A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

When I got into my room last night, I couldn't think of anything else but to go to bed. All the kissing and the hot sex was tiring me. My waist was hurting from the bending, my core was fore from the roughness and my knees were weak from the shaking of pleasure. Thadn't been with anyone for years, let alone have an intercourse,

I was too busy with work that I had neglected my personal life.

Maybe, that was just an excuse, and I feared developing feelings for someone. It was starting to change after last night-I hated the fact that I was too vulnerable withi Matteo, I could push him away and he wasn't going to force me or anything, but I didn't. I didn't push him away when he touched me or when he kissed me.

I was literally begging him with my eyes. Of course, he had his own ego to please.

Honestly, I didn't regret what happened last night. I haven't had sex in a while, and he was there to please me, but I was terrified of falling for him.

He was a great pleasure. He knew the sensitive spots and he was always focusing on me.

I walked down the stairs and headed straight to the kitchen but to slightly stumble backwards when I saw Matteo standing near the stove, frying eggs.

"Good morning. Alena." He said without turning to look at me.

on one of the stools near the kitchen island, "Morning."

I took a seat on

"I made scrambled eggs."

I watched his every movement; from taking a plate and serving the scrambled eggs in the exact plate. He didn't look at me. I didn't mind because that meant I could look at him longer. I could take him in. Well, he was never a disappointment in terms of his looks. Even when his hair was messy and he was only wearing a t-shirt, he was beautiful view.

"Are you not eating?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He shook his head, "No. I'm skipping breakfast today."

I didn't say a word, only nodding my head. It took me by surprise when he looked at me-I didn't expect him to.

Memories of last night came rushing in, from the way he touched me and gave me pleasure, from the way we held eye contacts, from the way he moaned my name. They were all still fresh and I couldn't easily forget about them even if I tried. Matteo cleared his throat, "Are you free today? Is it your day off?

"Yup, it's my day off. Why?"

"Today is my mother's birthday. I thought we could go together if you're free."

"Sure. I'd like to come," I nodded my head with a smile forming on my face, "Does she know about me?"

"Oh, my whole family knows about you. Actually, they

"Been talking about me behind my back?"

't wait to meet you."

He smirked. "There's nothing wrong complimenting my wife behind her back."

There it was, again. If he kept calling me his wife, I was bound to lose my mind. There was no way in h

hell I could keep calm

20 39 Wed, Oct

whenever he called me that He wasn't afraid to call me that, either. We were married-we were husband and wife but on paper. We never acted as husband and wife behind closed doors.

I shifted in my seat, trying to ignore the heat seeping on my cheeks.

1

Was 1 blushing because of it? It wasn't his first time calling me that.

"Besides, they keep asking about you and asking me to bring you over."

"Okay, when do you want to go?"

He glanced down at his wristwatch, "In two hours. Is that okay? I have a few things to settle first,"

"Okay"

Just as he was about to walk away, I grabbed onto his He looked down at my hand, but he didn't pull away nor did he move. It was sudden and I immediately drop his hand, "I just wanted to ask if you're still hurting."

"I've been through worse, Alena. Don't worry about me,"

Then, he continued to leave the kitchen. I stared at the same spot where he was and couldn't help but feel worried about him. He wasn't just hit on the face, and it wasn't just a bruise. He was shot by a gun, and he was lucky enough it didn't hit any of his o***ans. Instead of resting or sleeping the day, he wanted to go and meet his mother for her birthday. I wondered if he barely felt any pain but that was impossible.

So, I couldn't help but keep thinking about him as I ate my breakfast.

He probably wanted to make the scrambled eggs for himself but decided it was better to let me eat it because I came down. Maybe, just maybe, he wanted to avoid seeing me this morning. I was overthinking a few things and I couldn't help myself. Until it was already time to leave.

I was wearing a sundress and my hair was down in waves. As for Matteo, he was wearing a buttoned-down shirt but instead of long sleeves, it was short.

It was my first time seeing him wear something like that, but he looked handsome.

How could someone wear anything and still attract others?

"You look beautiful," he complimented.

As usual, he didn't bother hiding that he was eyeing me. I liked that about him. The compliment left his lips and the interest showed in his eyes. So, in a way, I knew he was sincere.

"So do you."

"You think I'm beautiful? Should I twirl!"

I chuckled, "Come on. We should go before you actually twirl."

It was weird a feeling-to joke around with Matteo. Whenever we talked, it was either a serious conversation or a short one. Nothing was ever fuginy or interesting and this was like a breath of fresh air. I could sense the genuine smile whenever his lips curved and the sincerity in his eyes whenever he listened to me talking

He was being different.

I was somehow getting used to it.

75

The drive to his parents' house was quiet. We only listened to the music he played from his phone-it wasn't much but could tell he was a fan of alternative rock. His choice of music was interesting, and I enjoyed listening to them. I even saw. him tapping on the steering wheel for a couple of times when he thought I wasn't looking

Was he slowly loosening his guard around me?

The estate came into view, and I was in awe. It was bigger than Matteo's estate, but the design was similar. Both were modern and well-kept. They must've hired the same designer,

"It's huge." 1 muttered under my breath.

"Mama likes to have the whole family together. Sometimes they would sleep over. So, most part of the house is never really empty. She's quite a family person," he replied as the car came to a stop, parked next to a Range Rover.

"Do you think she'll like me?"

"Like you? She'll love you."

I scoffed. "That's too early to tell."

"You're a sweetheart. She'll love you the moment she sees you."

That was a nice thing to hear, especially coming from him. I couldn't help but smile and lucky enough, he was already. stepping out of the car. I had no reason to have his mother to like me. I wasn't here to impress. We were not a real couple, anyway.

He opened the door for me, and I stepped out, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He replied, placing a hand on my lower back as we walked towards the front door.

Many expensive cars were parked outside, and ljust knew, they were many people inside, too. I was feeling a little nervous because it was going to be my first time meeting the Italians-I kind of had forgotten how to mingle. Too busy working did that to me.

Matteo knocked onto the door and we both waited.

"So, we have to start acting now, don't we?" I asked, randomly.

He tensed beside me as he clenched his jaw. Before I could ask him why, the door was opened, and we were greeted by a woman in her late fifties. Her skin was soft and glowing as her lips curved into a wide smile. As soon as she saw Matteo, she immediately pulled him in for a hug.

She started to speak in Italian before speaking in English, "I missed you, my honey."

"Mama..." He chuckled, trying to hide the embarrassment from the nickname but his mother didn't seem to care.

When his mother was hugging him, I could see him shifting a bit when she was about to touch near his wound.

"I haven't seen you since my last birthday. Don't you miss me?" She sighed, playfully hitting her son on the chest. "I missed you, Mama. I've been busy with work."

"Excuses, just like your father. One day, you two are going to die with the mafia." She responded and even though it sounded harsh, she was joking

Matteo pulled her mother in for another hug, and she smiled, giving in. She wasn't mad at him. She just missed him a lot and she wanted him to come visit her often-knowing Matteo, as far as I knew him, he was always busy. He probably didn't have the time. u

"And you must be Alena" she smiled widely as she took my hand before pulling me in for a bone-crushing hug. For a petite woman her age, she had quite a strong grip. "You are absolutely stunning, my dear. My son is very lucky to have you." I smiled, as she broke the hug. "It's nice to meet you-

She cut me off, "Before you start calling me Mrs. Lerclerc and so on, you should start by calling me Maria or Mama. You're my daughter-in-law and we're a family. We should drop the formalities" "Okay, Maria. Understood."

She clapped her hand, "Come, come inside. The whole family is eager to meet you."

I nodded my head, letting her pull me by the hand. Matteo was smiling as he followed behind, without saying a single word.

was resting his hand on my waist as I started to feel overwhelming.

HeUpstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

When

We reached the living room, I saw many heads turned to look at us.

And I didn't realize I was holding my breath.