Hollywood Zenith

" How can you say such a thing after getting caught red handed?"

" You are talking about this?" Samuel extended his hand to the side which showed the colour blood splatters on his clothes.

" These are the result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Beside I don't know if you notice but they had guns, as far as I know you can't beat it with hands." He lamented about not changing his clothes, but he didn't want any more implications.

" We will know soon enough. Our job was to protect you but now this has became a homicide investigation!" His main goal was to find out about Samuel's accomplices.

It was too much of a risk not knowing who was actually behind this ruckus.

" I saw it Mr. Samuel is not the one to do it..." Someone said from the crowd.

" It was me!"

" No. I was the one who did it."

At least the sense of brotherhood was still strong among them. Also, Samuel was going to take care of them, it was a good way to show their worth.

By now the whole place was crawling with police, even then arresting or questioning the whole neighborhood was a tough task.

It would take a lot of time to process these people, the inspector also had to report to his superior who were urgently waiting for his briefing. Seeing the pile of work in his hand and factoring in these unruly witness, he decided it would be better to let Samuel go for now.

He also couldn't be too rude to a VIP. Getting the go ahead sign, Samuel took Raul and headed toward Enrique's place. But unfortunately he didn't know about how much his mess affected the outside world.

...

...

...

The short drive was over in an instant, Raul was behaving much more calmly as he essentially became a chauffeur.

Reaching the compound, he voluntarily opened Samuel's door. Enrique who was watching from the distance was greatly surprised by the scene.

Samuel got off to see everyone present to welcome him. He noticed Liliana was also present. When did she arrive? And why were they looking him like that?

" Is there something on my face?" He asked the Raul who was beside him.

" They must be worried about you." He had already ditched the bloody clothes, he was sure he cleaned himself properly.

" Young man, you got quite some balls to ignore my calls!" Shit! Samuel knew exactly whom this voice belong to!

"A-aunt Amelia, It's surprising meeting you here. Were you in the area and decided to visit your favorite nephew? I am honour-"

" Cut the crap!" Samuel's top tier flattery didn't even put a dent. She was still furious at him.

Why shouldn't she be? Getting a sudden call from the police telling her about how her nephew got kidnapped by gangster?

Reaching this place and seeing he had abandoned his security personals and voluntarily went with an stranger to meet the criminal boss?

What happened next was even more surprising? He vanished and what was left was behind was only ruins. But with a clear sign of large scale battle taken place here, they didn't know anything.

Obviously, the law enforcement didn't told her about how he went to the 'real' hideout of the gnag to confront the boss himself or else she would be worried to death.

Samuel closed his eyes anticipating a good beating for his reckless but instead Amelia hugged him. He could hear her sniffing under her breadth.

" You Idiot! Why do you keep doing these things? What if something bad happens again? How can I face your mother?" She muttered these questions.

" I am sorry but I should have visited uncle and aunt sooner. About this you don't have to worry about it, it was a normal meeting. Just the person had some unique identity, just like Mr. Enrique here he was a good person." Samuel didn't know that she knew.

" You call destroying their hideout a peaceful talk. Don't act like it was not you who did it! *sigh* I still wonder why did I sign such a troublesome fellow!"

" Ouch, were you even worried about me? I got shot at, you know I could have died." Samuel tried to garner some sympathy and surprising Amelia gave it to him.

" I am sorry about everything."

It was real but he was only telling her about it as a joke? Why was she acting this down? He didn't get time to dwell on it, other people were waiting to scold him too! Liliana took the center stage, it was her father that informed her about it.

Liliana was not home since forever but now after hearing that Samuel had visited her parents. What's more he went to fight with Felipe probably for her sake, she was the one who told him about her circumstances.

There was no happy reunion between her and Enrique, they were both prideful people unable to reconcile. Isabella and Mariana tried to smooth things over but nothing worked, few hours passed when they heard Samuel was returning.

" Did you miss me?" Samuel spread out his arm expecting a hug.

But what he got a swift roundhouse kick which he blocked but it was not over, she unleashed a fury of different kicks all aimed at his vitals. She was definitely serious about it as she didn't take a single break until she was tired.

" Woah"

" Wait"

" I "

" am "

" Sorry "

" Stop"

Her feet hurt after using kicking motion too many times, when she stumbled forward Samuel caught her. She completely got submerged by his tall figure. Sensing the familiar scent she calmed down on her own.

" You are my girl, I can't have you living in fear all the time."

" Umm."

" You know everyone is watching right? I was only joking earlier actually it is very embarrassing you hugging me like this." Samuel sneakily looked around to see everyone giving him a knowing smile. These rascals lived off of rumors and gossips, he was well aware of how they welcomed him!

" Just a little longer."

" Alright." Samuel brushed her back. He underestimated how much they worried about him.

" Samuel can I talk to her now?" After few moments, Raul asked from the back.

" That's right! there was whole family drama left, I want to be there for Liliana but it would be rude as I am not that familiar with them." He thought.

" You remember what I told you earlier right?" Samuel reminded him.

" Please, It's not like that. I understand what true power looks like, what I have been chasing seem so superfluous compared to you."

" You are not just saying it right? You know-"

" I know. I don't want to run away anymore." Seeing the Raul's firm eyes, Samuel knew that he was definitely a little different than before.

" Alright. Will you be okay?"

" Yes."

He saw them walking inside, Enrique and the rest of his family followed them after giving him a grateful look. Samuel hoped for the best but it was up to them to make up for the time she lost living here.

Next, he talked with Steve and others. While he was making up a story to tell them, he received an urgent call. Even if it was not unusual for this person to call him, it was definitely suspicious if one did so in the middle of the night. But his aunt was here, it was not far fetch to imagine his family was also informed.

Samuel gulped and answered the call in cheerful tone.

" Mother? You are not asleep yet?"

" I was busy with some paperwork. Time flies by when you are doing work."

" You should take better care of your body. "

" Don't worry I will take tomorrow off. But I was calling to ask you or more like remind you."

Phew! It looked like mother didn't know about it. The another reason why he went alone was to cover his tracks, the issue with visiting Enrique could be put aside after mentioning Liliana. He had almost covered all bases!

" Yes?"

" You remember what day it is next week right?"

" Next week?" Samuel paused for a fraction of second.

" I remember! Thank you for reminding me." He almost made the biggest sin of his life. If he somehow missed this day, he had to atone for few years to get in their good graces.

" Pick a suitable birthday present."

" I will."

" Also bring the girls, I heard you picked a fight some gangsters? You must be serious about her."

"Fuck! she knows! How does she always manages to fool him into false sense of security?" Samuel thought.

" I don't know what you are-"

" Don't give me that bullshit. I want everyone to attend the birthday party. I will take care of Adele."

" Adele?" By the time he could say anything the line was cut.