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.

a long flight to Sicily,

my life. It was going to change, and I had to make that change in order to keep my 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

and reading the news while I was listening to music and watching a couple of movies. I couldn't fall asleep if I wanted to

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

called in for an emergency leave. It

"What about tomorrow?"

as soon as I got back, I was going to go

it was just like

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Chapter 9

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 I

elbows, as usual and he was mouth-watering. His dark brown hair was messy from the wind, but it made him look more attractive. Maybe, it was the sunglasses or maybe because

I couldn't keep my eyes off him. I couldn't

especially his knuckles when I had the chance. It surprised me when I didn't see any cuts or bruises. He

sunglasses off, I was staring into a pair of beautiful brown

that got me

a frown on his

me-how could he look attractive every day? How could he get more attractive every time I saw him? It wasn't possible. He could be in a ten-hour flight and remain attractive while I was sure, as of now,

sexy way. It was more like in a "I just got off an eight-hour flight.

surprised me more was when Matteo leaned in and met

bad kisser. Not at all. He was a great kisser, but he caught me off guard and I was scared if

me, as if he couldn't live another day without me and it was starting to play tricks with my mind. Was he doing this for show? Did Angelo

think he knew he did tell me that it

It was like he 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

feel warm, and I didn't have the chance to stop myself from letting out a moan when

Oh, damn it.

broke the kiss, but he 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 the kiss-I

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

up and place my hands on his chest, "I missed you, too. The long flight was torture

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Chapter 9

be glad you're in my arms,

car-he wasn't looking in our direction, he was looking around in case we were in any danger. Besides, the airport was loud from the crowd, and it was almost impossible for him to hear

already fooled

a bit tired... did you

"I couldn't sleep."

head to the hotel, then. You need to sleep, he grabbed my hand before gesturing for me to

as we got inside, Angelo sat on the passenger seat before saying to the driver that we should go. As for Matteo, he didn't let go of my hand, so I assumed our act wasn't done yet. We still had to pretend in front

trust them. Not fully. He wasn't going

say a word as he looked out the window but the grip of his hand on mine remained the

hotel, he stepped out to open the

he continued to hold

hotel lobby, and we were greeted by the staffs. They were smiling at us as we passed them, but Matteo didn't bother to slow down. We kept walking to the elevator and as soon as we

that when we were alone, he

ta

I knew what

today?" I

at me. "You should rest today. You had a long flight

something. I didn't

head, "It's fine. We

I have something to

stepped out. I had to quickly follow him into our hotel room. We were in the villa suite and the view was breath-taking. My eyes widened at the Temple of Concordia from the large terrace, and

at

spacious. The

smiling at the view until Matteo broke

You were saying, Alena?"

just needed

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if he was still holding onto me. My lips were still swollen from our kiss, and I was holding back everything in me from running to him and getting a taste of