A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER XIX

Matteo jolted awake, his heart racing and sweat clinging to his skin. The remnants of the dream clung to him like a heavy fog, the images vivid and haunting. Isabella was there, as she always was in his dreams, but this time the memory twisted into something darker.

He could still hear the sounds-the screeching of tires, the sickening crunch of metal, the cries that echoed through the night. It was a nightmare he had hoped would never return, yet here it was, dragging him back into a past he wished to forget.

In his dream, he had been a child again, sitting in the back seat along with Bella, blissfully unaware of the tragedy that lay just ahead. The car crash in front of them played out in slow motion, each detail etched into his memory. They step outside of the car they had been and went near the car crashed. He could see his mother's face, calm and loving, just before the world turned chaotic. The sight of her lying there, motionless, alongside a woman, he could hear Isabella scream and crying seeing at the motionless bodies, it pierced his heart.

Matteo shook his head, trying to rid himself of the lingering images. The pain of loss was something he had lived with for years, but it felt fresh every time it resurfaced. He sat up in bed, drawing in deep breaths to steady himself.

What did it all mean? He wondered. The thought of losing Isabella, of seeing her hurt or in danger, twisted his gut.

He glanced at the clock-3:15 AM. Too early to be awake, but sleep felt elusive after such a nightmare. He grabbed his phone, fingers trembling slightly, and opened Isabella's contact. The idea of reaching out was comforting.

Before he could second-guess himself, he typed a quick message: 'Hey, just wanted to check in. I had a weird dream. Hope you're safe.'

He hit send and leaned back against his pillows, waiting for a reply. The thought of Isabella made him feel a bit more grounded, but the nightmare lingered in his mind like a shadow.

Moments later, his phone buzzed. 'I'm safe, Matteo! Just got home from a long shift. Are you okay?'

A wave of relief washed over him. Yeah, just some strange dreams. 'Nothing to worry about. Just wanted to hear your voice.'

'Always here for you. Want to talk about it?'

He hesitated. The dream had been unsettling, but he didn't want to burden her with his past. Instead, he replied, 'Maybe later. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You mean a lot to me, Bella.'

'You mean a lot to me too. We'll talk tomorrow?'

'Definitely. Goodnight, Bella.'

'Goodnight, Matteo. Sweet dreams.'

As he put his phone down, a sense of comfort settled over him. Isabella's presence, even through a screen, chased away some of the lingering shadows. He knew he needed to protect her-not just from the outside world but from the fears that haunted him as well.

With a sigh, Matteo lay back down, hoping the rest of the night would bring him peace. He couldn't let the nightmares dictate his life; he had to be strong for Isabella. Closing his eyes, he focused on the warmth of her smile, the way she laughed, and how she made him feel alive.

As sleep began to reclaim him, he promised himself that he would do everything in his power to keep Isabella safe, to ensure that their story didn't end in tragedy like his past. He wouldn't allow history to repeat itself; this time, he would fight for the happiness they had begun to build together.

Early Morning Matteo wake up feeling fresh after his bath he couldn't help but glance at his phone and dailed a number. Matteo's heart raced as he listened to the voice on the other end of the line. "What's going on, Matteo" the person replied, a hint of curiosity in his tone. "How did he know? Did he visit you while you were here"

"Yes, he came and I was forced to tell, as the circumstances revealed itself, but she doesn't know about all of this"

"I'm glad to hear that you've recovered from your health,lately"

Matteo feels slightly sad about what has happened,but he knows deep down that the truth will reveal itself, the voice from the other line then spoke again "Thankyou for your concern and for everything. Isabella is a wonderful girl now had grown into a beautiful woman, and it's clear how much you care about her. I Love her as my own daughter."

Matteo replied, his tone firm but relieved. "She's been through a lot, and I just want to protect her."

There was a brief pause before the person spoke again. "You're the only one she'll have, Matteo. Just be honest with her. She deserves that."

Matteo nodded, even though he knew the person couldn't see him. "I will. I just need to figure out how to tell her everything without scaring her away."

"You're both in this together. Just take it one step at a time," the person advised. "If you need anything or want to talk more, just let me know."

"Thankyou for everything you've done, I appreciate it," Matteo said, feeling a bit more grounded after their conversation. They exchanged a few more words before hanging up, and Matteo set his phone down, a sense of determination rising within him.

He went prepared for his day, thoughts of Isabella swirling in his mind. He felt a mix of excitement and anxiety about their upcoming meeting. Would he finally have the courage to share his true feelings?

After a quick breakfast, he checked his messages and saw a text from Isabella. 'Good morning! Hope you slept well. Can't wait to see you today'!

A smile broke across his face. 'Good morning, Bella! I'm looking forward to it too. What time are you free?'

'How about 5 PM? I'll be done at the hospital by then.'

'Perfect! I'll pick you up.'

Matteo felt a rush of anticipation at the thought of spending time with her. The connection they shared felt special, and he wanted to make the most of it.

As he got ready, he mentally prepared himself for their conversation. He needed to be honest, not just about his feelings but about his past their past and the world he was trying to shield her from.

By the time the clock struck five, he was a bundle of nerves and excitement. He left his apartment and headed toward the hospital, the city lights beginning to twinkle in the evening sky.

When he arrived at the hospital, he spotted Isabella standing outside, her smile lighting up the dimming light. She looked radiant in her scrubs, her hair framing her face perfectly.

"Hey!" she greeted him, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"Hey, beautiful," he replied, unable to hide his grin.

As they exchanged pleasantries and settled into the car, Matteo felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. This evening was going to be pivotal for them.

"So, where are we headed?" Isabella asked, leaning forward with curiosity.

"I found a nice little place not too far from here. Thought we could grab some dinner and relax a bit," Matteo replied, keeping his tone light.

"That sounds perfect!" she said, her enthusiasm infectious.

As they drove, Matteo stole glances at her, feeling the warmth between them grow. He knew he had to be brave tonight. He couldn't let fear dictate his actions any longer.

The restaurant came into view, a cozy spot nestled among the twinkling lights of the city. Matteo parked and took a deep breath, mentally preparing for the conversations that lay ahead.

"Ready?" he asked, turning to Isabella.

She smiled brightly, nodding with excitement. "Always."

Together, they stepped into the restaurant, the atmosphere warm and inviting. As they settled at their table, Matteo knew this was the moment to open up and let Isabella into his world-no more secrets.