A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Chapter 7 Alena

I kept tossing around here and there because I couldn't fall asleep last night. My head was beginning to throb, and I didn't like the feeling-luckily, today was my day off and I didn't have to bother working long hours while trying to endure the headache. I never had problem sleeping but being in a new place, it felt strange. My body wasn't used to the new bed even though it felt really comfortable. So, I decided it was best to start the day. The time was already nie in the morning.

When I unpacked yesterday, I c I did take my time to be in awe at the decorations. The bathroom was spacious too, but it didn't catch me by surprise. Nothing seemed basic when it came to Matteo Lerchere and I had to get used to that. By the time I finished unpacking, it was already midnight. Matteo never did come to my room to check up on me-why would he? When he said he was going to leave, he did and not a single word was heard afterward. I was hungry when I finished unpacking but I decided it was best to sleep it off. Now, I was starving and needed a a complete as soon as possible

Once I was done showering. I walked down the stairs and to the kitchen. It took me awhile to not get lost. I admit, I needed a bit more time to get used to the turns.

I I kind of missed my apartment because even though it wasn't as spacious, it was easier to reach the kitchen or the living room. I didn't have to worry about getting lost in my own house but now I needed to remember each path. Matteo

was

s already in the kitchen, taking a sip of his coffee as he stood beside the kitchen counter-he was swiping away at his tablet, watching today's news. He didn't bother to look at me when he saw me entering the kitchen and I was left standing, not knowing what to do.

I cleared my throat, trying to catch his attention but it was useless.

"Good morning

"Take a seat, Alena." He gestured towards one of the stools.

I took a seat on the opposite side.

He wasn't paying any attention to me at all as he continued to swipe down the article he was reading. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and his jaw clenched. That wasn't all, as I took the opportunity to appreciate my vi His sleeves rolled up to his elbow and he was wearing the similar buttoned-down white shirt, but this morning was quite different. He managed to pair his workwear with a navy-blue tie. Overall, he looked very mouth-watering, but I wasn't going to stare for too long. He didn't have to know I found him attractive. "How did you sleep?" He asked, putting his tablet aside.

As he

took another sip of his coffee, he was finally looking at me. Our eyes met but I couldn't keep up the eye contact. Why was I feeling weird? I never had this problem with anyone but why did I feel different when it came to him? taken

"It v was fine. The bed was really big. I lied, knowing well enough I didn't have a good night's sleep. It was going to take me at few days until I settle in.

"It was quiet when I got home last night. I assume you were already sleeping?"

1/7

20:31 Wed, Oct 9 Chapter 7

"Yeah, all the unpacking really got to me."

He nodded before looking at something behind me.

As I followed his gaze, I saw a man standing with a smile plastered on his face. He was wearing a black suit and tie as he held. tightly onto his briefcase."

"Mr. Lerelere," The e man greeted as he took a scat on the other side, placing his briefcase on the kitchen counter and quickly taking out an unknown document.

"Alena, this is my lawyer. He'll have the contract ready before we can proceed with our marriage. We'll go through it one by one and if everything's settled, we just have to sign," Matteo said, looking down at the document.

T

I didn't expect him to hire his lawyer and get things done. But who was I actually dealing with? He needed a black and white proof to secure our marriage. Besides, this was nothing different than signing a prenup, Well.. except it was different and it wasn't exactly a prenup, just terms and conditions of our fake marriage. His lawyer placed the document in front of me, "You can take your time to read them." "It's really thick."

Both Matteo and his lawyer kept quiet while I read through the document. Everything was clear and I managed to highlight a few important things. It wasn't a lot to comply but apparently, our fake marriage was going to need a lot of understanding and privacy because from what I was reading, we seemed more like housemates.

I

The marriage was expected to last until one of us passed away because we weren't allowed to ask for a divorce. I blinked a few times, "What if one of us had an affair? Would divorce be an option?"

"No because that's never going to happen." Matteo replied, looking at me. "And you're so sure of

I

of that because?"

"I did promise you loyalty on my part. I expect you to do the same or I'll track him down and let you watch as I torture him" He replied, his lips slightly curving. -Come on, Alena. I needed to constantly remind myself that I was going to be married to a cold-blooded killer-he was no different than Papa. When it came to what belonged to him, he was going to protect it wholeheartedly. He wasn't going to let it fall and crumble or slip into the wrong hands.

Matteo and I weren't allowed to have an affair. We weren't allowed to sleep with anyone else. We weren't allowed to expose the reason of our marriage to anyone; we had to pretend to be the happy couple whenever we were outside but behind closed doors, we could do whatever we wanted. We weren't allowed to expect anything out of this marriage especially not in terms of money.

Well, that wasn't going to be a problem.

"Is there anything you would like to change?" He asked.

"Everything seems fine."""

He cleared his throat, "Can you give us a moment?"

Just like that, his lawyer left the room. Now, we were both alone.

"Apart from my lawyer, nobody can know about our marriage. You want to get Mikhail off your back, start with telling no one about us. I don't have a problem with playing my part, Alena You asked me for my help and now you need to commit to it." He stood close to me, staring straight into my eyes-if his gaze could kill, I might probably be dead. "I don't give a f***k about what you do behind my back. As long as you don't f*** someone else. I have men. They'll report everything back. So, I dare you not to cross me." 2/7 20:31 Wed, Oct 9

Chapter 7

"And if I did?"

And

more like a question rather than a

I challenge him? He

show you who you belong to. At the end of the day, it'll be my name that you'll scream. It'll be my name that you'll remember. Never try to challenge me, Alena" That was a

It was

pounded. The way he leaned in against my ear and the way his hot breath sent shivers down my spine-I felt something warm in my abdomen. It was a funny feeling. Something I haven't felt

cheek before tucking a few strands of hair behind my ear. He seemed to be doing that quite a lot This time, I decided to follow his gaze and saw he

of me to find it

needs. I kept remembering back to our kiss and at this moment, I didn't mind if he wanted to

as I signed at

was and the

not expect anything. We were going to continue on our lives as if we never met each other. This was going to be

to

just

you have

do you

was thinking on proposing," he replied as if

ell, it w

it was going to be quick. I

tonight? Don't

there a reason

you weren't going to propose

his head, "I'll be in Sicily next week. I want the news of our engagement to spread while I'm away. Besides, I don't think we should wait much longer-Mikhail might already be planning your wedding as we speak. The faster we announce 20:31 Wed,

our relationship, the better,

be in Sicily

can

come with you to

would you want to

just thinking - we could elope instead." I continue to speak, "It would be less of a h****le, too. We'd return as a married couple and Papa wouldn't try to do anything

"Okay.

"You're okay with eloping?"

tonight, and we'll be on our flight to Sicily tomorrow morning. Once we're there, I'll try to get

have to think anything through because everything was fake to begin with. I mean, the whole marriage was going to be real and legal but there wasn't going to be any feelings involved. Other than having his family name, we were nothing but strangers. Eloping to Sicily. That was never one of

would be silly to lie to

to succeed. Alexei, on the other hand, was going to deal with him. As selfish as it sounded, I needed to get away from all of

in the arms of the

just needed to keep reminding myself that we weren't a real thing and everything was going to be a lie-it was to keep me from going insane or losing

There

lot of touching and

to play my part as the perfect

going to happen after because Matteo was powerful, even more powerful than Papa. Papa wouldn't dare to go

They did

and I knew they wanted to

my choice to

come and pick you up for tonight. Will around eight be okay?" He

see

he was about to leave, I called out his

"Yes?"

Des

expect

why I had to ask him but maybe because I find it satisfying to see the look

Chapter 7

composure within seconds. He wasn't going

"Both Boin

continued to

was going to put on quite a show tonight. I was going to prove to everyone, mostly Papa that I was no longer the

and

hugged the frame of my body. leaving my bare back open. The dress was the perfect amount of elegant

downstairs and I assumed he must've gotten

walked down the stairs and began to make my way towards

I

different suit than the one he was wearing this morning Even from behind, he looked breathtaking. He didn't need to turn around and I didn't need to look at his face to know he was

he was eyeing my body because he was taking his sweet time in doing so. His eyes

something

"No. You ready?

NO.

and he took long strides towards me before placing a hand on my back,

his car.

towards me, and I stopped moving, "What are you

an instant but the moment he pulled the seatbelt, I managed to let out a breath. Of course, he was putting the seatbelt on. What was I expecting anyway? For him to spread my legs and kiss

was thinking if his free hand was on my thigh or even somewhere in between but that was purely just my imagination. But I was imagining it. His hand caressing my

sight worth seeing, even