Chapter 18 Matteo and I in my house. It had been six months ever since we eloped, the months we each other. a lot of together whenever we weren’t busy-if kissing and having sex were considered spending time. more than usual, it became normal. I and now waiting for someone open door. As soon as I started to grow anxious, Mama came to open the door. was saw me, but her smile started fade when saw my husband. how I asked, pulling her in a hug “All sweetheart. How are you?” “”Never been better. “You must be Matteo,” she greeted him. it’s nice meet you. We picked these you,” he smiled, showing off his perfect pearly whites as handed her a bouquet of baby breaths. Mama had always baby breaths because she could keep them when dried she didn’t to throw them away. baby breaths. Thank you, they’re lovely. we inside?” I asked. course, Come in, in. When we got inside house, the three of us made our way the kitchen. Matteo and I took a seat on the stools while moved around to fill vase with water. Then, she placed breaths inside, a smile slowly forming her face “These are very lovely, Matteo. Thank you so much. Alena told baby breaths are my favorite. “I must I was trying to impress, he replied, smiling back. Mama laughed as she placed vase on the dining table. Once she got back the kitchen, she serving puddings. Knowing Mama, she always knew how fill her time to keep her busy-it was either shopping her friends spend time at home baking. She expertly managed to all of that. always loved her cooking she knew my tummy full. I coming back for more. “You did a good impression. ” Mama said before look “I didn’t know your husband’s a charmer, Alena. “Can’t compliment him too much. He already” “Ah, aren’t all that? I remember your Papa when we were younger. He was a romantic and he didn’t hide it. He got when we had well, I of younger us I throat, of is he home?” “Your Papa and Alexel went but I’m sure they’ll return soon, Chapter 18 I grabbed Matteo’s hand to catch his “Can you us a minute, please?” He didn’t ask anything else as nodded, placing a quick kiss temple walking of the kitchen-leaving and 1, on our own. Even though we could simply speak in Russian, but knew more two languages. I couldn’t risk him knowing Russian “You restless, my dear, What’s wrong? asked, taking beside me grabbing hand. She always knew when things were wrong. “I’m scared. Tears were beginning to fill my as I gripped harder onto her hands. “Oh dear. What are you scared of, baby? Did he hurt you?” He would never,” I shook my wiping away the fallen tears. treats so well, Mama. He’s always for and he makes me so happy. “I’m happy for you, Alena but what’s wrong? are you scared?” “I don’t want Papa. Mama cupped my wiping my tears as she smiled. “You have nothing be scared of, Alena and you’re never Josing your father. I know you’re both in spots with after what happened that night you’re still his daughter. loves you more than you know. I breathed, if he never wants to talk to me? What if he keeps avoiding me?” Nonsense, sweetheart. “Did guys talk about me?” “He tried as topic whenever I tried but caught him in your sometimes. He misses you, Alena. He’s doing a job at hiding it. pulled her closer towards me, “I don’t him to hate Mattee, either. I wanted receive the same treatment from family just like I did from his family. They were too nice to and appreciated it, but I knew Papa and Alexei to be rude him-they were going to their weapons, nobody was going to hurt but weren’t going to him nice, either. sighed, rubbing back. another word left her because knew, if she tried to say things, they were lies. “Let’s have lunch and forget about this, okay? I don’t want to see you crying. I’m sure your husband doesn’t want see you crying, too. figure the time comes,” she continued to rub my back when I had away. “Okay, Mama. You’re right,” “Go and call your husband. I made borscht,” I wiped any tears, trying to decent as I made my way to the living room, Matteo standing near the glass window. was too busy watching outside as soon as I entered the he turned to at me. “What’s wrong, Alena?” asked, eyebrows furrowed. “Nothing. I’m fine,” He cupped my face, into before my cheeks with his thumb, “You crying. Your eyes are red. Chapter 18 and your are swollen. happened?” “I just to Mama about Papa” “”About what?” “About me. “What about you. Alena? Tell me. He was comforting me by few strands of my ear, my back, and pulling me in close for a hug. He was genuinely concern about me and I appreciated it-even though he didn’t have to. and I haven’t talked in months. I of missed the way we used to be,” fingers were playing with his shirt I talked. “This was medical all over again but worse. I’m sure he misses Alena. “You sure?” I my head to look at him Our eyes met in an instant and those brown eyes calmed me down. They me of the chestnut wild free and untamed in its natural state. Whenever looked into his brown eyes, I got a of and because I knew he trustworthy. “I’m very sure. surprise, he leaned in a long kiss my forehead. It made me feel at ease. did you do that?” I looking at him. “Do what, Alena?” “”Calm me downL He raised an eyebrow, a smirk appearing. “I didn’t do anything I don’t know what did but you something The curves of his into before he laughed, flashing teeth. glad worked to calm you down. I hate see you cry again. “I’m not crying anymore. shouldn’t. I miss that smile on face,” he leaned in, bridge my nose playfully caused me to instantly smile. I didn’t his treatment towards me. We were acting couple, and was beginning to grow comfortable. I we were this, you hungry?” I asked. “Starving “Let’s eat. Matteo, and I next couple of hours in the dining room, talking. Apparently, Matteo was really good at keeping was somehow cold towards him in the beginning but as time passed, she and Chapter 18 smiling at he said. She was being extra talkative, too, complimented her cooking, she blushed. 1 expected her to warm to him as quick as she did. Matteo occasionally rubbing my underneath table, and I knew he it to comfort me. As he was talking to Mama, he never made me feel out. I appreciated his warm hand on my skin. “Where did you hide this young man, Alena? I like him, Mama spoke. “Oh, in my basement. “Speaking of how are you, You don’t any than thirty-five. “I’m actually turning thirty-five next week, Matteo’s birthday next week. was turning thirty-five I didn’t even know if Mama him. I was starting to think of what I could him for his birthday he had already. Maybe, he needed a new car! That was ridiculous. I couldn’t afford luxury car. “Invite me over there’s going to be any celebration. ” Mama replied, smiling She loved celebrations. “”You’re first our guest list, Matteo said. My went when I heard footsteps coming into the dining room. The laughter and chatters died as soon as I a glimpse of Papa; was looking us “Oh, you’re home. Come and join us,” Mama as she patted the empty seat beside her. Papa exactly ignore her. He his way towards her before her shoulders and kissing her cheek. It was sweet gesture, he was always known to show love Mama. So, wasn’t anything odd. rested his on my thigh, letting me know he still here. They began to speak Russian, as if I the room. I understood Russian and I could speak it, was rusty. I spoken Russian in a full sentence in a while. It was going to sound weird. “Papa” I muttered, to catch his attention. He turned to look at me, “I expect to see you here, Alena “How are you, Papa?” “Good” Instead of asking about me or greet me a kiss on my did nothing. He took a sip of his drink he walked out of the dining room-leaving me heartbroken. I wasn’t going down a fight, so I to follow him. Papa was his way to office, I followed him inside. He knew I was but he not to notice. He didn’t even bother to pay attention towards me as he went to his emails on his laptop. “Are you going to pretend I’m not here?” asked. “I you, Alena. I can’t pretend you’re not here. are ignoring the?” “I’m not ignoring you. ” He shook his head, “I don’t anything to say to you. Unless we have business to talk, should join your mother and that man in the kitchen. “That man is my husband” I know him too well “And he has a name. I Matteo Lerclerc. Papa continued to scroll his emails, ignoring me. My hands were shaking, and I was getting mad at him. I to nicely because thought could solve things us. I deserved an apology from him, but he wasn’t going to one, so I decided forgive and forget. But anymore. “So, you hate me now?” He “What is that want, Alena?” “I want to talk to you, Papa. can’t believe I came all the way to house to beg for an apology, but I did. I know never to apologize so I want fix things between us. “You made it your doesn’t involve me. Why did you here clarify that?” “I never made it clear that my life doesn’t involve you, Papa. I tried to make it clear that I have the right to what I my life. I didn’t want Viktor in I didn’t want you my choices I didn’t want to me from pursuing what I love. ” took a few steps towards trying to stop the tears from forming in my eyes. only want what’s for you!” you only wanted what was best for you!” Papa and Mama were always persistent in raising strong children They did it because after years I realized just how strong I was. I never wanted to back down and give up because wanted to thrive to achieve what I wanted. guess it with cons that a trouble for Papa “I didn’t raise to disobey me, Alena. Papa was walking around his desk as he made way towards me. “I’m not girl, anymore. You don’t get to me what to do We were shouting at each other, and I knew I was pushing his limits. “I thought changed. I thought you were proud me, of achieved but I was so wrong. You never cared about me. cared about was yourself. “Enough, Alena “Alexei he needs bow down to you just the Bratva. Well, She’s going resent you. Just going to. My widened soon as I saw his hand. When I closed my eyes, I come in contact with the hard slap, but nothing came-Papa had never tried to hit or any of his children. He knew his limit but maybe, I was pushing his buttons too far. He didn’t seem to be in a good mood the first place. 1 my seeing Matteo standing me as fingers gripped tightly Papa’s him. I him entering the room. My eyes and watery, still in shock. “I know she’s your daughter but also my wife. I expect to treat her respect,” Matteo said in a serious tone. jaw was and he was trying not push knew needed to him. Even when he didn’t want to. He could throw him the room if he wanted to because he was strong. just decided When Matteo go of Papa’s wrist, was red. don’t get to tell me how to treat my daughter, Lerclerc. “I know buri get to tell you to my wife. If you ever try to raise your hand at her ever again, I won’t hesitate break the peace treaty. I don’t care you are. I don’t care how much power you hold. I don’t care if I go to war with Russians. You to respect belongs me. stood silently his spot, trying hold back his own anger “You come into my house and threaten me?” “I no intention to. I lost it when I saw you tried to hit my wife. – you don’t to defend me, I took a few back, afraid the man in front of me. He wasn’t father; 1 didn’t recognize him. wasn’t abusive. This man was consumed by anger-he wasn’t the man who raised me. Mama near the her on her mouth she tried to hold back her tears. She didn’t hold -herself back as she ran towards me, me in for hug. “”What were you thinking, Mikhail?” Papa took few steps back, away. Mama wiped away the tears that on my cheeks as pulled me closer. Matteo, on was still to calm himself from doing things. could lose it, but chose to let it go. “We’re going home, Alena. He grabbed my rubbing my back. “Yeah, I think we should. I Mama in for hug before walking out of the door Matteo. We didn’t take another glance behind, and I didn’t bother to hide the tears anymore. He was protecting me as kept me close by his until we entered the car. As soon we got inside, I let it down face. I crying out hard, as if was alone in car, Matteo wrapped his arms around my body, pulling me for a hug. He stop soothing and comforting words in car as he rubbed my back. He was trying to calm me down I it-he knew what to do. just from even I didn’t want to. 20:41 Oct 9 “Shh, it’s okay. You’re okay. I’m right here with you,” What a in events. When left after seeing Matteo’s mother, I was happy and convinced of coming to see her whenever I wanted but when I left my parents’ I was crying and heartbroken. This wasn’t supposed happen. I didn’t this. I guess, I never had full happens in life. “Hey, Alena at me, you’re fine. ” rubbed my head, kissing cheek. For once my life. admitted not to be independent. I clinging onto as if he had my life. in my life, I safe in the arms my husband. I wanted nothing more be surrounded in his warmth. I was tired of being on my own so long. never realized I needed another person with me. Until he showed up “Did you Was I too late to stop him?” He asked. straight my eyes. shook my “No. You stopped him just time,” “You don’t have to worry, Alena. I’ll protect you. It was the sincerity me secure. When it came to Matteo, whenever said he sounded genuine because he meant word. He wanted else to ensure I believed him. did we become like this?