Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

83 Not the Same People Anymore

Noah and Brice spend more time together in the resto-bar that they ate at. Of course, the matter with Brice’s wife, Angela, was raised by Noah earlier in their session. Brice told him not to worry since he properly told Angela that he was hanging with Noah till late in the evening.

Blowing the smoke out of his mouth, Noah looked at Brice, “Mrs. Mason didn’t mind that you’re spending your night with me?” one end of his lips turned upward into a smirk.

Taking a swig from his beer, Brice laughed afterward, “Of course she doesn’t. You’re well acquainted, after all.”

“Sure,” Noah nodded as he reached for the beer, “but won’t she suspect that you’re seeing other women?”

Brice shook his head, “One of the reasons why I married her is because she trusts me with all that she has.”

Raising an eyebrow, Noah wondered the limit of his words. “Really? Everything is a heavy word.”

“Perhaps not all, but those that are both with little relevancy and deep importance,” he said while winking and digging into the platter of fries.

If married life was as chill as Brice described it to be, then Noah had this thought of possibly thinking about getting married.

Back then when he was still in a serious relationship with Victoria Fox, they have talked sincerely about weddings. After all, Noah never knew that he would date other women, and that the two of them would end of separating in the long run because Noah couldn’t make it to the university Victoria had herself enrolled in. Regardless, at that time, Noah knew that he could make time. He even found made time for them to see and sleep with each other. Until Victoria broke-up with him, but still slept with him even though she was already dating other men.

Watching the smoke fly toward the ceiling, Noah realized that it was one of the worsts experiences of his life. The fact that Victoria kept the secret that she was seeing other men disgusted Noah to the core. All the more so when she insisted they still sleep together even if they have already cut ties.

It was also one of the reasons why Noah hesitated in being in a relationship again with Joanna.

Right—Joanna. She’s probably hoping, even though she doesn’t often show it, that Noah would ask her out and be with him again.

As he sat on the wooden chair, Noah came to a conclusion that he didn’t want to do the same mistake with Joanna again. He would have to the tell her, and he knew it would be painful. Because that’s what Joanna did in their first break-up. Even though Noah couldn’t understand her reason before, now it shone as clear as day.

“Anyway, I should be heading back to the farmhouse,” he declared to a drinking Brice.

“I’ll send you the check tomorrow morning. Does that sound good?”

Noah nodded faintly as he reached for the coat behind him. When the material was grasped in his hand, he flung it on his shoulder.

“I bet Fitch had been telling you all about Joanna?”

Brice nodded with enthusiasm, “Are you a mind reader? And yes, he did. His connections helped me find steady investors and companies I could collaborate with.”

“Despite him being a soldier before—”

“What?” Brice had water running down his mouth. He immediately wiped it with the back of his hand as the bottom of his glass clanked on the table before them. “Fitch is a soldier before?”

“Before he became a civil servant back in Italy,” Noah quickly corrected to avoid any confusion on Brice’s part.

The man before him had his eyebrows furrowed deep, his mouth pressed in a thin line. Without taking his eyes off Noah, he took his glass wine and, swallowing once, he finished the entire thing in one go.

He let out a refreshed sigh, “You and your friends in Italy,” he remarked with an amused expression.

Noah shrugged, “What can I say? I’ve been friends with one of the most unique people in the world.”

“Tell me about it,” Brice replied, “I wouldn’t even wonder if you’re already friends with some celebrities.”

Noah angled his body. Leaning his elbow on the table, he peered at Brice from his the bottle he was holding, “About that. Some are fans of my cattle meat—says it’s the finest meat they’ve tasted in a certain fine-dining restaurant my ranch supplies.”

A heavy palm landed on Noah’s back, “Christ, you’re one hell of  a celebrity, then,” Brice commented with a grin on his face.

“As compared to Fitch’s old rich money—”

“Bloody christ!” Brice exclaimed. “You’re telling me that he’s more than just that love-struck guy that kept chasing that police officer?”

Noah nodded, “You meant Cora?”

“That’s her name?” Brice had a curious look on his face, “sounds like she’s someone who loves the sea.”

Now that had Noah thinking. Does Cora like the sea? Fitch didn’t mention anything about it. They’re not exactly moving forward with their relationship, but what Noah can say is that they’re also not relatively in bad terms either.

He noted the sea in hopes to aid Fitch if ever the man plans on wooing his dream girl again.

That reminds him, he also needs to settle his score with Joanna once and for all. He decided he can’t be with the woman he doesn’t feelings left anymore. They can be acquaintances, perhaps good friends even if she would like. But going beyond that—Noah wouldn’t step on the line anymore.

“Well,” Brice started as he puffed the end of the cigarette stick, “thanks to Fitch, I was able to get solid investors and all.” Raising an eyebrow, he looked aimlessly at the empty streets ahead of them, “no wonder the bastard had great connections! I should have thought he was some heir to a great fortune in Italy.”

Fingers running through his hair like a comb, Noah leaned his back on the chair, “Back in the day, I never really knew Fitch was that kind of rich.”

Brice rummaged through his pocket. He then scanned through his phone, “You mean to say the man wasn’t vocal about his money.”

Slowly nodding, Noah said, “Indeed,” he pressed the end of the cigarette on the ash tray, “I personally wouldn’t have known if he didn’t invite me to their home to play video games.”

“Bastard!” Brice berated, “He’s got the look,” he began raising his fingers as if he was counting, “he’s got that killer smile. And most of all, he’s got the god’s damned money.”

With his statement, Noah laughed a little, “Don’t forget that he’s also in love with a woman that wouldn’t return his feelings.”

“Damn, that hit home!” Brice said with a sigh. He had his hand scooping the board of the chair, “I didn’t have any of those before—and I’m glad I have Angela with me.” The glint in his eyes made Noah curious.

Love is a complex thing, and just by having it engrave in Noah’s mind, he didn’t have the strength yet to understand it. The closest thing he can compare it to were the times he would beheld Diana’s riding face; her straight figure as she galloped with the Snowflake. Her golden hair flying backward as if it were strings of silk. Of course, how can Noah even forget about those beautiful cerulean-blue eyes that searched him in the plains, the sun setting behind her.

Noah halted such thoughts.

Bury them. Keep them safe in a black box. Don’t ever let it resurface.

He won’t allow himself to wallow in the pain of an unrequited love.

“That’s it,” Brice raised his hand. Soon, a waiter walked to their table and asked if there’s anything they need.

“We’re billing out,” taking a card on his wallet, he looked at Noah and smiled, “My treat now.”

Smirking, Noah found himself feeling proud of what Brice had become: a successful IT CEO that started his own gaming company from scratch. It was, in a way, in the same circumstances with what he did to his Stream Ranch. And Noah’s kind of relieved the two of them had somehow managed to make their company’s successful.

The waiter came back with the bill in hand, and Brice gave him his card.

Noah noticed that Brice is busy typing away on his phone.

“Something the matter?” he asked without making it seem like he was prying on someone else’s business. He convinced himself that he’s just actually curious.

Brice looked up from his phone, “It’s Angela. She’s asking if I’m about to head home. Apparently, she’s heading to bed earlier than she expected.”

Lifting his wrist, Noah stared at his watch: 11:46 PM

“Quite late indeed for a married man,” he said it with a hint of suspicion.

“Hey,” Brice elbowed him, “It’s not like I went to a strip club with you.”

“Aha!” Noah exclaimed as he wore his coat properly, the key to his car dangling on his index finger, “So, that’s what you’ve been trying to gain here.”

Glaring at him, Brice let go some curses, Noah laughing in return. Both of them hugged and separated in each of their cars. One was driving home to his wife, and the other heading to a zone he wouldn’t have to remember about the person that refused his affection.