Hollywood Zenith



Samuel was enjoying some hot soup with Darren; his stomach was still rumbling because of their bar hunting yesterday night. Darren was eager to impress Emma, who was definitely leading this poor sod on. 

It was then someone came to inform them about a guest. It was strange because not many people came unannounced to the Estate.

Samuel could see a handsome blonde guy being led in by the maids. Darren also recognized him immediately.

"Hey, you never mentioned Darren will be here too?" The guy was very charming, and impeccable teeth were shown while he smiled. Overall he was like a new ray of sunshine.

"Young Master, it's your guest." The maid came to the table to look for Samuel. She obviously knew who the guest was.

" John! It's so great to see you man!" Darren got up and hugged him.

" It's not surprising to see that you didn't came to the party. Beside I can't have you two kids running around the city causing chaos!" Samuel chuckled.

Samuel was very close with him, John Harper, the grandson of the deputy leader of the Labor Party, Tony Harper. Samuel was never into politics, but they just happened to click during one of the gatherings.

  John was one year older than Samuel; last Samuel heard that he was studying abroad, so he was surprised to see him here. Darren was also quite acquainted with John as they shared similar hobbies, mainly chasing girls.

But if Samuel had to put it, John was much more intelligent than Darren; he was also much more responsible with his life, unlike Darren, who was lately letting it slip.

" I am sorry. I wanted to give you a surprise but I got held up with some work." John saw Samuel coming up to give him a bear hug of his own.

"Oh, how did you know I'm still here?"

"My grandfather happened to a short talk with grandpa Kenneth this morning and he told him that you were sticking around."

" Forget all that! You have been cold to me lately! I mean you can at least answer my calls right?" Darren jumped in mid-conversation.

" As I said I was busy and I know our conversation usually led to some outrageous plans. I couldn't have afforded distraction during my exams." John shrugged lightly.

" If you say so, but I don't believe you."

" Well I heard you were enjoying your time here. You both look like shit!" John said, looking at their unkempt appearance.

"Ah, Grandma Margaret, Aunt Laura, it's been a long time."

Ladies came out after hearing the movement; someone must have also informed them.

" It turned out that it was Little Johnny who came." Of course, Samuel's mother knew this little guy. She used to dot on him when he was a chubby little kid. It was mainly before Samuel came into her life, but they got to know each other over the years.

" It's good to see you too." John said politely. Samuel had long suspected John of being influenced by his mother. Why else would he become nervous and respectful in her presence? Or maybe he had stories about her when she was active as the 'demoness'. Either way, he couldn't ask him, could he?

"Auntie Laura, I want to take Samuel and that big lug out tonight, I thought it was best to ask for permission from you?"

" Great!" Darren exclaimed.

"You can ask him; I don't have any problems here. Just don't come back too late." Laura had a good sense of John; she knew he was one of the most prominent youths in this country. Besides, since when did her son ask for her permission? Seeing his choices lately, she had already lost hope of disciplining him. 

" Sami, how about going out to have fun together? Darren too?" Samuel glanced at Darren, who was begging with his eyes. His earlier enthusiasm was evident, and if Samuel rejected his invitation, Darren would surely throw another fit!

"Ok but you choose the place." Samuel shrugged.

"There is no need to choose, I have already booked the place, you guys just need to follow my lead. Grandma, Aunt,  then I will take them out, and by the way, say hello to Grandpa Kenneth for me. Tell him that I will be his chess partner some other time." In front of the elders, John always looked polite.

"Of course, I wish you all a good time."

...

...

...

Johnny drove his own car, a BMW 5 Series, which matched his identity and was not very high-profile. After all, his grandfather and most of his family were in a high position in politics. If he drove a good car, he would indeed be caught by the media and other political opponents. 

Discretion is a virtue one tends to adopt while connected to any public-oriented venture. Samuel and Darren sat in the back row while John was behind the steering wheel.

"Hey, John, your BMW has really good acceleration."  Samuel commented when John was enjoying himself.

" I was wondering about the same thing." Darren said.

"It is a M series except the M label." John chuckled.

"No wonder." The appearance of this M5 was similar to the ordinary 5 series, but the power was wildly different. The price of this M5 performance car could definitely buy three 5 series.

Samuel had to say that John was still quite a thief, choosing an M5 with little difference in appearance, removing the logo and disguising it as a 5 series so that you could experience the thrill of a performance car and guarantee your own family, not being attacked by those with an agenda.

"Johnny, where are you going to take us?" Darren asked.

"Don't worry, it's a good place, and where you will fits well." John blinked in the rearview mirror and bought a pass.

Samuel didn't say much when he heard the words. They kept looking around, taking the city view. It took an hour to drive to the destination.

"Century Pall Club" Samuel had heard of this place, a top private club kitted with every facility imaginable.

" Is this place any good?" Darren, who was not very familiar with London, asked.

" Must be or else he wouldn't have brought us here."

It seemed that John carefully chose this place; it was highly private and worthy of being where people like John gathered. Samuel knew there were not many top private clubs in London, but those had different characteristics.

Such private clubs originated in Europe in the 17th century, initially resembling aristocratic salons, and gradually evolved into upper-class entertainment venues. It usually belonged to the top families that knew what their customers wanted.

Some of the features were that provided members with 200-year-old private bank depository services. A cigar hall in the clubhouse allowed members here to taste the best cigars in the world.

John parked the car at the door, handed the key to the valet, and led Samuel and Darren into the clubhouse.

As soon as one entered the clubhouse, one would feel like you have entered the Middle Ages. The decoration style here was based entirely on the Royal Europa style of the medieval era, which showed the aristocratic atmosphere everywhere.

"Welcome, Mr. Harper" John had already made an appointment, as he had mentioned before.

This club's members were lifelong subscriptions and were divided into three levels: royal, noble and elite.

Royals, as the name suggests, are people with some link with the British family or having some high standing around the world.

Nobles were usually members of the aristocrats and famous businessmen. Some of the people in this category were also well-known actors and actresses. 

Elites were the lowest level members, children of influential people and new emerging powers of the country. Even with such loose distinction, few people were in the club.

To join the higher membership, there must be more than 2 nobles of Jewish descent, and they had to be recommended by members.

The prominent members were primarily members of the royal family and political and business officials of various countries. However, media personnel were not welcome here, ever.

"I have a reservation." John was an elite member and could bring up to two friends here to experience. Elite members had very restricted access to make them aware of the importance of this establishment.

John's member also relied on the face of his grandfather Tony Harper and was recommended by two noble members of Jewish descent.

Bringing Samuel and Darren here, John was taking some risk. He had known that Samuel had never been here, the same as Darren. But unlike Darren, Samuel was very famous, which could backfire as he was buzzing as of late. Especially his handwork in the fall of that Earl; hopefully, no one would pick a fight with them.

He was also worried about Darren, who could be a handful sometimes; the ladies here all had high status, and it could massively impact his own image if he went around harassing them.

However, the three quickly ran into trouble, and the troublemaker was a Saudi Prince who gave Samuel a stink eye for some reason.