A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

be around my work area, | didn't want that. Matteo was more worried about my safety ever since what

happened. He felt even more pressured when Papa had warned him about what could happen. Not just that, with

the recent news of my pregnancy, he was being burdened with responsibilities. If he could, he probably wanted

Angelo to wander around the area of my office.

"| really hope you understand," | replied.

"I do. I'm trying really hard to understand you,"

"I just don't want him around my work area."

"He'd be out of your sight, Alena. You know Angelo,"

"I know. | also know that he's really good at what he does,"

"Then? You can't reconsider it? Just for my sake."

| sighed deeply before | shook my head, to show my disagreement. Matteo was trying his best to persuade me

even though | had thought otherwise. Instead of completely agreeing to him, | decided to cup with a

different plan. It was to ensure the both of us could win.

"Let's try to think of something else. We'll cup with something different," | said.

"Like what? Do you have an idea?"

"I do, actually. | have a lot,"

"One of it is to make sure Angelo stays away, huh?" He asked which causedto scoff, liking how much he

knew me. It was the initial plan but | wanted Matteo to have speace of mind as well when it cto me-he

had other things to worry about, he didn't have to keep thinking about my safety when he was busy.

It was better for him to focus on other things whenever he could instead of all about me.

"He can cover after a couple of hours. Do a few a check ups Then, he can leave." | replied, putting up the

suggestion. It was a win-win forbecause at the stime, Angelo could monitor the situation and report

back to Matteo while | didn't have to worry about having any of my colleagues see him.

It was bound to be weird if | saw him wandering around just to keepsafe.

"I don't completely agree with you but that's something," he said

"That is something..."

"More than nothing. Fine."

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Chapter 106

"So, do you agree with me? Do we have a deal?"

"Yeah, we have a deal."

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My lips curved up into a smile as | thought of my victory. It wasn't anything much compared to the other things

Matteo had gave in but it was something-it could provide both of us the sthing we wanted even though we

had to compromise. "Great! Love you,"

"Wait, are you going already?"

"I do have an appointment later. Then, I'll be a bit busy for my rounds."

"Alright, | understand. I'll see you at htonight?"

"Absolutely,"

"I love you, Alena. I really, really, do."

The way he spoke his love forhad warmed my heart. | loved the way he pronounced the word 'love' even

though it wasn't any different than anyone else but it was the sincerity. | could feel his love even through the

words. | could see his love even when we weren't near.

This man had committed everything to me. He had gavehis whole life. | was never going to repeat the same

mistake and waste the rest of our love story. "Hove you, too." | muttered, smiling.

Both of us smiled at each other for a few seconds before we decided to wave goodbye. Once we had ended the

call, | went back to clean up my office until | was satisfied. It didn't takelong to go on my day with the rest of

my appointments. My other colleagues were surprised to seebecause they didn't expect to havearound

today.

I, on the other hand, didn't expect how short the maternity leave felt for them.

During lunch hour, Lily and Zach went to wait forat the cafe near the hospital. We had walked to enjoy a

well-brewed cup of coffee and pastry. We used to hang around here during our lunch hour before | started going

on maternity leave and it somehow becour usual routine.

One of the reasons why we loved hanging around here was because of the vibe. They had a good choice of

music and we could never get bored of chilling and talking here.

Besides, their cup of coffee was always good.

However, after | found out | was pregnant again, | needed to stay away from caffeine. It was going to take me

awhile to get a taste of their delicious coffee-a little sip wasn't going to hurt but | knew it was best to take extra

care of myself this time.

"It was bad about what happened to him though," Lily spoke, talking about a patient that had passed away last

week. He was her patient and he had been declared terminal a few weeks ago because of cancer. "He was

always so hopeful about getting better. | could see how much he gave up when they told him he wasn't going to

make it,"

Zach nodded his head, "How old was he again?"

"In his forties. He had two kids,"

"Damn... are they still young?"

She nodded, "The eldest was probably like ten,"

"| feel bad for his family."

08.28

Wed, Nov

Chapter 106

"His wife couldn't stop crying when he passed."

| took a sip of my hot chocolate as | listened to them.

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Doctors or anyone who worked in the medical field, we had to face a lot of losses every day. Speople were

hopeful they

diagnosed. However, doctors were just human and could survive while others had already gave up the moment

they wer we only predicted what was going to happen after diagnosis. If the patients ended up surviving, it was

because of a miracle.

| could never have the heart to tell anyone the truth. It broke me

"Alena?" Lily called out.

| turned to look at her, "Yeah, what's wrong

"| thought you wanted to order your favourite latte,"

"I kind of miss their hot chocolate too," | cleared my throat.

| knew my friends were going to find out about my pregnancy eventually but it was best to keep it a secret for

now. | wanted

to make sure that this pregnancy was going to make it pass the first trimester then | was going to reconsider

telling them- they were going to find out anywa

enifl

didn't because my baby bump was going to show.

I was a little bit scared to tell them. |

sdisappointment again.

was still traumatised about what happened with Marco as well, | didn't want to face the

"Yeah, they taste great." Zach interrupted.

"So, tell us, how was everything? How have you been holding up" Lily asked, turning to look at me. She was

focused onas she smiled, waiting forto respond.

"It was hard forat the beginning but Matteo helpeda lot | replied.

"I'm still really sorry about what happened to you,"

"It happened. It just did."

Zach and Lily both stared atas they tried to find other words to say. They were probably regretting this whole

lunch but deep down, | knew because they cared. They only wanted to know about what happened toand

how | had coped with it, they weren't trying to be nosy or anything.

"I do hope there's a rainbow for you at the end of the road,"

| smiled at them, "I'm very hopeful for that."

They both went to talk again about a few other things while | looked around. | was trying to find if something had

changed in the café ever since the last t| was here. Not much had changed but they had different

decorations up. A lot of customers were in the café, just another regular day for them.

My eyes wandered around to the different cars stopping by the drop-off. Swere old people, probably for

their routine checkup. Swere families. Swere just people in suits, probably here for a visit. It had been

awhile since | sat quietly and watched the people aroundas they went on with their lives.

People never stopped living even if sometimes | felt as if my life stopped. Whenever | faced disappointment,

everything aroundsomehow stopped moving but it never did. People continued on their lives as if nothing

happened because nobody cared about anybody. | blinked a few times as | felt someone staring at me.

A figure was standing near the drop-off. 08:28 Wed, Nov 13

Chapter 106

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The reason why he caught my attention was because of the way he was standing there all by himself. As he was

drowned in the crowd, he hadn't moved at all. He was just standing there like a statue as he continued to look at