A New Friend

The sun had barely risen when Aria stirred awake. She stretched, yawning as she glanced at the clock. 6:30 AM. Another early morning in the Russo estate.

The mansion was silent, except for the faint rustling of leaves outside and the occasional footsteps of security patrolling the hallways. She slipped on a cardigan over her sleepwear and quietly made her way to Leo’s room.

The little boy was still asleep, curled under his blanket, his small chest rising and falling peacefully. His stuffed lion was clutched tightly in his arms, as if it had protected him through the night.

Aria smiled. I almost don’t want to wake him up. But today was important—it was his second day of school, and if yesterday’s excitement had been any sign, he was looking forward to it.

She sat on the edge of his bed and gently shook his shoulder. “Leo, sweetheart, time to wake up.”

Leo let out a sleepy groan before peeking one eye open. Then, as if suddenly remembering where he was supposed to go, he sat up with a bright smile.

“School!” he chirped, throwing his blanket off.

Aria laughed softly. “You’re excited, huh?”

Leo nodded eagerly. “John’s going to be waiting for me!”

Hearing John’s name made Aria’s smile grow. Yesterday, she had seen something new in Leo—pure happiness. He had been nervous about making friends, but John had changed that.

Maybe, just maybe, this school thing was exactly what he needed.

The Drive to School

As expected, Vince Morello was already waiting by the car when Aria and Leo stepped outside. He was dressed in his usual black suit, sunglasses covering his sharp eyes, and his stance was as stiff as ever.

“You’re late,” Vince muttered, opening the car door.

“We are not late,” Aria shot back, rolling her eyes as she helped Leo into his booster seat. “You just act like every second is a life-or-death situation.”

Vince didn’t argue. He simply got into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

As the city blurred past the windows, Leo swung his feet happily. “Vince, guess what?”

Vince glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “What?”

“I made a friend! His name is John.”

For a brief moment, Aria swore she saw Vince’s eyebrows rise in surprise, but just as quickly, his expression went blank again.

“That so?” he muttered.

Leo nodded excitedly. “Yeah! He said we can be pirate captains together!”

Aria couldn’t help but smile at the exchange. Even Vince, for all his gruffness, seemed slightly interested.

But then, his gaze flickered toward her, more serious now. “You trust this kid?”

Aria sighed, exasperated. “Vince, he’s five.”

“Doesn’t mean he’s not a problem.” Vince’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “We don’t know anything about him or his family.”

Aria rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on. You think a five-year-old is running some secret operation against the Russos?”