Hollywood Zenith

" Yeah, Why don\'t you say it aloud if you have any problem with us? Are you scared?" Liliana went on the offense.

" Miss, I don\'t think it is a good-" Seeing the situation deteriorating, Arthur wanted to step in but was quickly shut up by Paige.

" As a matter of fact, I do have a problem. I don\'t like to hang around stupid bitches!" Paige lashed out.

" Paige, I think you should cool down." Maia couldn\'t sit still anymore. She was all up for a catfight, but not when one of her friends was involved. She and Paige might have differences, but she couldn\'t watch her get into needless trouble.

" Paige..."

" What did you say? Don\'t blame me for what\'s to come!" Liliana walked over to Paige, ready to inflict some painful lessons.

" Liliana, stop! Don\'t do something you will regret later!" Rosaline grabbed her from behind. She knew what her friend was capable of, so although upset, she didn\'t want her to use violence.

" You know what they are doing? Let me go!"

" No!" Rosaline held her own despite being significantly weaker than her.

" That\'s right! Bark from the side!" Paige was not making it any easier.

" Paige! Shut up! You have gone too far!"

" Whose side you are on?"

" Not on the side of violence that\'s for sure."

While Maia and Paige were arguing, Liliana got out of Rosaline\'s grip and lunged toward Paige. Suddenly, no one was able to react except one person. Arthur got in between and held both parties down on each side.

" What?"

" Oww! What are you doing?"

" You have been terrible guests. In my free time, I used to look after some rowdy kids; if you knew what they had been through, you would not have started a fight in front of me." His voice was solemn and devoid of any emotions.

" How dare you? Who the hell are you?" Paige didn\'t understand the situation; she was still blabbering. Being treated like a princess all her life and now being held by a servant of all things? Humiliating!

" I am sorry, sir. Can you let me go? I will not do anything." Liliana, on the other hand, asked nicely. It was confusing, but as a fighter, she knew when she was up against someone way out of her league.

" Very well. And to answer, Miss Paige\'s question I am exclusive butler of Rothschild Family, Arthur. I am very sorry but I can\'t have you starting a fight here." He separated and said while bowing slightly.

" Grandpa Arthur, I am sorry about my friend," Iblis said from the side. She was the only one acquainted with him, and they got along very well.

" I am also sorry about her. She is usually not like this but with... I am sorry." Rosaline also came forward to apologize.

" Miss Iblis, Miss Rosaline you don\'t have to apologize. I did what I should do."

" Arthur...Arthur... Where did I hear that name?" Maia was in deep thought, trying to remember. She was sure someone had told her about someone named Arthur recently.

...

...

...

A few weeks ago, after the charity dinner. Maia and her family were walking toward the entrance.

" Dad! Is it fine to leave like that? I still don\'t know what he is thinking." Maia complained.

" Maybe he is confused? You guys are young. Don\'t get hung up these things, alright?" Her Dad said.

" Beside, my girl is the best! You have plenty of time." Mrs. Hopson fully supported her.

" I know, but sometimes he is too cold. I just hate it!" It was one of those rare times when Maia exhibited temper tantrums like a child. She couldn\'t do it in front of others and acted tough for her image, but deep down, she was just a teenager.

" Mr and Mrs Hopson. It\'s good to see you again." Someone called out to them as they were exiting.

" Oh, Sir Arthur, It a surprise to see you here." Her father was extra respectable toward this old man.

" I am glad. If you don\'t mind. Have a safe journey." Arthur said with a smile and opened their car door, and they went inside.

" Thank you." It was only a short exchange, but Maia noticed the discrepancies. She knew her father well; he would never lower himself to treat anyone with respect unless they were necessary. It was brief, and she didn\'t get a good look at the old man, but she noticed his clothes.

" Father who was he? Was he someone influential?" She asked curiously.

" Thats.."

" That man is Arthur. He is head butler for the Rothschild family." Her mother said.

" Butler? So, that\'s why he was wearing such clothes. But I don\'t get why you were.." Maia didn\'t want to say it the wrong way.

" Respectful?" He finished her sentence.

" Yes."

" He is... how do I say this?" He looked toward his wife, asking whether he should tell her. As parents, it was their responsibility to shield her from the dark side of society. She was bound to ask difficult questions, but they had to choose whether to answer them.

" It\'s okay."

" He is very special individual." He began telling her after coming to a mutual decision.

" How so? Was it because he is from the Rothschild family?"

" Yes and no. Some people say that he was an assassin that came to kill the previous head of the family while others say that he was an illegitimate child and is related to Master Kenneth somehow. Nobody knows for sure." His statement left more questions than answers.

" But you must know right? You know everything!" Maia tried to butter him up.

" Unfortunately there are some secrets buried so deep that even our mighty family is unable to uncover them. But one thing is certain he is a very dangerous individual, at least for those who don\'t favour Rothschilds."

" Dangerous? But he looked ancient to me; what can an old man do?" She didn\'t believe him. He might be some big shot in the past, but all things come to an end. It is especially true for people\'s youth.

" Don\'t be fooled by his looks. There are first hand accounts and countless testimonies about his might. Some so absurd that it sound nonsense. Still you can\'t deny the fact that many countries are keeping close eye on his movements." Her mother said from the side.

" They cannot do anything for fear of upsetting Rothschild, but one has to question why they are so interested in him? What sort of secrets does he hold to garner that much attention. You know the CIA, as well as British intelligence, are working together to monitor him?

Such an absurd partnership is unprecedented, but somehow he brought them together. Both countries may be on friendly terms, but power is absolute; they will fight tooth and nail just to get an inch more of it, " he said thoughtfully.

" Such a person has not been caught? It indeed sounds absurd."

" Don\'t take him lightly. Even without the Rothschilds\' support, he would have done fine on his own. His nickname supports this; some call him der Attentäter, German for \'the Assassin,\' while in French, they call him Aveline de Grandpre, but what I like more is \'Nyx,\' which is night in Greek.

The intelligence agency refers to him as Trigon. Even after extensive digging, no one knows where he came from, but he holds a unique place in that household."

" What do mean by unique?" She asked further.

" The name Rothschild is synonymous with prestige like no other, but only a handful of people are given the official surname. Even blood-related people have to prove their worth to carry the family legacy.

But there is only one instance an outsider has managed to get that alluring title. Even if his first name might be fake, he is the only person to be given the official Rothschild surname in the family history."

" Arthur Rothschild. Just be wary of him in future. Alright?" Her mother reminded her why they were telling her all this.

" These are only rumors. He is a very calm and nice person if you meet him." His father didn\'t think it was that big of a deal.

" I will remember it." Maia took a mental note. She was the type of person who would take information over money; knowledge was power, after all!

...

...

...

" It\'s not over, I-" Paige was not satisfied. She was ready to fight the old man, but Maia covered her mouth.

" I will take care of her. She will not do it again." Maia said it on her behalf.

" Mughhmugh"

" That\'s enough. Calm down or I will call Sami here!" Maia threatened her in the only way he could.

" I just want to say this. I know you are young master long time friend but what I have witnessed today was not how you should treat other. Miss Paige you were clearly in the wrong, I hope you know this." Arthur said as he took Liliana and Rosaline away from the mess.