A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Chapter 9

Alena

Matteo was gone for a few days. The estate was quiet the whole time he was gone but it didn't bother me much because I was mostly at the hospital. My days at the hospital were packed, too. I didn't have much time to think about him. It made me wonder sometimes, what was he thinking most of the time?

He was a mysterious one. He couldn't be easily figured, and he made it clear whenever he wanted space. When he said we should set boundaries between us, I knew he wasn't playing around. What we did previously was going to be a trouble in future.

We barely knew each other; it was best to keep our relationship neutral.

The two of us were having a business transaction even though it didn't seem like one. To have affairs or to even we were risking our plan. The three-year plan. in love.

Well, not exactly three years because he wanted a lifetime. He held close to his religion, and he wasn't going to break any rules. At least, there was one good thing in his life that he held dearly-despite killing or torturing people, he still had a heart.

It felt weird. returning home.

I never thought the estate could be my new home, but I ended up calling it 'home' every single time. The exact same estate that I ended up returning to.

The days went on as they should, and he never did call or text.

Maybe, it was his own way of setting boundaries. I did wonder about when I was going to fly to Sicily, but I didn't bother to ask him or Angelo. I knew he was doing business there in Sicily and I never wanted to pry. Besides, the longer it took to fly to Sicily, the longer I could hold off the wedding.

I was not going to back away from getting hitched or more precisely, eloped.

I just needed time to clear my mind.

Alexei never returned my calls or texts either. He was keeping his distance. I wanted to talk to him about that night, at least I could hold him off from telling Papa. I assumed Papa didn't know about the engagement yet because if he did, he was probably already barging in the front door.

Papa didn't call or text, too. Neither did Mama.

They were all keeping their distance, and, in a way, I appreciated that. I needed the peace and calm from the arrange marriage with Viktor. It was becoming a burden, but Matteo was keeping that burden away from me. I didn't have to worry about saying "I do to Viktor. Matteo was going to be my husband. He was going to protect me from Viktor, at least and Papa. He was going to be responsible or at least show everyone he was responsible.

For the next three years, I could see myself with Matteo in a fake marriage. I couldn't exactly expect what was going to happen in another three years after that. I was hoping we were at least friends.

We needed to develop a friendship for both of our sanity.

I mean, nobody was going to remain strangers for that long. We could drown in work and ignore our marriage but at the

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end of the day, we were going to head to the same home. We were going to bump into each other every morning before we leave work. We couldn't avoid each other for as long as we wanted.

It was going to be difficult.

I had no problem with Matteo.

I was fine if he wanted to become friends but for the time being, he wanted to set boundaries. Maybe, we just needed to set boundaries to avoid any sexual encounters from happening again, but we didn't have to ignore each other.

That was the plan. I just needed to know if he was going to follow the plan, too.

"We're flying to Sicily tonight." Angelo said, surprising me.

I turned around to find him standing in the doorway.

come inis in?"

"When did you c

"Just now."

I didn't hear his footsteps, nor did I hear him coming in. Matteo did a good job in hiring him as a bodyguard to protect me. He was really good at being a ghost-I knew he was going to be around the estate especially now that Matteo was not around, but I didn't expect him to barge in when I was deep in thoughts.

"Okay, I'll pack later."

"We're leaving at six."

As soon as we got into our flight to Sicily, we didn't bother to make a conversation. Matteo arranged for a private flight for our comfort and privacy-it wasn't a surprise, either. Papa had more than one private jet and it was always available whenever we wanted to fly around. So, Matteo was rich like, really rich and it was obvious he had more than one private jet.

to Sicily, and I was growing

peace. Papa was probably going to disown.me, but it was a risk I had to take. Mama knew I was always stubborn. She was going to support me in anything even if Papa didn't agree to it. "When did he tell you about us flying to Sicily?" I asked, after staving quiet for the past

fall asleep if I wanted to because I was anxious about what was waiting

Sicily tonight," he replied as he kept looking out the window, seeing utterly nothing but

called in for an emergency

"What about tomorrow?"

I was going to my hometown and as soon as I got

was just like that, we chose to keep quiet

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a toll on me, but I tried to stop thinking about it because I didn't want the jet lag. My body was aching and all I could think of was heading to the hotel and sleep in for a few hours. Angelo and

black SUV. He was wearing a black buttoned-down shirt and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, as usual and he was mouth-watering. His dark brown hair

as he saw us, he started to make his way towards us, and I couldn't keep my eyes off

the chance. It surprised me when I didn't see

his sunglasses off, I was staring into

me hypnotized

was a frown on his face from the

I saw him? It wasn't possible.

I had dark circles and eyebags. And of course, my hair was messy but not in a sexy way. It was more like in a "I

Matteo leaned in and met my

I managed to kiss him back and tried to enjoy it-he was not a bad kisser. Not at all. He was a great kisser, but he caught me off guard and I was scared if I couldn't kiss him just as good. He cupped my face and within seconds, our tongues were somehow

was standing a few feet away from us and people were probably staring but Matteo didn't seem to mind. He kissed me as if he missed me, as if he

tell me that it

couldn't get enough of me. It felt more than an act, but I knew better. He was doing a great job at the whole pretending, and it almost

have the chance to stop

Oh, damn it.

didn't take a few steps back. He was still cupping my face and staring into my eyes. His lips were red and swollen from

you, baby." He said, smiling seductively. "How

I managed to cover it up and place my hands on his chest,

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Chapter 9

so? You must be glad you're in my arms,

around in case we were in any danger. Besides, the airport was loud from the crowd,

already fooled

a bit tired... did

"I couldn't sleep."

he grabbed

that we should go. As for Matteo, he didn't let go of

Not fully. He wasn't going to risk our secret being

a word as he looked out the window but the grip of his hand on mine remained the same-occasionally brushing his thumb against the back of my hand

the hotel, he stepped out to open the door

he continued to hold

them, but Matteo didn't bother to slow down. We

were alone, he dropped the act

ta

a disappointment. I knew what we were getting ourselves into and I shouldn't feel bad

married today?" I asked, breaking

replied without looking at me. "You should rest today. You had a long

forgot something. I didn't bring any white

shook his head, "It's fine.

I have something to

room. We were in the villa suite and the view

at a

suite was spacious. The large terrace. The indoor

until Matteo

You were saying, Alena?"

just needed

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onto me. My lips were still swollen from our kiss, and I