Hollywood Zenith

After the guests left, only people from both families were left inside the venue. They were talking with each other, heads of both families shared a single table.

" I didn't think it will go this smoothly." Kester asked.

" I know. But I don't think everything will be fine in the future." Robert looked toward Samuel and Iblis in the distance. He had second thoughts about it; he still believed it might have been too early for both of them. Kester followed his gaze and said--

" I know what you mean. Shouldn't I be the one to worry? I am the bride's father."

" What? Is there anyone better than my son? He is practically perfect!"

" I don't know what you are implying but have you seen anyone more beautiful than my daughter. People call her 'Unparallel Beauty'. If you don't believee check the news tomorrow."

There began having an argument in the middle, and others shook their head to see such childish behavior. Only some days they got to witness different sides of these two powerhouses.

Meanwhile, Laura and Olivia joined at the side table where the ladies sat. It was the first time they met, and until recently, Olivia stayed in bed recovering.

" Look at them having fun. they really hit it off in few days." Laura said as he observed her husband's heated discussion.

" Is that so? I still find it hard to believe everything. I slept for far too long." Olivia felt sad. She felt out of place after coming from the coma.

Laura looked at Olivia's face and understood what she meant. Olivia continued--

" I guess, but does my daughter is even remember me? I was gone all her life now I am seeing her in that engagement dress. Its just hard--"

" Don't! You are not to blame. What you were fighting for, you have witnessed it today. right?"

" Yes, but at what cost? Is our will same as Iblis? I feel like we didn't even consider her feelings. Same with Samuel, I know he said he was ready but do children's make just life altering decision. "

" If you truly feel like that why don't you get to know her better? And the engagement can be nullified in the future. We both want what's best for both of them."

" Still, it is a burden which they should not be carrying at such age, look at my son. He was such a timid boy back then now I don't even recognise him. He must have suffered a lot because of me. If only I was careful that day? If only."

" Will you really live in the past? even right now, the world will keep moving forward. If you don't move along with it you will drown in your sorrows. I saw Osc- No, Daniel grow up over these years. He may be different from the past but I know he is a good person. Just like you when you fought for what you believed in all those years ago."

" But my heart is still unwilling. I feel like I lost too much." Olivia muttered; the burden was too significant for her to handle.

" Have I told you about Samuel yet?"

" Samuel?"

" I guess you don't know." Laura began to explain the first time she met Samuel and the past few months of Samuel's life. She also revealed why they had to adopt and not have their own children.

" Even after everything Samuel never talks about his life before he came to us. You could feel how left out I feel when I think what kind of life he led to grow up so fast. Even though he has good brain, he keeps working hard without taking rest."

" I can't believe it. No could tell looking at him now that he went through all that."

" That's the point, he does his best for everyone around him. Don't tell me you can't do better than a kid? You are here now, you should be here not in the past. It will be hard but is there anything to lose from trying?"

Laura said as she looked into Olivia's eyes; she wanted to make her feel that she was serious, and Olivia felt it.

" Thank you."

They continued their conversation, but Robert barged in on their table. He was a little drunk as he began complaining to his wife about his new 'friend.' Kester and Robert were still listing different qualities of their children. Unbeknownst to him, he made a big mistake.

In the distance watching the scene, Iblis sitting beside Samuel, opens up about the ceremony.

" Everything went according to your plan." Iblis said while sipping refreshments.

" Well, I did have the help of a pretty girl."

" Y-you, Humph, You are becoming brazen day by day."

" What? I can at least compliment my fiancée right?"

" You are finally showing your true colors; that's why I wanted to warn Adele--" she stopped mid-sentence, comprehending what she was about to say.

" I fear what will happen tomorrow. Will it really be okay? " She continued.

" You mean about the news? There will be no photos so don't worry but we have to broadcast it to make the world known about it."

" No, I don't care about others. What about Adele?"

" I know. But it is for the best. She deserve someone better. Will you be okay? You will be stuck with me for next few years."

" You really care about her. I will be fine, I have somethings planned. You will hear about it soon."

" Hmm, should we be keeping secret on our first night together? I feel like choose the wrong person."

" Stop! you should not be joking right now."

" Alright, alright. Just wanted to lighten the mood. You don't have to be mad. H-O-N-E-Y!"

Iblis started attacking Samuel, she became infuriated, but somehow she was smiling as Samuel kept evading her attacks.

It looked like a fun play to others, but that was thanks to Samuel's nibble movement. He was making it look like some dance.

He was acting aloof on the outside, but in his mind, he was worried. He always thought he would face such a problem later down the line. It would be a lie if he said that he didn't have some feelings for Adele or Iblis, but he was in a dilemma.

After the meal, Olivia pulled Samuel out for a talk. They met a few times in the past week and had long conversations. Samuel would tell her about his time with Iblis and Adele as they attended the same Academy.

Olivia would always be shocked by Samuel's eloquent speech; he would narrate things and make the listener feel like they were present in person to witness those events.

" Are you really happy?" She asked.

" Yes, you don't have to worry about it," Samuel said, smiling as he awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

" You know I don't like you lying to me. You may be a great actor but your eyes never lie."

" How can you always tell? You really are weird sometimes." Samuel was always perplexed about it. Women's intuition was like a hidden superpower that he failed to understand.

" Anyone could tell that you are worried about something. Is it about that girl Adele?"

" Again, I am not even shocked. Yes, you are right. I am worried about her as well as Iblis. She may not know it but It could become a big problem for their friendship."

" You should not carry everything on your own. You have many people to rely upon. Even though I have not known my daugher for a long time but she will not make a decision unber someone else's coercion."

" I know. But she will try to help other while sacrificing herself in the process. You know how it was with Eric and her right?"

" Aren't you doing the same?"

Samuel stared at her but could not refute her claims. He was still conflicted about his 'Harem King' title. This world doesn't allow people to have multiple partners, but it was not the case in the previous world. That world had nobility where they could have multiple partners, regardless of gender.

Some of his titles can grow in the future, and the same could happen to this one, also. In the end, he could become a completely different person.

" I fear I would lose myself in the future and hurt people I care about."

" Why worry about something far in the future? You have to think about the present first."

" Why? Because I could encounter the same situation in the future and circumstances could be different too. Will I be able to change my fate then?"

" Fate huh, No matter how much you mull over it now it will not change. How can someone know what their fate is? Do you think that I thought all those years ago that I will be sitting on a wheelchair at the moment? Some may think that they changed their destiny but how are they certain that they are not where they are suppose to be?"

" That sounds complicated. But I think it helped." Samuel thought about it. Will it really be selfish of him to ignore the signs? Will he be able to control his urge to change his destiny? Or will he make a new path that will go against the world views?

With his conversation with Olivia, he got the answer to some of his questions, but it also opened a variety of other questions.