Hollywood Zenith

Chapter 552 Nearing Premier-3

" I must say, I am surprised to see you here. Normally it's the other way around right?" Samuel smirked.

"Don't give me that look! It was one time because of my son! If not, why would I ever invite you to my home. Joking aside, It's been a hell of a week for me, do you even know how much I had to convince everyone, from investor to the studio executives, I have been running around and you can't even bother to answer you cellphone." Stephen looked annoyed.

He knew Samuel was not taking it seriously, he needed to control his emotions better so that this doesn't happen a second time.

" I promise, I was going to visit your office today. There has been some stuff going on lately that needed my attention."

" Does that include running around the city chasing people?" Stephen asked directly.

" You saw it too huh? Why does everyone think that it's me?"

" You don't have to say anything but you can't possibly believe I wouldn't recognize your silhouette after spending this much time working with you."

" Fine, let's talk about why you are here. As far as I know, the hype died down a lot these past few days, I am sure I need to answer some questions in the future but other than that, it wouldn't affect the ticket sales."

" Do you have eyes in my office? How can you possibly know that?" Stephen was perplexed. One of the reason why he was here to give him the good news but not before grilling him for what he did! He plan was thwarted.

" I have to protect my sources."

" Emma or Rupert?"

" I am not answering that."

" Fine, but the main reason for my visit is to ask you whether you will be appearing in London Premier of not. The studio could put out an update in your behalf making some excuse but personally, I like you to be there. It will show that you are fine and kicking unlike my mind that already melted with worry."

" Don't worry I will be there, it's about time to put it behind me but I must warn you that I will be blunt which may create some negative buzz."

" I really don't care at this point, just promise me not to hit anyone on camera again. Even those annoying paparazzi. They especially will be up in your face not only because of this controversy but because they couldn't even find where you live yet." Stephen paused and felt their pain just thinking about it.

WIth Samuel switching between his actor persona as soon as the shoot ended meant that he would vanish for months regularly during off season. Even if they tried to follow him, they would be met with difficulties which was the courtesy of people protecting him from the shadows. Not to mention if he truly wanted to hide, there was only few people that were able to find him.

" Even if they did find out, I don't see them getting inside this city."

" City?"

" What else should I call this place? I had heard stories about it but seeing the actual thing is truly shocking. I can safely saw why people call it the hidden Buckingham Palace, you can see mansions everywhere but what's surprising is the small town. I always thought I was rich but now I know how high the ceiling is."

" You don't have to butter me up. Everything was already there even before I got here but it's the people that truly breath life into this remote valley outside London."

" That I agree, I even saw few maids running around. I must say you are living the life my friend!" They smiled at each knowing they were thinking about the same thing.

" Mhmm." Jane made her presence known from behind to which the men calmed their emotions.

"I was just here to get your answer and to see how you were doing. I worry because lately you have been taking too much risk." Stephen switched to more serious note.

" I know, I will try to not put myself in harms way anymore but I can't make any promises."

" Just don't get hurt. I don't know what kids of your age are up to these days but they definitely don't do anything this dangerous." He was not specific with it but Samuel knew he was mentioning the Paris incident.

Stephen was a keen individual, with solid facts present in front of him how could he not make that connection? he was only reminding him because he was truly worried about him as a friend.

They chatted for about an hour before Stephen left. Samuel handled everything else to Jane and waited for updates from both Delphina and Kim. He didn't want to call Kim because he knew it must be somewhere about midnight there.

He definitely didn't want to pester Delphina fearing she would add more condition for their partnership. He trusted her but not her father from whom she was asking the favor from. He decided to head home but first swung by the main mansion trying to find his uncle.

But he was nowhere to be found, with the information he got from Grayson he didn't return home last night and wasn't even at the dinner table. Peter told him that he was bringing the wolves but didn't give him a date.

It's been few days and he was beginning to wonder why hadn't he seen him around. He did send his Aunt Mary on a goose chase, he was hoping that she would protest about the foundation of sanctuary in their backyard potentially riling enough support for elder to step in.

But he didn't have much hope knowing her track record. But maybe this time she succeeded? He was left wondering on his drive home.

...

...

...

As usual he was greeted by Elise who was waiting at the front door, she seemed extra enthusiastic to see him as she came running toward him calling his name.

"Sami~"

" Come here my little princess!" He lifted her up and twirled her around. She giggled as he swung her tiny body like a plane. It became sort of a routine because of how much she liked it.

" How is my princess doing today?" He hadn't seen her all day.

" Put me down, put me down. I have something to show you!" She wriggled in his arms. He did as she told him and saw her run like a little squirrel to the front porch of the house. She took out a pick bag which she stashed in the corner and pulled something out of it.

Samuel walked toward her and saw that it was a brand new notebook. She turned around and handed it to him that's when he remembered Mayra telling him about taking her to Grayson's private tutor.

" Here! Open it!" The notebook matched the theme of the bag with it's pink cover and flowery front. He opened it to saw a bunch of names written inside but at the top of the list was his name. It wasn't spelled Sami but it was his actual full name scribbled like someone jotted it down hurriedly.

He tried to turn back the pages but she immediately stopped him.

" No! Not that!" Even if she tried to hide it he saw what it was. It seemed like she worked pretty hard and tried several times to finally get it right.

" Fine, did you do that by yourself? Isn't that amazing?" He tried to change the subject seeing she started to feel embarrassed about it.

" Yes~ I even learned to write every letter!" She proclaimed proudly. Even though she was four years old, wasn't it too quick to learn letters in a single session? He was genuinely happy to see her dance around, a vast contrast from when he met her for the first time.

" Good girl!" He patted her head and asked," You worked so hard, I want to give you a reward. You can tell me anything, what do you want?"

" Castle! A princess castle!"

" Right, very well. We will go and see the castle but that doesn't you stop working hard right?"

" Un, when are we going?" She asked without hesitation.

He already bought the castle but it needed renovation, it's been only few days since he last talked with Lucie so asking her about it again when she gave a six month time frame for full renovation was worthless.

" Soon, but because the castle is old, we need to fix it."

" Why? I can go."

" What about spiders? Don't you hate spiders? There could also be a lot of other things, isn't it better to wait than to go now?" He made up and explained it to her in simpler terms.

" Eh? I don't want to go if spiders are there!" She recedeed back on mere mention of the eight legged creature.

" Right, but after cleaning there will be no spiders. It will take sometime so you can ask for something else."

" Ummm..." She couldn't think of anything else. In the end, he told her that if she needed anything in the future that would become her reward. She jumped around in joy but soon forgot about it, they played around for few more minutes before Samuel began wondering where were the others.

Usually, Mayra would come out when Elise leaves her sight for too long but it's been fifteen minutes but he didn't see anyone. He picked Elise up in his arms and grabbed her bag before heading inside to see what's up.