A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Chapter 4

Alena

Igor surprised me with a text of his details within less than five minutes. There was his name and his office's address because everything else was secured. It wasn't shocking to find the rest of the details unknown-he was the Sicilian mafia boss. He had his data protected. Apparently, he was a well-known businessman. The internet didus job in finding more details about his company. Nothing too specific but it was enough to know about the kind of business he was doing, even though I knew it wasn't completely There was no way he was doing any 'clean' business.

true.

He was feared. He was danger itself.

Even my brother, Alexei, didn't want to cross paths with him. It seemed like the Russians and the Italians had bad blood in the past. Papa never tried to form an alliance with them, and they only signed a peace treaty to avoid war. It made me wonder about the secrets they were hiding. Then again, I was never interested in the mafia.

His company, Fin-Tech were one of the leading technology companies. The company was well-known for their expertise in creating newer and better technologies for the future. It was worth billions and even the CEO, Matteo Lerclerc was worth

more.

I did my research on the internet and found out that he was single. I mean, I assumed he was single because he wasn't seen in any pictures with a woman by his side. He was either alone attending business events but other than that, there were barely any pictures of him. Maybe he wasn't straight.

No, he couldn't be. The way he kissed me proved it enough.

He didn't exactly kiss me because I was the one who kissed him, but he responded back and didn't hold himself back or push me away-that was enough evidence for me to convince myself he was straight. Matteo. Lerclerc.

His name was familiar. Maybe, it was his family's name, but I heard of his name, I just couldn't remember when Papa might've said his name while he was dealing business a few years ago but if Matteo was around my age, he wouldn't be more than forty. So, what was I going to do with Matteo? What was I planning? I needed to meet him first. Personally.

Hence, which was why I found myself standing in front of Fin-Tech the next morning. My shift started at five in the afternoon, so I still had time to go through with my plan, only if everything went according to plan.

Apart from kissing and meeting Matteo's lips for the first time, I had never encountered him before. Yes, I have heard of him-about someone from the Lerclerc family who was brutal and enjoyed killing. He was known for his notoriety, and it was exactly what I wanted to solve my problem.

He was the solution. I knew it

Even I

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if I was risking my life. It was already ruined in the first place.

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How could I be so sure that be would go through with it? How could I convince myself he wasn't going to kick me out or worse threaten to kill me? What if the moment I stepped into his office, he'd realized who I was, and he'd straight away put a bullet in between my head. I was being delusional to think he was going to help me. I was risking everything, but I couldn't care less, now. I needed this.

The longer I let things went on hold, the faster Papa would gather more plans and he might even decide to kidnap me if I tried to run away. Papa wasn't a good option because he was far too lost to communicate with his daughter. We weren't going to have a decent conversation either. What about Matteo!

He was a stranger. I heard bad things about him, but I was willingly stepping into the lion's cage.

Even Alexei warned me about him. I didn't understand the bad blood between our families, but I was selfish, I needed a way out. If he didn't want to help me, I'd left with no other option.

I took my time in entering the building, letting my high heels clank across the floor. There were quite a crowd, and the lobby was busy with chatters. I was left standing as I held tightly onto my handbag-I would be lying if I said I wasn't

nervous.

I was

s trembling but I was raised to be strong and determined.

As soon as I reached the receptionist, her eyes met mine and her lips curved up into a smile. "Hello, welcome to Fin-Tech. How can I help you?"

Hi. I want to meet with Mr. Lerclerc."

"Do you have an appointment?" She typed away on her laptop without breaking eye contact.

"No, I don't but it's important

"Can I have your name, please?" Orlov."

"Alena "One

second."

The receptionist stood up, walking towards another colleague before saying something. Then, she reached the phone to make a quick call as she kept glancing at my direction. The call took almost two minutes before she decided to hang up and walk back to her seat. "Mr. Lerclerc is expecting you. Denise will help you up, she pointed at a man near the entrance. He had a frown on his face as he walked towards me. пада

Matteo was expecting me. How could that be possible?

I tried to push away any confusion as I followed Denise towards the elevator. He didn't say a word while we were heading towards the top floor. While I was already shifting and biting the insides of my cheeks, he was standing still like a statue. Was he even breathing?

As

reached the top floor, he gestured for me to follow

we stop in front

the other side of the door, which

opened the door for me, and I stepped inside. Then, he immediately closed the door, leaving me to stare at the man himself, Matteo Lerclerc. He was facing the glass window as he looked down at the city, with both of his hands in his slacks" pockets. Even from behind, he was a masterpiece. If God had favorites, I was convinced He took time in creating Matteo because there

could be mistaken for flecks of gold especially with the sunlight seeping through the window and were as deep and expressive, where you could get lost if you stared long enough. Matteo didn't hide his intrigued as he looked down at my body before meeting my eyes once more. He was beautiful that night, but he was even more beautiful today-how could that be possible? The expensive

in

with a

what do I owe this

me.

to press something on his laptop before looking back at me, waiting for my response. Every single word

he might've had

common for someone in their line

"And

knowing you were expected," he replied with a smirk. This man was full-of-himself and that was me being nice. He knew he had an aura of his own and he was putting it to good use. There

nobody has ever rejected

did you know

name?"

people check

you

"Found everything you wanted?"

exactly. Your brother did well in hiding your

Alexei or Papa did a great job in hiding our identities from being searched or hacked because we were important -Mama, Ana, and me. We were the targets of our enemies. Sometimes, I could still sense one of

I am." I took a few

replied, watching my every movement with intensity. "You belong to the Bratva. Yet here you are.

!

attention to my father's business. As a matter of fact, I know nothing about

that why you

didn't really do a great job at

20:30 W

Chapter 4

kept looking at me, "Why are

was staring deadly into my eyes. This man knew a lot more about me than I knew about him, but I wasn't scared. I wasn't a spy, and I came here willingly for my own benefit. "About the other night

He

off. "You came for

No," I shook my head. "I need

and he wanted me to speak

didn't want to randomly

I look like someone who can help you? You're looking at the wrong place." He replied, looking

that can help me. Besides,

arms, "And why should I

Then, tell

me."

his composure. It took me a while to realize that

you to marry me."

leaned back. He thought I wasn't being serious, and he decided to walk back towards his seat, completely ignoring me. "This Bratva princess

I want you

I

makes you think I'd want to

no reason to disagree. In fact, you'd gain benefits

could you possibly offer that

The Bratva." I

interested in maintaining good relationships with

I sighed.

someone of his chosen. I don't want

to marry me. Pretend to be in love with me. Show me off to

marriage and expected an agreement?" He asked, shaking his head.

I was starting to lose hope. Maybe, he really did mean it when he said he didn't want

4

was already risking everything the moment I stepped inside his office. It

agree

offer you money. As much as you want,"

"I already have billions."

to stay married for long. All I'm asking for is three years and we can go on our

for three years of

be real. We just pretend in front of everyone when we go out but behind closed doors, we remain as strangers. I won't bother you in anything you do, and you won't have to bother what goes on in my life. All I'm asking for is three years of marriage." "You have no benefit for me." "You'd have

"I already have enough"