Chapter 105: The List

A couple days had passed since Niall’s interview with Starlight Magazine.

Today however, the last Saturday of the month of April, was when said interview would be released on their channel.

As fans patiently waited for it to drop, Niall himself was currently in the Pacific Palisades... or more specifically, The Riviera Country Club.

With the country club being one of Los Angeles’ most iconic and private golf courses for the wealthy and influential, its rolling hills of green were well mowed and its towering eucalyptus trees swayed gently in the late morning sun.

Golf carts rolled lazily between holes while caddies carried bags for important men in crisp polos and women in sleek visors, their conversations drifting between investment deals, movie productions and their weekend plans.

The Spanish Revival clubhouse also sat somewhere amid these well-manicured lawns, the buzz and hums of conversation and laughter carrying from within and drifting across its grounds.

After all, executives, actors, producers, athletes and old-money families often mingled effortlessly there, some discussing business over cocktails, some socializing and some simply waltzing through to greet a couple individuals and head out either to the course or outside the venue.

A bunch of individuals also stood on its terrace, watching from above, occasionally raising their rangefinders or binoculars to follow the trajectory of a golf ball or spotting people of interest to them.

Of these were a group of actresses, their rangefinders and binoculars tracking nothing but the striking young man whose golf bag hung from one shoulder as he strolled across the lawns to meet with someone.

Soon enough, they watched as he met up with the rather short man, exchanging a firm handshake and a friendly hug with him.

"Niall. I will be taking great interest in your musical career from now on." Murray said as he pointed at him, a light smile on his features.

"So, you’re saying you’re a fan?" Niall amusedly asked, placing his golf bag in the bag well of Murray’s cart.

"You just have to be all sniffy, don’t you?" Murray chuckled as he got into the driver’s seat, the man completely in his element as Niall followed just after.

"What’s your favorite aside from [Aperture]?" the young star doubled down.

"You know kid, this golf course has some pretty nicely cut bunkers. I often wonder... could I push someone in while driving across for the perfect ragdoll moment?" Murray replied, a thin, dangerous smile tugging on his lips.

Niall’s lips twitched. Then he replied a moment after;

"How about you let me drive?"

"Oh, no. Trust me. You just sit still and enjoy the ride." Murray replied, his side frame reflecting his own amusement as he put his foot down on the accelerator.

Lazily, the vehicle began making its way across the course, the ride smooth.

A minute later, they arrived at the first hole, Niall and Murray pulling out their golf clubs.

No sooner had they, a new cart rolled into the same area, parking a few meters from theirs.

A moment after, Niall watched as two individuals stepped out.

One was a caddy, the young man going around the back to retrieve the golf bag.

The other, was a face not just everyone in Hollywood knew, but likewise the general public.

A man in his early sixties, he was broad-shouldered, his neatly combed salt-and-pepper hair alongside his trimmed beard framing his unconventionally attractive features.

He had an almost enigmatic feel to him, one that seemed to naturally draw people to his presence.

His jade-green irises however, had pretty much found Niall’s, a hint of mild interest on his features.

Then he turned to face the short, chubby man and said, an amused smile touching his lips;

"Well, well, well. Haven’t seen you in a minute around these parts."

"I could say the same to you, pal." Murray replied much the same, leaning on his club as the man followed up;

"What was the score again? I haven’t been keeping track."

"If your ploy’s to bait me into another Nassau... congratulations, you’ve won." Murray grinned from ear to ear, then said;

"I should warn you though. I’m rather springy these days."

To that, the man grinned much the same, his caddy handing over a driver as he remarked;

"Game on."

Much like Murray, Nolan Greystone was one of Hollywood’s most renowned directors.

In addition to that, and in contrast to Murray whom top actors selectively chose to work with, Nolan Greystone was the director that everyone wanted to work with.

To studios, he was a safe bet with an extraordinary track record. To audiences, he was practically a guarantee that whatever came next would be an event.

His films dominated opening weekends, filled cinemas worldwide and routinely turned their leading actors into household names.

Simply put, Nolan Greystone was the epitome of a blockbuster director in Hollywood. One whom had managed to churn out blockbusters back-to-back for nearly two decades.

Yet, that very same man revered by so many... hadn’t put out a single movie in nearly eight years now.

Honestly, at this rate, several had come to the conclusion that he was already retired. However, with no official statement from him, the jury still remained out.

If people were to see him like this though, about to have a friendly spar with an old friend... they would probably double down on their beliefs that he had in fact chosen to retire.

"I should introduce you. Niall, meet Nolan Greystone." Murray gestured to the young star, then did the same for the renowned director;

"Nolan. Meet Niall Parker, bar none the most terrifying talent I’ve ever laid my eyes upon."

Upon hearing that, Nolan’s gaze flickered, his brow arching in evident surprise.

Murray wasn’t the kind to throw around those kinds of praises lightly. Not with the sort of career he’d led and the number of talented artists he’d worked with over the years.

As a result, he couldn’t help but remark as he looked over to Niall who simply offered him a curt, respectful nod;

"That so? That’s high praise, coming from you."

"Well, it’s the truth." Murray simply shrugged in response, then turned to the man in question and said;

"Niall, have you ever played golf before?"

"Nay," he casually replied, already aware of where this was going as he added with a curious glint in his cool-gray irises;

"Today’s my first time on any golf course for that matter."

"Perfect. I need you to mop the floor with him." Murray gestured to his colleague with a pointed finger, the man’s lips twitching in response.

Naturally, he looked over to Niall whom was equally leaning on his club as he looked between both parties in genuine amusement.

Then the young star replied a moment after, his tone respectful as he effortlessly tossed the club to his other hand;

"I make no promises, but I’ll do my best."

"Great!" Murray clapped once and declared;

"Let’s begin."

Without flourish, he moved into position and Niall followed immediately after.

Through it all, Nolan simply watched... a slightly curious light in his jade-green irises.

He had to say, he was quite surprised at how unfazed Niall seemed to be despite being in his presence.

A reaction he really hadn’t been expecting given how starstruck other actors, actresses and many industry peers often tended to behave around him.

Truly, it was a curious case.

More than that though, was the intent behind Murray’s actions.

To any other person, it may have seemed as if the chubby director was just trying to spice things up by bringing Niall into the mix.

But for Nolan whom had known Murray for a very long time now, he understood the hidden intent behind it. More so when he’d given such high praise to the youth upon their introduction.

Which was why,

’Alright, then. I’ll add him to the list.’ the renowned director inwardly remarked as he walked over.

To many, Nolan Greystone had retired from the film-making business. But to his closest confidantes... they knew otherwise.

Nolan hadn’t been making movies for a while now because he was done with the industry. Rather, he had been spending all that time, writing not just a single script for a movie... but for three.

A franchise so to speak. One he planned to complete before he even bothered considering the idea of filming it.

At the same time, he planned for it to be his magnum opus, the last movies he would make before he finally retired.

As a result, he hadn’t been on a hunt for actors he’d cast for the roles. However, he had been getting a few recommendations here and there from those very same close confidantes.

Niall Parker, ’unassumingly’, had also managed to slide into that list of a select few. A list Nolan intended to revisit when he was finally done penning the last word on the script.

In any case, as the trio began their friendly match, Starlight Magazine had finally dropped the video of their interview with Niall...

...a video that was met with such positive reception and staggering metrics for a celebrity interview, the media company pretty much knew they’d already hit it big time.

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/Caer07