A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Chapter 63 Alena

"What's wrong, Alena?" Matteo asked as | stood still at the front door, afraid to take any steps further.

It had been awhile since | was hand it felt strange being back. For once in my life, arriving hwith

Matteo really felt bizzare even though we had created a lot of memories here. Maybe, | had caused a scene

when | left a few weeks ago. "It's just... it feels a bit weird," | replied.

He frowned, caressing the side of my face after putting down the groceries.

We had quickly stopped by the grocery store earlier and he went in to grab groceries. | had waited in the car with

Angelo because he askedto-he said | wasn't strong enough to walk around, it was best forto wait.

Angelo and | didn't talk much either, we just decided to listen to some

"What do you mean?" He asked, looking into my eyes.

I shook my head, "I miss home. I'm just really excited to be back

"Con, you need to sit down and rest. I'll cook us dinner," he smiled. pop music

usic on the radio.

Matteo had helpedby carrying my stuff inside the house, leavingwith nothing to carry. | watched as he

placed the groceries on the kitchen counter and | realised how much | missed the sight of him near me. After

separating for the past few weeks, it had made my heart grew fonder towards him.

Everything else looked the sand | appreciated it that way; there was no unnecessary banner or balloons to

celebrate my return which | had preferred. The choice | made when | left hwas a mistake but it made me

realised | couldn't be apart from my husband. "What are you making for tonight?" | asked, standing near the

edge of the counter.

"Your favourite."

"I have a lot of favourites."

He chuckled, "One of them."

"Chicken rice?"

"Mm, you literally just read my mind."

Matteo wrapped his arms around my waist from behind as he kissed the nape of my neck, the feeling sent

shivers down my spine. My lips immediately curved up into a smile and | felt a little warm in my stomach. It had

been awhile since | felt like this. "You didn't even know what you were going to cook. You just waited forto

say it," | responded.

"That's our little secret." He replied, tapping the bridge of my nose.

Then, he went ahead to begin cooking. | sat on the stool and watched his every movement, loving how this

perfect man belonged to me. It wasn't just the look of his face or the built of his body, it was more of his

personality and character.

When a man truly cared about someone, they were always willing to prioritise that person. They could never

hide their true feelings and despite of getting hurt several times, he had never treateddifferently. He seemed

to be showing more love

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Chapter 63

than before.

Being apart for the past few weeks had proved nothing but how much we couldn't live without each other.

FD

| had always wanted to choose my own life. | wanted to have a different life when | was younger but after Matteo

cinto my life or more precisely, | had cinto his life, | was grateful for the life | was given. The moment

was lifechanging for the both of us when | had grabbed him and kissed him in front of everyone, just to piss off

Papa and Alexei.

It was sudden but | didn't regret it at all.

| wanted a normal life growing up, normal parents. | used to wonder if | could be happier but life was full of

surprises, we could never expect the things to go as we wanted-sometimes, they turned out to be better.

If Papa was not in the Bratva, | wouldn't have becthe Bratva princess. If | wasn't the Bratva princess, | may

have never met Matteo in my life.

"Enjoying the view, princess?" He asked, glancing at my direction.

"Very much so. You're too beautiful."

He smiled, "You should lay down and rest. You must be tired,"

"I'm fine. | enjoy watching you cook."

Just as he was about to say something else, the doorbell rang. He stopped cooking and went ahead to the front

door-we weren't expecting anyone but when Matteo cback into the kitchen with Mama, tears began to

escape my eyes.

Mama immediately went in to pullinto a hug and | winced, feeling a sharp pain on my rib area.

"Oh, sweetheart, did | hurt you?" She pulled away, trying to find the source of

pain.

Matteo was already standing besideas he rubbed my lower back, incase | needed anything. | assured him it

was fine and | pulled Mama in for another hug, showing how much | missed her.

Mama and | had spent a lot of ttogether for the past few weeks. During those moments, | felt like a young

teenager again. We used to watch movies together, cooked together and did each other's hair when | was young

but that was all before | went to medical school. After | had left for medical school, | rarely spent twith my

family.

"It's fine, Mama. | missed you." | muttered, letting her wipe away my tears.

"I missed you so much more, sweetheart. | was worried sick."

"Did Matteo call you?"

Mama nodded, "And | cas soon as | can."

"What about Papa? Alexei? Oh, and Ana?" | asked.

She turned to look at Matteo but before | could see his reaction, she immediately changed the subject. The

thought left my mind and | didn't even bother to ask about my Papa or my siblings anymore-I knew Papa and

Alexei were busy. Ana was -probably at university. Matteo and Mama continued to talk as she began asking about

the chicken rice.

Then, as he continued to cook for me, Mama was by my side in the living room. She toldabout what

happened after | was kidnapped, on how everyone was worried and they immediately went out to look for me.

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Chapter 63

"Matteo was really worried about you. He cto stop by every day,"

""He did?"

"Mm, he looked miserable."

"Even before | was kidnapped."

FD

Mama and | were in the living room away from Matteo as he was busy in the kitchen. We decided we wanted

sprivacy as we proceeded to our girl's talk. Besides, | could lay down on the sofa because my lower back

was starting to feel a bit sore. | felt as ease, knowing Mama was keepingcompany.

Mama rubbed the back of my hand, "He really loves you, Alena."

"You can see it too?" | smiled.

"I think everyone can. It's just the way he looks at you, the way he treats you. I'm pretty sure he'd cross through

hellfire for you, sweetheart." She replied, slowly caressing my head and running her fingers through my hair.

| felt like Mama's little girl again.

"Is it a bad thing?"

"No, it's a beautiful thing. It's beautiful to have someone like Matteo in your life, who would do anything for you,

who would sacrifice everything for you. You have a kind heart, Alena and you deserve a person who protects that

kindness." "I wish | never left, Mama."

"It's okay, Alena. I'm sure he has moved forward from that,"

""He said it wasn't

my

fault."

"Then, it wasn't."

"It was. If | didn't leave, none of it would have happened."

Mama shook her head as she smiled down at me, "Everything happened for a reason regardless of the good or

the bad. What matters most is how you are now."

1

One of the reasons why | was always close with Mama. She knew the words to say and she was always there for

me-through every stages of my life. When Papa was controlling my life, she had convincedto follow my

heart.

They raised a headstrong woman, who was always determined to do anything without listening to others and it

had somehow backfired for Papa. He had wantedto beca Bratva princess, to enjoy my life with my

family's riches and waited for an arranged marriage.

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When things didn't go according to his plan. he was disappointed.

As for Mama, she never blamedfor anything. She was always caught in between of prioritising her husband

and her children but she knew how to balance it. If Papa was wrong, Mama never left his side but she wouldn't

support him through the wrongs. She had known him longer than the rest of us, she was a better judge of

character.

| closed my eyes as Mama continued to caress my head and | loved the feeling.

"You will always be my princess, Alena." Mama muttered.

"Have | ever stopped being your princess?"

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Chapter 63

8

She chuckled, "Well...not really. You're always around,"

"Told you."

We spent the next half an hour by watching a movie together as we snuggled close. A thick and comfortable

throw had covered half of our bodies after we had turned on the air-conditioner, liking how everything felt at

home.

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We laughed when the funny scenes con and we almost cried at the sad ones but we enjoyed the movie.

Matteo had cto us a few minutes earlier to give us ssnacks and we had finished them during the first

ten minutes of the movie. Now, we were eating gummies. One of my favourites.

"Dinner's ready!" Matteo called out from the kitchen.

My stomach growled in hunger as we made our way towards the kitchen. As soon as we stepped in, my mouth

watered at the sight of perfectly made chicken rice. The food smelt delicious and my husband did a good job at

the presentation.

I went to his side, kissing his cheek.

"This looks really good," Mama said.

"Let's eat dinner together." Matteo replied, smiling as he wrapped his arm around my waist.

The three of us enjoyed our dinner in the dining room as we talked. For once in my life, | finally felt like a normal

family- all of the troubles and worries had left my mind. We were eating the delicious chicken rice and once in

awhile, Matteo reached out to caress my hand. | smiled, enjoying the sight of him talking with Mama.

My heart felt warm as | admitted to myself, this was the life | wanted.

If | was given another chance to choose again, I'd choose this.

Again and again. All over again.

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