Hollywood Zenith

" Getting right to it. I wanted to ease you into it, but it can't be helped." Enrique said.

" I will appreciate it if you give it to me straight. Because I, too, have many questions for you." Samuel mainly wanted to know why Liliana was so against her family.

" Well, then-"

" Father, you should have something to eat. Mother went all out today!" Isabella entered the room while carrying a large tray full of plates.

Following behind her was a woman who was carrying some food, but her speed was much slower as she was more careful with her steps.

" I thought it would be good to have them when they are warm. I hope I didn't interrupt something important." The woman was soft-spoken and a little timid.

Both women resembled Liliana quite a bit; the first looked like a refined version of her, while the woman was an older version of Liliana. Samuel figured out their identities on that basis.

" Couldn't you have waited a little bit? He just got here!" Enrique was not happy with them barging in unannounced.

" But I really wanted to-"

" I told you yesterday, just give me some time to talk to him, then you can meet him, but no! You had to - hah! I don't want to yell, but this is important." Enrique controlled himself from yelling at her.

" Kike! Why are you yelling at my daughter? What's wrong with bringing some snacks? Danny! Where is my stick? I must teach this brat a lesson!" A very old lady suddenly entered the room and began yelling at the boss.

Samuel was confused about what was happening. People kept barging in without any notice. Was it really a good idea to have a meeting here? Was Enrique really what his people told him to be?

" Ma! Don't get into this? I was not yelling, but this is important. Food can wait for later."

" This brat! Talking down to your own mother! Danny, bring something sturdy I don't want it to break halfway during the beating." The old woman was more furious.

" Ma, I'm not a kid anymore. Why are you embarrassing me in front of everyone?"

" That's it. I will use my sandals!"

" Wait! It's okay. I have plenty of time on my hand. Also, I could use something to eat; I am starving." Samuel decided to step up. He couldn't imagine a scene of the boss getting beat up!

" See? This kid is more considerate than you. You should learn a few things from him!"

Now that everyone had spoken against him, Enrique had to postpone the meeting. It was the cue for the ladies to set up the table; Samuel, Steve, and Chin sat down while they brought dish after dish filling up the whole big table.

Samuel could guess the dishes from looking at them.

Spicy Chicken Taquitos, essentially a rolled taco with many of the toppings. Mexican Rice; Chiles Rellenos, baked stuffed pepper. Migas, which were crispy fried tortillas with scrambled eggs. Chicken Enchiladas, rolled tortillas dipped in chili sauce. Enchilada Casserole is a layered heaven in the pan, and Churros are a deep-fried dessert.

There were other dishes, but Samuel couldn't identify them. Nonetheless, everything looked super delicious. The smell was enough to raise their appetite.

" This really is too much," Samuel said.

" It's nothing." The woman said.

" I also helped!" Isabella said excitedly.

" Ah, this is my wife, Mariana, and that is Liliana's big sister Isabella. My mother is at the back; just call her old hag or something; she doesn't care." Enrique introduced them.

" Really, father? Why don't you tell her that to her face? She is grandma Regina. Her hearing is a little weak due to old age, which gives my father to be this brave." Isabella made a snide remark.

" I see. I am Samuel Rothschild. I will be in your care." Samuel greeted them respectfully.

" As in THE Rothschild family?" Isabella exclaimed.

" Yeah."

" Omg, my little sister has been hooking up with a Rothschild family member?"

" Not a family member. Young master is the heir to the throne." Steve said proudly, ignoring her earlier statement.

" What's hooking up?" Mariana asked.

" Shacking with? Sleeping with? Having se-"

" I think she got the message!" Samuel was astounded seeing how forward she was. He understood where Liliana got her bluntness from.

" W-what? But they are not married yet! How can she be this irresponsible?!" Was that the problem? Samuel felt their weird family dynamic. Enrique was at the side, holding his head, facepalming at their conversation.

What he feared was unfolding right in front of his eyes!

" Mother, that's how it goes these days. How else would they know if they are compatible or not?"

But isn't that risky? As long as she is happy, but she never mentioned him before."

" You should be happy. She is fortunate-"

" I don't think so; I am the lucky one. She is a great girl; I am thankful to have her in my life." Samuel didn't like her tone. Liliana was willing to stick my him even knowing how messy his life was; how could one consider her the lucky one? He knew that she could have done a lot better than him!

" I like him. I approve of the marriage." Grandma Regina popped up to give out her blessing. Were they already talking about marriage and such?

" Me too! Unfortunately, I can't see him with my own eyes." Mariana said. Samuel also noticed her eyes were a little hazy as she struggled to follow his face. There was definitely something wrong with her eyesight.

" If you don't mind me asking, but what happened?" Samuel asked. It caused everyone to become silent; it seemed like he had opened some old wound.

" I will tell you later. Mariana, why don't you do it? I feel like he wouldn't mind it."

"Is that really okay? We just met for the first time."

" I don't mind. What do you have in mind?"

" She can get a good idea about people's faces by feeling them with her hand. Over the years, it became her way to 'see.'"

It reminded him about his time in the orphanage. He did something similar to 'see' visages; others might not understand such darkness, but he was well aware of how isolated one feels without their sight. It hit a deep chord in his heart, he could heal her, but he had to wait for a fair chance.

" Go ahead." He stood up and walked in front of Mariana. She was a little short, so he leaned forward to her height and guided her hands to his face.