Hollywood Zenith

" Yo, Sarah. I heard you were not feeling good?" Darren brazenly entered her room. Samuel and Rosaline followed him, but he was again reminded of what James had said.

" Hey! You should knock. What if I was changing inside?"

" I agree. You shouldn't violate her privacy like that." Rosaline supported Sarah.

" Shameful"

" Why are you pilling on me? I was only concerned!"

" I don't know about that. Didn't you hit on her when you first met? Sarah had already told me about it." When it came to secrets, Samuel knew a lot of them; with his incredible memory, it would be hard to miss even the tiny details.

" Fuck you. I didn't know the sister was married! It was not my fault." He tried to defend himself.

" Did you not notice her ring? Don't tell me... you really have weird preferences, man." Samuel sighed, but he made the situation worse for him.

It took some time for the girls to get the meaning, after which he visibly repulsed them.

" I am telling you it's not like that. Look, the children are also scared; why are you hiding? Forget it, Samuel; you told me you would treat me to a good meal! I will hold you accountable if you don't fulfil your promise."

" Right, It's almost seven. Sarah, I will take care of it tonight. Can you call a few of them to help me out?" Samuel asked.

" Ok, the usual then." Sarah smiled.

" Huh? What are you talking about?" Darren asked.

" I am also curious." Rosaline also voiced her thoughts.

" It's a Sami's feast night!" Sarah replied with an enthusiastic tone.

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" Peel it faster! Chop chop! Rosa, you have a lot to go through."

" Darren, you can't even handle it; sit in the back if you are tired. You are useless!"

"Fill it to the brim; I don't want the heat to run out. I want it to bake evenly."

" You kids! Don't play with the food!"

" Hey! This is completely wrong! Do it again!"

" Where is hell is the salt? Did you eat it? Amateurs"

" Who is peeling the potatoes? If you don't bring it to me in ten minutes, there is no dinner for you, understand?"

"..."

" WHERE IS MY ANSWER?"

" YES, CHEF!"

Samuel turned into a demon as soon as he entered the kitchen; he was doing his part while inspecting the progress of others. His voice was stern, and although he was not yelling, everyone was scared to make any mistake.

" Pheww, Was he always like this?" Rosaline, who was responsible for cutting vegetables, asked Sarah.

" Yeah, I don't know where he learned it, but he turns into a completely different person while cooking. It happened so often that I am not even surprised by it."

" Ughh, Shit, I accidentally touched my eye. This stuff really stings! Why the hell am I doing it again? I am not even a cook!" Darren complained.

" I don't know. You can ask him directly if you want to find out." Sarah smirked.

" Forget it. This better be good, or I am-" He paused." I can't even do anything!" He was frustrated.

" Don't worry about that; I have never seen someone so focused. I am hundred per cent sure it would be good." Rosaline had some faith after witnessing how Samuel was handling the dough. He was flipping skillfully to make the base.

" YOU! IF YOU HAVE TIME TO TALK, MOVE YOUR HAND FASTER!" Samuel roared when he saw them slacking off.

"" Ou Chef!""

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" Well done, everyone! To give your extra effort, I have prepared special desserts for everyone. Without further ado, dig in!" Samuel said a few words in front of the crowd.

The facility had about sixty people, guards and employees included. There were a few more people, but they were not permanent residents. It was good they were not here; Samuel had to work harder to make food for hundreds of people!

" OMG, the meat melts in the mouth." someone exclaimed.

" This sauce, too, this tangy flavour, perfectly complements the fatty meat!"

" Forget it; this pizza is insane! How did the boss make it taste like this?"

They began complementing the dishes as they breezed through different ones. Samuel's culinary skills were not at their peak as he never practised them earnestly. But it was enough to make these people recognize his talent.

" This really is amazing! This Tomato Consomme with Ricotta Tortellini is one of the best I have tasted!" Darren was happy. As a food gourmet, he was elated as long as he was served good food.

" For me, it is this crusted fish, I don't know, but I love this texture!" Rosaline was also stuffing her cheeks; such deliciousness was unusual for her.

" Keke, As usual, your steaks are the best! I waited months for this flavour !" Sarah always had the same dish whenever Samuel cooked. He especially prepared it for her as no steaks were on the menu.

" Good, I am glad you like it." He was helping children with their food. There was no rest for Samuel tonight.

After dinner, it was time for the main event. He kept it suspense until now, but after getting James' signal. He brought everyone to a hall. As instructed, James filled it with the toys that Samuel had bought.

It was a mini event where they had to compete in simple games to win these toys as a prize. Those who were not able to win were given complimentary prizes, albeit they were smaller in size. It went on for a couple of hours. As the clock approached eleven, everyone left for bed.

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" Take care of your health. If you collapse, the whole system will fall." Samuel said to Sarah. As the person tasked with looking after the children, she had to be extra vigilant. Maybe they lacked manpower?

" It's just a little cold. I will be fine." She casually rustled Samuel's hair. She had to get up on heels as she was much shorter than him.

" I am not a kid anymore! Stop doing that!"

" Hahah, Darren too, visit us more often."

" Alright."

" And you?" She said to Rosaline.

" Yes?"

" Try harder." It was a vague comment, but Rosaline understood it.

" It's not-" She wanted to deny it, but she changed it in the middle upon receiving Sarah's glare.

" Ok."

" What's that?" Darren asked.

" It's our secret! No boys allowed!"

" Ehh?"

" Quit goofing around. James, take care of everyone; I will come back later." It was getting late. Samuel had an appointment with Armani for his endorsement deal.

" As you wish." He respectfully bowed.

" Rosa, we will drop you off. It's quite late."

" Ok, I also have work tomorrow."

"Work? Now that I think about it, she never mentioned it." Samuel thought but decided to not bring it up. He was dead tired after the long cooking session.

" You really can't fight your destiny. You will understand it very soon." Apollo, who witnessed Samuel and Rosaline's conversation, thought with a knowing smile.