Xavion ran his hand through his hair again as he watched them go. So they were her kids? He had not expected that. But that meant there was a husband or a boyfriend in the picture, right?Why does that thought bother you, he wondered. He quickly turned around and headed to the help desk which had been his destination when he entered the building.
“Hello sir, can I help you?” the girl behind the desk asked.
“Hello, I need to know more about the package-free activities here at the ranch. It’s mentioned on the welcome packet but no information on how to get involved. I understand that you do not need to be on a package to be a part of them.”
“You are right, the ranch activities and entertainment, include campfires, s’mores, line dancing, board games, and Western movies, they take place thrice every week, Sunday nights, Wednesday nights and Friday nights, at different spots on the ranch. Trust me, you’ll know when the fun begins and you are free to join in on the fun, whichever interests you. They all take place in the open so there’s never the problem of not enough space. When did you come to the ranch sir?”
“Monday afternoon,” Xavion replied.
“Well you are in luck. Tonight being Wednesday night, you get to experience firsthand a Price Emerald Ranch night.”
“There was something about the bugle being blown to signify.”
“Yes!” the girl said with delight, “Once you hear the sound of the bugle, the fun’s about to begin.”
“You seem really excited,” Xavion observed.
The girl chuckled, “Ranch night is always great fun, what with the line dancing and the campfires and the board games and the movies, although you should know that the board games aren’t limited to ranch nights. There are so many games in the central hub and there are always people to play with. There’s pool and darts and board games and karaoke. You don’t need to wait till ranch night to have fun but you need to experience the fun of ranch night nonetheless,” the girl finished with a wink.
“And the central hub is where?”
“Oh, next to the bar. You can’t miss it.”
“Great, thanks.”
“And have you signed up for any package? How about hiking and riding? Won’t you be trying any of it? And our spa? The massages are to die for.”
“Uh... One at a time,” Xavion smiled and hurried off.
Since they got to the ranch, they had spent all their time indoors. It was about time they got out and had a little bit of fun and the guys had sent him out to find out what fun the ranch had to offer. The real reason behind their laziness was that they were just recuperating. It had been a long tour which had spanned Asia, Europe, South America and then, finished inNorth America. They deserved the vacation more than anything in their life right then.
Xavion did not head back to the cabin. He was not in control of his legs and he just continued moving. The sound of a horse neighing finally pulled him out of his thoughts and he looked up to see two horses and their riders going up a trail. They seemed to be having loads of fun, judging from the smiles on their faces. He unfolded the ranch map in his hands and was able to deduce that the horses had been coming from the stables. His head swung in the direction of the stables and then, back to the route he needed to take back to the cabin. He went in the direction of the stables. It was about time he enjoyed all the ranch had to offer. They were paying a fitting sum for the vacation after all.
It was a tired yet exhilarated Xavion that returned to the cabin in the early evening. He had signed up for horse riding lessons. He had not had it easy in his first attempts but he had loved it. As soon as he was in the door, he gave the guys the information he got that afternoon concerning the ranch nights.
“And why didn’t you return since?” Chan groaned.
“Yeah, I don’t have enough time to pick out an outfit.” This was from Kai.
Zane quirked a brow, “An outfit? What? Do you think that you are going out there to perform?”
Kai shrugged, “That does not mean I should not look good. Who knows the possibilities I’ll have out there with the ladies?”
“And the alcohol huh?” Lay asked him as he took a sip of lemonade.
Xavion looked at the lemonade in his hands longingly. He pointed at it and asked, “Is there any more of that?”
“Sorry, sunbae. We’ve run out. I can call and order more, if you want.”
“I would appreciate that so much. I’m going to get a shower,” Xavion started for the stairs.
“What have you been up to that’s gotten you so exhausted, sunbae?” Kai asked.
Xavion turned around, scratching his hair and saw four pairs of eyes focused on him and very inquisitive. He smiled sheepishly and said, “Horse riding, I signed up this afternoon.”
“Why? You trying to impress a girl or something?” Lay blurted out.
Xavion sighed and climbed the stairs. Their voices drifted up to him,
