A friend of Achilles was going to arrive at their home. He told Luca that she'll get a new playmate since his friend's got a son.

Luca was her usual bubbly personality, excited about her new friend that he told her about.

Her brothers, on the other hand, was pessimistic about it and was placed in a bad mood.

"Papa! Papa!" Luca tugged his hand as they waited for their guests to arrive.

Achilles gave her a soft smile. "Yes, sweety?"

Luca's eyes glimmered with excitement as she look at her father's cold but warm gaze.

"They're here, papa!" She tugged again, jumping up and down in joy. "Hurry, papa!"

Achilles chuckled and nodded, carrying Luca up and securely holding her in his arms.

"We're going, sweetheart."

As he went downstairs, he could already hear Enzo talking to the guest. As the eldest, it's his duty to be at his best.

Luca's eyes were elsewhere though. Beside the old man was a boy. His blue eyes were attentively looking at Enzo, his stance were stiff and straight. His brown hair was combed well, no strand was out of order.

Luca grinned.

"Lucian, so great to see you again." Came her father's voice, making everyone look at him.

The man gave him a grin and a deep bellied laugh. "Mio vecchio amico!"

(My old friend!)

Sydney took the initiative to grab Luca out of Achilles' hold as the older man hugged Lucian.

The boy was staring at Luca with a glare and Luca just tilted her head to the side, thinking that he's just in a bad mood.

As soon as Achilles and Lucian got well acquainted again, everyone left Luca with the boy.

Luca was told to show him around and they ended up in her room. They were both awkwardly standing still.

Luca's scared of telling the boy to sit down because it still feels like he's still in a bad mood.

The maids were there to assist them but only if they were called. Gabi told her to be good though so she spoke up.

"Hi! S' nice to meet you." She greeted with a nervous smile. "M' Luca. What's your name?"

The boy just looked at her hand and crossed his arms. "I don't wanna be your friend."

Luca frowned. Her hand fell limp on her side as she look at him in confusion.

The boy must've sensed her growing confusion because he spoke again. "We're jus' here for business and I hate you for being rude 'bout it."

Was she being rude?

'But only adults do real business,' was what she was desiring to say but she kept her mouth shut. Instead, she smiled and nodded.

"S' okay if you don't wanna be friends then."

Now it was time for the boy to get confused. His lips turned into a frown as he gazed at her. "What?"

Luca shrugged. "Gabi told me that forcing someone is bad and I don't wanna be bad to you."

The boy gave her a blank look. "That's stupid."

Luca giggled and shrugged. "Maybe for you but I think it's pretty cool!"

The boy frowned even more, confused at what was happening.

"Shut up." He growled. "This is stupid."

"It's not!" Luca exclaimed with a frown.

Matteo snickered. "It is!"

Luca huffed. "Don't be mean!"

"Don't be childish." Matteo scoffed, rolling his eyes. "It's annoying."

Luca bit her bottom lip but she still didn't back down. "You're annoying."

Matteo laughed wickedly. "Are you going to cry, you stupid idiot?"

Instead of seeing her teary eyed, she just gave him a blank look.

Luca then raised up her hand again. A smile grew on her lips as her eyes glowed and glimmered like the warm light in the morning. A red and fury determination was screaming from her. It made Matteo feel light and fluffy inside.

"We're business par'ners and as par'ners, I need tah know your name first."

The boy tilted his head to the side, confused at what she was doing but he took her hand and shook it. "I'm... Matteo."

The little girl smiled widely. "Hi, Matteo. S' nice to meet you. I'm Luca."

Matteo scoffed. "You already said that."

Luca giggled. "Sorry." Then she wondered. "Matteo, how old're you?"

Matteo glared at her. "Why'd you wanna know that?"

Luca frowned. "Cause if I don't then we won't be good business par'ners!"

The boy sighed. "First of all, it's partners, not par'ners." Then he paused, a blush was creeping up on his face. "You... You won't really force me to be your friend?"

Luca nodded. "If Matty doesn't wanna then Luca won't force him."

Matteo was confused. Nobody would ever tell him that they won't force themselves to be his friend but still stay by his side, smiling and talking.

Luca was weird.

"You're weird." He bluntly said.

Luca whined and pouted. "Tha's rude. You rude old grump."

Matteo laughed softly at her answer, making Luca pout even more at that. Still, she couldn't wipe off the smile that was overtaking her frown.

"I mean it." She huffed adorably. "You're grumpy."

For the first time since he got here, Matteo smiled warmly at her. His smile was also like the sun. It was bright and warm.

"Sorry, Luca." He giggled. "I'm seven years old." He then showed the number of their age gap. "I'm two years older."

Luca hummed, happy that Matteo was not in a bad mood anymore. "I like you, Matty."

"Don't say that! That's so embarrassing!" Matteo glared at her but a faint blush was creeping up on his face. "And d-don't call me Matty, dummy."

"It rhymes!" Luca joyfully pointed out.

Matteo raised a brow. "Are you calling me dummy?"

Luca was silent for a moment before nodding. "Matty the dummy."

Matteo gaped. "How am I the dummy? I think that you're the dummy, dummy."

Luca shook her head. "Cause you lied to me."

Matteo frowned. "I didn't lie."

Luca only smiled mysteriously. "Lying is bad, Matty."

"I told you, I didn't lie!" He exclaimed.

Luca giggled. "D'you hate me, Matty?"

Before he could think of that question any further, the boy already answered it. "No."

Luca giggled. "See? You lied."

Matteo frowned, irritated because he's confused.

Luca finally answered his unspoken question. "You hate me but you also told me that you don't. I think Matty's the weird one."

Matteo froze. He did say that. How in the world did he take his words so quickly? He looked at Luca, his eyes widened and his mouth was slightly open as Luca warmly waited for him to answer her.

It was true.

He was the weird one here.

She then tilted her head to the side. "Can we become friends now, Matteo?"

Luca was friendly. That much everybody knows. But she could also make somebody feel at ease in a matter of minutes. It was gift, her family would say. Matteo, with his sharp observation, saw that. He experienced it.

And it felt scary.

He's defeated.

By a soon-to-be six years old.

He sighed but still placed a smile on his face. "You win."

"S' that a yes?" Luca hummed expectantly.

Matteo huffed and pouted. "Dummy, of course it's a yes!"

Luca shrieked giddily and held both of his hands, surprising him. She then grinned at him.

"See? I didn't have to use force to make you my friend." She said proudly.

Matteo laughed and nodded, holding her hand tighter. "Sorry for being mean."

Luca nodded.

Well, being friends with this weirdo isn't so bad. Matteo smiled.

__________

I didn't have time to recheck it so I hope it's okay.

I do hope that you guys enjoyed it. I like little Matteo but he's so hard to write. XD

Anyways, thank you for enjoying it so far.

Let me know what you guys think and leave a vote.