Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

86 Guns and Daisies

Fitch didn’t bring much, so Noah figured he must be back in no time. He just needed some time to figure things out back home.

As Noah maneuvered his car in the parking lot, Fitch removed his seatbelt. He looked behind him, and Noah assumed he must have been making sure that he didn’t forget any of his stuff. His eyes roamed the entire back seat, then, he faced  Noah, “I have everything I need,” he said as his eyes scanned the people passing through the airport’s entrance.

Drumming his fingers on the wheel, Noah looked ahead. A red car drove away in front of them, his eyes watchful of his friend’s behavior through the rear-view mirror.

“When are you coming back?” Noah asked as he leaned on the wheel, “You still have of alot of stuff back in your room.”

Fitch wrapped his hand behind his seat’s head board, “Maybe I’ll come back with you,” he replied while still staring the line accumulating in the sliding double doors.

Noah jerked his head outside, “Better go now,” he suggested, “before that damnable line gets longer. You wouldn’t want to stand for an hour or so.”

With a smile, Fitch patted Noah’s shoulder, “You care more than you’re supposed to,” his hand found the handle of the car. One push, and Fitch was out and about. He immediately jogged at the back seat. Noah pressed a button that would allow him access to his luggage.

“All good?” Noah called as he peeked at Fitch putting down his luggage. “Need any help?” he asked again just to make sure if Fitch heard him or not.

Fitch raised his hand, “I’m good.”

Noah rolled down his window and poked his head outside. Fitch pulled his luggage, the sound of its tiny wheels trailing him like a lost puppy.

“See you in a week or so?” Noah shouted before his Italian friend reached the end of the line.

“Definitely!” Fitch smiled despite the frustration lingering in his eyes.

It wasn’t easy belonging in a family involved in politics. All the more if the said family is active when it came to the government. Fitch must have felt that torn on what he should do about that certain childhood friend’s situation. After all, he was the heir—the future head of huge responsibilities. Overnight, Noah came to a realization that Fitch’s said friend is that important. Because in a span of days, his Italian friend managed to make his said friend his priority over Robert’s wedding. Although he still assured Noah he would do his best to attend the wedding. But Noah doubts he would be able to do so.

His phone vibrated inside his jean-pocket. Noah slid his thumb on the screen, and Fitch’s message appeared.

Got inside. Tell when you’re going back.

Noah chuckled a bit as he locked his phone. Without bothering for a reply, he geared up his car, and began stirring back to the highway.

The drive back was silent besides the occasional messages of Thomas about the interested buyers of their premium yet affordable meat. Business wasn’t latent. In fact, it bloomed together with spring. Noah constantly checked his animals now. He would have a two-hour round of visiting his precious animals every morning. He chose the hour where the sun’s heat wasn’t harmful for anyone yet. That way, he can downright trouble shoot if there are problems that needed immediate response, or if he pinpoints an event or happening that would cause future difficulties and discomfort.

Of course, Noah would be kidding himself if he believed that it was for the purpose of keeping himself productive. Part of it was to divert his mind away from the rattling black box that wants to break-free from the chain Noah looped around its brim. That and the feeling that chipped at his heart from time to time.

Days went on even if he felt sad and regretful for things without a reset button. Atleast now, Noah can ignore the feeling. Back then, he would ruminate. The result was a domino effect toward what’s around him. But that time came to an end when the realization struck him hard like lightning; that life goes on even if he mops for what he can’t have.

Now, he’s forming new hobbies, building routines, and making his time useful through directing his focus on his Stream Ranch.

From time to time, he would sneak at night and have himself, the dogs, Snowflake, Bean, and Night transported inside the Magic Ball. It was, in a way, therapeutic whenever he escaped inside a magical place no one else knew expect him and his lovely animals.

Hour would pass before him, and Noah wouldn’t notice that it was already morning back in the Stream Ranch. Not a single employee of his caught him, and every time, it felt like an achievement. At the same time, it was a step forward—it was moving back with time.

As he turned a corner, Noah remembered the gun shop somewhere around the streets he was driving.

When they were having the monthly meeting, Taylor told the rest of the guys that he found a rare shop that sells guns. But he also cautioned them that owner doesn’t sell it for a cheap price.

Noah recalled the line forming between Thomas’ brows. And when Noah asked what the matter was, he groaned and complained that necessary documents Noah needed to purchase his own gun. Before he knew it, the older man had already arrange everything. He told Noah that just in case he gets wack again, the documents are already at his car’s compartment.

Chuckling by himself, Noah had his map opened on the screen of his car.

“Let’s see,” he said as he looked back and forth on the road, “ah, here we are.” He turned another corner in the busy streets. The shop was discreet, and at the same time, it was also beside several thrift stores of clothes in the ninety’s.

He decided to park in front as his thoughts flew to a certain someone who’s fond with the ninety’s fashion.

The chained, black box rattled inside his mind. Her image was protesting it be freed. But Noah bitterly shut it down, throwing it somewhere he doesn’t have access anymore.

As he grabbed at the parking ticket, Noah strode inside the shop. The bell attached to the door gently rang, and two heads perked up at his entrance.

“Good day, lad,” the gruff man greeted with a grin, “we rarely see the likes of you here.”

Noah walked toward him, his eyes scanning the entire place.

The flooring was made of old wood, and Noah assumed so is the walls the guns were hanged to. There were several pistols enclosed in a transparent cabinet, while the bigger ones were out and about for curious customers to admire. Several firearms Noah wasn’t familiar with made him crane his neck. Soon, he grew uncomfortable from the scrutinizing stare the two men gave him.

“Oh, sorry,” he began, “I was just marveling at how beautiful your collection of guns are,” said Noah as his eyes were glued on the pistol inside the transparent cabinet.

The older man whose hair is already going bald, nodded his head at Noah, “We’re the only one around this area.”

“A fact,” Noah remarked.

That earned a laugh from the older man, “I like you. Now, what can we get you, lad?”

In response, Noah hummed. He hadn’t notice that he was already crossing his arms over his chest, “A good friend mentioned to me about this shop, and I stopped by to see if I can get any firearms myself.”

The older man held his bearded chin, “I see. First, you must tell where you would use it.”

Noah knew it’s definitely not for hunting. The older man caught him empty handed by that question.

He raised one brow, “I’m not sure, but it’s definitely not for hunting…”

“Then, you can stop looking at these fellows,” the older man gestured at the guns behind him, “look here instead,” he pointed at the pistol inside the transparent cabinet.

Noah nodded in agreement. He considered what he should get, what size, and on what purpose he would use it. But despite thinking hard about it, he couldn’t come up with anything but that it’s for his own protection. When he finally made-up his mind, he reiterated his thoughts to the older man. The younger one who polished the guns vigorously helped Noah in his purchase.

In the end, he bought two pistols—one with a longer noise, the other one with a silencer. Then, he remembered the dangers of the mountain he trekked with Joanna and Cora, and he had the urge to buy two firearms he could use in situations like those.

The older man scratched at his head at Noah’s description. Nevertheless, Noah had the necessary documents required when you buy firearms. He can say he came prepared, especially when he took out his card and paid for it.

Placing his purchase at the back of his car, Noah wiped his forehead on his sleeve.

He had his hand flat on his behind. There was something not right when he stretched without feeling the buldge of his wallet—Noah let out a curse. He left his wallet on the counter!