A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

10 GIFT Chapter 50 Alena

The next couple of days began to take a toll on me. It had almost been two weeks since I left home and Matteo.

I had been alone most of the time except for when Mama or Alexei came to visit. They never came empty handed and I appreciated that, as much as they came to give me endless advices, they didn't want me to starve. My days were spent in the living room watching TV or in the bedroom, reading books. I had thought it was best to keep my phone away even though I wanted to turn it on and check my socials. Alexei came walking in with another bag of groceries, heading straight towards the kitchen.

Ever

since Mama and Alexei came to stop by regularly, I had gave them the passcode to the door. It was easier for them to drop by whenever they wanted to; especially when they decided to come early in the morning, sometimes I was still asleep in bed. Then, I began to realise just how much they ended up invading my privacy. Mama always knocked on the door or rang the doorbell when she came even though she knew the passcode but as for Alexei, he treated it like his own house. "You surprised me," I muttered as he sat on the sofa beside me.

Alexei sighed deeply before staring ahead at the television.

"Why?"

You

could've knocked."

gave me the passcode."

"Well, you're using it really well."

He smirked, turning to look at me before pointing at my bowl of fresh strawberries. "Can I have some of that?"

"No."

"No.

My dear brother decided to ignore my answer as he took the bowl away from me. He didn't have to ask in the first place if he decided it was better to just eat them without my permission.

We had a lot of things in common. One of it was that we both loved strawberries.

"I bought these so technically, they're mine." He shrugged, dipping in the chocolate sauce before eating them.

"You left them here. So, they're not yours."

Whatever."

"Do you

mind sharing?"

"You should learn that first."

I groaned," "Give them back."

We managed to compromise by sharing the strawberries as we watched the television. None of us said another word and we decided it was best to enjoy the silence rather than throwing another batter.

I had made myself comfortable on the sofa with my legs being wrapped with my blanket, it felt nice even though Alexei was

Chapter 50

here to distu

to disturb my peace.

"Just admit it, Alyosha... you miss me." I glanced at his direction.

He scoffed, "You know me too well."

true? You

teenagers. When we didn't have to worry

still worry about nothing but

Explain

89%

то

+6

stare at my brother, knowing for a fact that was true. He could be in New York or here he was, stocking up my fridge and keeping me company. I knew my brother to admit he was never perfect but he was never selfish, too. Alexei loved me, sometimes more than he loved

a different way of showing his

Mama a

here,

didn't.

my

scrolling on his phone as he answered a few calls while I finished the rest of the strawberries. The reality show on the television kept playing the

come home?"

"Not yet. Why?"

away long

"Not enough...

I guess."

me the

he quickly changed the channel. My eyebrows furrowed at the flat screen and it didn't take me long to realise what

the words he uttered

the television, trying to

different, a bit skinnier as if he had lost some weight. The darkness under his eyes were visible, the shape of his face was slightly sunken and his brown eyes seemed lifeless. They used

at me to see my reaction but I pretended not

!

on his face as they took

miss him?" Alexei broke the silence, making me

"Was that intentional?"

want to see him

B***t." Admit

him. Why are

none of

"I knew how much I hated him when he first came into your life but I saw the

1

it yourself. He

hadn't slept

You're fine with seeing him

back my tears. They streamed down my cheeks and even though I tried my hardest to wipe them away, they were too much; it had been awhile since I cried and I had thought on maintaining that but I guess I failed miserably.

was torturing

was a different person. He seemed out of place, confused and even drained.

enough, Alexei. Just shut

"You're

not listening to me."

am. I heard every word

You're hurting the people

know what, Alexei?

"What?"

f*****g leave because I don't want you

steps backwards.

Eine."

Then,