When they arrived at Mountain Creek, Daniel led Emily to the rental center. Emily followed with an inquisitive gaze, scanning the busy room with other visitors, also preparing for a day on the slopes.
Daniel spoke to the rental staff in a firm voice. “We need a pair of ski boots and full equipment for beginners,” he said.
Once the right pair of ski boots were found, Emily looked at them skeptically. “How do I put them on?” she asked.
Daniel turned his head with an unreadable expression. “Sit down, I’ll help you,” he said, his voice cold but clear.
Emily took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of Daniel’s hand as it touched her ankle. She allowed herself to be led by Daniel, who patiently taught her how to put on her ski boots and tighten the straps.
“Like this,” Daniel said, showing her how the ski boot laces should be tightened for a comfortable fit. “Not too tight.”
Emily nodded, taking Daniel’s every move seriously. “Thank you,” she said politely.
Once the ski boots were on, Daniel helped Emily stand up. Then he took a pair of skis and carefully fitted them into Emily’s shoes.
Emily stood uncertainly at first, feeling awkward with the new equipment on her feet. “Why does this feel so scary? Will I be able to do it?” she whispered to herself with doubt.
Daniel stood beside her, his hand gently touching her shoulder. “First, we’ll start with the basics,” he said, his voice emotionless. “Let skiing become a part of you.”
Emily nodded, trying to mimic the position Daniel had showed with slightly bent knees and a forward lean. Her trembling hands held the ski poles tightly.
Daniel showed the ‘pizza’ position with his skis, the tips of the skis together in front and wide at the back, forming a triangle. “This will help you control your speed,” he explained.
Emily follows, laughing as she feels her skis slide a little. Daniel shows her how to use the ski poles for balance. They practiced on the flat, Emily slowly getting used to each move.
“Ready to ride?” Daniel asked. Emily nodded, and they both stood on the conveyor that took them up the hill.
At the top, Emily looked up at the gentle slope. “Now, follow me and remember, if you want to stop, go back to the pizza position,” Daniel instructed.
“W-wait, I’m not sure I can,” Emily said, her voice full of doubt.
“Trust yourself, we don’t have time to hesitate,” Daniel said, his voice cold but with a hint of encouragement in it.
They glided at a very slow speed. Daniel was right in front of her, turning once to make sure she was following him properly.
“Good, keep going,” Daniel said, as Emily found her rhythm.
At a slow pace, they slid down. Emily followed Daniel’s lead. She felt the cold air caressing her face. But then a sudden fear appeared, making her lose her balance and fall forward.
Daniel, who realized it, immediately turned around quickly. “Are you okay?” he asked with concern hidden behind his usually cold voice.
“Yeah, I’m fine, just a little surprised,” Emily replied, smiling despite her slight embarrassment.
Daniel helped Emily to her feet and helped her brush the snow off her clothes. “Thank you,” she said gratefully.
Daniel, back to his usual demeanor, “Come on, let’s try again,” he said, his voice firm again.
“Yes,” Emily replied.
Every time Emily thought she had understood the move, gravity seemed to pull her back down to earth. She fell, got up, and fell again, the snow bearing witness to her perseverance.
Daniel took a deep breath, trying to hold back the frustration that was setting in. “You need to focus, Emily,” he said, his voice firm.
Emily nodded, her face flushed with embarrassment and cold. She stood up again, taking the ski position more carefully this time. “I’ll try again,” she said, her voice full of determination.
They slid down again, and once again, Emily lost her balance. “You’re not listening,” Daniel said, his voice rising slightly. “Look ahead, not at your feet.”
Emily looked toward Daniel was pointing, and they tried again. This time, she stayed on her feet longer, but eventually, slipped again.
“Stop, try to watch me first,” Daniel said, signaling Emily to watch.
With measured speed, Daniel glided forward, his skis moving smoothly over the snow. He used the opportunity to emphasize proper technique and smooth control.
He turns elegantly, showing how to maintain a perfect balance. He moves with a calm rhythm, gliding with a sure motion, and shows how to change direction.
When he returned to where Emily was standing, Emily looked at him admiringly. “I envy you. What can’t you do?”
“It’s your turn,” Daniel ordered.
Seeing Emily’s perseverance, the way she got up every time she fell, there was something that made Daniel want to continue teaching her, despite his turbulent emotions.
Emily took her position once again on her skis. She memorized every word and demonstration Daniel had given her. Although doubt still lingered, there was an unstoppable passion within her.
She glided forward, this time with more confidence. Her skis moved with more certainty, and although there were still a few wobbly moments, she felt a sense of progress. Every time she almost fell, she stabilized herself, using the techniques Daniel had taught her.
“I did it!” cried Emily hysterically as her efforts paid off.
“Good job,” Daniel said with a smile.
Emily stood up with her skis still attached to her feet, her breathing ragged but full of satisfaction. She turned to Daniel, her eyes sparkling, “Thank you, Mr. Daniel,” her voice trembling with deep emotion. Her smile was wide, full of emotion, looking up at Daniel.
“That’s enough for today. You’ve worked hard,” Daniel said.
Emily, who had been falling and getting up, felt an overwhelming hunger attacking her. “I didn’t realize it was already evening,” she said, looking at the sky as it changed color.
After a grueling training session, Emily and Daniel decided to take a short break. They found a small restaurant near to Mountain Creek.
“Why don’t we eat here first?” asked Daniel, his eyes fixed on the sparkling light coming through the restaurant’s window.
Emily nodded enthusiastically, hunger overcoming her tiredness. “Yes, sir,” she agreed.
They sat at the table by the window, enjoying the view of the snow outside while waiting for their food to arrive. “This body hurts all over,” Emily complained, making Daniel couldn’t help but smile at Emily’s funny expression. But he quickly suppressed his smile when Emily turned to him.
“What made you change your mind about teaching me?” Emily asked, her eyes squinting for an answer.
“It just so happened that I also wanted to ski,” Daniel replied briefly.
Emily suddenly noticed something in Daniel’s hair. “There’s something in…” she immediately reached out her hand to grab it from Daniel’s hair but was stopped in her tracks by Daniel’s sudden stare, made the distance between them shrink to almost nothing.
“Uhmm,” Emily’s throat felt dry, her heartbeat racing along with the warmth that suddenly filled the space between them.
“There’s something in your hair,” Emily said, her voice trembling. She lowered her hand, intending not to pick up something in Daniel’s hair, but with a gentle gesture, Daniel held her hand back.
“Bring it,” he pleaded, his voice low and soft. Their eyes met, and in that gaze, there was a warmth they had never acknowledged before.
“G-got it,” Emily said after taking something from Daniel’s hair, her voice slightly panicked and awkward, not understanding why her heart was beating so fast.
“I-I’ll excuse myself to go to the toilet first, sir,” Emily said, standing up hastily and leaving Daniel there.
As she walked to the toilet, her mind raced. ‘What happened to this damn heart? Why is this?’ Emily muttered, cursing herself.
Inside the deserted restroom, Emily stared at her reflection in the mirror as she washed her face. The cold water running over her skin was not enough to calm the sudden nervousness. Her mind drifted to all the kindness Daniel had shown her, and unconsciously, she held his cheek, a gesture full of tenderness and admiration.
But just as she shook her head, trying to banish the thoughts that made her feel like a love-struck teenager, several men walked into the restroom. They caught Emily’s gaze in the mirror, and their stares made her aware of her awkward situation.
Quickly, Emily cleared her throat briefly, changing her expression to a more masculine one, reminding herself that she was in Daniel’s body at the moment. She displayed a more solid and manly demeanor.
***
Daniel stared at his phone screen, his fingers moving quickly across the search results. He was looking for clarification about his relationship with Olivia, and finally, he found what he was looking for.