Hollywood Zenith

Samuel woke up feeling his phone vibrate uncontrollably. He didn't need to see it to know why it was doing so, from new year greeting to myriad of notification because of his last night's post, his phone just didn't stop buzzing.

He leaned back to stretch his tired body. Last night, he slept in the studio again after a small party. He was in a rush to finish the job because today, he was going to take the girls to have a look around the small town.

Adele wanted to accompany him but she began dozing off right around midnight. He had to carry her back to bed. Kate and Nicole on the other hand wanted to sleep early so that they could walk around the shoreline.

Their cottage was near the rocky beach, with open window, they could even hear the faint sound of the ocean. He cleaned himself up and woke up Adele before heading to other cottage to see if others were ready or not.

He especially prepared some common disguise so that he wouldn't get found out like earlier. Half an hour later they set out wearing heavy clothes because the cold weather. The girls chatted happily while he walked few feets away from them.

He was already getting jealous gazes and weird looks because he was covering his face and wore hat making himself look inconspicuous. The shore line was a deep cliff which meant there was no way to get down to the small beach below.

It was dangerous too because they could get swept away by high tides if they were not careful. Fortunately, they were a lot of beautiful scenery along the way. It was new year and with a sunny morning, many people were either enjoying walk like them or were sitting down at surrounding meadows to have family picnic.

After few minutes they came across a sparse area when Kate suggested," We should take some photos! Sami give me your phone." Everyone knew he had the latest iphone that hadn't been released to the public yet. It was something the company sent over because he held substantial shares in it.

He quietly gave it to her. She was taken aback with hundreds of notification but he told her not to mind it. Adele, Nicole stood beside him.

" Get rid of that hat, I can barely see your face in this." He looked around before quickly removing his disguise. Fortunately, there was no one around to recognize him but it wouldn't be the same for long.

" Nicole? Why are you standing so far away?" She reminded again.

Samuel looked at her, she was blushing lightly trying not to face him. He smiled knowing it must be awkward for her to pose so he grabbed her waist to pull her closer. She yelped before finally embracing him.

After couple of pictures, Adele suddenly left leaving only two of them. Samuel thought Kate wanted to take the photo too but they just stood there looking at two of them with a knowing smile.

" More closer. Just lean over a bit. It's a important day for both of you!" Adele commented while smirking at him. He didn't think much of it but suddenly felt Nicole inching closer grabbing him by his waist.

It was only for a couple of second before she hurriedly let go of him calling Kate and Adele to stand together. Samuel knew Nicole's nature, she must be shy and acted due to peer pressure. It wasn't like her to be so intimate with him.

She had always been reserved and cordial especially when they both started to grow up. Which was why he was surprised to see her open up after so many years. They took more photos. At some point Samuel began to operate the camera displaying his photography skills guiding them through different processes.

When Adele and Kate were doing that, Nicole stood beside him fascinated by his skill. She was leaning over to look at the screen that's when he asked," Did they put you up for this? If they are forcing you, you could tell me. I will talk to them."

He asked because he often see them take her around and also they would occasionally whisper some stuff into her ears. It's been a pattern he had been seeing a lot ever since that night.

" No, no. It's nothing like that young master. Do you not like taking picture with me?" She asked while panicking. Her abrupt question made him panic too, he didn't want her to get back to her shell again which was why he immediately denied it.

" How could that be? I like my little maid!" He yelled it out loud before realizing the double meaning behind it. " I mean..there.."

" I understand, young master!" She said enthusiastically. Samuel didn't know what she was so happy about but he took a sigh of relief seeing her smile again.

He had to say, his little maid looked most beautiful when she smiled. Her small round face with a pointy nose, blue eyes, plump lips along with long lush black hair was a perfect symbolism for natural beauty. He immediately retracted his mind thinking what the hell was wrong with him.

Rest of the walk was peaceful, they returned and began prepping for a lavious feast. Samuel decided to give the young priest a surprise before leaving. With the recording studio like to being deserted for months after they leave, he could help take care of things.

They cooked for few hours before they went to deliver it directly to the church. He got to meet the head priest and since it was a holiday, the church was closed to the public. He especially found Noah and handed him a check for large sum of money, at least it was for Noah who was shocked to see the zeros on it.

" Just take it. It will help in the future." Samuel felt a little guilty thinking how he treated him in the past even accusing him of hitting on the girls.

" Verdant? What's your connection to it?" Noah was more surprised to see the eye catching watermark of the custom check.

" It's my foundation to help Orphanages around the world. Why do you ask?"

" Your foundation! It's because there is a Orphanage in this town sponsored by it!" Noah was shocked. Was all actors this rich?

" I didn't know. Well, it's good that foundation is doing their job. If you need help in the future you can contact them, they will put you through." Samuel didn't want to explain it to him. Verdant was a completely different entity separate from his Alphabet Group.

There were many people who would feel that his corporation was using this foundation to write off taxes. It was also a confirm trail if it were to be a subsidiary so he separated it so that people wouldn't know the money associated with it.

Charity was a complicated business especially Verdant. It would had a huge say where the money was going to be handled if they accepted it. It was a very much a hands on approach so that capital wouldn't be misappropriated.

As foundation began to spread, mainly in other countries with stricter laws. There was huge risk if they found out that it was operated by someone from Rothschild family. It could be seen as a sign of encroaching on their business making lives harder for employees of the foundation.

There had been many cases where other parties demanded bribes which was clearly unacceptable for Samuel. In few of those cases, he had to retreat while in others if it was possible, he was able to strongarm his way through unconventional methods. Regardless, they were in the business of taking care of people not to filling up corrupt people's pockets!

" I will remember it." Noah wanted to reject but in this struggling economy, the money would help a lot.

They talked for a while and Samuel told him about his wish to look after the place while he was gone. Noah was surprise that he was leaving especially when it's only been few days.

He didn't know anything about music but from seeing him being surrounded with the girls, their retreat's actual reason was clear to him. He didn't say anything about it because it was not his place and he didn't saw them doing anything. There was a chance that they were friends but in his personal view it was unlikely.

When they were leaving few people manage to take pictures. Samuel didn't know where they came from probably because of the rumour of him being here but they seemed prepared. He felt that it wouldn't be a problem seeing he was visiting a church and the girls were standing far away from him.

They already know what to do seeing so many paparazzi gathered together. Being in the shot couldn't be avoided but only those that personally know then could guess they were with him. While Noah guard the gate, Samuel went inside the chapel again.

Three of them were already waiting for him. It was a great opportunity for him show them his secret path and why he came sneaking through the back door few days ago.