Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

90 Choosing the Roses, Forgetting the Daisies

Noah hadn’t expected that he would enjoy Jennifer’s company. The two of them continuously went on dates. And when Noah had ample time and energy, he would go and visit her inset, or even follow her around the globe without any of his friends knowing he was becoming interested in another woman. Let alone. It was an actress—one that’s both beautiful and charming.

When it came to them secretly going out to have dates, Noah hadn’t really told anyone on his side. As for Jennifer, he wasn’t so sure if she had told a single soul about the two of them. It’s not like it’s a big deal. Instead, Noah considers the woman’s privacy his top priority. After all, she was famous, and that it was something she wouldn’t easily shake-off from her daily life.

Jennifer contacted him the night before. The redhead told him that she would meet him in a nearby park or down her condo unit. Noah insisted that he would be the one to come to her instead of the opposite during the phone call. And again, it was all for her privacy.

In a way, dating a famous actress was challenging and rewarding at the same time. The thrill would always course through Noah’s vein when the two of them would be spotted in New York eating at a fine dining restaurant or merely eating downtown. Of course, his face would be blurred, but Jennifer’s would have always been plastered at any tabloid newspaper or news site. Noah didn’t like the feeling of it. It was as if they are being watched through their every movement.

When he talked about this with Jennifer, the actress said that she was getting used to the fact that they are being stalked or taken a picture wherever they may go. It was always a big hit when actresses are in the news, especially if it’s about a new beau or some scandal that time only knows when it would reach the story.

As Noah pondered on what to suggest for their daily restaurant dine outs, he decided that it was time to tell Jennifer how he felt about her. The chains that blocked his heart was something that needed to be broken. He should get his own plies and had them ripped away from his guarded chest. Sure, the experiences in the past were challenging, but Jennifer was someone he came to cherish.

The times they were together needed caution and secrecy. But Noah always made sure Jennifer’s career wasn’t on the line.

The fated day to meet Jennifer came, and Noah prepared for the big night. He couldn’t help the grin on his face when he showed up in the kitchen—Nancy halting on what she’s frying on the pan, Wynn almost choking on the coffee he was attempting to drink, and of course, Thomas who dropped his newspaper on the floor.

The older man told him he looked as if he was getting ready to be married. Noah considered the said possibility, but he would focus on getting to know the person that would be for the rest of his life.

Before he left the room, the veterinarian knocked on the door. Noah let her in and told her that Nancy is inside the kitchen. The veterinarian halted Noah on his way out. She told him to do something about Snowflake’s situation and suggested that he find the person she was attached to.

For the past days that he had been taking Jennifer out, Noah had never forgotten to mention Diana’s name to her. But the woman had never responded to a single thing Noah requested.

“That horse will die in no time if we don’t do something about it,” the veterinarian reminded sternly. It looked as if she was also profoundly affected by Snowflake deflating energy.

The last time Noah checked the mare, he noticed her calves are thinning. The skin on her belly was swaying already loose, the bones visible despite the thick layer of skin. Noah grew worried, and even if he wasn’t on good terms with Diana, he wanted the woman back. The animal missed her so much that it would reduce eating a bucket of vegetables to one or two pieces of vegetables every meal.

At night, Nancy reiterated to him that she would see Snowflake nuzzling her head on the wall, a tear falling from her round, pale eyes. She would take pity, but the woman the horse was looking for had never been responsive to him. So, he begged Jennifer to keep relying on his message until Diana decides to show-up.

Noah had his hands holding the steering wheel. He turned to a corner and quickly found the tall building Jennifer referred to in Bacon Street.

His phone rang, and Noah jumped to have it answered.

Jennifer let out a chuckle as Noah exhaled from the nervousness he felt.

‘I just wanted to tell you that I’m almost there,’ she said while Noah heard the clanking of her heels on the metal part of the elevator.

“I’m in the parking lot,” Noah said with a grin. He would have to think about what to do with Snowflake later on after this fruitful dinner date.

Seconds went by, and Jennifer was already knocking on Noah’s window. He rolled down the window and grinned at her. “Are you ready?” she said as she attempted to open Noah’s door.

“Oops, let me get out and escort you inside,” Noah began unbuckling his seat belt.

“No, no! I can open the—” before Jennifer can even finish her sentence, Noah was already rounding his car.

He reached for the door and opened it like a gentleman, “Hop in, pretty one,” he said with a grin on his face.

Jennifer sighed as he flashed him a sheepish smile, “Gees, I could have done that myself.”

“Special treatment for a special girl,” Noah stated when he was closing the door.

When both of them are settled on their seats, Noah drove to their favorite restaurant downtown. Jennifer insisted that she had been craving for their salad and lamb chops. Noah decided that he should treat her instead of finding another restaurant that they haven’t tried yet.

Parking in front of the said restaurant, Noah picked up his parking ticket and had opened Jennifer’s door again. The actress coiled her hand around Noah’s arm. They marched inside the restaurant, and the waiter in front of the gate quickly recognized Jennifer’s guise.

“Ms. Jennifer?” the waiter asked in awe.

Jennifer widened her smile, “Hi,” she said with a low voice, “can we have a table for two, please?”

“Oh, I already had it reserved,” Noah looked at the waiter, “it’s on Mr. Martin,”

The waiter quickly scanned the logbook and nodded, “Right this way,” the waiter led both of them to the farthest corner of the restaurant. They were on the building's highest floor, and Noah specifically chose the view to which they can see the entire city lights.

“I believe I have already stated in my call earlier the meals we’re about to eat?” Noah confirmed to the waiter.

The waiter nodded, “Indeed, sir. I would have them served soon.”

“For now, can you please serve us the best bottle of champagne you have?” Noah said as he brought out his cigarette box.

While he continued speaking with the waiter on what alcohol they should indulge themselves in for the night, Jennifer stared at it.

Finally, when the waiter left them, Noah returned his gave to Jennifer’s impassive expression. One second, the woman’s happy and excited. The next, she was looking cold and uncaring.

Noah leaned his back on his seat, “Something the matter?” he said it in a manner that would not come out as imposing.

Jennifer’s hair swayed with the wind, “Has smoking been always a habit of yours?”

Noah looked back on his college days. He used to abstain from it all the time, but he couldn’t stop himself with his daily nicotine dose when the stress hit him.

“Since college,” he said it as his hand played with the box of cigarette on the table. “One stick a day keeps me sane.”

Jennifer wrinkled her nose, “Can you not do it?” her tone sounded demanding. And she looked as if she wasn’t about to back out of the conversation. “It could damage your lungs.”

Noah was taken aback. He wanted to look away, but that would make things look more awkward. So, instead of engaging in an argument, Noah had himself nod. “I’m trying my best.”

Through this, Jennifer’s face softened. “Sorry. Did I sound controlling?” she asked in a soft voice, her eyes cast down. “I just didn’t want your health to decline.”

Noah appreciated what she has done. “No worries. I know it isn’t nice for someone’s health. I’m reflecting on it.” He reached his hand and found hers, “Thank you for reminding me,” he had a tight smile on his face.

Jennifer had her charming smile on her again, “What? You look like you have won the lottery?”

“Maybe I would,” Noah leaned closer, “I have meant to ask,” he said as he felt Jennifer stiffen across from him.

The blush rose to her cheeks again, her eyelashes casting shadows down on her sharp cheeks, “Do tell,” she replied.

Here it was. This is the moment Noah had been meaning to ask for the past weeks or so. The past had him rejected before he could even correctly confess, but right now, Noah knew they weren’t the same woman and that the chance of it repeating was one in a million.

He gathered his courage and squeezed Jennifer’s hand, “I want us to go beyond being friends.” He said it in one blow to which Jennifer smiled in return, her blush deepening.

“Oh, thank god you have asked,” the actress said in relief, “I would like to go out formally.”

Noah couldn’t take his hard beating, so he grabbed the behind of Jennifer’s head and had their lips locked at each other.

Jennifer held her breath, but Noah let himself feel the softness of her lips. He closed his eyes and relinquished the feeling. He expected something—a spark, a light, a bursting in his chest. Instead, he felt light and relieved. Too relieved that he was accepted.

When the two of them broke the kiss, Jennifer was already bright red.

Noah leaned in for another kiss on her cheek. “Come with me,” he stated.

Jennifer blinked, “To where?”

“To my friend’s wedding in Italy,” he casually said. He would like to show her off to his family and friends. She was one of a kind, and Noah would seize all the opportunity he can to be with her at all times.

Jennifer laughed, “Let me talk to my manager about it.”