A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

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Chapter 76

Matteo

'I know she's with you.'

The message said, leaving me anxious and somehow out of words. I had stared at my phone for five minutes because I didn't know if I was supposed to reply or let it be. It was obvious Alexei knew that Alena was with me but the main question was, how?

The laughters and chatters were loudly heard from downstairs which calmed me down a little bit, knowing they weren't coming upstairs to check up on me.

Then again, I didn't want to hide things from Alena anymore-I did it before for her own sake. Was I supposed to hide about this as well? What type of good was going to come out from it?

Another message came in and I looked down at the sender: Alexei.

'Mikhail doesn't know.'

I read, blinking a few times as another message went through.

'Well, not yet.'

I immediately turned to look at the door before shutting it close and heading out to the balcony, occasionally glancing at the door incase Alena stepped in. I didn't want her to overhear my conversation with Alexei, at least until I heard about the things he wanted to say first. Without wasting anymore time, I pressed the screen to call Alexei.

It took him a couple of rings before he picked up the phone.

"Look who decided to call me back," he said from the other line!

"Are you alone?" I asked, ignoring his sarcasm.

The question was simple. I just needed a confirmation from him if Mikhail was in the room with him or he was alone-it was safer if he was all by himself. I couldn't trust Mikhail and I couldn't trust Alexei either but at least, he was keeping Alena's whereabouts a secret for now.

Maybe, he was finally coming to his senses.

However, it was still too early to judge.

Alexei chuckled from the other line, "You're worried?"

I kept quiet, not wanting to play around. I just wanted an answer and if he didn't want to give me any, there was no use for us to talk anymore. I always had my doubts with the Russians but ever since I had fallen in love with one, I tried to be positive sometimes.

"If it's Mikhail you're worried about, he's not here." He added, giving me the answer I waited for.

I sighed, feeling a little bit better.

"Why did you call me?"

"Just to clear the air between us after what happened."

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07:40 Mon, Nov 4

Chapter 76

it that I don't feel

I'm being

and I from last week replayed in my head, when

reasons why we needed to appreciate everything because we

answer to that. Men like

existed, I would've probably chosen a different

to charities, probably just one of the ways to cover up our money laundering. Then again, our hands were always

condemned to hell, aren't we?" He

you want, Alexei? Just

found out about it? I know you're

me if

to make him laugh,

I owe my sister a favour. Let's just say I'm

do you mean

and look up to Mikhail, I don't exactly tolerate abuse especially when it's

a way, you're making up an excuse

I'm trying not

scoffed, "I saw

He continued to speak before sighing, as if he was having a hard time to choose the right words-he had his own battles to

should I

need that. Just

trust you that she'll

my sister. I'll protect her with

got hurt when

the blame. I

I heard the door being pushed open and I saw Alena stepping in, looking around the room for me. Once she saw my figure on

you." She said as she grabbed my

"Hey... you," I replied.

you? You

other-it could be the colour of her eyes or even the way

and my body could somehow self destruct if she

"Your brother."

"Alexei?" Her eyes widened.

nodded and a frown appeared in between

we be worried?" She asked, this time her

Mikhail. He said he owed you

me one? Owed me

not doing anything when he

trying to hide the fading bruise. If it were up to me, I would've slammed my fist onto his face and let him bleed on the ground. He said