Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

11 Going Back to Maple City

The sun didn’t shine through the tiny slits of the Venetian blinders in Elijah’s room. He was sleeping without a care in the world. It was like the old times again. Noah sat upright from the extra cushion his family had bought for him even though he had straight-up refused everyone that suggested it. He did insist on sleeping in the living room, but his mother got upset, and his father, upon seeing his mother’s reaction, succumb to her wishes the next day.

With two sturdy arms, he hauled the cushion on Elijah’s room and ordered Noah to sleep on them, or else he wouldn’t know what to do if his mother never spoke to him again.

Noah wanted to laugh at how grim his father looked like. His father was one of a kind when it comes to their mother.

Ever so slowly, he lifted one foot lightly after the other so as not to wake-up Elijah in his comfortable sleep. He had seen his little brother work the night off for the past few days. He had been coming to work five times a day, and would even bring back home some of his unfinished tasks. Noah scolded him lightly that work is left in the office. He assured Noah that he’s getting extra pay for it and that he wouldn’t do it sincerely if they hadn’t.

Noah shrugged at him as he went back to being a couch potato for the rest of the week.

He managed to step out of Elijah’s room. His luggage was already at the front door. He had it packed yesterday so that he can shower and brush his teeth without anything to bother about. He did what was planned; he showered and brushed his teeth, and by the time he was done pampering himself, the wall clock chimed. It was already six in the morning, and it was time to head to the airport.

Before he locked their house’s door, Noah couldn’t help but look back and smile like a little boy. He couldn’t stop himself from feeling nostalgic about his short visit to his family. He’s relatively sure that Mary would call him sooner or later when she finds out about the money Noah had transferred to her account. The rest of his family would surely freak-out, his father the number one his list. But the amount he gave them wouldn’t be compared to how much they have cherished him throughout the years, even if he, at one point, decided to leave them all behind to pursue a career of his own.

Noah was grateful for his family.

The following day, Noah barged into his office like a brand-new person. He spent his last week at work training the newly hired employee that would replace him. The new guy was hesitant to talk to their boss as Noah and Dave teased him that he would soon be the new Noah that would run unnecessary errands such as picking up his clothes at the dry cleaner shop.

At night time, Noah would make sure that he paid a visit to his dogs inside the Magic Ball. He spent his time training them or playing with them underneath the World Tree, or try to pull out a weed without letting another one grow from the soil that he had plucked it from.

Sometimes between work and training, Noah received a call from the agency he allowed to handle the processing of his visa and citizenship. They explained to him how complicated and delicate the process would be, or that it would take at least six months and years before his application would be approved.

If he decides to stay in America, the agency advised him to keep renewing the Work Visa that they are steadily processing for him. Noah thought he would need to consult Michael about the things he should do for the meantime while he’s still adjusting in his life in America.

Then, there was Brice.

A light bulb appeared above his head when Noah took his cellphone from his coffee table and dialed Brice’s number. He almost forgot returning the favor to him. Aside from Michael, Brice had been that big of a help for him when it came to navigating his way in America. The guy helped him without asking anything in return. He went out of his way to research on behalf of Noah’s request, given the situation that he’s a Software Developer in an IT company in the busiest country in the world.

Noah saw a side of Brice that he hadn’t when they were buddies in college. He wasn’t the type to have a lot of friends. In fact, Noah had long admitted to himself that friendships don’t work well with him. His sister Mary had pointed out to him before that he was terrible in making friends when he ignored most of the people in his class even though they made an effort to get along with him. She also couldn’t believe how Noah got himself to date a popular girl in his senior year in high school.

Three rings before Brice picked-up his call.

Hey. Brice’s calm voice sounded like he had just gotten out of sleep.

“What, man, did you just get out of bed?” Noah glanced at his wall clock; it’s ten-fifteen in the morning.

There were unintelligible mumbles and a groan before Brice managed a definite Yes, and it’s the worst. If the pay wasn’t this good, I would have thrown the monitor in their face and walked my ass out of the office.

Noah sipped from his coffee mug, “That sucks big time if you’re asking me.”

Please don’t state the obvious, man. I’m dying. Every day feels like I’m melting—my eyes are dying on me first. I swear to god, I’ll be blind before I turned forty from facing the computer twelve hours of my waking life.

“Saying you’d be blind in your forties is lame. Why not make it while we’re still in our twenties?”

Am I talking to a friend or the reincarnation of Satan? Noah heard a shuffling and the creaking of a mattress.

“By the way, I have news for you.”

Do tell. Would you like me to guess?

“Then, guess, asshole.”

There was a long yawn and some groaning, You’re getting married?

Noah grumbled, “No, smartass. I’m only in my mid-twenties.”

He imagined Brice had pinched the bridge of his nose while shaking his head. Noah Martin, you don’t understand. Women cowered beneath your feet when we were taking the same classes in university! I’m not sure if you noticed their misty eyes when you enter the room. How come you’re not interested in them? Are you finally raising the rainbow-colored flag?

“If I were,” he argued, “I wouldn’t be ashamed of admitting it to the only friend I have. Except I’m not raising it, because I’m not one.” He took a big bite from his donut.

Sure, whatever you say. I still accept you, though.

“I know. That’s why I remembered when I had this vague conversation about you wanting to have your own business so that you wouldn’t gravel on the Head Programmer’s feet every time he makes you repeat the same codes.”

Brice sighed in apparent frustration, I hate that guy. He can eat the s**t on my toilet bowl.

Noah made a choking sound, “You’re grosser than I thought.”

What the hell, Noah? Are we talking about s**t all day? Or do you mind if I eat breakfast while we do the dirty talk?

“Screw off, man. I’m disgusted,” he grimaced. “Anyway, I called to let you know that the auctions are finally done.”

There was coughing at the other end of the line. What happened? D—did you get the money?

A grin appeared on Noah’s face, “Of course.”

You show-off! Brice made a whimpering sound that indicated he was pretending a cry. When you come back to Maple City, hit me up. Let’s find a bar and spend some of your money on beer and women. Invite that lawyer you met on a sunny jog at Maple Park.

“Brice, I’m telling you that I would fund whatever business you’re up to.”

Noah heard an earth-shattering sound that he likened to a cup falling on the floor before Brice shouted on the other end of the line.

Asshole, asshole! Don’t joke with me now, man. I know I’m still half asleep, but don’t talk about things like that.

Noah pressed his lips into a thin line, his fingers running through his dark hair. “How much would it cost you that dream business of yours?”

There was a long pause before Brice managed a let me think about it that sounded like a whisper.

“I can’t hear you.”

I said, a sigh, give me time to think about it.

“Are you accepting my funding?”

Another long pause.

W-what has gotten into you? Brice said, unsure of his words.

“Come on, man. You have helped me more than anyone in achieving this money.”

I did it because you’re a friend, Noah. I didn’t ask for a reward. I don’t want to be in debt with you.

“I’m not asking you to?” he declared.

Brice laughed nervously, I could pass out right now, but if you insist, I would think about it thoroughly. I swear on the grave of my favorite dog, man.

“Let me know, and I’ll send it to your account.”

Are you on drugs or something? I need to make sure I’m talking to the real Noah here. What if this is one of those frauds that copy’s a friend’s voice and takes advantage of the victims in extorting money from them? Do I need to give you a thousand bucks first?

Noah drank the last of his black coffee. “Dumbass. Stop overthinking.”

In the end, Brice found himself freaking out a lot about Noah’s sudden offer of funding any business he desires. He had to coax Brice into accepting the two million dollars he proposed to send in his account.

In the end, Brice said too many thanks that Noah didn’t expect he would receive. He didn’t mind the million he would give to his friend. Brice deserved it.

The cashier behind the cubicle shouted if anyone was still up in checking in any of their bags. She did rounds on the rows of seats, announcing that it was a last-minute call to board the plane heading to New York City before they decide to close the terminal gates. She passes by Noah, who had his earphones plugged in both ears while he dozed-off calmly on an empty seat in the boarding area. He had his Magic Ball securely packed at the center of his luggage. He had to use his telekinesis ability to give food to his three big dogs who are either busy swimming in the pond or drinking water from the spring water on the World Tree. He happens to come face to face with Cole when he appeared on the dark sky. Cole barks at him three times, and Noah had the impression he was saying thank you and take care of your flight.

This is it.

Noah had said his goodbye to a crying Dave and pretending-to-be-strong Trisha when he moved his boxes on his office desk. The trainee he grew close with told him that he won’t definitely be their boss’s second Noah. He patted the trainee’s head and told him to leave when he finds another job that would keep stirring his passion.

The night before his flight, Brice called to let him know that he would let Noah stay for a while in his place while he’s looking for a place to buy.

The announcer declared that the plane headed to New York City has arrived. She asked the passengers to start forming a line of the boarding gate. Noah stood and held his breath. He is onto a new chapter.