A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER VIII

As they sat outside the hospital, sipping their coffee in comfortable silence, Isabella glanced at Matteo. There was something about him-something familiar, though she couldn't quite place it.

She hesitated for a moment before asking, "I never got your name... What should I call you?"

Matteo set his cup down, the corners of his lips tugging into a slight smile. "It's Matteo," he said simply, though his eyes flickered with a hint of curiosity, wondering if she'd remember.

Isabella repeated his name silently in her mind: Matteo. There was a strange feeling, as though she had heard that name before, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She didn't say anything, though, not wanting to seem strange. Instead, she gave him a warm smile and nodded.

"It's nice to officially meet you, Matteo," she said softly, though her mind kept circling back to that feeling of familiarity.

They continued to sip their coffee, chatting lightly, but the thought lingered in the back of her mind. She couldn't shake the sense that Matteo's name had some connection to her past, but for now, it remained just out of reach, like a forgotten memory she couldn't quite recall.

---Matteo POV---

The warmth in her smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke, even the simple act of sitting together-it all felt surreal. His heart raced, but he tried to play it cool, not wanting to reveal just how happy he was. Inside, though, he couldn't shake the thought: I'm sitting here, drinking coffee with her. This is a moment I never thought I'd have.

It was as if years of distance and memories had faded away, and now, for the first time in a long time, he felt a sense of peace. But more than that, he felt something he hadn't allowed himself to feel in a long time: hope.

In his mind, Matteo kept replaying the moment. She's here, with me. This feels right. He couldn't wipe the smile from his face, though he tried to keep his cool on the surface. Inside, he was filled with joy, and for just this moment, nothing else mattered-no business, no underground deals, no dangerous world he was a part of. Just her. Just them.

He casually leaned back on the bench, feigning a relaxed demeanor. "So, I guess I should return the favor. What's your name?" he asked, pretending not to know.

Isabella blinked in surprise but smiled, a playful glint in her eyes. "I'm Isabella-Isabella Romano."

Matteo nodded, the name echoing in his mind, stirring a mix of nostalgia and warmth. "Isabella... It's nice to officially meet you," he replied, his voice steady, though his heart raced. He felt a thrill at hearing her name, the connection feeling stronger now.

Isabella laughed softly. "So, what do you do, Matteo? Other than show up at the hospital so early?"

He chuckled, happy to keep the conversation going. "I run a business. It keeps me busy, but I have to admit, it's nice to take a break for coffee." He decided to keep the details vague, not wanting to reveal too much about his life just yet.

Isabella nodded, her interest piqued. "Sounds interesting. I can imagine it must be stressful."

"Sometimes," Matteo replied, his gaze lingering on her. "But moments like this make it all worth it." He meant it, and he could see the spark of curiosity in her eyes, making him even more determined to know her better.

As Isabella chatted with Matteo, she found herself inexplicably drawn to him. There was something about him-his presence, his demeanor, even the way he spoke-that made her feel an unusual sense of comfort. But it wasn't just that; there was also that lingering feeling that his name, Matteo, was familiar, like a distant echo from her past.

She pondered silently, Is it his name that pulls me in? Or is it just pure curiosity? She couldn't quite decipher the mix of emotions swirling within her. Maybe it was the way he looked at her, as if he genuinely wanted to know more, or how easy it felt to talk to him, as if they had known each other for years.

Isabella found herself captivated by the depth in his eyes, the way they seemed to reflect a mixture of warmth and something unspoken. She wondered what lay behind that calm facade, what stories he held. There was a magnetic energy between them, and despite herself, she felt a connection that was hard to ignore.

Could it really be just curiosity? she thought. Or was there something deeper, a sense of recognition that she couldn't quite put her finger on? Each time she glanced at him, her heart raced a little more, as if a part of her was awakening to something she hadn't felt.

She pushed the thoughts aside for now, deciding to enjoy the moment instead.
But in the back of her mind, the question lingered: What was it about Matteo that felt so familiar?