Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

12 A Fresh Start

Autumn turned to winter. In turn, spring came in a blink of an eye. It’s been atleast six months since Noah migrated to the United States.

The first few months were filled with adjustments that he was used to adapting. It’s not like it was a first for him to move from one city to another. He just wasn’t familiar with the streets surrounding Brice’s home, and he had to rely heavily on navigation apps when he got himself a car and drove back and forth to the immigration office. He did interviews and answered a lot of complicated questions that he got nervous about at some point.

He and Brice meet with Michael once a week in a restaurant that had main Italian dishes as their main cuisine. The three of them met often and unexpectedly became friends in a short amount of time.

Michael’s been helping him with his taxes and paintings. Noah would consult him about his residency, and Michael would accompany his inquiries. He even pulled strings in the American embassy to score Noah an easy pass for a Working Visa, then a residency afterward. Noah was thankful that Michael provided him with a project-based job at the Art Institution Michael was working at.

Both Brice and Michael served as his comrades when he had gone through six months of interviews and applications before he was given his American citizenship.

When his contract ended, Noah survived half of his unemployment journey making money through the painting he had stored at a famous museum back in Maple City. The cash he made there was no joke, and it was overwhelming enough that he had to open another account for the thousand earnings he gets from displaying a rare painting he found inside the Magic Ball. He told himself numerous times that it was pure luck, but the process he went through to achieve them was mixed with his sweat and blood.

Back home, he hadn’t heard much from his dad, but he definitely listened to a lot of crying from Mary and Elijah—well, Elijah was out of words to say. A million dollars in their account was such a big deal that they were so afraid of using it, especially his mother, who badly wants to have a more massive lawn for her flowers. He had to secretly talk to Mary so that he can send her money and buy their family a new house that has a big lawn.

Two months later, Elijah called in the middle of the night to let him know that they have finally moved into the newly built house on a luxurious subdivision. He comically told Noah that their mother screamed so loud that their father thought she was giving birth again.

Soon, Noah’s father finally decided to give him a call, asking how’s he’s coping with his new life. He figured it was his way of atoning for the harsh words he threw at him when they last met. Noah didn’t make a fuss about it. He was just glad that their family is doing so well now that even if Mary got retrenched from her job as a teacher, it wasn’t a big deal anymore. She decided to do freelancing instead and also suggested that she and their mother open up a flower shop somewhere in Knox City.

The last time he heard from them, the store is almost ready for interior design.

One sunny afternoon, he was browsing away through his new flat-screen television and saw a documentary about horse racing. The stag’s mane that glowed like silk when basked in the sun, its color a midnight blue—kind of darker than Cole’s—attracted his attention. The animal was majestic and definitely one to behold of. Noah never even though he had it in him to be fascinated by such creatures.

The man brushing the horse’s smooth mane glided the tool down to the roots of its hair. The farmyard shot to his mind like a blooming flower. Then, he had one hell of a crazy idea to own one. If the horse can drink on the spring water, he would surely garner the same growth spurt as that of the three dogs Noah is currently raising.

The next day, the video called Brice and Michael and told them he wants to experience riding a horse.

A what? Brice exclaimed.

He said a horse, Michael answered Brice.

His face contorted into a frown, What’s with this sudden fascination with horses?

“I saw one in the telly last night.”

Oh. So you’re saying you happen to watch a show that featured horses, and now you’re interested in riding one? That’s some millionaire hobby you got there, Brice teased while typing away, eyes focused on his monitor. It’s been months since Noah funded him with two million dollars, and Brice had been slowly building his dream. He hadn’t talked much about it, but he showed Noah snippets of a website he’s starting for promoting the said business of his.

Michael gave a laugh as smoke came out of his nose. He tapped his cigarette on his ashtray and said, Do you want me to find you a horse?

Stop spoiling him, Mikes, Brice warned, he’s spending too much money on unnecessary things!

“Dumbass, it’s not unnecessary. I’m planning on buying a ranch.”

For your house, I presume? Michael inquired as he stood and walked toward his balcony.

Brice rolled his eyes, Yeah, definitely for his horse.

“To make a profit out of it.” Noah corrected. “I can’t rely on the paintings itself. It wouldn’t hurt to try a new way to gain money.”

Good point praised Michael. When are we going horseback riding?

Have you thought about the cost? Brice said while his typing intensified.

Noah sighed as he ran a hand through his face, “I’m about to find out.”

Michael blew smoke from his cigarette. He smiled gently as Brice and Noah bickered more about whether they should really go through with the ranch-weekend getaway Noah’s been itching to go through.

The two of them heard an exasperated sigh from Brice. Do I have to come and ride a horse myself?

Do you want to? Michael teased. He had fun mocking Brice once in a while. He has been the noisiest among them, and it was one hell of laugh when he starts bickering at anyone who tries to make fun of him. It’s usually Noah or Michael.

“I need this experience,” Noah insisted.

In the end, the three of them managed to rent a whole ranch for themselves. An old couple from the countryside lends them the entire ranch so that Noah and his friends could spend some time feeding, grooming, and riding the horses. The farmer even offered that he teach them how to hunt wild ducks in the forest next to their house.

Brice’s face was so reluctant when the farmer handed him a rifle. His body was shaking intensely as sweat formed like beads on his forehead. Noah saw from the corner of his eyes that Michael was trying to suppress a laugh.

They spent the entire afternoon cleaning the stables and feeding the horses with carrots and hay. The three of them had been in full riding gear when they arrived first thing in the morning. The farmer’s wife blushed at the sight of three gentlemen who stood like they were three, tall versions of Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

Brice wanted to go with a hat that has a broader brim, but Noah already handed him a newsboy hat he picked up from a local shop.

Before they climb their way atop the horses, the farmer taught them the basic things of gearing up the riding equipment of the horse. He emphasized that it was for their safety since the lot of them don’t have any experience handling horses. He demonstrated how to mantle the saddle over the saddle blanket. He also showed where to put the bridle, and reminded them to place their feet on the safety stirrups.

Somehow, the three of them managed to race with their horses. They rode around the forest without getting hurt or kicked by a horse.

By the time they got home to their respective places, Noah had already made up his mind. He needs to buy himself a ranch and raise stallions and mares in its premises. Perhaps he would buy one that has a nearby stream on it—it reminded him of the farmyard inside the Magic Ball.

He advised Michael to locate him his desired ranch for his future endeavors. His friend, the detail-oriented person that Michael is, reiterated to Noah about the costs of owning one.

Michael’s unwavering dark eyes looked straight at Noah’s caramel ones when he asked if he was willing to continue such an idea. For sure, owning a ranch and raising animals within its walls would cost him millions. If he’s the type of person who puts effort and commitment into his work, then without a doubt, Noah can profit double the money that he has invested in that ranch of his. 

Michael began his careful research on Noah’s proposal.

A month passed by, and Michael was, undoubtedly succeeded in finding a ranch that fits Noah’s taste. It was in the southern part of Maple City, and not many people reside in the village beyond the ranch’s point of view.

Did you check the photos I have sent you? Michael placed the lower half of the cigarette in his cheeks, that’s pretty awesome, huh?

“Where can I buy horses?” he inquired.

Michael hummed, and said, We should have asked the farmer.

“Nevermind. I can look it up on the internet anytime. How’s the ranch going on?”

I talked to the previous owner, and he said he had issues with debt, and so he had the entire ranch sold to pay for his huge loan.

“Pity,” Noah mumbled, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t have it, right?”

You bet. I have a contract with me. We can process this after your residency has been approved.

The crease that lined on Noah’s eyebrows deepened, “Why not?”

Michael blew smoke, and it moistened his screen. He waved his hand to remove the remaining fog that blocked his face. Taxes, remember?

Noah dipped his chin in what appeared to be a faint nod. “Right. Taxes and my residency.”

Did I hear from the agency that you already had your final interview at the embassy?

“I did. I’m expecting good news this week.”

Can’t wait, Michael managed to say while going through the contract.

Anyway, I made a draft—kind of like a brochure of the ranches you would look into. I carefully took my time selecting your preferences at hand.

“Do you have any recommendations?”

Michael considered a pause, the medium-sized Stream Ranch.

Noah contemplated in silence if he’d like his suggestion. He made a mental note to look into it when he gets back in the outside world.

“I’ll look into in a while. I need to go. As always, I appreciate your effort.”

All the time, Michael nodded and smiled. Don’t forget to call me when you made up your mind.

Mik licked the right side of Noah’s face. He was so busy for the past few days that he was only able to see the three of them two times a week. He did use some of his telekinesis ability by performing the circulation breath, but he sensed the loneliness in his dogs when they howled for him at night.

“I’m here,” he said while gently running his hands down their fur.

Roaming his eyes around the farmyard as he sat underneath the shade of the World Tree, he noticed that the place had to be bigger—that there was something beyond the perimeter that he’s in.

He looked further, but to no avail, he spotted nothing but the night sky.

“Is it possible?” he murmured to himself.

The next day, he called Michael to let him know that he’s buying the 35,000-acre Stream Ranch he recommended and that he already got his citizenship approved.