A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER XII

As the days turned into week, Matteo and Isabella’s bond grew stronger with each passing encounter. Whenever Matteo found a moment in his hectic schedule, he made it a point to visit the hospital using excuse that he'll be visiting Albert, and every time he did, he felt a rush of happiness just seeing her smile.

Isabella looked forward to his visits as well. It became a comforting routine; Matteo would arrive with a coffee in hand, ready to share stories and laughter. They would find quiet corners of the hospital to talk, away from the bustling activity, where Isabella could relax for a few moments away from her demanding job.

Matteo found himself becoming more and more captivated by Isabella’s passion for her work. She would share stories about her patients, the challenges she faced, and the small victories that made it all worthwhile. Each time she spoke, he could see the fire in her eyes, and it only made him admire her more.

One afternoon, as they sat outside in a small garden area of the hospital, enjoying the warm sun and a rare moment of peace, Matteo leaned back against the bench, feeling content. “You know, I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me,” he said, glancing over at her. “I know you’re busy, and your job is demanding, but being with you makes my day.”

Isabella smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I feel the same way, Matteo. It’s nice to have someone to share these moments with.”

Matteo’s heart raced at her words, and he took a moment to gather his thoughts. “I’ve been thinking… maybe we could do something outside of the hospital sometime? Like dinner, just the two of us?” he suggested, trying to keep his voice steady.

Isabella’s eyes lit up with surprise and excitement. “I’d love that! I’ve really enjoyed our time together. It would be nice to spend more time outside of work.”

As they continued to talk, Matteo felt a sense of hope blossoming within him. Their connection was undeniable, and he wanted to explore it further. Each visit brought him closer to her, and he could sense that she felt the same way.

But as their bond deepened, Matteo struggled with the secret he had kept hidden. He was still part of a world that was dangerous and complicated, a world he had tried to shield Isabella from. He knew he needed to confront his feelings honestly, but the fear of losing her kept him from opening up completely.

Meanwhile, Isabella began to notice the subtle changes in their dynamic. The way Matteo looked at her, the lingering touches during their conversations, and the unspoken tension that seemed to fill the air whenever they were together. She felt a flutter of excitement mixed with uncertainty. Was this truly heading toward something more?

Despite her own feelings, Isabella was cautious. She had seen the toll that relationships could take, especially in her demanding profession. But with Matteo, everything felt different. He was supportive, attentive, and he understood her in a way that made her feel seen.

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The day Albert was discharged from the hospital was a bittersweet moment for Matteo. As much as he was happy for his friend’s recovery, the thought of not being able to see Isabella every day filled him with a sense of loss. Their routine visits had become a bright spot in his life, and he couldn’t shake the feeling of emptiness that settled in when he thought about how their time together would be limited.

Matteo helped Albert gather his things and get ready to leave, trying to mask his own feelings behind a façade of cheerfulness. “You ready to get out of here?” he asked, forcing a smile as he assisted his friend.

Albert grinned, the color finally returning to his cheeks. “Absolutely! I’m tired of these four walls. But are you okay, Matteo? You seem a bit off today.”

“Yeah, just… you know, a lot on my mind,” Matteo replied, trying to brush it off. The truth was, he had been looking forward to seeing Isabella every day, and now that hope was fading.

As they walked out of the hospital together, Albert clapped him on the shoulder. “You should take a break, man. Get out and enjoy life a little. You’ve been running around here like a madman.”

Matteo nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. “I’ll be fine. Just want to make sure you’re settled at home first,” he said, hoping to push down his worries.

After they got Albert settled back at his place, Matteo lingered for a moment, fighting the urge to ask if he could stop by the hospital later that evening. He knew he had to keep his visits to Isabella casual and not let his emotions show too much. But part of him ached to see her, to talk to her, and to hold onto that connection that felt so precious.

“Hey, thanks for being here today,” Albert said, breaking into Matteo’s thoughts. “I really appreciate it. You’ve been a solid friend through all of this.”

“Of course,” Matteo replied, forcing another smile. “Just glad you’re doing better.”

As he headed back to his car, the weight of the day pressed down on him. He felt a deep yearning for Isabella. He wanted to share in her laughter and warmth, but now he was faced with the reality that their time together would become much less frequent.

Later that evening, as he sat in his office, Matteo’s mind wandered back to the hospital. He thought about the way Isabella’s eyes sparkled when she talked about her patients and how her laughter made even the hardest days seem lighter. He realized he didn’t just miss her company; he was beginning to care for her deeply.

After a few moments of contemplation, he decided he wouldn’t let his feelings go unexpressed. He grabbed his phone and sent her a message, hoping to lighten the heaviness he felt.

'Hey, Isabella. Just wanted to check in. Hope your day went well!'

He waited anxiously for her reply, the seconds stretching into what felt like hours. Just when he thought he wouldn’t hear back, his phone buzzed with her response.

'Hi, Matteo! It was a bit quiet without you here today, but Albert is doing well, so that’s a relief. How about you?'

A smile broke across Matteo’s face as he typed back. 'I’m good, just adjusting to the change. I really miss our chats, though. Are you free this weekend? Maybe we could grab that dinner we talked about?'

He hit send, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. A moment later, her response came in.

'I’d love that! Just let me know when, and I’ll be there!'

Matteo felt a surge of relief wash over him. Despite the uncertainty of Albert’s discharge and the changes in their routine, he was determined to keep building his connection with Isabella. He knew they would navigate this new phase together, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make it work.

Despite the increasing demands of his business, Matteo made it a priority to see Isabella every weekend. Each Saturday, he would craft excuses to drop by the hospital or suggest outings that would allow them to spend time together. He couldn’t bear the thought of being apart from her, even if it meant juggling his responsibilities in the underground world.

Their bond continued to deepen as they allow constant stream of communication throughout the week. Texting became a cherished routine for both of them. They would send each other morning greetings, share snippets of their day, and chat late into the night about everything from mundane topics to their hopes and dreams.