A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Alena

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

It had been awhile since I was home and it felt strange being back. For once in my life, arriving home with Matteo really felt bizzare even though we had created a lot of memories here. Maybe, I had caused a scene when I left a few weeks ago. "It's just... it feels a bit weird," I 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. I had waited in the car with Angelo because he asked me to-he said I wasn't strong enough to walk around, it was best for me to wait.

Angelo and I 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

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

usic on the radio.

Matteo had helped me by carrying my stuff inside the house, leaving me with nothing to carry. I watched as he placed the groceries on the kitchen counter and I realised how much I 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 same and I appreciated it that way; there was no unnecessary banner or balloons to celebrate my return which I had preferred. The choice I made when I left home was a mistake but it made me realised I couldn't be apart from my husband. "What are you making for tonight?" I 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 I felt a little warm in my stomach. It had been awhile since I felt like this. "You didn't even know what you were going to cook. You just waited for me to say it," I responded.

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

Then, he went ahead to begin cooking. I 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 treated me differently. He seemed to be showing more love

<3

than before.

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

I had always wanted to choose my own life. I wanted to have a different life when I was younger but after Matteo came into my life or more precisely, I had came into his life, I was grateful for the life I was given. The moment was lifechanging for the both of us when I had grabbed him and kissed him in front of everyone, just to piss off Papa and Alexei.

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

I wanted a normal life growing up, normal parents. I used to wonder if I 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, I wouldn't have became the Bratva princess. If I wasn't the Bratva princess, I 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. I 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 came back into the kitchen with Mama, tears began to escape my eyes.

Mama immediately went in to pull me into a hug and I winced, feeling a sharp pain on my rib area.

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

pain.

Matteo was already standing beside me as he rubbed my lower back, incase I needed anything. I assured him it was fine and I pulled Mama in for another hug, showing how much I missed her.

Mama and I had spent a lot of time together for the past few weeks. During those moments, I felt like a young teenager again. We used to watch movies together, cooked together and did each other's hair when I was young but that was all before I went to medical school. After I had left for medical school, I rarely spent time with my family.

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

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

"Did Matteo call you?"

Mama nodded, "And I came as soon as I can."

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

She turned to look at Matteo but before I could see his reaction, she immediately changed the subject. The thought left my mind and I 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 told me about what happened after I was kidnapped, on how everyone was worried and they immediately went out to look for me.

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

""He did?"

"Mm, he looked miserable."

"Even before I was kidnapped."

Mama and I were in the living room away from Matteo as he was busy in the kitchen. We decided we wanted some privacy as we proceeded to our girl's talk. Besides, I could lay down on the sofa because my lower back was starting to feel a bit sore. I felt as ease, knowing Mama was keeping me company.

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

"You can see it too?" I 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.

I 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 I 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 I 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 I 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 convinced me to 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 wanted me to become a Bratva princess, to enjoy my life with my family's riches and waited for an arranged marriage.

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

As for Mama, she never blamed me for 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.

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

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

"Have I ever stopped being your princess?"

wed,

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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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*5

We laughed when the funny scenes came on and we almost cried at the sad ones but we enjoyed the movie. Matteo had came to us a few minutes earlier to give us some snacks 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, I 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. I smiled, enjoying the sight of him talking with Mama.

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

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

Again and again. All over again.

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