to close one of my eyes.
Everything around me seemed to freeze, and I held my breath as I pulled the trigger. It felt like I was about to be knocked back due to the impact. But I maintained my position and tightened my grip on the gun even more, afraid that I might drop it.
My eyes widened as I saw the bullet hit near the main target. It was only about two lines away!
“Woah! Not bad for a first-timer. Nice one, Nath.”
I was surprised when I heard simultaneous applause. I felt like a statue in my spot until Rhyz suddenly put his arm around me.
I glanced around, and my mouth dropped open as I realized that I was surrounded. Even Oliver, who seemed to be in a deep sleep earlier, was awake now. I didn’t even notice that they had all stopped what they were doing.
“Back off, Lewis! Unless you want your hands and arms removed from your body.” Stephen’s voice grew stern, his jaw tensing.
Rhyz held his hands up. “Chill, man. We’re here to relax.”
“Enough. I still need to train Nath. So, all of you, back off,” Shantel told them, dismissing them.
Stephen scowled. “I guess it will be better if I’m the one to do that instead.”
Shantel gave him an annoyed look. “Stop it! You’ll probably just flirt.”
I suppressed a laugh as Stephen’s expression grew even more twisted. His friends laughed and returned to their previous spots, shooting them dirty looks from Shantel in response.
It took me almost an hour before I finally hit the main target.
My eyes widened, and I couldn’t help but jump in excitement. It felt like I had unlocked a new achievement, even though I had never planned to learn this.
When everyone started to feel tired, we decided to have lunch. We could hardly finish our food due to the storytelling, laughter, and teasing that ensued.
During this time, I felt more comfortable with them. I almost forgot that most of them were leaders of different mafia clans.
Well, except for Rhyz. Because his older brother, Ashter, was in charge of the Lewis Mafia.
After eating, we rested for a while before Ace suggested horseback riding.
I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness. This was one of the favorite activities I used to do with my late father when I was a child. He was the one who taught me how to ride a horse.
“I didn’t expect you guys to have a stable here,” I said in awe to Shantel as we made our way to the stable.
She shrugged. “Yeah. Target shooting and horseback riding were bonding activities for our parents. So, my dad decided to set up a stable here too. As we grew up, we got used to hanging out here.”
I couldn’t help but feel envious. They had been friends since childhood, and their bond was still strong.
How I wish I had experienced the kind of friendship they have had since they were children.
They stopped walking and turned to look at me simultaneously.
“What did you say?” Shantel asked in surprise.
I covered my mouth. Did I say what I was thinking out loud?
I glanced around. “Nothing. Let’s go!” I awkwardly smiled at them.
They exchanged glances before shrugging and continuing to walk. Ace lightly tapped my head as he passed by me.
I don’t know why, but that gesture of his makes me feel calm.
Once we reached the stable, they each went to their designated stalls to get their horses. It seemed they all had their own horses here.
“Baby, I want you to meet Nate.” Stephen introduced me to a white horse as we approached. He even stroked its head affectionately.
I gave him a gentle punch on the arm. “Why does his name seem so close to mine? Is that just a coincidence or did you do it on purpose?” I looked at him skeptically.
“Baby, you’re just overthinking.” He chuckled.
“Now, let’s start the ride and enjoy the rest of the day.” He took my hand and helped me onto the horse before firmly holding my waist and adjusting my position.
I almost held my breath as I felt him sit behind me, especially when he moved closer. It felt like his thing was pressed against my back. He was either doing it on purpose or my thoughts were going green because of what happened between us yesterday.
I couldn’t help but smile as I saw Shantel and Ace riding together on the same horse.
“Are they okay now?” I asked Stephen while still watching them.
I felt him shrug. “They’re still figuring it out.”
I just shook my head at his response.
“Ready?” he whispered.
I bit my lower lip as his warm breath brushed against my neck. I managed to nod.
After a while, we all left the stable area in succession. The wide horse race track stretched before us.
Everyone lined up at the starting line.
“Alright! Game on!” Ashter shouted.
I felt like my soul was going to leave my body as Nate sped up when the race began. I held on tightly.
I was taken aback. I thought we were just going for a simple horseback ride!
“Don’t worry. I won’t let you fall. Unless you fall for me,” Stephen whispered again, making a shiver run down my spine.
My heartbeat suddenly quickened. It seemed like I might not have had a heart attack because of the race after all.
Ignoring the strange feeling, I looked around.
The competition was tight. But there was a significant gap between us and Ace, who was currently leading.
“No one beats Ace in horseback riding to this day. That’s why he’s so confident inviting fools,” Stephen scoffed.
I couldn’t help but laugh. It seemed like he couldn’t accept losing at something.
But I gasped as I saw the horses of the siblings collide. But only Ashter fell from his horse, and no one even helped him up!
“W-Wait! Ash!” I followed his gaze as we passed him.
“This is a fucking competition, baby.”
I couldn’t believe what I heard. “But he’s your best friend!”
“He’ll live. Trust me,” he insisted.
I let out an exasperated sigh and remained silent until we reached the finish line. As expected, Ace was the first to cross it, and Ashter was the last.
“Stop being so grumpy. Let’s go.” Stephen extended his hand in front of me to help me get down from the horse.
I rolled my eyes and swatted his hand away, deciding to dismount on my own. But suddenly, pain shot through my head, causing me to lose my balance. Thankfully, Stephen caught me just in time.
I bumped my head and looked at Stephen. I saw his mouth moving, but I couldn’t hear any words coming from there. His friends around me are the same, displaying worry on their faces.
I tightly closed my eyes as the pain intensified. But as I opened my eyes, it seemed like I was in a different place, causing me to be startled.
Many children are riding their pony horses. But their faces are blurry, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t make out any of their features.
However, one little girl caught my attention. That child is none other than me, and I’m the only one clearly visible among them all.
“Nathalia, hold my hand. Come down from there,” a young boy said to me. I can’t see his face, but his voice is familiar to me.
“I don’t want to! You didn’t help your best friend earlier. How could you do that?” I retorted as the young me crossed my arms.
The boy scuffed his foot. “Fine! I’m sorry.”
“You shouldn’t ask me for forgiveness!” I rejected the boy’s hand and descended on my own.
But because I stepped incorrectly, I almost fell to the ground. Luckily, the boy caught me in time.
I started crying immediately. “Tep-Tep!”
The boy gently stroked my hair. “It’s okay. I’m here. I’ll always be here for you.”
Suddenly, I became alarmed as the boy slowly disappeared, along with some other children around. I was the only one left in the darkness.
“Tep-Tep!” I shouted loudly. But I blinked in surprise as I saw Stephen’s bewildered expression.
“What did you just say?” Stephen asked in disbelief.
Gradually, the headache faded, and I looked at him in confusion.
Who the hell is that Tep-Tep?