Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

76 A Confession

After the dinner with Joanna, Noah focused his mind on work. He made arrangements to meet with the rest of the crew, and they talked about the strategies for this month’s cattle marketing. His most trusted employees, of course, made the most useful suggestion. They were always a big help to his business.

An entire week went by, and Noah didn’t cease his communication with Joanna. He insisted that they stop talking for a while, but Joanna said it didn’t matter. She emphasized that she knew all about the other woman he was trying to pursue, and she would also wait no matter how long Noah would make up his mind.

The woman was stubborn, but Noah found it charming of her to make sure that he was eating properly for the entire day. He appreciated her messages, and sometimes, they would bring light to gloomy nights.

After talking to Joanna, Noah attempted to place his phone on the coffee table beside his bed. Without even touching the wood, the phone began ringing. Noah bolted from his bed, and with a groan, looked at the caller ID.

His hands began shaking when he saw who it was. Quickly, he had his thumb slide over the screen.

“Hello?” he managed to say without sounding too enthusiastic.

Diana was at the other end of the line. Her voice was calm and endearing. She was explaining something that had to do with Snowflake. She wanted to buy the horse a new rein. Noah told her that she didn't need to that, and if she wanted to change the mare's bridle, she should have told Noah instead.

Looking at the clock above his headboard, Noah noted that it was already eleven-fifty in the evening. In it was odder that two of them had talked continuously about racing and horses.

The yawn at the other end of the line was an indication that Diana was getting sleepy. And before she even closes her eyes, Noah warned that she should just head to bed and rest through the night.

Diana insisted that she wanted to talk some more, and this made Noah's heart squeeze tight. He felt pathetic. Was he a lonely teenager that wanted to have a girlfriend so that he can have someone sleep with at night? Hell, no. He wasn’t the least bit like that.

His eyes moved to the clock on his headboard once more. It’s already eleven fifty-nine. Almost Diana’s birthday—

Noah halted talking, and even though Diana kept asking him questions, but he didn’t respond.

Diana’s voice had a hind of fear in it when she asked again what was the matter with Noah.

He kept his eyes on the clock. Finally, when the more extended arm arrived on twelve, Noah smiled to himself, "Happy Birthday, Diana."

With a yawn and chuckle, Diana replied with, “Thank you.”

The following day, the entire ranch was in shambles. Diana said she didn't have anyone celebrate her birthday with here in Maple City, so Noah had an idea. He would throw a birthday party for her. Diana remotely refused, but they all know that no one can deny Noah.

“What should I cook?” Nancy called down in the kitchen. "Is steak enough?" 

Noah noted that it was eight in the morning, “Steak, cake, whatever your feeling at serving.”

"Let me help you," Wynn crossed behind Nancy, who is already busy cutting the meat they had delivered. It was the sample meat Noah had sold for in the market. And it was on par with the Wagyu Beef the Japanese are getting crazy about.

"Go get that pan and other wet ingredients I wrote on the corkboard placed at the refrigerator.

Noah walked behind them, his hand on his chin. He observed the ingredients placed on the counter.

“Is this enough?” he asked no one in particular.

Nancy nodded her head, "Yes. Would you like to add more?"

“What are we cooking anyway?” Wynn inquired as he scooped his chin, “these all look so tasty, though." 

Noah agreed. He nodded his head in response. He just wishes he wouldn't go overboard with the decorations and all. The food looked lavish enough for a feast, and Noah's getting afraid that everything would come out more extravagant to Diana's liking. The girl didn't know that Noah's throwing her a birthday party at the ranch and that he had already contacted Jason and his daughters for the said surprise. Reese, of course, couldn't keep the excitement off of his mouth when Noah called. She squealed and made funny noises when Noah was at the brink of explaining what was to happen. Then, she asked the inevitable: why was he throwing her a surprise birthday party? Noah had calm himself when he said, “You know it,” and it was followed by Reese’s loud scream. Lillian began storming her room, and Noah heard her scolding her little sister about being quiet because people are still trying to sleep.

After that phone call, he told all of his employees about the said surprise. He had Nancy and Wynn in charge of the food. He had Thomas look for the best rein they could give to Snowflake, and it would be Noah’s gift to Diana. She requested nothing but a fine rein for the horse she favored in Noah’s ranch. Of course, that she will get in no time.

Calling his friends was the hardest to do. At least Fitch was leaving with him. Michael, Nick, and Bryce had been in touch once a month, so he wasn't entirely sure whether the three of them would respond to his sudden invitation.

When he told everything to Michael, the man immediately agreed. He didn’t ask any questions besides declaring that he would arrive at the ranch after lunch.

The next person, Noah, called was Nick. The lawyer couldn’t promise he would make it. But Noah felt relieved when he called in about an hour and said he was on his way to the farmhouse.

He was just about to dial Bryce’s number when the said person rang his phone. Bryce began ranting why he hadn't told about the surprise birthday party he was throwing to some random girl. Noah rolled his eyes—despite Bryce not seeing it—and sighed. He explained to Bryce that he was just calling Bryce to tell him to come to his ranch before dinner. Bryce grumbled some more before he told Noah that he was going earlier than he expects him to.

And Bryce held true to his words when he arrived earlier than the rest of them. He was with his wife, and the both of them headed to the kitchen.

Noah grabbed his elbows, “Thanks for coming,” he said with a smile.

Bryce frowned, “I don’t know why I’m here, but it feels like you’re proposing, so I’m definitely recording that.”

His wife, Angela, elbowed him on the side, “Behave,” she warned, “we’re supposed to help, so we got here earlier than the rest of your guests.”

“Yeah, yeah. Fine. Let’s begin filling in the room with decoration.”

“Good idea,” Noah agreed, and pulled a big box filled with party decorations, “I bought these in a hurry, and I don’t know how to arrange them.”

“You both an entire store, Noah!” Bryce exclaimed, a grin on his face, “and you must have loved this woman.”

“Bryce!” Angela shouted as her sharp elbow landed on her husband’s side.

He looked at his wife, “What? Am I wrong, or am I dense?”

Noah chuckled and began with the decorations.

Their entire afternoon was filled with laughter and questions, especially when Jason, Taylor, Reese, and Lilian arrived in the living room.

Reese was screaming with pleasure when she saw Nick passing through the front door.

Nick was as equally shocked when Reese’s arms looped around him. “Oh, I missed you!”

"God, what are you doing?" Nick tried removing her away from him, his eyes searching for his friends. "Can someone help me with her?"

“Your call,” Michael shouted as he headed to a Lilian who immediately walked out of the room, “I had things I need to take care of.”

“Like what?” Bryce called as Angela handed him the Happy Birthday, Diana! The poster they were taping on the wall.

“Tell you later,” Michael answered hastily as he took long strides to where Lilian was seeking refuge.

On the other hand, Noah was typing on his phone when he heard Nancy calling for his attention.

“Come see this!” she shouted from the kitchen.

Placing the phone back in his pocket, Noah headed to the kitchen.

Nancy showed him the chocolate cake she made from scratch. The words Happy Birthday, Diana were written in a white icing.

He remembered one instance where he and Diana walked down the streets. She was walking beside him when they passed by an old coffee shop. Noah naturally asked her if she would like to spend some time inside. Diana smiled at him and asked if they can go inside. Noah nodded, and he opened the door for her, but Diana said she was capable of doing it herself. The woman didn’t want things she can do herself be done by other people.

Several cakes were displayed on the counter, and Noah asked which one she prefers. Diana chose the simplest one: one slice of chocolate cake.

Noah observed she looked so happy eating it. And when he asked why she chose that one, Diana said that she didn’t like sweets, but there was always an exception to chocolate cakes.

So, here it is. The chocolate cake that she liked very much. And Noah had hoped she would like it the most.

“Looks delicious,” he said, a nervous smile appearing on his face.

“Oh, calm down.” Nancy patted his back. “I’m sure she would like it. If she doesn’t, we would have to eat here in the kitchen.”

“Why not store it for tomorrow? That way, the four of us can have cake in the afternoon,” Wynn suggested as he passed Nancy the towel.

Smiling gently, Nancy thanked him. She wiped the towel on her forehead, “Well, I should be taking a bath now.”

“Yeah. I will do the same. We will clean up this place, then you can pick her up in her home.”

Noah recalled she didn't want such gestures, so he shook her head.

Nancy furrowed her, brows, "No?"

Wynn halted on his steps, “Why not? She would go here all by herself?”

Noah scratched at his face, “She will… she doesn’t like being treated like a princess. She hates those things.”

Humming, Nancy tilted her head to the side as she wiped at the droplets of chocolate icing on the counter, “Sounds like a nice woman.”

Grinning, Wynn helped throw the trash, “We understand why you are so smitten.”

Noah groaned, “I’m out.” He felt his ears heat up, “I’m not good with stuff like this.”

Another hour went by, and the lot of them were already assembled in the living room. They were teasing Bryce for ages when the door bolted open, Taylor's grandchildren breathing heavily.

Every head inside the room whipped to his direction.

Taylor stood from where he sat, “What is it?”

The boy named Norman, whom Emma, Noah’s niece, had been attached to, fixed his eyes on Noah, “She’s here!”

Reese let out a shriek as Michael put on his coat. Lilian was beside him, and she rolled her eyes. Nick told Bryce to get the party hat while Angela looked for the party poppers they bought on the way.

Noah remained seated on the couch.

Fitch smacked his shoulder, “Go to her!”

As if the trance had been removed from him, Noah immediately scrambled to his feet. "Okay, okay," he responded with a shaking voice. He had his newsboy hat on his hand. Then, he placed it on his unruly head. Everyone stopped at what they were doing when Noah was at the door. He felt everyone's stair boring on his back. He turned around to have one last look of encouragement—

“Why do I feel like you’re proposing?” Bryce said out of the blue.

Nick chuckled, “What the hell, man?!”

Smacking his head, Fitch groaned. Bryce glared at him.

“Stop making him s**t his pants,” Fitch said. He looked Noah in the eye, “Go get the god damn girl.”

Noah looked at each and every one of them in the eye. He made sure the newsboy hat is in place. The caressed little Norman's back. "Thank you for telling me." And before he turned the door handle, he whispered to him, "Emma called me the other day. She said she misses you."

Norman smiled—a genuine smile that says it all.

The door was open wide, and Noah let out a deep huff. He strode to a waving Diana walking on the field.