A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER VI

---At Albert room---

Mia, Matteo secretary had reached the room and she went to Albert bed

"I'm sorry Albert I wasn't here for you earlier, I was so caught up in all this" she said with her eyes teary

"It's okay Mia, I know it's hard for you after all this"

Matteo paced with a tense energy, glancing occasionally at the door. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air, mingling with the quiet beeping of medical equipment. He turned to Mia, his sharp-eyed secretary, who stood by the window, her arms crossed.

"Any updates on the situation?" Matteo asked, his voice low but urgent. He leaned against the wall, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

Mia looked up, her demeanor calm. "The team is handling it well. I've managed to diffuse the situation without any casualties. Everyone's safe," she replied, her tone reassuring.

Matteo exhaled, feeling a slight weight lift from his shoulders. "Good. We can't afford any mistakes, especially now."

"I'll be leaving now, I'll report you on that matter, I'll come back later, Matteo." She looked at Albert and slightly give a reassuring smile

"I'll get going Al, I'll be back later" he nooded and she exit the room.

--- A few hours---

Matteo's friends piled into Albert's hospital room, their spirits high despite the circumstances.

"Look who finally decided to wake up!" Nathan exclaimed, a playful grin on his face. "We were about to send in a search party!"

Albert's lips curled into a weak smile. "I didn't think I'd get a party here, but I'm glad to see you all."

Teros pulled up a chair, leaning in with mock seriousness. "We're not cowards, man! We fought back like the champions we are. You should've seen us!"

"Yeah, we were like a bunch of action heroes," Joo chimed in, mimicking exaggerated martial arts moves. "I swear, I could've taken down a whole army!"

Matteo chuckled, shaking his head. "As much as I appreciate the theatrics, we all know you'd just trip over your own feet."

"Hey! I'll have you know I was very graceful!" Joo shot back, feigning offense. The laughter echoed in the small room, a welcome distraction from the earlier chaos.

"Seriously, though," Matteo said, his tone shifting slightly, "you just focus on getting better. We handled everything. We're strong together, and we've got your back."

Albert looked around at his friends, their teasing banter warming his heart. "I wouldn't want anyone else by my side. You guys are the best."

"Just wait until you're up and running again! We've got a celebration to plan, and it's going to be epic," one of them said, nudging Albert playfully.

"Count me in," Albert replied, feeling a renewed sense of hope and strength. As they continued to share stories and jokes, the room was filled with laughter, the bond of friendship shining bright, reminding them all that they could overcome anything together.

---After an hour---

They let Albert rest in his room. As they exited the room, Matteo turned to Joo, his close friend. "Where's Victor?" he asked with a calm yet cold tone.

Joo nodded, a knowing glint in his eyes. "He's exactly where you wanted him to be."

Nathan and Teros, standing nearby, exchanged a smirk. "Let's get going," Teros said, his voice laced with anticipation. "Time to deal with that scum."

Matteo's expression hardened as he led the way, the air thick with tension as they prepared for what was coming next.

---

Matteo reached his palace and he directly went to the basement, a place where life itself seemed to wither. The cold, dimly lit room was hidden deep underground-a place where screams were swallowed by darkness, and no one ever dared to step unless they had business there. This was no ordinary room; it was a chamber designed for one purpose-torture.

Victor was there, bound and bruised, his face pale and eyes wide with fear. The smell of sweat and blood clung to the air, and the silence was oppressive, broken only by the sound of Matteo's footsteps as he approached.

Matteo stopped a few feet away, his cold gaze fixed on Victor, who trembled at the sight of him. Nathan and Teros flanked Matteo, their presence adding to the overwhelming weight of fear in the room.

"You've got nowhere left to run," Matteo said, with a smirk on his face, his visual face darkened as he look at Victor, his voice low and dangerous . "Now, let's see if you can remember why you're here."