Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

70 Cora

The engine got louder and louder as he prepares to depart the god-forsaken place. Reversing toward the parking lane had Fitch shrieking slightly.

“Nauseous?” Nick asked as he began to look at his bag on the car’s floor.

Noah looked at the rearview mirror as he honked at a waving Joanna.

“You’re staring way too long at Joanna,” Noah called.

“What?” Fitch snapped his head at Noah’s direction, “I’m not looking at her.”

Noah turned the wheel, “You sure?”

Fitch leaned on the car seat, “I’m sure,” his eyes rest on the police station's door. 

“Come on, man. You had just been saved from being a prison for years.”

He leaned his elbow on the windowpane, his eyes looking misty, “What do you think about Cora?”

Noah kept his grip on the wheel. This was definitely something he hadn’t expected to come out of Fitch’s mouth. He made himself believe that it wasn’t anything insane.

The furrow between Nick’s brows was taken by Noah as an indication that he wasn’t taking the situation lightly.

“What about that woman? What did she do?” he sounded accusing.

Fitch blinked, he sat straight as Nick angled his body to look at his face, “She didn’t do anything. She’s just…”

“Just what? Why is he like that, Noah?” The tone behind Nick’s voice was partly panicking and worried.

Noah turned the wheel as they headed in the highway, “How about we all get breakfast and talk this out? Fitch must have been dead tired.”

“No, I’m fine,” Fitch insisted.

Nick had his mouth in a thin line, “He said he’s fine, and I believe him. But what I couldn’t take in is that he’s talking about Cora as if she was—” Nick’s lips were in a thin line, as if realization struck him, “I think I’m getting a hunch where this is heading.”

Noah had no idea what he’s talking about, “You know what? We’re heading to Mcdonald’s, and we’re taking out some nice breakfast. Then, I’ll drive to a bay and had us all talk this out.”

Fitch and Nick insisted they paid him when they got their sandwiches and ice coffees, but Noah disagreed. He reasoned it was to thank Nick in helping them out and the trouble he caused Fitch. Now, they are in front of the sea, sitting inside Noah’s car and eating quietly as they can.

The waves calmed Noah, and it brought a sense of relaxation in each one of them. Like a tidal wave, the peaceful atmosphere engulfed him. And when it was finally time to resurface, the fog was gone entirely.

While chewing, Nick began to break the silence, “Now that we’ve all calmed down, how about we go back to the topic, Fitch?”

Being the lawyer that he is, Nick was sharp when it came to things like this. He never backs down unless he gets the truth out of everyone.

Droplets of water slid down Fitch’s fingers as he took a long sip on his iced coffee. Licking his lips afterward, he lifted his head, “I think she’s charming.”

Noah choked on his sandwich—his coughing began, and it intensified into fits that he thought would never end. On the other hand, Nick stared at him, his eyes wide and mouth slightly open.

“Am I delusional, or do I hear you right?” Nick remarked as he ran a hand through his head.

Noah’s coughing ended, the tears pooling the end of his eyes. He rubbed it out with the back of his hand, “Give me a break…”

“Are you okay?” Fitch asked out of pure concern.

“Here,” Nick reached the water bottle he bought yesterday, “I still haven’t opened that.”

Noah wordlessly took the bottle. He drank several gulps until he was able to let out a refreshing breath. Using the back of his hand, he wiped at his wet lips, “Oh god. I thought I was going to die from choking the god damn sandwich!”

“You just saved yourself—from imprisonment and dying through choking on a big piece of sandwich.”

Looking behind him, Noah caught Fitch’s stare, “You find Cora what again?”

“Charming,” Fitch said without any hesitation. The way he said it was so casual and real that Noah found himself frozen on his seat, his lips pressed in a thin line.

“Do you like Cora?”

Fitch gazed outside of the car, his eyes taking in the scenery before them. A couple sat near the waves, the man firmly holding the woman's waist, who leaned her head on his neck's crane. With a determined look, Fitch looked back at Noah, “I think I like her.”

Nick groaned and had his hand on his face, “God, please tell me this isn’t some joke you couldn’t handle.”

“Is there something wrong with liking her?” Fitch inquired. He sounded offended by Nick’s action.

Waving his hands in dismissal, Nick sipped from his iced coffee, “You know what? I don’t care whoever the both of you decide to marry, but please, don’t do it so abruptly.”

“Why are you making it sound as if Fitch will ask Cora to marry him?” Noah stated.

Nick crossed his arms, “Look at him, Noah.”

He didn’t know why, but Noah obliged. He turned his head and beheld Fitch’s determined face. He stared at it for a long time until the realization struck him: his friend was dead serious about the police officer!

“Are you serious? Marriage?” Noah exclaimed, “Fitch, you just met the woman today.”

Fitch bowed his head and covered his face with both hands, “I don’t know! Who said anything about marriage? I just want to ask her out.”

“Look, man, there’s nothing wrong with thinking this through,” Nick began, “but you should also consider the fact that that woman almost—almost had you spent the next years in prison. And you’re not a citizen of America. So, that meant it would have more impact on you than Noah’s.”

Noah gave a deep sigh, “Nick has a point. That woman didn’t even try her best at saving us. She purely believed that the entrapment operation was clearly pointing to us. It was heavily implied.”

Noah must have said it took a toll on Fitch’s mind because he remained silent for the next few seconds.

“Think this through,” Nick wasn’t done, “you should know that woman. Even if you have to hire an investigator to do it, do it.”

A laugh resonated from Fitch, “It’s not like I’m rich or anything.”

“Yeah,” Noah agreed to Nick's nonsense, “don’t make it sound as if Cora would get something from Fitch.” 

Fitch kicked on his seat, “Hey, she can have my house.”

“You bet she does, and that house would still be on the leash if that happens,” Noah answered playfully.

“What are you planning to do about your love-struck situation?” Nick took a bite from his sandwich as he said that.

“Pursue her? Get her to agree on a date with me?” Fitch contemplated, his eyes on the sea ahead.

Noah followed his stare, and it landed on the couple they saw earlier. They are now standing, their hands intertwined with each other. A feeling—perhaps the sense of longing made his heart skip a beat. He wasn’t aware that he was already holding his breath.

“Quite a plan,” Noah commented. “Maybe we can have Joanna set you up together?”

“Are they friends?” Fitch turned to look at Noah, “I thought Joanna was only friends with Karol?”

“Well, maybe she’s well acquainted with the people working in that particular police station,” Noah answered. “Would you like me to ask her?”

Fitch shook his head, “Perhaps not. Maybe I can find ways. Does that sound inappropriate? I don’t want to creep her out!”

“By going there and proclaiming your fondness of her, that’s already creepy,” Nick answered. “Why did you even come to like her? Did she do something to you while I wasn’t around?”

Fitch raised both of his eyebrows, “What kind of question is that? For starters, I just find her personality attractive. She seemed strong-willed all the time. I’m interested in that.”

“In other words, you want to challenge yourself. Is that it?” Nick looked at Fitch as Noah sighed beside him.