Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

47 A Tourist Area

“Was it fun working without me?” Thomas inquired as he scowled on his seat with a blanket over his lap, his feet submerged in lukewarm water.

Noah had been explaining to him for the last hour that his shivering. The older man had acquired a fever from overworking himself day and night preparing for the super typhoon that about to landfall later this evening.

The sky darkened, covering what was once a clear and bright sky. Thunder and lightning rumbled like they’ve been at war for years. The animals looked more distressed than they had for the past days, and Noah kept hearing the barking of the dogs from the barn that they’ve been kept sheltered for the next days.

“For the last time, Thomas. You have a fever and your backaches. How are we supposed to let you work in that condition?”

As if to prove his point, Thomas waved his hands in the air, stretching his shoulders, moving them in a circular motion like his life depended on it while he kept his face stoic, “See?” he said, the bravado evident in his tone. “I can move my arms like this,” he repeated the same actions he’d done earlier. “Or more,” he said. He moved his feet gently in the water, then, he began standing—

Thomas let out a curse.

Nancy whipped her head in his direction, “Hey!”

Wynn stood and walked to where his father his.

Thomas writhed in pain, he immediately sat on his chair whilst holding his waist, “Damn it!” he cried out.

Wynn gently helped him be comfortable in his seat, his face etched with worry. “I told you…” he stopped midway, knowing that his father’s pride would resurface once more.

“Quit it, Thomas. Sit your ass down and don’t be a burden,” said Noah. It was the only way he’d be able to make Thomas sit on his chair like a good child—through grazing his pride.

Thomas glared at him, “I’m not!”

Noah narrowed his eyes, “You are—by making us worry about what you’re doing.”

“Doing what?” the older man shouted, “I’m sitting here following everything that you wanted me to do.”

Noah thought of a way to make him shut-up. “I’m bored, Thomas. How about you make use of your brain and help me out in planning to expand further the Stream Ranch?”

All three head whipped at his direction, “What?” they said in unison.

“We’re expanding this ranch again?” Nancy.

“Haven’t we had enough facilities?” Wynn.

The thought had been lingering in his mind for a while now. He didn’t want to open up yet— at least not until the storm stops brewing their way like a cyclops.

“Fine!” Thomas was the first one to agree. “Let’s do it. And while you’re at it, how about we divide the ranch into parts that we can make us tourist spots?”

Noah knew he’d eat the bait.

“Then, let’s get started, shall we?”

He had originally thought of making it a tourist spot for months, though he didn’t expect the faithful day of planning to make his Stream Ranch a tourist spot would be in the middle of a super typhoon.

“Are you serious?!” Nancy had her hands full with two mugs. Wynn went to the kitchen and had himself carry the other two left in the kitchen.

Having nothing to do, Noah felt bored, and at Thomas’ suggestion, he divided part of the ranch into a tourist area.

“We can have the east wing be our tourist spot, while the west wing is our breeding ground.” Thomas drew on the whiteboard brought out by Wynn in Noah’s office. Since the old man can’t stand, Noah had him stay on his seat while they maneuvered the trolley of the whiteboard down the stairs.

Thomas drew a horizontal line. “Here,” he placed a mark on the west wing, “we’d have cows, chickens, and horses—stables close to each other. And besides, there are three barns in the west wing.”

“So what if we have three barns in the west wing?” Nancy asked as her upper lip lined with the chocolate drink she made for them, “won’t having barns add up to the attraction?”

Indeed, Noah considered the thought that if people see a lot of attractions inside the Stream Ranch, then they’d be more engaged in exploring the acres of land Noah owned.

Nancy peaked from behind Wynn’s shoulder, “Then, how about we put horses out for them to ride?”

“Kind of like they’re the main attraction, am I right?” Wynn added.

Noah took note of what they’ve been suggesting in his Ipad, “I like the idea of having them ride horses. But we must also take into consideration not to abuse the animals.”

Nancy made a face that says she didn’t think about that. So, Noah edged closer and nudged her in the side, “I’m sure you can make that work?”

She raised an eyebrow, “Make work what exactly?”

Wynn chuckled, “Noah’s asking if you’d be in charge of keeping an eye on the animals—specifically the horses so as the tourist wouldn’t abuse them.”

Nancy’s face lit up like a child asked to do something important, knowing that she’d be useful somehow, “Of course.”

Noah smiled at their conversation.

Turning half of the ranch into a tourist spot would surely make more profit. On top of that, Noah would be able to showcase the animals he’d work hard on raising inside the Magic Ball. He’s sure that these creatures would behave. After all, they have the likeness of human intelligence, so there’s no way these creatures would go on about hurting other people. Noah thought it was a good thing, after all, to have raised them inside the Magic Ball while they were still young. Also, they were exposed to humans as early as possible, so the animals surely know how to mingle with one.

“Nancy’s in charge of the horses,” Noah said as he glanced at a smiling Nancy beside him, “as for the food—”

“We can hire a chef,” Wynn suggested, his eyes hopeful, “or I can just do all the cooking for the guests.”

Thomas nodded, “He’s good at it—even more than me, I’d have to admit at least that.” He had a smile on his face as he said that.

Noah seemed impressed. Thomas admitting that someone is better than him is like a once in a lifetime opportunity. This is actually the second time he’d admitted that he was wrong.

One happened a few days earlier, and Thomas was quick to have apologized sincerely on the construction workers who are now they’re regular employees from time to time.

“Would you like to do it, Wynn?”

The young lad nodded vigorously. “Although I’d like to suggest that we hire a chef.”

“That can be arranged though,” Noah had his hands underneath his chin, “and then you’d be the one to manage all the servings to our guests.”

“You’re right. Where are we placing the restaurant though?”

Noah hummed. He hadn’t thought of it that much. “How about I build another infrastructure?”

“You can,” Thomas approved, “although the real question is that can your budget right now afford it?”

Noah hasn’t had the time—he hadn’t been able to browse and keep track of the daily expenses, but he’s sure to do it as soon as possible. He’d hire someone to do some auditing and then have them make a budget plan for his upcoming tourist site ranch.

“Let me think about the new infrastructure. In the meantime, we can talk about the animals we’d showcase.”

“This isn’t a zoo,” Nancy countered. “Maybe we can make it into something wherein the people would experience life as a rancher? Or something close.”

It was actually a good idea. And the people would feel as if they’re in a type of simulation. Noah doubts they’d get bored during their visit.

With a smile on his face, Noah nodded at Nancy, “I’ll look into it.”

The four of them can’t wait what would happen in the Stream Ranch’s newest gigs.