A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Chapter 17 Alena

The car ride hwasn't as quiet as when we were going out. We weren't exactly talking on our way home, but

my mind was filled with thoughts. Maybe, it was just my mind with a lot of noises.

| was starting to call his estate, home. It was easier that way, too because for the next few years, it was going to

always be my home. If | kept resenting it and viewing it only as a place to stay. | was never going to be left with

any sense of calmness whenever | returned. Instead of having both of Matteo's hands on the steering wheel or

the other resting on his thigh, it was resting on mine. | felt the warmth from his hand spreading onto my skin and

it was actually comforting.

However, he kept caressing my thigh and it wasn't going to take long forto start feeling heat up.

"Maria was really sweet. | didn't expect her to likethat much | spoke, breaking the silence as he continued to

drive.

The road was clear and almost empty, but he didn't bother driving fast and | appreciated that. More twith

him in his car meant more twith his hand all over me.

"She loves you already"

"Do you feel bad about lying to her?"

He frowned, "It's a secret I'm willing to take withinto my grave. She'll never find out about it because if she

does, it'll break her heart."

Matteo was right. Maria was genuinely happy when she saw us and if she ever found out about the marriage

being a scam. she was going to be devastated. Even more, she was going to hatebecause | was the one who

wanted the marriage in the first place. So was my mother. But Mama wasn't going to be heartbroken, she was

going to be upset. She knew | would always go through lengths to get what | wanted, and she couldn't hate me

for that just for the fact that | was lying to her. | would've hated myself, too. "I feel bad... | just do." | muttered.

"Why do you feel bad?"

"I don't know. Maybe because my family wouldn't treat you as good,"

He glanced at my face for a few seconds, "I don't mind, Alena. | know the Russians too well and they have their

own reasons to not like me, | don't blthem,"

"Papa and Alexei are just probably jealous of you."

"For what?"

"For your power. Your influence."

He chuckled, "I don't think that's the case. They don't likebecause | married you."

"Well, | didn't want to marry Viktor."

"And I'm glad you didn't."

My lips curved up into a small smile as | turned to look at him, but he was too busy looking at the road. It was a

new feeling

Chapter 17

because we never had a decent conversation before. It felt nice to talk like this-we weren't supposed to act as if

we hated each other. It was intentional and I never liked it.

But what did he meant by saying he was glad | didn't marry Viktori

| placed my hand on his, the one resting on my thigh before measuring the length of his fingers. His hands were

bigger than mine and his fingers were long. Mine seemed awfully petite compared to his

In a way, it madefeel secure. As if he was able to protect ine

"You have nice hands for a man."

He intertwined our fingers, "I do?"

"Yeah, don't feel too proud about them."

Then, he smirked but he didn't say another word. He didn't bother to let go of my hand either and we stayed like

that until we reached home.

We went to our rooms after saying goodnight to each other. It felt as if | just got hfrom a first date when he

watchedwalk up the stairs, but | ignored the feeling and went straight to take a shower. | needed to feel

clean after the whole day being out. | changed into a pair of oversized pajamas before drying my hair.

Then, | went to bed, knowing tomorrow was going to be workday.

| didn't realize | had fallen asleep until the sound of thunderstorms wokeup. The loud bang causedto pull

the duvet closer because | was never a fan of heavy rains or thunderstorms When | looked at my phone, | saw

that it was only two in the morning Thirty minutes had passed, and | was starting to feel restless.

I quickly made my way out of my room and down the hallway, straight towards Matteo's room. | hesitated for a

few seconds on whether | should knock or suck it up and went back to bed but | couldn't help my fear of

thunders.

| knocked on the door, waiting for him to open.

If he was already asleep, | was going to pretend | never cto his room but as | was about to walk back, he

pulled the door

open

Matteo had a slight frown on his face as he stood there shirtless, only in oversized sweatpants. | couldn't see the

inside of his room because he was blocking the view with his body. | knew not to cross that line.

He did say his office and his bedroom were off-limits, Unless he wantedinside.

| was going to respect that.

"Is there something wrong, Alena?" He asked, his voice deep.

He was probably asleep, and | woke him up.

"I'm not a big fan of thunderstorms and | was wondering if you could sleep in bed with me?" | asked, tugging

onto my shirt. "Okay, wait forin your room"

| literally sprinted down the hallway and straight into my room without looking back. Once | was inside, | hid

under the duvet as | waited patiently for him to show up.

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20:40 Wed, Oct! Chapter 17

He did show up within minutes and after closing the door behind him, he began to make his way towards me. He

wasn't shirtless anymore and | assumed he took a few minutes to put his shirt on-I didn't mind if he cin

shirtless or not, as long as | had someone to accompany me

When he was lying beside me, | could smell his bodywash.

"You couldn't sleep when it started to rain?" He asked.

"| grew anxious at the thunderstorms."

We were facing each other as we laid on our sides. He was already sleepy because his eyes were half-opened

while mine were wide opened. One of his hands was around my waist, lightly tapping onto my body as if wanting

to putto sleep-he was treatinglike a child.

Another loud bang came, and | quickly snuggled closer towards him.

"Just close your eyes. I'm right here," he whispered as he pulledcloser.

| kept quiet and closed my eyes, waiting for the darkness to takeaway. If | stayed awake any longer. | was

going to be tired at work. So, | tried to focus on anything else than the thunderstorms such as his breathing.

I was slow and calm.

| placed a hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat.

"Talk to me."

"About what"

"Anything." | spoke.

"Mm. | had a dog once."

My face was snuggled on his neck as his chin rested on my head. | couldn't see his face, but | assumed he had

already closed his eyes. | didn't mind if he was falling asleep because having him here was enough; his warmth,

the sound of his heartbeat way he heldclose.

-and the

It was enough to keepat ease.

"What breed did you have?

"I had a German shepherd. Did you have a pet?"

| chuckled, realizing just how random this conversation was. "I had a golden retriever."

-What h

"What happened to it? Mine got sick."

""So did mine."

"| remember crying when we had to put him to sleep,

"How old were you?"

"I was eight when | got him."

"How long did you have him?"

"Eight years."

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Chapter 17

| nodded my head, closing my eyes. My eyes were droopy, and | was beginning to feel sleepy again. It didn't take