Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

79 The Camping Set-up

A month went by, and Noah was done with Fitch’s daily dose of stories that has to do with either Cora ignoring him, or scolding him for coming at her workplace without notice. Noah, in hand, didn’t tolerate his friend’s behavior. He too resulted into scolding him about how he shouldn’t annoy someone at work. In the beginning, Fitch wanted to woo Cora in the traditional way of sending flowers and chocolates, as well as the occasional greeting cards—all those cheesy stuff that Noah couldn’t fathom.

The sun’s light hit his eyes, and Noah involuntarily reached his hand toward the sky. His palm served as coverage from the harsh heat of the sun.

It’s been a while since he transported inside the Magic Ball. Nothing much has changed except for him adding a few stables and barns now and then. Every structure was done by Noah himself, since he wasn’t willing to share the secret of the Magic Ball to anyone yet. Noah’s sure they would freak out. So, he decided to have the secret to himself instead.

Whenever he went inside the Magic Ball, Noah would bring his three dogs with him.

Cole ran around the mysterious pond. He shook his fur, and water sprinkled on the grass below. On the other hand, Mik and Ginger swam in the crystal-clear waters of the pond. The two were fund with paddling their feet until one of the reaches the end of it.

Noah sat underneath the shade of the World Tree, his back leaning on its bark. The water falling out from the other side was therapeutic that Noah almost always fall asleep when he when he focused on listening to it.

After napping for minutes, Noah felt the brush of the fresh breeze. Its light caress tickled his face as he opened his eyes. Then, he remembered Fitch sulking at the living room the other day. Noah kept reminding his friend that he needs to give Cora space. And so, Fitch did. The man also told Noah that he promised himself that he would respect Cora’s decision no matter what.

So far, Fitch had been holding up to this day. It was Noah who couldn’t stand the fact that he was all quiet and obedient for the past week or two.

Wanting to do something for his friend, Noah began whistling to his three dogs.

With utmost speed, Cole, Ginger, and Mik was in front of him in no time. They wagged their tails in anticipation. His dogs lined up, their tongue hanging out.

Reaching his hand out, Noah patted the top of their heads as the four of them head back to Noah’s room in the farmhouse.

Closing his eyes during the process, Noah felt the quick beat of his heart. There was the occasional nausea, then the throbbing of his head. His stomach churned, and before he knew it, his feet were no longer stepping on grass.

The next day went by, and Noah had a devious plan that would both benefit him and Fitch.

Forgetting what needs to be forgotten, Noah settled on the plan of inviting Joanna out to go camping. It should be enough to get to know each other all over again. It’s favorable for him, and since Joanna’s friends with Cora, Noah opted to have her invite the police officer this coming long weekend.

Joanna was thrilled, and before they know it, the two of them had already laid out the blue print to bringing Fitch and Cora together.

The faithful day arrived, and Joanna couldn’t help but snicker on the phone.

‘I hope they wouldn’t be pissed-off about it,’ she said, the giggle resounding at the other end of the line.

“Fitch won’t. He’s guaranteed to squeal, though.” The amusement lined in his eyes as he adjusted his car’s rear view mirror.

‘Cora would kill me. And if that happens, please save me.’

Noah can’t stop himself from imagining Joanna’s smile. The woman knew about what had happened, and she’s giving Noah all the time in the world to get comfortable with her again. She didn’t say anything about Diana, and instead, she did her best to alleviate the hurt in Noah’s chest.

Running a hand through his hair, Noah sighed, “Well, we better get going there. Make sure Cora doesn’t know about who he’s about to see,” he let out a nervous laugh.

Joanna chuckled, ‘Don’t worry. It will work-out fine.’

Then, she ended the call.

Fitch was just in time. He went inside the car and fastened his seat belt.

“Gods, please make this worth my time,” he grumbled, his eyebrows scrunched.

Noah mentally smiled as he can’t tell smile at Fitch. The guy would definitely be suspicious.

After a ten-minute drive behind the Stream Ranch, Noah arrived at the foot of the mountain. There’s a small forest around here, and Noah was curious as to what he would discover. This is both beneficial for Fitch and him.

Joanna was already waving at them from a distance. Cora was nowhere to be found, and Noah assumed that she must have been inside the car sulking the same Fitch is right now. Noah thought these two aren’t together yet and they’re already acting as if  they’re having a major crisis in their relationship.

When Noah settled down on the parking lot, he turned off the car’s engine. He turned he patted Fitch’s shoulder.

“We’re here,” he announced.

Fitch leveled him a flat look. He didn’t say anything as he rolled down his window.

“Too many trees,” he commented.

Noah laughed, “Man, it’s a camping trip. What do you expect?”

Raising his shoulders, Fitch sighed and snatched his bag behind them, “Come on. Let’s get this started.”

A few feet away, Noah noticed that Joanna was running toward them. The grin on his face became evident when Joanna knocked on his window.

Fitch whipped his head just in time to see Joanna waving at him.

Noah gestured for her to take a step back. He opened his door and snatched Joanna’s hand. Then, with his big arms, he embraced her tightly.

Joanna patted her back several times, a smile on her face.

The shock was now apparent on Fitch’s face.

“Uhm, what’s going on?” he asked, clueless about the woman walking behind him.

Noah let go of Joanna.

The two of them off a sorry look, “Please forgive me,” Noah began as Cora snarled from behind Fitch.

Noah’s friend froze.

“What the hell?” Cora called from behind him, her hands on her hips. 

“I’m sorry,” Noah repeated as Fitch walked ahead of them, and Cora tailed behind Joanna in silence.

They couldn’t break the ice between these two. And Noah’s having an inkling that Cora’s having feelings with Fitch, too. She just couldn’t acknowledge it—yet. Perhaps she was assessing whether the Italian man that kept pursuing her was serious about his deeds.

“Come on you two,” Joanna called as they climbed a steep space.

Noah reached out his hand, and Joanna gladly took it. She trekked without any problem with Noah’s help.

On the other hand, Cora kept tripping throughout the entire hour that they have been walking. The way Fitch’s finger twitch, he knew his friend wanted to help the girl, but there was also the promise the he would keep the distance between them for now. And there you have it. Noah’s friend held true to his words.

Joanna and Noah had a jolly and peaceful conversation while they trekked the path toward the camping site of the forest.

Cora and Fitch remained silent—not until they were crossing the rough elevated space filled with small, slippery rocks.

The police officer took a step forward, but Joanna already noticed that she was dozing off the entire time.

One of her foot slipped, her body loosing balance. Her hands were thrown in the air, and a shout broke free from her lips.

Noah attempted to grab her, but Fitch was nearer than him. Before he knew it, his Italian friend scrambled to his feet, and it was the fastest Noah had seen him run.

Fitch’s free hand grasped Cora’s waist as he braced his feet on the ground, his hand clutching at her back to keep her steady. Cora breathed heavily against his chest, and Fitch’s eyes remained on the cliff behind her.

Noah and Joanna couldn’t move. They were too scared that if they call the two of them that Fitch would loose his cool and let go of Cora into her demise.

Cora held onto Fitch’s shirt. Her hand trembled as Fitch slowly lifted her away from danger.

When Cora was already on a flat and solid ground, she collapsed down. Her hands held tight onto Fitch’s, the two of them falling on the rough rock.

Patting her head, Fitch pulled her up as Joanna slowly walked to where they were.

“Oh, Cora! That was close!” the tears that pooled at the end of her eyes brought an ache on Noah’s heart.

He brushed it off with his thumb, and Joanna smiled. She whispered her thanks and squeezed Noah’s hand to assure him that she’s fine.

Fitch began dusting off the soil that accumulated on Cora’s leggings. The police officer was still shaking when he’s done cleaning her clothes.

She wasn’t saying anything—not until Fitch peered below and had a good look at her shocked face.

“Hey,” he called.

Cora looked at him in the eye, the fear flashing before her eyes.

Fitch hugged her head, “It’s okay. You’re fine.”

Noah realized how much feelings Fitch had for the officer. It wasn’t mere attraction, but rather, it was something lasting and true.

The nod Cora gave made Fitch let go of her.

Joanna quickly came to her side. “Come on,” she held onto Cora’s elbow and guided her all throughout the journey.

After walking for two hours, the four of them finally reached the camping site inside the forest.