A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Alena

the estate.

I was no longer Ms. Orlov when we returned home. It felt weird hearing Angelo calling me Mrs. Lerclere but I had to get used to it. Matteo didn't feel as if it made any difference ever since we got back from Sicily-he was back to his usual self, always working and never at I got back to my routine, too. Whenever I got to the hospital, I always took off my ring because I wasn't ready to tell anyone at work I was married. They were going to ask a lot of questions and I didn't know how I was going to tell them. It was easier to avoid things until they were unavoidable. Then, when I got to the estate, I put the ring back on. Basically, I wanted everyone to know I was married to Matteo except for the people at work. I wanted them to know I was as single as I was before. Luckily, Matteo never came to the hospital again.

Maybe, he was drowning in work. I barely ever saw him.

He was busy. Whenever I did catch a glimpse of him, he looked tired and stressed. He was always frowning. Despite being tired, he never really went to bed because every time I woke up in the middle of the night, I saw the lights to his office were on and I heard noises coming from there.

He was working nonstop. And I was working more shifts, too.

I didn't want to feel lonely at the estate, so it was best to work.

Papa did call me a few times... well, more than a few times. He called me about twenty times when I got back from Sicily. He may have heard the news, but he didn't show up at the hospital or anywhere else. As for Alexei, he was ignoring me as usual Maybe, just maybe, he was upset but he knew he had no right to control my life.

He was going to show up sooner or later. I wasn't ready for that, but I needed to go back home with Matteo. Papa was probably mad at me for the drastic decision I made.

So, it was a surprise to find Alexei calling me.

"Hi, Alyosha. I thought you weren't going to ever return my calls I spoke as I walked down the hallway, needing privacy. He kept quiet for a few seconds, "You made a big mistake, Alena. Do you even understand what you got yourself into?" Alexei sounded angry but he was doing his best to keep it cool. I knew him too well; we grew up together. He knew I was stubborn, and I knew he had a bad temper; we were both flawed creatures, but we always managed to hide it well.

"And here I thought you called because you missed me."

"You married Matteo Lerclerc? Have you lost your g***n mind?"

Yes, he was clearly angry. I could hear it.

"We were engaged when you saw us at the restaurant. Anyone in the right mind would know the next step after an engagement is marriage. Besides, couldn't you be happy for your little sister? She kind of need all the support she can get."

"How can I be happy for you?" He scoffed, "You married the enemy, Alena! The peace treaty between the Italians were very clear. We weren't supposed to get involved with them. We were supposed to mind our own business and don't give a f***k about them. Now, you're married to Matteo?!"

1 cleared my throat, "I never wanted my part in the mafia. As far as I know, I married a very successful businessman. What he does at night doesn't bother me because he treats me well. He makes me happy. Whatever it is that you have to say doesn't bother me, too." 177

5

Wed, Oct

"Papa will disown you. You hrought this upon yourself."

"Why can't you defend me, Alexei? You're my brother!"

"The Bratva is more important than blood, Alena. You know that

"I thought you would be different. We had each other's backs when we were younger, Alexei. The Bratva changed you. I don't even know who you are anymore. Would you rather I marry Viktor and end up unhappy for the rest of my life?"

Alexei didn't say a word, but I heard his breathing, he was probably trying to calm himself. He knew what Papa had planned for me was wrong. He had the power to stop him because he was the Pakhan, but he decided to look away.

"I don't have any part in this. I'm doing what's best for us."

"What's best for us or for you? For your Bratva?"

"Alena-

I cut him off as I saw Zach making his way towards me, "Fine, Alexei. I don't have anything to say to you. We'll just see how it goes from here. Then, I quickly ended the call before shoving my phone in my pocket.

Zach smiled, waving. "I knew it you were here."

"Hey, yeah just needed some fresh air."

"Are you okay? Did I interrupt something?" He was genuinely concern and I appreciated that. Zach was a really good colleague.

"No, no. I'm fine, Zach."

"Okay - if you're so sure. Please don't hesitate to tell me anything."

I nodded, "Is there something wrong? It looks like you're the one that has something to tell."

"Okay, you caught me." He chuckled before putting both of his hands up, defending himself. "The team wants to head to a bar after work. It's to celebrate our last few weeks as senior residents. If you're not doing anything tonight. I wanted you to come. I'll be fun to wind down. We know just how hard you work,"

I smiled, "I don't have anything tonight. I'll be there,"

"Great, that's great. Do you want to go together, or do you want to meet there?"

"I think I'll meet you there. Besides, I drove here to work this morning so I couldn't just leave my car behind."

He frowned, "Are you sure you'll be able to drive home after all the drinking? You can just leave your car here at the hospital and take a cab home after tonight."

"Yeah, you're right. Then, do you think it's okay if we head to the bar together?"

"Of course. I'll wait for you at the lobby after work,"

....

"See you."

ch nodded, smiling as 1

walked away.

We had a few hours left of our shift and I was ready for it to be over. Not because I wanted to go home but I really needed to drink. I had been going on the same routine for the past week and I needed a release-besides, if I went home, I was going to be alone.

Matteo was probably not at home; he was probably working.

He was probably even busy beating someone up or shooting people, for all I cared.

So, a night away at the bar and drinking with colleagues sounded nice. We could talk and spend time instead of going home and dreading of going to work tomorrow. It was a good thing that I wasn't working early the next day. When my

shift was over, I changed clothes and took my bag before meeting Zach in the lobby. He was waiting near the entrance and as soon as he saw me, he quickly waved. He was always happy, maybe it was his way of coping. "Okay, the cab's here. You got everything?" He asked, pointing at the cab.

""Yeah, let's go."

The traffic jam was inevitable, and we were used to it. Driving home was way worse than this-at least, by taking the cab, I was able to take a few minutes to relax. The bar wasn't far from the hospital, but the traffic jam was causing us to arrive a bit

late

When we arrived, all our colleagues were already there. Zach and I were the last ones to arrive.

"Hey! You guys made it," someone said, waving.

Zach waved back. "Yeah, sorry we're late. The traffic was really bad,"

"No worries. Come and join us,"

Lily smiled widely as she caught us, pulling me in for a hug. She seemed to be a little bit tipsy, but she wasn't too drunk. I wondered how many drinks she had.

"Glad you guys could make it. I was losing my mind drinking," she said, pouting.

"How many did you drink. Lily?"

"A bit. Probably like one or two drinks?"

-"Are you sure? You look like you drank more than two drinks.

"Yeah, I can't really remember. Was it two or ten?"

""Lily"

She laughed, "I'm just teasing you, princess. I drank five."

"She gets drunk easily. Doesn't do well with alcohol," Zach interrupted as the three of us began to sit near one of the stools. The rest of our colleagues were chilling and talking with drinks in their hands.

I was beginning to relax as I ordered my drink.

TII have a vodka and watermelon punch."

"And for you, gentleman? The bartender asked Zach, who was laughing with Lily-she was giggling and running her hands all over me but knowing Lily, she was just trying to let loose.

I'll have a whiskey,

"Alright. The bartender walked away to prepare our drinks.

A few minutes have passed, and we were laughing off at silly jokes. I've drank quite a few but I had no problem with alcohol -yes, I was feeling a little lightheaded, but I could handle a lot of alcohol until I was going to pass out. The Russians were

20:3

always good with alcohol.

"Let's be honest, it was kind of gross," Lily laughed, her cheeks turning red.

"I'm actually impressed that you took it very well." Zach replied.

"I couldn't react! I was shocked."

"Did you throw away your shirt?"

"Mm, I threw it away. I couldn't deal with the smell."

Lily was out one night when she passed a group of drunk teenagers and they decided to throw up. Well, she wasn't in the right place because the puke got all over her shirt and she was upset about it. Obviously, she threw the shirt away and the next morning when she got to work, she began ranting all about it to us.

"It is disgusting. I added as I laughed, taking another sip of my drink.

Zach continued to look at me, smiling before placing a hand around Lily's waist because she almost stumbled. "Do you want to taste mine?"

"Your whiskey? I'm not a big fan of whiskies." I shook my head.

"You had a taste of good whiskey?"This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

"They're never good!" I laughed.

"Oh, come on, they're not that bad."

"I don't like the aftertaste."

"You're drinking vodka."

"With watermelon," I scoffed before taking his drink in my hand "Fine, I'll have a sip."

-It was surprising how having a sip ended up drinking a couple of more glasses. Apparently, whiskey tasted alright when you were already tipsy, I never liked whiskey, but it was good enough The time passed as we continued to talk and laugh. It had been a while since we really felt free and relaxed.

We were always busy with work.

Lily was off talking to other colleagues, enjoying herself while Zach and I were sitting by the bar. We mingled with our colleagues, but I didn't bother leaving the bar, if staying here was better because I was going to get better access of the drinks. I came here for the drinks, and I was going to spend my time drinking.

"My ex came back to me the other day." Zach started, taking a sip of his drink.

"What happened?"

"Well, she wanted me back. She apologized and everything."

"Did you accept her apology?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He kept quiet for a few seconds. "I did. I didn't accept her back in my life, though. I was happier when things between us ended, and I wasn't going to risk my life again. Besides, I think I'll find someone better as a partner."

"You deserve someone better, Zach. Relationships aren't supposed to drain you or hold you back."

He nodded, "Right. I loved her though."

"You were very serious with her,"

"Mm. I could say that. I thought she was the one."

We

Zach turned to look at me as I stared ahead. We were adults in our thirties, figuring out life. When we were younger, thought we could figure out everything in our twenties, but time passed by like a blur. Some adults were happy in their twenties, and I thought I was, too. Until I was left broken.

Now, I was married to someone I barely even knew. Someone who promised he wasn't going to love me. Life worked funny.

"Alena...you okay?" He asked, breaking my thoughts.

"Yeah, I just find life really funny"

He chuckled, "You do?"

As he leaned in closer towards me, I began to snuggle closer. It wasn't a romantic gesture since we were friends-it was just leaning my head on his shoulder but maybe, it was the alcohol talking because he began to look down at my

y face.

Our faces were inches apart as his lips met mine.

Everything went silent around us even though they didn't. My eyes closed and so was his as I tasted the alcohol on his lips. The kiss was slow, but it was passionate, making me hold onto his arms because I was afraid of tripping.

No, we weren't supposed to kiss. I never had feelings for Zach..

He never had feelings for me.

Zach cupped onto my face, deepening the kiss

Suddenly, I felt a strong force which caused us to break the kiss. As I opened my eyes, I saw Zach had fallen to the ground as -another figure started to punch his face. The figure was familiar, and I immediately knew who it was: Matteo. My eyes widened before quickly pulling Matteo away from Zach

"Matteo, stop it!"

Everyone stared at us in shock as Matteo took a step back. He didn't push my hands away, but he was upset-why was he upset? His jaw was clenched, and his hands were in fists, but he didn't take another step to hit Zach. Zach, on the other hand, was wiping the blood on his busted lip before standing up.

"What the hell, man? Zach asked him, frowning.

"We're leaving." I tightened my grip around Matteo's arm, trying to pull him away but he didn't move. He was stronger than me. "Matteo please, we're leaving."

-

"This is a warning. Don't you dare touch my wife ever again," Mateo said through gritted teeth, trying his best to hold back his anger.

He was furious and if I wasn't here to stop him, he was probably going to kill Zach.

"Your wife?" Zach was confused as he turned to look at me, "I didn't know she was married."

"Now, you do. I want you to stay the f***k away from her or I'll end you

00

"I'm really sorry. Zach I-muttered before walking out of the bar feeling the stares behind my back until I was completely out. My colleagues were going to talk about it, and they were going to wonder about Matteo. They heard everything. They heard him calling me his 'wife.

T

Tears were streaming down my cheeks as I walked down the pavement, completely ignoring the stares. It didn't take Matteo long to reach me, grabbing my arm.

"What do you think you're doing here, Matteo?" I asked, wiping away my tears. He didn't have to see them-I wasn't going to appear weak in front of him.

"You didn't come home. Do you even know what time it is?" He asked, looking down at his wristwatch.

"I don't care!" I pushed him by the chest, but he didn't budge. "How did you know where I was, anyway?"

"That's not important. You should've told me where you were going," he said as he tried to close the distance between us, but I ignored him, taking a few steps back. "Alena, I was worried about you."

I scoffed. "You were worried about me? I thought we made a very clear deal that you weren't going to care about what happens in my life. And suddenly, you decided to play your part as my husband and hit my colleague? Who do

you are?"

"You were kissing the f***er,"

"He kissed me! We were drunk, för god's sake."

That doesn't justify your actions, Alena. We promised loyalty."

you think

Loyalty. We did promise loyalty. I didn't think Zach was going to kiss me-it was my mistake, too. I should've pushed him away the moment he kissed me, but I didn't.

-

"You're right we did promise loyalty." I breathed out, "And I'm sorry that he kissed me. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you where I was going but I didn't think you would care, anyway. In case you forgot, Matteo this marriage is strictly business. I stay out of your life, and you stay out of mine."

"That doesn't mean you get to go around kissing someone else!" He replied, completely upset. "You belong to me, Alena. You're my wife."

"Your fake wife, I muttered.

"You wanted me to marry you and I did. All you have to do is stay loyal to me. Is it that hard?"

"I am loyal to you."

"Why did you kiss him, Alena?" He leaned closer, cupping my face. We were inches apart and I could see straight into his eyes-they weren't their usual light brown. They appeared darker under the light, but they were slightly red, probably because he was tired. The bags and dark circles were still visible,

"I should've pushed him away. I know-

He cut me off, "It doesn't matter. Just get in the car."

Just like that, he was walking to his black Aston Martin, and I felt miserable as I followed him.