After the party at the house of Bellagio, the Alessandrini family retuned home. Lidia Alessandrini and Lena Alessandrini went to watch TV with a cup of hot cocoa. But of course Luigi was no where near wanting to be relaxing at home. There was no school tomorrow. It was a Saturday night. He also had no homework because he was in the habit of doing all school work during weekday nights and leave nothing to weekends but his social life or observing what his father did at work when he allowed him to. So he changed from his formal clothes and changed into something comfortable. He walked past the TV room and said "I will be back in a couple of hours. Bye." He then walked out. That was how it went in their household. No one questioned what he did and where he went except his father. His mother did not worry about what time he got home and if he even got home. If he even failed to return she would have assumed he was staying at a friend's house most likely.

Luigi decided to go far. So he asked one of the guards to give him a lift with the car. He was driven to where he wanted and he got off. He asked the guard to drive back.

In his social time, he normally hung out with his friends or he just walked around town alone. He was a very social person but he also loved exploring the city by himself getting to know new places and new people. It was good for business to know the area and what the people were upto. He had managed to explore some new untouched areas of town that he told his father about. Soon there were new businesses set up there that weren't there before.

As he was walking through the streets he heard a commotion in an alleyway he was walking past. He stopped walking and turned. Something was going on further down the alley. So he walked towards the group of people. There was shouting as well as laughter. He noticed a boy on the ground. The boys in a circle around his were taking turns beating him up by the looks of it. The boys were talking over each other. It was hard to tell what was being said. He whistled. The boys stopped. He then cleared his throat "Gentlemen what is going here? Too much noise."

The boys all turned towards him.

One of the boys immediately recognised Luigi. His eyes widened "Oh. I am sorry. Were we in your way?" He turned to the boys and ordered harshly but urgently "Let's go guys. We are finished here. Move it. Quickly." He seemed like he was the group leader by the looks of it. The other boys looked at him and followed him silently and did not protest. Luigi was no friend of this boy or anything. But most people in this area knew who Luigi was. His father created jobs in this neighbourhood. Almost everyone worked for his father directly or indirectly. Luigi had good memory and never forgot any face. He had seen this kid before. His uncle owned a restaurant. He worked there sometimes.

Luigi did not respond to the apologies who the group leader repeatedly said as they walked past him and left. He just looked at the boy on the floor. The boy obviously had been hurt. He had his eyes closed and rubbing his stomach. Maybe that is where they had kicked him. But again the boy seemed to be expecting Luigi to beat him too so he hand his hands protectively over his head now shielding himself or rather trying to. If Luigi wanted to beat him up, no shield could help this kid.

Luigi saw a back pack on the floor. He picked it up and walked to the boy "Dont worry. I am not going to hurt you. I dont have a reason to. Is this back pack yours?"

The boy slowly put his hands down and looked up. "You are... not one of them? I thought you wanted to beat me up too? They listened to you like you are their boss. Why did they listen to you?"

Luigi chuckled "You ask too many questions kid. Do you rather they didnt listen to me?"

The boy relaxed slightly as he saw Luigi smiled. He stood up and took the back pack from Luigi and said "Thank you... No. I am glad they listened to you. Thanks for saving me. I owe you."

Luigi asked "Why were they beating you up?"

The boy sighed "I was in a hurry. I was walking fast not looking where was going and then bumped into one of them. They were walking together as a group. I think they had just walked out of the movie theatre. Just my luck a huge crowed left when I walked past. A screening must have finished just then. I said sorry and wanted to walk away but they dragged me here. I was lucky your arrived." He smiled and offered his hand for Luigi to take "I am Ethan Carter.."

Luigi said "Luigi Alessandrini."

Ethan said. "I should go. Thank you again." He then walked away.

Luigi for some reason was fascinated by this kid. He recovered so quick after his beating and he seemed like a straight kid. He caught up to him and asked "Where were you headed?"

Ethan said "Well. I was on my way home after delivering medication." He pointed to his back pack. "My father is a chemist. He got a phone call from a patient who needed medication and he had no family to come and pick it up. I was just delivering it. My father loves his job. He works until late every day. I carry stuff but normally I dont have to do deliveries this late at night. But late night deliveries happens sometimes."

Luigi asked "How old are you?"

Ethan said "16."

Luigi said "Same."

Ethan thought for a few seconds and then said "You know. I am so grateful you saved me today. Those guys were going to beat me up quite badly. They wanted to take turns until I was nearly dead. Thats what they promised. I want you to come with me. I can show you where my father's shop is. If you ever need anything to do with medicine come over. My father will sort it out."

Luigi was curious about this kid for some reason. He didnt know why. He did not need favours from this kid but he thought it did not hurt to go to his father's chemist.

Luigi walked with Ethan and on the way they talked about which school they went to and where they lived. When they reached a chemist, Ethan said "We are here." He entered first and then Luigi walked in after him. The shop was empty of customers. There was no one behind the counter either. Ethan shouted "Dad. I am here."

Luigi heard foot steps and suddenly saw a girl come through a door from the back of the shop. Luigi could swear he stopped breathing for a second. The girl was breath taking. She looked so beautiful.

The girl did not take any notice of Luigi and did not glance at him. She just looked at Ethan said "Hi Ethan."

Luigi did not know why he cared but he did not like that she addressed Ethan before she addressed Luigi.

She sighed "Dad is not here right now. He is at the back receiving tonight's delivery. The guys are taking so long. They are arguing over their new prices. He has been at the back for a while now trying to reason with them."

So they were brother and sister. Luigi felt relief at that.

Ethan said "Damn those guys." He then walked to the clothes hangers on the wall. He took off his back pack to hang it up.

The girl's attention went to him now. She looked at him "Can I help you? What is it you are after?"

Luigi was had not come close to the counter. He was standing right in front of the door. He responded. "It depends... What are you offering?"

Ethan turned around "Oh. His name is Luigi Alessandrini. He is the same age as me but he is not in our school. He is not from around here. He helped me on the way saving me from a bunch of guys who wanted to beat me up."

She gasped "Oh my god. Are you okay?"

Ethan said "Yes. Thanks to Luigi. So I just brought him here to maybe introduce him to dad and told Luigi if he needs any favours he can come here any time." He turned to Luigi "Meet my sister, Eden. She is my twin sister."

Eden looked at Luigi "Thank you for saving him."

Luigi said "No problem."

Ethan said "Wait here Luigi. I go to the back to help my father to carry the delivery boxes in."

Luigi said "I come with you."

Luigi followed Ethan to wards the back of the shop but his mind was with Eden. What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. She surely looked like an angel was from heaven. There was a long corridor and suddenly a man came through the back door.

Ethan said "Dad. Hi..."

The man sighed "I am glad you are back. About time. Can you go get two bottles of soda from the fridge. I am getting my check book. They want more money but maybe if they stay we can bring the price down. The price hike is just unreasonable." He then hurried upstairs.

Ethan said "I will be back. Sorry. Its always busy here."

Luigi said "He did not even notice me. I am some stranger here."

Ethan shrugged "I bring friends home all the time. I told you. Its busy here. Sorry. I will be back in a minute."

Luigi walked through the back door of the shop, he saw a truck and boxes on the ground. There were two men standing there.

****

Ephraim Carter came down with his check book just as his son came with two bottles of soda. He walked through the back door and saw that the truck was gone and there were boxes on the ground. But The number of boxes had doubled for some reason. The kid who his son had brought home that day was standing next to the boxes with his hands into his pockets looking around seemingly bored.

Ephraim was confused. His son, Ethan spoke first. "Luigi. Where did those people go? What happened here?"

Luigi shrugged "They had to go back. They were in a hurry to leave. They said because Ephraim Carter is a loyal customer they would like to make this a free delivery. So no charge this time and they give you double what you ordered as an apology for taking your time arguing over the price."

Ephraim found his voice "So they just left... They wanted more money from me. How did they change their mind?"

Luigi said "Well. I guess they realised what a valuable customer you are. They said next delivery is half price by the way."

Ephraim did not pay much attention to the unusual situation. He worked too many hours in a day to care how anything happened and how Luigi had changed the situation. He said "Excellent. I am so glad they come to their senses." He then turned to Ethan "Did the delivery go ok?"

Ethan said "Yes. But I ran into bit of trouble. A bunch of guys wanted to beat me up because I bumped into them. Luigi saved me. So I brought him here to introduce him to you. Dad if he ever comes to the shop dont refuse him anything."

Ephraim smiled "Of course." He turned to Luigi "Thank you for helping my son." He turned to Ethan "Why dont you offer Luigi a drink while I unload these boxes."

Ethan said "I can help you."

Ephraim shook his head "No. Oliver, my new assistant is coming downstairs in a minute. He is finished with setting up the new shelves. You go."

Ethan nodded and said "Lets go Luigi. I guess we can have a soda."

Ethan took Luigi to the front of the shop and took a seat behind the counter. Luigi sat beside him and took the soda bottle from him. The blinds were down but the lights were still on. Ethan said "We are closed now. So its ok to sit here."

They were both drinking soda now. Luigi wanted to ask where Eden was but she just walked in. She had a few boxes of medication in her hand. She walked to one of the shelves and put them on. She then picked up a clipboard and started writing things down while looking at some of the boxes on the shelf.

Luigi was staring her watching her every move and was not paying much attention to Ethan who was talking to him.

Ethan stood up "Do you want more soda?"

Luigi said "What?"

Ethan said "Do you want some soda? We finished the bottles."

Luigi said "No. I am good."

Ethan said "I will go get some chips." He then left.

Luigi continued staring at Eden. She was not looking at him.

Luigi cleared his throat. He asked "What are you doing?"

Eden without looking up from her clipboard said "Nothing you will be interested in."

Luigi raised an eyebrow "And how do you know what I will be interested in."

Eden sighed and turned to him to his delight. At least she acknowledged him and looked at him with her beautiful eyes. She said "Well come on. You know what I mean. You are one of those football obsessed type kids for sure. You are the athletic type. You play football and any sports you can play. Its your life. You do not care for anything else. Why would you be interested in chemist work?"

Luigi said "Well. Thats abit judgemental. I dont judge you. I do not assume what you are into... So tell me. What are you into?" He was actually interested in finding out what she was into.

Eden sighed. She shook her head and ignored his question and got on with her work.

Luigi had never been ignored before by anyone. When he asked a question he always got and answer. He said "Well. I asked a question."

Eden stopped and looked at Luigi again to his delight. In fact she delighted him more by walking towards him. She stood towering over him. He stood up from his seat and looked into her eyes. She was quite tall like her brother but she was shorter than him. She said "Listen here. I do not have to answer your questions. I know your type. Athletism is all you live for. A total Jock."

Luigi asked "Whats wrong with it?"

Eden asked "Whats right with it?"

Luigi crossed his arms over his chest "Being a jock can win you scholarships for college for one..."

Eden said "Studying and getting straight A grades can also get you scholarships for college... Thats the type of people I like to associate myself with, hard working A graders"

Luigi smiled. "Well. You do realise that the hard working A graders and jocks are not so different. Right? They ultimately want the same thing. Scholarships for College. Admit it."

Eden narrowed her eyes. She did not want to admit it. "Not all jocks want the same thing as my kind of people..."

Luigi said "But some do."

Eden sighed "You know what? Fine. Some jocks want the same thing as the hardworking A graders and maybe even can get into college... Are you happy now?"

Luigi chuckled.