Chapter 297 - 297: Horseback Riding

Diana asked her Butler to escort her visitors going to the horse stables and arena. Her friends were already there waiting for them. Diana would just change into her riding clothes.

When Erick and Elle together with their colleagues arrived in the horseback riding Arena, Diana's friends were already riding their designated horses. There were also three professional trainers, watching and guiding them to ensure their safety.

"Whoa! This is my first time seeing different breed of horses in person." June mumbled in awe as he watched the horses.

"Me too!" Bryan said.

"Amazing!" Josh also blurted out.

"I want to ride those horses too!" Sandy said with eagerness in her voice.

Elle and Erick were also admiring the horses in front of them.

"They look like professional riders with their riding clothes!" June said as he watched Diana's friends.

The butler couldn't help letting out soft chuckles.

"Indeed. Miss Diana and her friends are all professional riders. Horseback riding became their hobby since they were still little kids." The Butler proudly said to them.

"Really?" Sandy couldn't believe it.

"Well, that is very much expected for those rich kids," she added.

"There are twenty horses in the stables. Four breeds… quarter horses which are trained specifically for the discipline. They have smooth gait and calm demeanor." One of the trainers approached them and started to talk about horses.

They just listened to him attentively.

"There are also Tennessee Walking Horses known for their graceful and comfortable gait. Another breed is the Carolina Marsh Tucky. And the favorite horse of Señorita Diana is the Morgan horse. If you are looking for a trail, pleasure riding companion, or competitive sports horse then that would be Morgan horse."

"Wow… that's nice. I want to ride that horse too!" Sandy said enthusiastically.

"Sorry, dear. You can't as of now." Diana's voice was heard.

When they turned to look at her, she was already wearing her riding clothes, a red helmet matched with red gloves, black paddock boots which were knee height. 

Her slender and s.e.xy figure was emphasized after wearing a black fitted long-sleeved shirt and blue jodhpurs. A red safety vest completed the picture. She looked very cool and elegant at the same time.

"Why?" Sandy asked, feeling disappointed.

That's the time Diana's friend went to meet them.

"Because you are not wearing proper riding clothes." It was the trainer who answered Sandy's query.

"Ah ok."

"Diana! Finally, you are here. Hmm, we see... you also bring other guests" a husky voice caught their attention. He was one of Diana's friends.

Diana smiled at him before she spoke up.

"Okay. I should introduce everyone first."

"This guy who just spoke up is Jeff. The guy beside him is Jake, he is the older brother of Jeff."

"Hello, guys!" Jake put on a suave smile and waved his hand to greet them.

"This is Kisses, my cousin. Isabelle, my best friend. The lady in yellow is Laura, my friend way back in college."

The three ladies just smiled at them while Diana started to introduce Erick and his team as well as Elle and her companions.

"These are Aliyah, Sandy, and Josh, reporters from Morning Star Media Network."

"Oh… how about these three handsome guys with you, my dearest cousin?" Kisses asked her curiously.

"They came from the Crime Investigation Bureau. They are assigned to my father's case." Diana replied to her with a charming smile on her face.

"Sergeant Bryan and Sergeant June…" Diana paused and she turned to Erick.

"And lastly, this is Chief Detective Erick Lee, their team leader," Diana said to them using her sweetest voice.

The Ladies gasped in surprise.

"Oh, that's why he looks familiar to me. He is Erick Lee, the famous Chief Detective of the country!" Isabelle exclaimed in excitement.

Erick just nodded to greet them. He was not used to being the center of attention. He felt a little bit uncomfortable right now. June and Bryan just exchanged meaningful glances with each other. The reaction of these girls was not new to them.

Meanwhile, there was also another person who was unhappy for the attention Erick was receiving from them. On the outside, Elle looked so calm but deep inside, there was a raging storm of fury. 

If the girls had their eyes on Erick, the guys also had someone in mind.

"Anyway… if you also want to ride a horse then I have a solution for that. Why don't you ride with us? We can guide you and keep you safe during the ride even though you are not wearing the appropriate riding clothes." Jake suggested.

"Oh, right. You don't have to worry. We are professional riders." Kisses supported Jake's suggestion.

"Is that okay?" Sandy asked them, feeling hopeful. She really wanted to ride a horse.

"Of course yes, you will just have to partner with one of us." Jeff also said.

"Yeah, I like that. I also want to try!" June said cheerfully. There was a hint of anticipation and excitement in his voice.

Diana didn't object with the idea as she glanced at Erick's direction. Riding with Erick in just one horse, that's not a bad idea.

"Ahem. Nice suggestion. What a coincidence? There's an equal number of boys and girls. You can partner up with each other, beginners and professional riders." The trainer butted in.

Diana immediately walked towards Erick.

"Do you want to ride with me, Chief Lee?" Diana asked him sweetly. 

She didn't waste her time. She didn't allow others to approach Erick. Fast move Diana! So the other girls had no choice but to pick the other guys. They knew Diana well. She was obviously telling them to f*ck off. Kisses went to Bryan, Isabelle to Josh, Laura to June.

Meanwhile, Jeff and Jake both approached Elle.

"Hey, pretty, would you like to be my riding companion?" Jake put on his charming smile as he extended his arm.

"Ahem… I think I am the one who is more suited to you. See… we are wearing the same color today. Pink. Be my partner, my lady in pink!" Jeff said and winked at her, trying to impress her using his suave tone.

"Huh? Then what about me?" Sandy complained to them in disbelief.

'I am the one who badly wants to ride a horse not her.' Sandy thought to herself.

Elle frowned. She was not paying attention to the two guys. She was looking at Erick, waiting for his answer whether he would accept Diana's offer or not. Because if he would, then God only knows what Elle could do to them.

'Say yes, then I swear, I will make this a memorable experience that you will never try to ride a horse again.' Elle had sworn to herself.

At the same time, Erick's gaze was fixed to Elle and to the two guys who were inviting her to be their partner.

'If you say yes in either one of them, I will surely punish you, Elle. Don't you dare go with them! You knew how I could easily get jealous.' Erick already had a grim expression on his face.

Jake: "Miss Aliyah?"

Jeff: "My lady?"

They were waiting for her answer. When Elle met Erick's gaze, her lips curled up into a playful smile. 

"I-" Elle didn't finish her words as Erick immediately cut her off.

"She can't! She's allergic to… horses." Erick blurted out. He couldn't bear to stand still. 

Elle raised her brows as she stared at him.

"Me too… I can't. I am also allergic to horses," Erick added.

Sandy: "..."

'When did Aliyah become allergic to horses? And Handsome Pervert too? He is allergic to horses. What a ridiculous joke?' Sandy darted her gaze back and forth between Erick and Elle.

Meanwhile, everyone was rendered speechless. They didn't expect that. 

June and Bryan looked at Erick confusedly. They knew him for almost a decade but they didn't hear anything about Erick's allergy. Allergic to Horses? Since when?

Elle tried her best to suppress her laughter. Erick's excuse was really unexpected. He was not good at lying.

'[email protected], Erick! What a cutie?! I want to pinch your cheeks. Allergic to horses? Really?' Elle was laughing inwardly.

Then Erick looked at her pleadingly which says 'hey, say something. Help me out with this.'

Cough! Cough!

Elle cleared her throat before she decided to connive with her man, supporting his lies.

"Yes, that's true. I am sorry about that." Elle said as she smiled at them apologetically.