Hollywood Zenith

" I can see why she was so adamant of staying here. She was never a tomboy but for some reason she hardly has friends of her age here." Carol commented seeing Hannah mingle so seamlessly with everyone.

" That\'s true. Most of her friends are our regulars and few drunkards that often visit our eatery. Looking at her around people closer to her age really gives me hope for the future." Aaron said happily.

" Come on! Mom, Dad, you are talking about me like I am some loner! I have many friends in high school." They were not exactly quiet when commenting about her.

" How would we know? You know sometimes we worry about you."

" It\'s fine mother. Even if she is irresponsible, I fully trust Princess Kiko. She will keep her away from other weird kids."

" What do you mean I am irresponsible?!" She flipped the spoon making the rice on it rain. Thankfully no one was drenched in the curry sauce. Amanda sprung into action cleaning up her mess while everyone chuckled at her clumsiness.

" Aunty." Nicole came from the side holding a fancy wine bottle.

" Why don\'t you eat with us too?" Carol asked seeing they were just standing there waiting. A lot has changed over the years, Nicole the kid who so would often ask her diligently about different food had became such a refined girl acting like any other noble girl but she still didn\'t like her completely shying away from her silly side.

She was all for her working but she could leave that when there were actual guest in the house. Even catorising her and her husband as guests were a little hurtful.

" We will eat-"

" Mother they wouldn\'t listen to you. They pulled the same excuse during lunch." Hannah interrupted Amanda.

" Sami.." Carol turned toward Samuel for help.

" I really can\'t make them do what they didn\'t want to." Samuel didn\'t want to get involved in this.

Carol had to give up on that thought. While they were arguing, Hannah sneakily took the wine bottle and started pouring herself a drink. With her parents distracted she miraculously was able to fill her glass but as she was about to take a sip, Kayla picked up her own glass lightly smashing her saying, " Cheers!"

The high pitched noise gathered her mothers attention as she looked what her daughter was doing.

" Young lady! What do you think you are doing?" She tried to snatch the glass off her but Hannah was able to dodge.

" Everyone is drinking it. Why shouldn\'t I? Beside, brother told me that he started enjoying wine at same age as me!"

" Sami?"

" I didn\'t tell her anything. I don\'t know where she heard it from."

" Grandpa Arthur told me about it! he also said aunt Laura was okay with it!"

" I don\'t care. You are just fifteen. There is no way, I am letting you drink. Honey?" Seeing, Samuel was not helpful, she turned toward her husband.

" I mean, yeah you shouldn\'t but I don\'t see any harm since this stuff is good. If we stop her she would only hide and get stupid drunk with her friends." Aaron was much more open minded about it. Cheap alcohol may be bad for kids but fine wine if she only has one glass could be a good experience for her first time. Beside they were there too, they could stop her from overindulgence.

" I love you father!" Hannah was about to gulp it down when Carol stopped her and empty her glass leaving only few sips for her.

" Just try it first. I don\'t want you to waste it." Carol took a different approach. Adults might be accustomed to drinking but there was no way Hannah would like it on her first try especially when she herself tasted the wine and found it to be quite strong.

Hannah was disappointed but she thought it was better than nothing. The smell was not appetizing, it was the same when people would drink at their restaurant but she had seen others enjoy it. She lifted the glass cup and drank a mouthful of it.

" Bleh! Ew, Ew. It\'s horrible!" Thankfully, it went down her throat before she could spit it out. After the bitter taste, she felt her esophagus burning giving her a big goosebump.

" No it\'s not. Here, have some more. Didn\'t you say you will drink the whole glass?" Carol immediately filled her glass sliding it in front of her face.

" No, I am fine. I don\'t know how you guys drink it with straight face." Sadly it killed any desire inside of her for a second helping. Carol smiled at the success of her plan. A mother\'s know best couldn\'t be more true looking at their exchange.

" Here." Nicole was ready with a glass of juice which she put in front of the teary eyed brat. She immediately gulped it down to cleanse her palate.

" hahaha, it\'s so nice to see kid enjoy juice more than alcohol!" Kayla was already tispy and said while slamming her glass on the table.

" Kayla, behave!" Mayra sat her down but the damage was too much.

Hannah looked at everyone and saw them smiling, she wasn\'t going to let them disrespect her like this. She picked up the glass and gulped it down in one go.

" Hannah!" Carol wasn\'t able to stop her.

Within few minutes, dinner was over with Hannah hugging her mother and mumbling about her childhood days. In the end Samuel had to carry her upstairs to her room. Her parents were worried and wanted to take her home but it was an hour drive from here.

Hannah would especially be mad if they cut her trip short so they decided to trust Samuel who said, he would take care of her. They would hide all the wines too, in case she developed a taste for it but it was highly unlikely because of the face she made drowning the red liquor.

Arthur promptly arranged the car for them and asked one of his people to drive their car. It was good not to take any chances since they were drinking.