The four days went unnoticeable, and it was already Saturday spent my free time packing belongings into and every single time I was sitting in my living room, kept glancing at my front door-what was I expecting, anyway? For Matteo to show up and ask me to quickly finish packing? Maybe, I was expecting him to call or me, but he didn’t. There was a single call or text that from him. The days passed on as if he never existed because he his distance. work was too much and kept him from his personal life. Then again, did I to worry on whether he call or text me? We weren’t a real couple. We faking as we go. had nothing do with our feelings. Or more exactly, mine. Alexei did text me, asking if I was doing alright. responded to him in short texts because I really didn’t feel to have a conversation him. Papa hadn’t said a word. Maybe, he planning my wedding to Viktor but unlucky for him, was never going to take place. I wasn’t working this like I needed the rest or more precisely, I want Matteo come at the anymore. After he made his presence known the Lily kept question about him. Apparently, Zach told her-about someone kissing me. Lily said was secrets all along and that I had a boyfriend. I kept he a and that I had the time date but believe me. I probably too spoke. I could’ve told them Matteo was boyfriend so they wouldn’t suspect anything when got married couldn’t find the words. I wasn’t ready to let them know about that. was better leave dark for now. Before came, I grew restless. I had trouble at night and I looking at my phone whenever the screen lit up. was a lie to if I said I waiting for him to call or text Then what was I even waiting for? hadn’t made his presence known but I feel someone following me when I going home. Whenever turned around, I saw no one he was probably a good hiding in shadows. Now, I was sitting in living room with my phone in hand as I spared few glances towards on the floor. My apartment was empty because I packed everything I needed. The furniture mine to begin with, so they’ll be left behind. I was never going to this apartment. I needed to remember my lifelong promise to Matteo. Besides, if Papa ever found about our being fake, he was to go war the Italians. I wasn’t going to my life Matteo’s life on the line. He was being nice enough to help me out even though he had his own to this. The doorbell rang quickly stood up, making my way to open the front door. An unknown man in suit and tie looked around, “Alena Orlov “Yes…who are asked. “Angelo. The arrived and be up to take your things. You’ll with me. ” He replied, continuing to 20:31 Wed, Oct my first-time seeing Angelo. He be more than lify. Despite his age, he was big could easily down someone he to. He wasn’t very scary looking, but he had a frown his he didn’t bother to when he spoke my name. very serious person. “Do you everything you need?” He asked. that’s everything. ” nodded my throat, “Let me just get my bag and I’ll be down. As I my way to my a check-up on my belongings in case I forgot something. I grabbed my handbag had the items before quickly going down the was already waiting me beside a black SUV. He kept checking surroundings ensure we were safe. I stepped inside at the backseat, and he began to start the engine, drove off down street, leaving the to head up to my apartment and grab my belongings. car was quiet. and didn’t bother to single word, too. Matteo seemed to know lot about my well. He didn’t bother to go the hospital, he knew I was at home. Maybe, Angelo did a good job Investigating things. Angelo’s phone rang and he picked it immediately. However, couldn’t hear coming from the other due his volume. He spoke something Italian as he driving down taking different turns and I decided it was to my own business. It could be Matteo or anyone else. We came to stop in front of a guarded gate. The gates spread open at click of a and Angelo proceeded to in, passing trees until we stopped in front of an estate. -The estate was modern and breathtaking. It wasn’t anything old and the building as it well taken care of. In simple words, the estate wasn’t anything expected it to be. For Matteo, I had him live in a dark and broody place-probably penthouse where spent time alone, but this was different. It was bright and there were beautiful landscapes, too. Angelo came beside me open the door and I stepped out, my eyes wandering the property. going to live for as as I remained married to which was a long time. I had up a beautiful estate just this one, but I couldn’t quite grasp the fact that Matteo lived on his own in a house this big. And he was. The beautiful monster disguise. was walking the steps as approached me-he was wearing a button-down-shirt, but he the couple of undone. His sleeves were rolled up his elbows and his shirt was tucked into perfection. looked as if he had left a minus the suit and tie. When reached closer, I noticed the dark eyes. He looked tired. Did he not enough rest? to look down and I tried to look down at his hands, but they were in his slacks’ pockets. It was a habit of m Alexei’s whenever I met them because I could see they beat someone. an easy answer having to ask them Just in time, he ran his fingers his as the to make them messy and I saw the red bruises cuts on his knuckles. He really someone. They seemed new but they bleeding or anything. They must’ve hurt, too but if were the injuries he suffered, I was pretty sure the victim ended a worst situation. even six feet under. “Thank Angelo. Matteo said, as he placed a hand behind my waist to gesture me inside. We inside and I looked around at the decorations. Everything was modern and well-organized. He must’ve had few people to clean up the house on a daily basis clean. No dusts to be found. The floor was shining and my own reflection. “How was the car He asked, to look at ine. It felt after his hand left my waist, I it linger there longer. It nice feeling his absence. There anything different with him, still the but he seemed to be looking a bit stressed today: Maybe, things didn’t go well Berlin. “It fine. How was Berlin?” He nodded, “It was the usual. As I knew what it meant-it was as if we had this conversation before. was as if we already a real couple. I didn’t bother to say another word I stood still at my spot. He the silence as if there something wrong, so he made his way towards me, somehow inspecting my every trying if there anything the time, saw me. “Is there wrong? Did Mikhail bother you?” He asked. I at the name. Of course, he by name. And of course, he would’ve assumed Papa said something the whole time he was gone but that the deal. It was strange to be standing here in room him, in the same house that I was going to today. He didn’t have to know that. “No, Papa said a word. Let me know if bothers you,” 1 cleared my throat, he’s not all that bad. I him like a puppy, afraid if I was going get in this mansion. It and there many different rooms. I’d rather just now as we reached the kitchen. opened the fridge, two of water. “Are hungry?” I didn’t have nor lunch yet, but I didn’t feel either. Just as I was about to say no, my stomach grumbled. It was loud for him hear. My cheeks heat up in embarrassment as I saw the of his slightly up into a smirk. “I take that as a yes. You didn’t eat anything?” “I forgot” I responded. “Are you to anything? “Anything particular you want to eat?” “French toasts,” I grinned, remembering the last time Mama prepared them for me. She was in the kitchen, and she was always making sure our were full. However, the moment I moved out, I stopped having her delicious meals It was one of the things I missed the most. Matteo the ingredients needed to a French toast. “Wait, are you going for asked, taking a seat at one of the stools near the island. “You can cook?” speaking about your father… what did mean when you said not that bad?” He completely ignored my question as he continued to prepare the French toast. My eyes followed every movement because I couldn’t believe them. The man front of me a meal for me. I didn’t he was of cooking. I mean, I didn’t expect he was going to cook for me. “Well he was a great dad. He taught me a lot growing up. He was there for me, too. Things got different when I said I didn’t want anything with the Bratva. replied, a glimpse of occasionally meeting my eyes “What did expect of you?” “I don’t know. He didn’t want me to become doctor,” Probably expected you to marry when the time comes. I nodded, “That probably it. I had enough of him trying to take of my so I needed do something to him that I can’t let him have everything. He kept quiet as he listened, and I that. Besides, he needed to Papa, too if he wanted to with agreement. Papa was great, he was loving, and he understood his children but even that couldn’t stop him from putting his Bratva a priority. As soon as he finished the French he them to me. It smelled great and even the toasts looked amazing. Just as I was about thank him for his Angelo doorway. “The are here. Matteo nodded started to Angelo leaving me behind on my own. I took of the toast, and it didn’t take me to finish them. They tasted delicious and it I was already more. It kind of reminded me of Mama’s cooking. It reminded of home. used to be home. Noises were heard the living room as well as footsteps. I began to way towards noises and Matteo. pointing for boxes to be moved upstairs. After the movers were done, signed a and they began to leave. Angelo had too. It was just Matteo and I in this house. “Thank you the toasts” I breaking the silence. He nodded. “Let show you to your room. I him up the stairs and down hallway before stopping in front of a closed door. He opened the door and gestured for to go inside. The boxes were placed on the floor I thought I had a lot of belongings with me, but it wasn’t 20:31 Wed, Oct 9 G much, now that they were being placed in spacious bedroom. There was in the middle of the room with a varity window. A built-in wardrobe side of room, was big it could fit at least three peoples’ clothes. The room was in color. of the furniture were white. “This will be your room. You can it you he said as near the window. “I like it the it is. ” I standing the middle. “Where your room?” “Down the hall. This estate has rooms. One used as my office. Yours and mine are occupied. the other three locked. ” He cleared his throat, “My room and office are off-limits. I expect to respect my but the near office is yours,” “There is library?” My widened. Even I wasn’t going to spend much time because of my schedule. I might put the library into good use whenever was free. bedroom were off-limits. course, we really going to be husband wife. I needed to respect his privacy. He could set limits and I to follow them. “Yes, you can go there you like. kept quiet, only nodding as a response. Matteo glanced at wristwatch, must soon. I’ll be late,” just let know that I be around much, either. I said, as was about the room. He needed to know that I was not charity case, either. We were both adults and we had our own lives. He may me for a stay because we were going to get married, but had no problem out and choosing live someplace else. Money wasn’t issue for me. I was only doing for the sake of putting up a perfect show. Three forsaken years make sure Papa stayed off my back. After that, we would remain married, but we need to pretend much. We tell other people that our -marriage was always capable of fixing. There were many excuses to be used when people started to question. Most importantly, Papa had to believe the act. had tie the knot soon possible. “That’s good. It’d be nice to see each other often,” he replied. “I don’t think we have any problem with that, do we?” “No, we don’t. We do have to discuss about the proposal and the wedding soon. He nodded, agreeing. “Tell whenever you want to discuss, and I’ll free time. “How about It’s my off. talk about it tomorrow. The the better. We quiet for a few seconds as we tried to avoid eye contact. How could things turn awkward this quickly? it just the two of and didn’t have We didn’t have to show our affection in front of anyone. was be our new reality for the next few years. Maybe, a lifetime. Was I ready live in loveless marriage? Was I comfortable with never true love? “Matteo,” out. He didn’t around, he stopped walking, waiting for me to continue. not going to bother you. don’t even have to we care about each other behind doors. can do you want and I the same. The act stops when we’re alone. Besides, you won’t even notice me around. I’ll make of it. him to say something, but he didn’t. He kept quiet and chose his silence. decided it was best nod as a He walked of and closed the behind leaving me to stand same spot. starting to on lonely I was going to feel-luckily, I had career. There was not enough time me to feel bored. on edge of the bed, accepting my new reality.