Chapter 79 Chapter 79: Chasing More Than a Golf Ball

Chapter 79 Chapter 79: Chasing More Than a Golf Ball

The next morning, the Varya mansion felt strangely normal again. If someone had walked into the estate without knowing what happened the night before, they would have assumed everything was perfectly fine. Staff moved through the halls quietly, breakfast was served on time, and the household followed its usual routine. Only those who worked closely with Miss Elara knew better. The three dismissed maids were gone. Madame Hester had already taken over their duties. And although Elara hadn't raised her voice once since the vase incident, an uncomfortable tension still lingered around her like a shadow nobody wanted to step into.

By midmorning, however, she seemed to have made a decision. Instead of heading to the office, she appeared in the entrance hall dressed in an elegant white golf outfit, dark sunglasses resting on top of her head while a luxury golf bag was being loaded into one of the waiting vehicles outside. Naturally, I assumed we were going golfing.

It wasn't exactly unusual. Wealthy people seemed to treat golf the same way normal people treated coffee shops. Business meetings happened there. Family discussions happened there. Apparently entire social wars happened there too. Still, I couldn't help being surprised when I saw Elara personally checking the golf equipment before leaving. She rarely concerned herself with details like that. Across the hall, several staff members exchanged curious looks as security loaded equipment into the SUVs waiting outside. Elara ignored all of them completely. 

“Sera," she called without looking up. "You're coming with me."

I immediately nodded. "Of course, Miss Elara." She adjusted one of her gloves before turning toward the doors. "Good." That was the only explanation I received.

Unfortunately, we weren't the only ones leaving. Just as we reached the front entrance, another voice echoed through the hall. "Absolutely not." Both of us turned.

Nicholus was already walking toward us wearing dark sunglasses, a navy polo shirt, and the expression of a man determined to become someone else's problem. "I spent yesterday trapped in hospitals, family meetings, emotional disasters, and lectures from elderly relatives." He pointed toward Elara dramatically. "Wherever you're going, I'm coming too."

Elara didn't even slow down. "No."

Nicholus followed beside her anyway. "Yes."

"No."

"Elara, I'm dying of boredom."

"Then die quietly."

"That's incredibly unsupportive."

By the time we reached the driveway, he had already climbed into one of the SUVs without permission. "Wonderful," Elara muttered under her breath. "The parasite is joining us."

Nearly forty minutes later, our convoy left the Varya estate behind and entered one of the wealthiest districts outside the city. Large private properties gave way to rolling green landscapes, perfectly maintained roads, and security gates guarding exclusive clubs hidden behind rows of ancient trees. I sat quietly in the rear passenger seat while Elara worked on her tablet beside me, answering emails as if she were heading to a board meeting instead of a golf course. Across from us, Nicholus had somehow managed to complain continuously for almost the entire journey. "You know what's interesting?" he announced suddenly. "Nobody has actually told me where we're going."

Elara didn't look up. "Golf."

"I know it's golf." He pointed out the window. "I'm asking why."

"Because I felt like it."

"You're lying."

"Then stop asking."

Nicholus narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You never wake up early for recreational activities." 

For the first time all morning, something almost amused flickered across Elara's face. "Perhaps I'm trying something new." The answer only made him more suspicious.

By the time the vehicles finally approached the private golf club gates, even I could tell something wasn't quite adding up. Elara had been unusually focused since leaving the mansion. Every few minutes she checked the time on her watch. She seemed far more interested in arriving than in actually playing. 

The moment the cars rolled beneath the curved entrance of the prestigious golf club, uniformed attendants hurried forward to open the doors. The clubhouse stood elegantly against the bright afternoon sky, surrounded by endless stretches of perfectly maintained green fairways and sparkling water features. Elara stepped out first, removing her sunglasses with smooth grace while taking in the familiar surroundings. To anyone watching, she looked completely calm and indifferent, as if she had simply decided to spend her afternoon enjoying a leisurely game of golf. But I had worked for her long enough to know better. The second her heels touched the pavement, her eyes immediately swept across the grounds searching for someone. Nicholus noticed it too. Of course he did. Unfortunately, that meant trouble. "Interesting," he drawled while falling into step beside us. "We haven't even entered the building yet and you're already scanning the horizon like a soldier looking for a missing commander

Elara didn't even glance at him. "You're imagining things."

"Am I?" Nicholus asked innocently. "Because from where I'm standing, this suddenly looks less like golf and more like a manhunt."

Inside the clubhouse, several members greeted Elara respectfully as we crossed the polished lobby. The manager himself approached immediately, smiling politely. "Miss Varya. It's good to see you."

Elara returned a small nod before getting directly to the point. "Is Auren here today?"

The manager didn't hesitate.

"Yes, Miss Varya. Mr. Draven arrived earlier this morning. He's currently on the south course playing with Mr. Douglas Whitmore." The answer had barely left his mouth when Nicholus let out a dramatic gasp.

"There it is." He pointed accusingly at Elara. "Not even thirty seconds."

The manager looked confused. Elara looked murderous. "Be quiet."

Nicholus ignored her completely. "You dragged us across the city because Auren is here."

"I came to play golf."

"You never played golf."

"I did and I like it."

"Elara, when we were sixteen, you described golf as rich people chasing tiny balls because they lacked meaningful hobbies." I nearly choked trying not to laugh. Elara shot me a look immediately. I looked away.

We left the clubhouse and stepped onto the large viewing terrace overlooking the course. The afternoon sun reflected across the rolling green landscape while golfers moved in the distance between fairways. Somewhere out there, Auren and Douglas were completely unaware of the chaos approaching them. Elara rested her hands lightly against the terrace railing, her gaze moving across the course.

"You know," Nicholus said thoughtfully beside her, "I almost admire this."

Elara sighed heavily. "Admire what?"

"Your dedication."

"To golf?"

"No." He grinned. "To denial."

Elara turned toward him slowly. Dangerously. "Nicholus."

He raised both hands. "I'm serious. This is impressive. You've somehow convinced yourself this trip has absolutely nothing to do with the man you asked about before you even said hello to the manager."

Elara's eyes narrowed. "Perhaps I asked because he's my fiancé." 

"Ah." Nicholus nodded. "And perhaps I spend my weekends rescuing orphaned puppies." 

"Nobody would believe that."

"Exactly. Just like nobody believes you came here for golf."

The argument only became worse as they made their way toward the practice area. Several club members openly stared now, clearly fascinated by the exchange. Elara walked ahead with perfect posture while Nicholus followed beside her like an annoying shadow determined to test her patience.

"Tell me something," he continued. "If Auren wasn't here today, would we still be standing in this golf club?"

Elara didn't answer.

"That's what I thought."

"You're behaving like a child." 

"No, I'm behaving like someone with functioning eyesight." His grin widened. "Come on, Elara. At least be honest with yourself." 

Finally she stopped walking and turned toward him completely. "Fine." Her voice was sharp now. "Would you like honesty?" Nicholus looked delighted. "Always."

"I'm here because Auren has been avoiding me for weeks. Because every conversation about our wedding makes him look like he's attending his own funeral. Because he left my grandfather's hospital room the second marriage became the topic." The smile disappeared from Nicholus's face. "And because," Elara continued quietly, "I'm tired of waiting for him to come to me first." For the first time all afternoon, he had no joke ready.

The silence lasted only a few seconds before Nicholus recovered. "See?" he said triumphantly. "That's all I wanted." Elara looked exhausted suddenly. "What?"

"The truth." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "Because pretending everything's perfect isn't helping anyone." His gaze softened slightly. "Especially you."

Elara looked away toward the distant course where small figures moved across the fairway. "He loves me." The statement came quietly but firmly. Nicholus said nothing. "He does," she repeated. "I've known Auren for eleven years. I know him better than anyone."

"Do you?" Nicholus asked carefully. The question hit harder than any of his jokes. Elara's jaw tightened immediately. "Yes." "Then why are you standing here wondering whether he'll choose you?" The words landed like a punch. Even I felt them. For a second, genuine hurt flashed across Elara's face before she buried it again beneath cold control.

Finally, after a long silence, Elara straightened her shoulders and adjusted her gloves. The vulnerable moment disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. "Are you finished?" she asked coolly. Nicholus studied her for a moment before sighing dramatically. "For now."

"Good." "Though for the record," he added while starting forward again, "this is still the most expensive stalking operation I've ever witnessed." Elara didn't even look at him this time. "Keep talking and I'll have security throw you into the lake." Nicholus immediately brightened. "See? There she is. That's the Elara I know." And despite everything—the hospital, the wedding conversation, Auren's distance, and the uncertainty eating away at her—he managed to pull the faintest trace of a smile from her before she quickly hid it again