A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER XVII

Matteo stood in the grand office of STK Enterprises, his hand still lingering in the firm grip of Robert Stark, sealing the success of the deal that had been months in the making. It was a significant victory for Matteo and his empire, one that would further solidify his position in the underground world. On the surface, everything had gone perfectly—contracts signed, money exchanged, and mutual promises solidified.

But as Matteo glanced at his father, standing nearby with a watchful eye, he could feel the tension radiating from him. His father, a man who rarely showed emotion, was observing him closely, as if trying to decipher a puzzle that didn’t quite fit. The deal had gone well—better than expected—but Matteo knew what his father was really focused on wasn’t business. It was something else.

After the final handshakes and polite goodbyes, Matteo and his father left the meeting room, the echo of their footsteps filling the hallway. The silence between them was heavy, charged with the unspoken thoughts that Matteo had been avoiding for weeks now.

When they reached the car, his father finally broke the silence. “The deal went well,” he said, his voice measured. “But there’s something different about you, Matteo.”

Matteo tensed, keeping his gaze forward as the driver started the car. “I don’t know what you mean,” he replied, trying to sound indifferent, but his father’s words struck too close to home.

His father’s eyes narrowed, studying him as if he could see through Matteo’s carefully constructed mask. “You’ve been distracted. You think I haven’t noticed? Something’s changed. And it’s not about business. It’s something... personal.”

Matteo clenched his jaw, unwilling to meet his father’s gaze. He knew exactly what his father was getting at, but he wasn’t about to reveal the truth. Not yet. Not when he was still figuring it out himself.

“I’m focused,” Matteo said, his voice sharper than he intended. “The deal went perfectly, and everything’s under control.”

But his father wasn’t convinced. “You’ve been slipping. I can see it in your eyes, in the way you carry yourself. You’re distracted, Matteo. This world we’re in—it doesn’t allow distractions. What is it?”

His father’s voice cut through his thoughts again. “This is dangerous. You know what happens when you lose focus. You’ve worked too hard to let something—someone—get in the way.”

Matteo’s eyes flickered with defiance, though he remained silent. His father was right about one thing: he had changed. Ever since Isabella had come back into his life, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. She was always on his mind, no matter how much he tried to bury himself in work. But the part of him that was happy—truly happy—didn’t want to let that go.

“I’m fine,” Matteo finally said, though even he could hear the doubt in his own voice.

His father didn’t respond right away, but the silence was filled with his disapproval. “You need to remember who you are, Matteo. Emotions like these—attachments—they’re a weakness. You can’t afford them.”

Matteo felt a pang of frustration, he had spent his entire life following the rules of their world, keeping his emotions buried deep inside. Now, with Isabella, something was different. For the first time, he wanted something more than just power and control.

As the car sped through the city streets, Matteo’s mind raced. His father was right—in their world, attachments were dangerous. But the thought of walking away from Isabella, of losing her which is the only thing that had brought him real joy in years, felt impossible.

He remained silent for the rest of the drive, his father’s words echoing in his mind. Matteo knew he was at a crossroads. He could either keep playing by the rules of the life he had chosen, or he could follow his heart—no matter the cost.