7 Meet the lawyer
1926 Words
“I never thought I would be accompanying you here, Noah.” Dave, his co-worker for years, walked beside him as they exited the airport’s immigration area.
“Never thought you would, too. I heard the boss had you doing some errands for him after the meeting at the head office.”
Dave sighed out of exhaustion, “I’m the new version of Noah The Errand Boy. He’s starting to like me. I think I’m going to replace you soon.”
Noah nodded earnestly at him, “I think you should. You would suit the job.”
Dave made a face that either said, are you serious? Or please kill me instead.
They hailed a taxi at the exit. Dave was having a hard time with his English, so he had Noah take the lead on directing the taxi driver where they would stay.
A month had passed ever since he discovered the wonders of the farmyard inside the Magic Ball. His three puppies also grew fast into adulthood with the help of the mysterious pond and the World Tree.
Day by day, Noah noticed that they are responding to him more like how a human child would. He started teaching them basic answers or cues when they want something. Noah had them answer through barking twice if they like the food he offers. If, however, they dislike the food that Noah gives, he taught them to bark once. The three dogs quickly caught up to their master’s lessons. Noah finally knew which food they prefer through their barks that served as their answers. He also left a bell that they can ring whenever they are hungry. The trio learned to shake it using their mouths.
“Syrup?” the driver repeated.
“No—not syrup,” Dave managed to say. Noah noticed he’s becoming more and more frustrated as the driver kept sighing about their miscommunication.
He faced Noah with a sour face as he spoke in his native Italian, “I’m perfectly telling him to take us to Maple city. Why can’t he understand what I’m saying?” Dave slapped one of his hands on his cheeks at an attempt to wake his self up from the coursing jet lag.
He spoke again in his rusty English, “I’m saying Maple and Maple, not city, okay? Why are you telling me to go to syrup? Syrup is one you put in pancake!”
Noah yawned as he placed a hand on Dave’s shoulder, “Don’t worry, Dave. You can shut your eyes now.”
Dave had his jaw open. Noah assumed he just couldn’t believe how fluent he had grasped the English language. Dave slapped Noah’s back harder than he intended as Noah choked on the water he was drinking.
“I knew it! That’s why you’re the boss’s favorite!”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s that accent, Noah!”
Noah squinted his eyes and agreed, even if he doesn’t understand what Dave’s trying to point out. He peaked on the driver’s seat and offered his apologies on how Dave acted towards him.
“He’s a really good guy. Just impatient at times,” he said in his smooth American accent.
The driver sighed, and this time, it’s out of relief. “Thank god you’re there. Now, where shall I drop you off?”
“Please take us to Hotel Vally at Maple city.”
They had a smooth sailing ride and a light-hearted conversation with the driver throughout the travel. Dave and Noah didn’t even notice that they have finally arrived at the hotel they were going to stay at for a whole week. Noah prepared himself for the presentation report that would surely gruel the panel’s mind.
The moment Noah swiped the card key through their door, Dave basically collapsed on the nearby bed beside the door. He mumbled something about resting for a bit before they head out for dinner. Dave squeezed his pillow and instantly fell asleep snoring for an entire hour.
Noah, on the other hand, opened his suitcase. He took out the box where he kept his Magic Ball hidden. He brought it close to his face and had a look at how his puppies are doing.
Mik turned around when he saw Noah’s face above the sky. Noah chuckled a bit as Mik barked and wagged his tail at him. Ginger noticed Mik’s commotion and decided to have a look at what he’s barking at. When her eyes landed on Noah, her fury tail joyously wagged from behind her. Noah noticed their ears are becoming sharper as the days went by. They really are fully reaching adulthood sooner than he expected. He thought that if they were able to look and become more adult-looking dogs, then that also meant that it’s speeding their life span, right?
Noah didn’t want to think yet that these dogs could die of old age faster than the average life span of an adult German shepherd if they continued to drink the water on the mysterious pond.
“Are you all hungry?” Ginger practically ran and bit the bell. She shook her head as the bell kept ringing—an indication that they were indeed starving.
Noah used the circulation breathing he practiced every day and thought of the dog food he left in his kitchen counter. He used his telekinesis ability to put dog food in the trio’s bowls. When he finished exhaling his thirtieth breath, Noah opened his eyes and noticed how quiet the three has become. He took a peek inside and saw that they were already eating.
Noah noticed Cole near the World Tree, lounging his way underneath its lush green leaves. When he smelled food nearby, he looked at the sky and saw Noah’s face. He barked with the same intensity as that of Mik as Noah waved his hand goodbye, Ginger not minding him as she dug her face in the bowl. Tomorrow, he’ll feed them chicken and meat.
The next morning, Noah forced himself to fight his jet lag. He set his alarm at six in the morning and jumped ten times in an attempt to further awaken the systems in his body. He yawned and grabbed the box of the Magic Ball, and went inside the bathroom. He took a peek inside and saw that all three of his dogs are still sleeping. Not so much as to make a noise, he imagined freshly cooked chicken and broth meat in their plates as he used the circulation breathing. Upon his last breath, he took one glance inside and managed to succeed in placing their meals in each of their designated bowls.
Noah breathed heavily as he ran around the park beside the hotel he’s staying at. It’s been a while since he had a good jog around the park. The weather’s a bit colder in America compared to the one he got accustomed to. The trees lining the side of the park is already turning into different shades of orange, red, and yellow.
While turning a corner, Noah lost his balance as he swiftly inadvertently elbowed a man with blond hair that attempted to ran in front of him. The man stopped in his tracks and glared directly to where Noah is.
Noah thought he should have just apologized to avoid such situations. He had this sudden thought if the people around this country are easily offended by such minor happenings.
Noah approached him cautiously at a safe distance. In case the blond man attempts to punch him the face, he can easily dodge and ran for his life. Not that he’s a coward, but because he wants to avoid any conflict while he’s staying in this city.
His chest moved up and down from all the running he had been doing. Noah asked him gently, “are you okay?”
“You hit my chin hard,” the blond man stated the obvious.
Noah heard the fury in his voice. “Be careful, man. You could have hit someone more hot-headed than I am,”
Noah thought, what was the deal in telling him if he’s hot-headed or not?
“I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry. Can I get you something?” Noah answered back. He must keep the conversation to a minimum.
The man placed his hands on his hips, “You’re not American, are you?”
Noah wondered if the English accent Dave praised him for faltered, “I’m Italian. I came here for business purposes.”
“I see,” the blond man approached him with all the bravado he had. Noah had the impression that he’s really kind behind all the façade.
The blond man reached his palms at him, and Noah took and shook his hand, “The names Nick. I’m sorry if I came to you like that. It’s been tough at court these days.”
“You can call me Noah,” he answered without minding what he meant. “It’s okay. I’m also at fault.”
Nick firmly gripped his palm to show his strength before letting go. He probably thought he could easily spook Noah that way.
Noah started running slowly this time to cool his body. Nick followed his speed as he jogged beside Noah.
“Was it always this cold in America?”
“Must have been because it’s autumn season,” Nick replied dryly. Noah had no idea what to say to him, so he just mumbled a farewell and started running faster to leave him and his awkwardness behind. He thought Nick kind of gives an aura that he doesn’t want to be around with.
“Why does the pasta taste bland?” Dave said as he drowned the taste of alfredo with the white wine served on their table. “I want to go back to Italy right now.”
Their business meeting ended painfully with debates about whether they should look for another distributor that can consistently support their company’s products. Noah was neutral about it, while Dave brought out his frustration to a senior that didn’t understand his point.
“They’re fine,” Noah insisted while he ate the restaurant’s special flavored pizza. He barely even ate his own pasta. He just wanted to show Dave that he wasn’t picky about the food. I bet his dogs would’ve appreciated the dish more.
He took one scoop of his equally tasteless spaghetti and started chewing slowly. Dave kept his rants till Noah had enough of the pasta he forced himself to eat. He turned around and signaled an incoming waiter for the bill when suddenly, strong hands landed on his shoulder.
“Noah?” someone asked from behind him. It was Nick—the blond fellow that had a bad mood when he took a run at the park.
“Oh, it’s good to see you again,” he said politely while looking at the curious Dave in front of him.
“He’s a guy I randomly met when I ran at the park,” he explained to Dave.
“I’m Dave. Pleased to meet you.” Dave said with the best American accent he can muster. He stood and offered a handshake. Nick took it and smiled at him. Noah thought he seems to be in a better mood than this morning.
“What are you guys doing here?” Nick asked as he pulled a chair near Dave.
“We had a business meeting upstairs,”
“Are you serious? I had one, too. I’ve been frequenting this certain CEO. What company is that? Is it the one whose top products are cheese?”
Dave faced him with a glass of wine in his hand, “Noah, have you told him about the company we work in?”
Noah shook his head.
Nick chuckled and poured wine on an extra wine glass Noah offered him. “I’m a lawyer, and I’ve been hired for consultation purposes,”
“I’d like to ask about it,” Noah said, “but I know it’s confidential.”
“Right on! I’m sure you’re aware that it has something to do with your business meeting?”
“Oh, I don’t want to remember the conference. It felt as if my brain will explode,” Dave interjected as he comically rubbed the back of his head.
The three of them continued talking for another hour. Nick was unexpectedly comfortable to be around with.
Noah looked forward to tomorrow’s visit to the Art Appraisal Institution.
- Writer
