Hollywood Zenith



Samuel sighed on his way to the main mansion. From his observation, it didn't sound like a bad plan. Wolves had long been forgotten; they were in significant numbers before being hunted down by the end of the seventeenth century.

He was sure he would be hearing them howling by next week. At least Grey was excited to see it; he was still unsure if his mother knew about it, but with the plan in full swing and to be completed in a few days, he couldn't do anything about it.

" Young master, I should go and check the construction schedule so that you can move in quickly. I am sure they could assign specific days so that you don't have to see them regularly or be disturb by construction noise."

" Alright, check on Jane for me too. Tell her that she can report anytime she saw movement from our targets. We can't be blindsided like before."

" As you wish." Arthur left after receiving his orders.

" Grey, did you have lunch yet?"

" No, we were waiting for you."

" Alright, let's go find mother. They must be waiting for us." Samuel was more worried about Mayra's situation than his hungry stomach. He entered the living room but saw no one; it was odd because usually, few family members or staff would be there doing usual chores as it was the main gathering area for everyone.

Suddenly, he heard loud noises from their diner area, where they had a family dinner together. It was dampened, but with his hearing abilities, he recognized his grandmother Margaret's voice.

He rushed to the room, dragging Grey, fearing for the worst.

" Grandma, you don't have-" He shouted as soon as he entered the room to see most of his family sitting around his grandma. He could see her facing Mayra angrily, which made his heart sink instantly.

" Why are you yelling all of a sudden? Didn't you like the house?" Laura asked, seeing his troubled face.

" That's not it what are you-"

" Sami! Come sit with us. Grandma Margaret is telling few interesting stories from the past! I can't believe you never mentioned that she was older sister of the Queen herself! How cool is that?" Mayra began calling for him.

Samuel was still confused, but seeing the smile on her face meant that they were not fighting. Which begs the question of what they were doing?

" Alright. Grey, go see what your grandpa is doing there. You already know that little girl's name is Elise, right?" Samuel saw Elise and Kenneth were busy doing something in the corner, away from everyone. Even Donald was there; he was tinkering with something he couldn't see because they were sitting with their backs facing him.

" Un." Grey nodded.

" You are older than her, so you have to protect her. Treat her with care because she is a bit special." Samuel gave additional instructions if he decided to do something extreme, like going into the forest with her. Samuel was still unsure how much Elise had healed this past week; he considered calling a few doctors to evaluate her condition.

" Okay, big brother!" Grey gave him a positive response and went away to see what they were up to. Meanwhile, Samuel joined Mayra and sat beside her, seeing what the ladies were doing.

" You can continue?" He thought they were waiting for his response but waiting for him to answer what he thought about the house.

  " First, tell us about the house. Do you like it or not? We wanted to surprise you after fully finishing it, but you know what happened next, right?" Laura said, feeling a little upset.

" I already said I am sorry about that. There was nothing I could have done."

" That's up for debate, but we will not dwell on that for the time being. Both of you are tired from the journey, be here next morning for a family meeting." It was not Laura who decided on the arrangement; Robert had instructed her before he left for work that day.

" Back to the house, what is your first impression?" Mary budged in and moved the conversation to the mega-mansion.

" It's good, not fully ready but with few more month everything will be finished I hope. But why all of a sudden kicking me out of the house?"

" It's for your own good. You are already an adult like the rest of the kids so you need to be more independent right? Beside, I can't have you running around the house with Mayra. You need some privacy right?" Laura said with a teasing smile, which made everyone chuckle except for Mayra, who was already blushing.

" Mother!"

" What? I know what happens when you are young. I used to sneak out of the house to meet your father, it was some of the best moments-"

" Too much details! I don't want to hear about your love life!"

" Fine, but I think it is a good thing. It's not very far, and you could come here for meals, in that way, we can regularly talk if you want. I respect if you lovebirds decide to make your own 'meal.' You know what I mean, right?" She put heavy emphasis on meals.

" That's enough. Look what you done to her." Mayra was hiding, burying her face in Samuel's arms. She was practically in his lap with how embarrassed she was.

" Alright alright."

" It's getting late, I should check the kitchen to see if they prepared the lunch or not. Everyone is practically starving waiting for you." Patricia got up and left.

" Yeah, we can discuss the details during our meal. Isn't that right Mayra?"

" Grandma not you too!"

" Hahaha, I am only joking." They made fun of Samuel's protectiveness for a few more minutes before Samuel could change the subject.

" What were you guys shouting about earlier?"

" That, I was telling Mayra about past wars and what I heard during those times. I didn't know anyone would be this interested but apparently she likes it a lot." Margaret said.

" That's right Sami! It would be great if she writes a book about it, I am sure it will sell a lot. I took history as minor subject during college, which was how I got interested in these stuff but I never read about such detailed descriptions from any source. Honestly it's exhilarating to hear about it!" Mayra reverted to her previous self immediately while talking about history.

" Good for you, at least you will have someone to talk to other than me. I never thought it would be you Grandmother."

" What does that mean?" Laura asked.

" No offence mother, but everyone finds you scary. Compared to you Grandmother is much more approachable and kind."

" Are you talking about the same person here?" Kenneth came back to hear them talking about his wife. For him, his wife was the most scary person in the room, bar none!

" Am I that scary Honey?" Chills ran down Kenneth's spine when he heard his wife's voice.

" J-joking? I was only joking!"

" it sure didn't look like it." Laura's absent-minded remark added fuel to the fire! Thus began another great 'war' with the loser already decided before it began.

" Are they always like this?" Mayra whispered in Samuel's ears.

" Most of the times, they are a little strange when you first meet them. Many people's expectation have been shattered in this estate but strangely they never said anything bad about them too."

" I can see why. I was scared at first but I am so glad I came here."

" Did something happen?"

" It's girl's talk Sami! It's automatically a secret that I can't reveal!"

Samuel wanted to push her a little when Patricia returned with several staff who started arranging the table. They quickly brought food, making everyone gather around the dinner table. It was another typical day at the estate! 

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