Chapter 3 chapter 3, does whatever a chapter 3 does, watch out it is a chapter 3!

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Nodding to a crewman the Italian ascended the stairs, feeling the wind he closed his eyes and breathed in the sea air. Opening them he found a group of seagulls flying above the ship, one of them gave a cry and flew down to land on the deck. Walking towards the railing he leaned against it and watched men, women, and children alike shout to love ones waving from shore. Smiling he watched two small boy joke with one another. He would have loved to have had a sibling, a brother or sister it didn't matter, he would have loved them regardless. It would never happen; his father wasn't planning on having any more children.

"Charles stop" a high pitched voice squealed.

Glancing towards the voice Luciano found a man swinging a younger girl around in his arms. His face was full of glee, and it made Luciano's stomach flip. Would he ever have that? It didn't seem likely, not in his life time. Squeezing the book in his hand he thought of one of his favorite quotes.

'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.'

Biting his pink lip Luciano frowned.

"Grimaldi, Luciano Grimaldi."

Hearing a booming voice shout from behind him he turned to see a tall dark haired man. Seeing him Luciano grinned, "Noah, Noah Mayer."

Noah rushed forward and caught Luciano around the waist and swung him around just like the couple he had just seen. Blushing Luciano smacked Noah's back and told him to set him down. Noah dropped Luciano on his feet and leaned back.

"Luciano it's been years since we've seen one another!"

Luciano looked around and found two women staring at them questioningly. Gripping Noah's arm he guided him down the pathway. Letting the arm go Luciano placed the book under his arm and then put his hands into his pockets. Taking a quick observation of his companion, Luciano blushed. Noah was still as boyishly handsome as he could remember. His blue eyes sparkled with happiness as he smiled at the slightly shorter man.

"So Luciano, how have you been since I last saw you?"

"Hm- I can only say that I have been alright. How have you been Noah?"

Clasping his hands before him he answered, "Yup me too, I've been traveling with father when he moves from base to base. It's kind of exhausting."

Chuckling Luciano patted Noah shoulder, "Well, it's simply training for when you follow your father and become a colonel."

Noah stopped and gave Luciano a disgruntled look, "it's not a joking matter, and my father does want me to follow in his footsteps." Raising his hands Luciano apologized. "My apologize Noah, I meant no harm. It was just a joke.

"Master Jonathan, please come back here!"

A small boy ran into Luciano knocking him to the ground, and he continued running. Noah watched the small boy run with a deep frown on his face. Noah angrily muttered to himself.

One of the boys nanny ran up to them as the other one continued to chase after the boy. Bowing she apologized, "I'm so sorry sir."

Noah helped Luciano of the ground and then turned to berate the young nanny. "Please keep control of the child. It's what you're being paid for, don't you know how to do your job, or are you so stupid you can't even do that right." Looking to the ground the nanny blushed scarlet from embarrassment.

With her head still down she whispering to them both "I am sorry sir, he just got away."

Noah went to speak again but Luciano raised a hand in silence.

"It's alright madam, no harm done."

Raising her head she gave a small smile and nodded. She then went to join the other nanny who was dragging the small boy behind her.

"Luciano are you really just going to leave it at that," This gained him an annoyed look from Luciano. The taller man went to speak, but was interrupted.

"Noah, come on boy." His father shouted from down the path.

Nodding to Luciano, Noah leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "It was very nice to see you again, I have to say you look just as handsome as you did the day we met." Making his voice even quieter he continued. "Maybe we could meet up later?" Luciano nodded with a dreamy look on his face. Turning Noah walked at a fast pace to his father. The fair haired man watch with glowing eyes as his friend walked out of sight.

Luke's insides flew into his throat. Noah, the boy he had been thinking about ever since they had met in New York, the boy he scarcely imagined would ever become more than a good friend just called him handsome. Sighing dreamily he was interrupted when he felt a touch to his back. Looking over his shoulder he found the sour man from earlier in the day.

"Well that was awful agreeable of you, a heart of gold."

Luciano gave the red haired man a look of distain, "excuse me?"

"Well hard of hearing aren't we Mr. Grimaldi."

"Do you even know me, sir?" Luciano's voice sharpened, and his eyes narrowed further. He couldn't understand why this man standing in front of him was being so rude.

The patronizing man smirked wider. "I don't know you personally, but I've met so many men just like you."

"And who are these people; I can assure you they are not me. Who are you to judge? You don't even know me." Pausing his face became confused. "Who are you anyway?" Luciano's voice had gotten quieter as he spoke.

The man's face grew expressionless and his eyes searched Luciano's face. The young Italian couldn't help but blush under the searching eyes. Looking to the ground Luciano looked back up when a book was pushed into his face. Looking at it he realized it was his copy of Pride and Prejudice.

Taking the book from in front of his face he thanked the stone faced man. "Thank you."

The blue eyes flickered briefly but then hardened, locking his emotions. Glancing over his should the red haired man's hand flexed, following his gaze Luciano also looked over his shoulder and saw an older man and a middle aged man talking to one another walking their way.

The handsome man turned back around and sighed.

"Reid, my dear boy, are you enjoying the ship so far? Oh I see you've already met a friend."

The older man raised his hand for a handshake and Luciano reciprocated and they shook hands.

"Now what's your name?"

Luciano gave his most charming smile, "My name is Luciano Grimaldi, it's a pleasure to meet you, and may I ask your name sir?"

"Oh, yes- yes of course my apologize, I'm Professor Bob Hughes, and this is my son Christophertopher Hughes, and you've already met my ward Reid Oliver."

Christopher stepped forward and grabbed Luciano's waiting hand. "It's great to meet you Mr. Grimaldi."

"Please call me Luciano."

Releasing his hands Christopher asked bluntly, "are you related to Damian Grimaldi of Grimaldi shipping and Steel?"

Luciano's smile faltered but was replaced before anyone could notice, but someone did notice.

Hearing a scoff to his right they all turned to Reid.

"Only you would be as blunt as to ask someone such an inappropriate question."

Glaring at Reid Christopher scoffed, "I forgot, you know all about what to say to people."

Bob's eyes continued to bounce between his son and ward, but Luciano continued to watch Reid. He watched his mouth as it formed into smirks. Swallowing Luciano pulled his gaze away from the handsome man.

"Well I must take my leave, but it was wonderful meeting you." Turning to Christopher he answered his earlier asked question. "And yes, my father is Damian Grimaldi." He then turned to the oldest member of their quartet. "It was a pleasure."

"Goodbye Mr. Grimaldi."

Gripping the book in his hand Luciano slightly bowed to Reid. "Lovely to meet you Mr. Oliver"

Smirking Reid mimicked Luciano and bowed, "Lovely to meet you too Mr. Grimaldi."

Luciano pushed his hair out of his eyes and turned towards the stairs to go below deck. Hearing a shout from behind him he turned and saw Reid walking towards him. "I just wanted to correct you, it's Dr. Oliver, and also." Gesturing to the book in his hand he spoke quietly to the golden haired man.

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."

Reid then rushed to the stairs leaving a frozen Luciano staring with wide eyes. Pompous Reid Oliver knew Pride and Prejudice; and he spoke it quiet beautifully.

With one last look to the shore that could barely be seen he walked down the stairs to his room.