Hollywood Zenith

" You said you met this person before. What is he like?" Samuel asked David while being escorted through the main hall. They were heading toward the meeting room.

" Who said he? Just remember, don't give in to her charms. She is very eloquent with her words."

" A lady, this should be fun."

" Did you know anything that I said?"

" Relax, Uncle; what can she do to a kid? You are becoming more and more like Oscar. He was also paranoid about everything."

" I keep forgetting that. But what can I say? You have a gift for messing with people.

" That's just plain rude."

They were bantering like normal. The new security team was surprised to see such an exchange; they were not expecting their new boss to be like this. Any other person would be scared in this situation; traversing through armed mercenaries, even with their own security detail, comes with significant risk.

" My, my, What a cute boy! Danny, I didn't know you were bringing me an early Christmas present." A feminine voice resounded as soon as they entered the room.

" How often do I have to tell you my name is David? Huh, Ludivine."

Ludivine Beauchêne, a beautiful lady, walked forward in her low-cut evening dress. She was small, delicate-featured and had short black-dyed hair. There was a curious style, a great sense of high voltage about her.

" Woah, no need to get angry. I thought you liked it."

" When did you get that impression? "

" Since the first day we met?" She said while placing one finger on her chin. She was definitely trying to act innocent.

" Let's change that. Besides, I am not here to argue; the young master is here for business."

" Oh? Is this child the one that everyone has been talking about lately? I feel like I have seen him from somewhere." She squinted her eyes, analysing Samuel's appearance.

" T-that is impossible. You might be mistaken." David replied.

" You are lying. Your stuttering is a tell-tell sign." This made David flinch.

" There!" She smiled wildly, like she was playing with her prey. She was sure about it, witnessing David's reaction.

" Sam-Samuel, You just need glasses, and I will have a superstar in my backyard. It is fascinating information." She must have seen the interview.

They were closer than Samuel thought.

" It doesn't matter. But It would be in your best interest if you don't share it with others." David said sternly.

" Wow, now you are threatening me. I don't like being that. I don't think I could work with you anymore." She pouted and began to leave.

" Wait! I am sorry. It is urgent; I promise I will make it up to you." David shouted. He knew her personality very well and was aware of her mood swings.

" Yeah, I would have used the normal channels if not for the time crunch. Money is not the problem." Samuel said.

" Dinner tonight at the palace. I will not take any other compensation for your digression." She jolted back to her seat after stating her demand.

" Is it just I, or is this lady flirting with my Uncle?" Samuel thought. He was baffled by the revelation.

" D-deal! Now can we get back to business?" David had to accept it. She was one of the best in the business.

" Hold on. A-are you two dating?" Samuel asked. He was unable to suppress his curiosity.

" Yes!"

" No!" both said simultaneously, David denied it, of course, but Samuel was suspicious.

" That really hurt my feeling, you know." She said with a sad face. If not for Samuel's acting skills, he would have believed her.

" That preposterous; there is no feeling involved, to begin with."

" Ok, Ok, I get it. It was my mistake to ask about it." Samuel wanted to put an end to the conversation. He felt like he had accidentally poked a bear or something.

" You got it? These days kids grow up pretty fast, or is it just rich kids? Danny, what are you teaching him."

Thus, another argument ensued between David and her. Samuel sat back and relaxed; it was foolish to interfere between this 'married couple'. After calming down, they got to business.

" What do you need?" She asked.

" These are our requirements. It is a compiled list with preferred talent listed below them." Samuel asked.

" It's not much. Are you sure you need my help with this? It feels like a low-level job for me." She could have been more impressed.

" You should have turned the page over. You will find that I need some people to run a few companies for me; the more, the merrier. But I want high-level executives and their detailed report."

She completely ignored her blunder and read the rest of the documents. She was surprised by some of the requirements but knowing that Rothschilds were involved, she expected this much.

" Good, now you are talking. But it will be hard. I know few people, but you must provide sufficient capital to pull them over to your side. Some people were high on the totem pole; they worked very hard to reach their current position. It will be hard for them to start over again in a new company." She was not hopeful about it.

" I don't care about it. Just put my offer out there; I am okay with people with bad records as long as they have some weaknesses. They only need to be capable in their field."

" Said like a true businessman. We will get along just fine."

" Do you take cards?" David tried to joke.

...... He got the silent treatment for the rest of the meeting.

They went over some more detail before ending the meeting. After the initial goofiness for the rest of the meeting, Ludivine was in the proper business mode. But in the end, she reminded David about their deal.

Leaving the place, Samuel asked.

" Uncle, Is something wrong with her? I find her quite charming."

" You are taking sides now?"

" That's not what I mean. Even I could tell that she likes you."

" Let me ask you, what do you think she is in business for?"

" Information and brokerage would be my guess."

" And what do I do?"

" I don't know," Samuel said with a straight face.

" Be serious! I am trying to tell you something."

" Security."

" Now put two and two together. Why do you think she is so interested in me?"

" I see. But it could be genuine interest, I feel like it."

" That is why I warned you before entering the room. Whatever it is, we will never know; now, let's go home. I have to prepare for my date."

" So, you are interested!"

" Can you let it go, please?"

the ride home was an awkward one.