Chapter 196 I Am, Indeed, Holding Back

Meanwhile…

Cosette's expression was more dead than a corpse. She kept her eyes on the vast greenery of the golf course. Today's plan was to play golf in the country club owned by the Quinns, but she wasn't having fun as much as she should enjoy it.

"Nice." She clapped unenthusiastically as Asher walked back to the chair beside her.

Not to her surprise, she was once again left to play golf with this guy and with Ezekiel. Fortunately, Ezekiel overslept, so they went ahead of him. The adults were on a different golf course, dragging the reluctant Conrad, who surprisingly hadn't exploded yet.

"You should've pretended to feel unwell," said Asher, casting her a sidelong glance. "You could've saved yourself from coming in here."

"Pretending to be sick is the dumbest thing to do." Cosette rolled her eyes. "My father will surely blame everyone in here and throw a huge fit. Having them fight over a lie is the last thing I want. Moreover, today's the last day."

A deep exhale slipped past her lips. She had been using those excuses to convince herself to endure this weekend, but each time, it had become less effective. It wasn't motivating at all.

"Did you sleep well?" Asher asked, but his question only caused her frown to deepen. "The reason you're this gloomy is that you don't even try to have fun."

"Seriously? I tried, but I can't."

"And why is that?"

"It's boring," Cosette remarked sarcastically, only to see him look at her with doubt. "Fine. I'm not in the mood because I fell asleep last night instead of talking to Maxen."

"That guy again."

"What do you mean again?"

"You always talk about him whenever you have the opportunity. It's annoying, really."

"Who do you want me to talk about? You?" Cosette returned offhandedly. "We already talked about a lot of stuff, and I don't even know what to say anymore. And to think that guy wasn't here just yet — what a life!"

Asher propped his jaw against his knuckles, hiding the curl of his lips. His trembling shoulders as he held his laughter still gave him away to her prying eyes.

"What's so funny?" she asked with an arched brow.

"Nothing."

"No, you're laughing."

"I just find it interesting how you get so worked up staying with us." Asher straightened his back, grinning from ear to ear. "It makes me want to stick with you like glue just to ruin your day."

"Wow… you're so evil." Cosette shook her head in dismay. How could this guy enjoy her suffering?

"In any case, I am entertained." Asher rubbed the armrest before pushing himself up. "I'm moving to another place. Come if you want."

"As if." Cosette snorted, watching him shrug indifferently.

"Well then, good luck," Asher smirked, and the playfulness in his eyes somewhat sent this suspicion in her heart.

As he walked away, Cosette caught another figure from the corner of her eyes. She didn't need to turn her head to confirm who it was because she could tell from her peripheral vision.

"That demon fox…!" Cosette clenched her teeth before she hurriedly followed Asher's tracks, glaring at him as she hitched on the golf cart.

"Oh, why are you here?" Asher asked, feigning innocence.

"Shut up!" she harrumphed, folding her arms under her chest. "Just drive, okay?"

Asher chuckled with his lips closed, glancing back to see Ezekiel looking in their direction.

"I am really entertained," he mumbled, unhesitatingly driving off so that Ezekiel wouldn't catch up to them. He disliked the guy and helping Cosette purposely avoid him was satisfying in a way.

"Gosh…" Cosette kicked mildly out of irrational. Since yesterday, she felt very irritable. She wouldn't normally be like this but considering she was being surrounded by Asher and Ezekiel for no damn reason, it truly vexed her.

Asher drove slowly, allowing the wind to cool their faces. The side of his lips was curled up into a satisfied smile, the very opposite of Cosette's gloomy countenance.

"Why are you so slow?" her frown grew uglier, looking at him beside her.

"Just look around," he said without giving her a look. "Take a deep breath and appreciate your surrounding. It'll calm you down a bit."

"Look around?" Her already dead expression died even more. "What's there to see around the golf course aside from grass and flags?"

"Just do it." He gave her a side-eye. "The reason your mood isn't getting any better is that you're not even trying to enjoy yourself."

"I told you I already did."

"You didn't." He returned with certainty. "I'm not saying your feelings aren't valid. Having to spend your weekend with strangers is annoying, I know that. But don't forget, it's one of your duties as the heiress of your family."

Asher slowed down even more to face her. "Since things like this are inevitable, you just got to learn how to enjoy yourself despite the circumstances." When he finished his remarks, he stopped the golf cart to hold her gaze.

Cosette remained silent, pursing her lips in a thin line. Everything Asher said was the things she already knew; this wasn't the first time she had to humor people she don't particularly like. However, because she got used to her carefree life and her longing for Maxen, her mind had been very muddled, as her heart could barely take Maxen's absence.

She was on the brink of believing she had gone crazy or she was just addicted to Maxen's presence.

"You're right," she agreed, peeling her eyes away from him to the empty greenery. "I should at least think of ways to enjoy myself, instead of giving you the enjoyment of seeing me suffer."

"I don't hate you that much to celebrate your misery." He chuckled with his lips closed while she glanced at him again.

"Those words were literally coming out of your nose."

Asher laughed, keeping the steering wheel with both his hands as he drove again.

"Gosh. Look at him." Cosette snapped her tongue, but her mood felt slightly better as her mind was clearer than a moment ago. "You know what? You should smile more. It really suits you."

"I said to focus on the surrounding, not on me."

"That's surprising."

"What is?" he arched a brow, giving her a cursory look.

"I thought you will say you're the best view and the most pleasing decoration in the surrounding. That's why you asked me to look around," she humored, making him chortle. "Gosh. Look at him, enjoy that praise."

"I don't think that's praise, but just the truth."

Cosette gasped. "My gosh… I knew you were simply holding back."

"I am…" Asher cocked his head back, his eyes on her. "... indeed, holding back."