Hollywood Zenith

Steve, along with his team, waited outside the mall. He had been scanning passersby looking for the person he was supposed to meet. He felt odd when the boss requested such a mission, especially when he told him to bring only Jane.

" Jane, did you know the details? The boss said we could also buy anything we like as a reward."

" How many times do I have to tell you? I know nothing about it. But I also think it is strange."

They were in the middle of a discussion when a large van pulled outside the mall. About a dozen people got off, and they were primarily female. It was quite a line-up.

" Really, Steve? You should get a girlfriend and stop ogling like a pervert!" Jane said while pinching his sides.

" Ouch! I am not doing anything. Why do you have to do this every time we go out?"

" I can't help but notice it. It's been years, but you are still the same!"

" How would you know? Besides, it was you who left me stranded all those years ago. You still haven't told me where you were?"

" You are bringing it up again, aren't you? I had no choice. It was a classified mission."

" Classified my ass! "

They were bickering like an old couple when a man approached them. It was Maxilis with his army who came in the same earlier van.

" Um, excuse me." Maxilis didn't want to disturb them, but he had no choice. They were on a tight time frame.

" What?"

" What?" Both Steve and Jane asked at the same time.

" I-I think I am supposed to meet you here. Miss Amelia didn't specify, but she told me some bodyguards would be waiting for me here."

" Hmm, password?" Jane said with a straight face.

" Password?"

" Yes, tell me the password."

Maxilis was perplexed. Was there really a password? Did he choose the wrong person? Just then, he thought of something. He got close and said in a low voice, " Rothschild".

But Jane mistook his intention; even before Maxilis finished saying what he thought was the password, he was on the ground.

" President!"

" Jane! Why are you randomly beating up people?" Steve helped the poor man. Nothing seems to be broken by the looks of it.

" I got scared. He suddenly approached me; what was I supposed to do?"

" It was your fault, to begin with; he is the person we are here to meet. Didn't you hear him mentioning Lady Amelia's name? Quit playing around!"

" He did that? I am sorry."

" I am sorry for my subordinate. She has a few screw loose in the head; please overlook her from now on."

" How dare you? Boss specifically asked for me to be here!"

" By boss, do you mean young master Samue-, Sam. Right?"

" Yes, see, he is the right person. We must hurry; I don't want to fail this assignment. Here are the details." Steve rushed everyone and handed Maxilis the details of the 'op'.

Maxilis was also curious about the job. He read a few lines and didn't believe what was written on them. He reread it just to make sure that he was not mistaken. Seeing Maxilis' expression, other girls who came with him also glanced at the documents from the side.

It surprised them too. The heading on the page was written in bold letters, " SHOPPING PLAN".

" Shopping plan?" they said collectively. Wasn't the job supposed to be something concerning their 'Lord'? Yes, that's what they officially called Samuel in their fan group. Maxilis came up with it by himself and was proud of it. For him, it was a religion!

" Yes."

Steve explained the circumstances behind it, how the boss was in a pinch because of Valentine. Thus, he needed help with the gifts and why they were here today.

" I mean, I am flattered, but it is an awful lot of preparation for buying some gifts. You even have background information on every girl here. Is that legal?" Maxilis asked; other girls also shared his sentiment.

" Don't worry about it. Oh, I forgot. Boss told me that everyone could buy some things for themselves too. He asked to give it as a thank you for your efforts."

As soon as Steve said that, it was like a volcanic eruption, but Jane's following words hit them the hardest.

" There is a limit, but I think the boss would be fine if we don't cross seven figures." She said proudly.

Everyone rushed toward the gate, leaving Maxilis and Steve behind. Steve wanted to stop the madness, but he was not a match for their puppy eyes. He decided to punish Jane later, who instigated everything.

Surprisingly, Jane went along with the other girls. It took them several hours and a stern lecture from Steve to complete the task. The first few hours were reserved for selecting the gifts for Samuel.

Everyone knows that the Rothschild were overprotective of their family, and with the addition of their own security firm, they had other companies working under them to ensure their safety. But David and Steve took it a step further by doing a background check on everyone involved with the film.

And that included the little children who were Samuel's co-cast members. Now that information was used to select their gifts. It was a perfect plan of which Samuel was not aware yet.

After the shopping, everyone gathered in the parking lot. Steve was stuck with rolls of bills, and he acted as the cash dispenser. Maxilis played a vital role today; without him, the leader, Steve was not sure how he could handle these women.

" Thank you for your help today. I am not sure what the boss will say, though." Steve said. He had yet to count the total expense.

" Is it really ok to take these things? I know your boss said it is alright, but the girls overdid it a little."

Maxilis was hesitant. He didn't get anything for himself seeing the mad shopping spree.

" I was thinking the same thing. I went with the flow and got this watch, but it might be too expensive." one of the girls said.

" Me too, I always wanted this dress, but it would have cost me a month's rent."

" Yes, that car was excessive, but I am always late for work because I don't have a personal vehicle."

Excuses came left and right while Jane kept nodding her head like she understood their struggles. They had formed a bond today.

Meanwhile, Steve was getting increasingly frustrated; it was like listening to children's excuses about why they deserved candy! He was even more pissed at Jane for enabling this behaviour.

" Can't you see their true intention?" He was cursing her in his mind.

After this 'little' hiccup, they decided to part ways. Maxilis insisted on accompanying them to the studio, but Steve politely refused. If Steve accepted him, he knew the others were bound to follow them. He couldn't take the risk.

Who knows what these people would do when they actually met their boss? With what he had witnessed today, It was a huge security risk!

As a leader it was unexpectable.