A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Chapter 77

Alena

Matteo and I were in the car, on our way to dinner. We had gotten ready and dressed up comfortably after Luca left because we wanted to spend our time outside-we chose our favourite pizza restaurant, somewhere we used to go every other weekends. We managed to try different flavours whenever we came here and each time we tried something new, we were impressed. The owner, Giordano knew us and every time we came to eat at his restaurant, he ended up giving us more than what we ordered. Giordano always said it was his 'treat' or 'on the house' and even though we had a hard time trying to finish the meals, we ended up ordering a takeaway.

I enjoyed his smoked duck where it was packed with Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, smoked duck breast, rocket leaves and hot honey. Every time I had a slice, I ended up wanting more.

This time, we were back at Giordano's restaurant and he seemed surprised when he saw us walked through the front door. We hadn't been here in awhile and he was probably surprised because of how we looked.

"Kiddos! I haven't seen you two in ages," he went to shake Matteo's hand before pulling me in for a hug, something he did everytime we came.

"Giordano, how are you?"

"I've been well. What about you? What happened to your arm?" He asked, concerned about my fractured arm.

"I fell," the lie slipped smoothly as I smiled.

There wasn't a better answer than that I couldn't tell him the truth even if I wanted to-where was I supposed to start

d I was recently anyway? My father and my brother was in the mafia. Apparently, my husband was in the mafia as wel kidnapped.

People were going to call me insane. Nobody knew how traumatic my life was.

"My, my, how did it happen?"

"It was an accident at work. The floor was slippery," I replied.

Matteo was holding onto my waist as he looked down at me, a smile never leaving his face. We were putting up the act of a 'perfect' couple, as if we weren't having problems of our own. It was a facade but we were doing a good job. "Is that how you... lost-" Giordano stuttered, not sure of his own question.

I knew exactly what he was going to ask. The last time I came here, I was pregnant. My stomach was big enough for everyone to see but I didn't have the baby bump anymore and I had lost a lot of weight. Giordano may have assumed the worst.

I nodded slowly, not wanting to think of another lie.

Actually, I didn't want to spend another time explaining about what happened. Losing Marco was a painful experience for Matteo and I, we never wanted to talk about it unless we could feel better by expressing. Besides, Giordano was someone didn't see frequently, it was fine to just let things slide.

"I'm so sorry to hear that. To both of you."

He truly looked like he was sorry for us and I knew he meant well.

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07:40 Mon, Nov 4

Chapter 77

"Thank you, Giordano."

the house. Order anything you

"We can't

he replied before slowly gesturing us towards our table, where we were

else. from anyone

+5

could talk without feeling as if someone could interrupt us-we were further from the other customers, we preferred it here. "Here's the menu. Call me when you're ready

at him before he

couples where we enjoyed sitting from the opposite of each other-we liked to watch each other eat. Sometimes, he was beside me to make it easier to

ever since we sat down and even though I had glanced at his direction for the past few seconds, it didn't seem to bother him. He liked it "Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" I asked, tucking a strand of hair behind

tonight with his gaze, his eyes were more twinkling and his smile was more genuine. However, he had left me confused but I decided it was best

absolutely beautiful. I can't keep my eyes off

to heat up as

"Not. You're breathtaking,"

can you

can't

me a million times. I'm

that's a big fat

both laughed as I leaned back on the seat. As for him, he stayed still at his spot, where he could stare at me;

much as he complimented

not as beautiful as before," I said in a

bit self-conscious of myself. I knew I had lost a lot of weight and I had a few bruises on my body, it made me feel ugly. However, to Matteo, I was the most beautiful woman

40 Mon, Nov 4

Chapter 77

slowly getting better but I couldn't help myself by feeling less confident or a

lie. Do you know that you're the most beautiful woman in

every

have to. I know

stop smiling. I couldn't

cleared my throat, trying to change the subject.

leaning back as he continued to look at me. I had expected him to look away or played with his phone but he was more interested in me, as if there wasn't anything else that mattered. "I miss our

grab my hand before rubbing the back of it, "We'll get

back to our usual routine. Do you think we'll be able to go back to how things were?" I asked, feeling slightly

doubt. Trust

him what I wanted to order. It didn't take

Just a

our food ready, Matteo and I started

missed our routine, how much we wanted our lives back. It was fun to reminisce

$

had taken

losing Marco, we had

going to be the beginning of everything. We were satisfied with our life but we knew we were excited

knew I was never supposed to have

didn't think I was able to