Hollywood Zenith

" Aren't you tired? Grandma I think he should sit down, he had been standing for hours." Anya said.

" I am fine. I can manage." Grey didn't want her to worry. Eleanor also noticed tiny beads of sweat, so she sneakily wiped them.

" It's alright. You don't have to push yourself too much."

" No, mother told me these people are here to see me. It's only right that I am here to greet them. Beside big brother is doing the same thing without taking rest."

" You really don't get it. He is an adult; also there is a reason he is gleefully standing there." Anya looked at the two girls beside them. She recognized one of them; nonetheless, she knew what was happening there.

" Hmm?"

" I can see Hannah and her princess friend there. You haven't seen her in months right?, I am sure she would be proud to see you here." Eleanor asked.

" Big sister! She never told me she would be coming." Grey was excited. He had known her since childhood, spending time together; they were very close.

" She will be coming over shortly. So hang in there alright?"

" Yes."

For Grey, his brother was a huge inspiration; the more he knew about his brother, the more astonished he felt. He didn't understand everything, but it was enough to make him do better. How would he expect his brother to notice him if he couldn't even do such a simple chore?

It was only a notion in his head, but kids crave attention, especially from the one they respect the most!

...

...

...

Few people noticed Hannah and Kiko entering the hall. Both were wearing exquisite attire; Hannah wore a sleeveless crystal beaded dress, which showed a little bit of her curves. She was barely reaching adulthood, but she definitely retained her childhood cuteness.

Princess wore a modest dress; everything below her neckline was covered, even her fingers. Her dress was cream coloured one-piece dress with full sleeves. It was neither baggy nor tight; it was all left to the imagination, which made her even more desirable.

Those who knew about their identity steered cleared; offending a diplomat was terrible news, and once you count Samuel's sister, they didn't want to know what would happen. They already knew he didn't care about one's status.

"I am happy to hear that. It's always a pleasure to meet you." Samuel smiled, which instantly made Kiko blush.

" Seriously? Why are you-" Hannah wanted to tease her more, but Samuel stopped her.

" Hannah, stop it. It's making her uncomfortable. I am sorry about her she is crazy." He kept it professional.

" That's what happens when you don't visit me! I even arranged for you to give out a speech at my school but you never showed!" Hannah retorted.

" You know I have been busy beside who would want a kid to give a lecture."

" But you are an alumni. It's not weird at all, right?" She turned toward Kiko for support.

" She is right," Kiko replied with one sentence. For some reason, she was reticent, unlike when she was little. She also kept quite a distance between Samuel and, which Samuel was obliged to accept.

They were talking about Oxford International School, which Samuel graduated from. He had completed the whole course in a year, it might have taken him less time, but this was the fastest time frame anyone could attempt.

" I will think about it. Any news on Aika? I sent her an invitation too."

" She is busy doing yakuza stuff. Last time I heard she did quite a makeover, I have yet to see her since last year." Hannah replied.

" Her family is having some friction with local forces. My uncle told me about it but you can't blame her can you?" Kiko explained further.

" I see. Mother also told me she was busy. I guess she is still uncomfortable with such occasions." Samuel was talking about Carol, Hannah's mother.

" She made it all up. She did send her regards." While talking about it, Liliana and Rosaline came to Samuel's side.

" You are talking awfully long with these girls. What's up?" Liliana locked her arms with him.

"..."

"..."

" You are one to talk. How did you get away though?" Samuel asked.

" I have my means."

" Also, I failed to tell you about them. She is my sister, Hannah, and the one beside her is my friend Princess Kiko." Samuel introduced them to one another. But the question still remained why Liliana was so cosy with him.

" And please excuse me. I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea." Samuel separated from her embrace.

" I am sorry. You are right."

" Brother you failed to mention you got a girlfriend." Hannah asked curiously.

" I know them, I read about his little stunt in the news." Kiko said expressionlessly.

" You have to ask her about it. Rosaline, is everything fine? You have been very quiet this evening." Samuel didn't want to get into it, but he did notice Rosaline's uncomfortableness.

" I am fine. I am just not sure if I fit in here. For some reason everyone is looking at me weirdly." Rosaline sighed.

" Probably because you look so gorgeous! They are probably jealous!" Liliana exclaimed. She was correct; Laura did an excellent job with her makeover. She was hardly recognizable after the stylist was done with her.

" She is right. You look lovely today; you should accompany Hannah. I can't have others waiting." Samuel urged them to go with his sister. In that way, they would be less likely to get in trouble. Princess would act like a repellent which was what he wanted.

" Yes, Miss Rosaline please come with me. I will protect you in exchange of all the information!" Hannah took her hand.

" Information?" Princess Kiko asked.

" Aren't you curious too? I would love to find out how they met! Miss Liliana you too, come with us." Thus they left with Hannah dragging them both with Kiko in toe.

Samuel looked around to find other girls who were still busy, Maia with a slightly older crowd, Iblis with her family and Paige alongside the food table. She was enjoying rare drinks, which meant she wouldn't last the night. He instructed one of the people to look after her so she didn't make any drunk mess again.

While making small talk with other incoming guests, his next guest greeted him. It had been a while since he had met him.

" Mr and Mrs Trent, I am glad you can make it." He greeted them politely.

" Master Samuel, what are you doing here? Also, I must admit it is a little uncomfortable when you talk like that." Thomas replied. He was the head of the publisher who was responsible for his manuscripts.

" Ignore him. He is only joking; it's nice to see you too. I will head inside first." His wife had already spotted her acquaintances. She made her way inside, leaving them to talk in private.

" Although I have been benched. I have to fulfill my duty as the receptionist."

" I understand. There was something I was hoping to talk about in person but it's very hard to get a hold of you these days."

" You know what I have been up to. Can it wait? I can visit the publishing house after a few days." Samuel asked. He was not giving his writer persona much thought these days. It was the only thing that he didn't merge with his company.

" I am afraid it can't. I was hoping to catch you after the party." Thomas was hoping to sort it out soon because of the deadline.

" I don't know. We can talk now if you want,"

" Okay, it's about the rights for the book. If you remember we sold it to a corporation few years back, their contract is about to expire in few days. What's more surprising is they didn't capitalize much on it which is why there are a number of buyers lining up at my publishing house for few days now." Thomas explained as quickly as possible.

" I see; what about the company who originally held the right? Did they make an offer again?" Samuel probed. He wondered if his subordinates were doing their jobs properly.

" They did. I thought we should hold some sort of auction for the maximum result. Over the years the value of the contract had skyrocketed. It suffices to say it's somewhere in tens of millions if my estimates are correct." It was Thomas's idea, who was still unaware that Samuel's company held the right in the first place.

" You can proceed as you like. I trust your judgment." Samuel had a reason not to force the issue a second time. An auction meant some excellent publicity; with some articles and media coverage, the public would be more excited when he started production for the first film in the series.

" I will see to it. I will not keep you long; I can see you have other guests to attend to." Thomas got a positive response which made him excited. Samuel and his publishing house, Penguin, would also benefit from media exposure.

Suddenly Samuel's phone rang, which surprised him. Most people he knew were here, so who was calling him? He saw the caller ID and hastily picked up the call.

" Hello?Adele?"

" Sami, Can you come outside? I am waiting."