A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER XXII

Isabella was just finishing up her rounds when her phone buzzed in her pocket. Glancing at the screen, she saw Andria’s name flashing across it. Her heart lifted with excitement—she hadn’t heard from her best friend in weeks since Andria had been working overseas.

“Andria!” Isabella answered, her voice filled with joy.

“Hey, Bella! Guess what? I’m finally coming back home tomorrow!” Andria's familiar voice crackled through the line, sounding as energetic as ever.

“That’s amazing! I’ve missed you so much. How was your trip? I can’t wait to catch up,” Isabella said, her stress from the long day at the hospital fading as she listened to her friend.

“It was busy, you know how work gets,” Andria replied with a laugh. “But I’m dying for a proper catch-up session. Coffee or dinner, you choose.”

Isabella smiled. “Let’s do dinner. I have so much to tell you.”

“Ooh, sounds juicy! Does it involve a certain someone?” Andria teased, and Isabella couldn’t help but blush.

“Maybe,” she said playfully, not ready to spill everything just yet.

“Alright, I’ll hold you to that. See you soon, Bella!”

As they hung up, Isabella felt a wave of relief knowing Andria would be back. She could always count on her friend for advice, and now with her complicated feelings about Matteo, she needed Andria’s grounded perspective more than ever.

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Evening, Isabella met Andria at a cozy Italian restaurant, one of their favorite spots. The warm lighting and soft music made it the perfect place for a long-awaited reunion. Andria was already seated at a corner table, waving excitedly when she spotted Isabella.

“Bella!” Andria exclaimed, pulling her in for a hug. “It’s so good to see you again.”

Isabella smiled brightly, feeling the comfort of her friend’s embrace. “I’ve missed you so much! It feels like forever since we last hung out.”

They spent the first part of the dinner catching up on Andria’s trip to the States, laughing and sharing stories. But as the night wore on, Isabella knew it was time to talk about Matteo. Her heart raced a little, unsure how to begin.

“So, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” Isabella said, a little hesitant.

Andria raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “Oh? This sounds serious. Spill it!”

Taking a deep breath, Isabella began. “I’ve been seeing someone. His name is Matteo, and... it’s been intense. We’ve been spending a lot of time together lately.”

Andria’s eyes widened with interest. “Matteo, huh? Tell me everything! How did you two meet?”

Isabella smiled, recounting their first few encounters at the hospital, the coffee they shared, and how he seemed to appear at just the right moments. She left out the more complicated parts—the things that felt too personal to share just yet.

“It’s strange,” Isabella continued. “There’s something about him that feels familiar, but I can’t quite place it. Like I’ve known him for much longer than I realize, but I just don’t remember.”

Andria listened intently, nodding thoughtfully. “That’s interesting... maybe it’s just that you’re drawn to him in a way that makes it feel like he’s always been part of your life.”

Isabella considered Andria’s words. “Maybe. But there’s something more, I think. I just... I can’t shake the feeling that I should know him better than I do.”

“Well,” Andria said with a smirk, “from what you’ve told me, it sounds like things are going well. Are you happy?”

Isabella paused, thinking about her answer. “I am. I really like him, Andria. But there’s this sense of mystery around him. Like he’s hiding something.”

Andria leaned forward, her voice serious now. “Bella, just be careful, okay? If he’s hiding something, it’s better to know sooner than later. But if you’re happy and it feels right, don’t overthink it. You deserve to enjoy this.”

Isabella nodded, appreciating her friend’s wisdom. “You’re right. I’ll take it slow and see where things go.”

As the conversation flowed between them, Isabella shifted the focus to Andria.

“Enough about me,” Isabella said with a smile. “How’s your family? And how’s work been? I can only imagine how hectic your life must be as a lawyer.”

Andria leaned back in her chair, sighing softly. “Oh, you have no idea. Work has been crazy, as usual. The States were a whirlwind, and I’ve been dealing with some intense cases. But I guess that’s the life I signed up for, right?”

Isabella chuckled. “Yeah, I suppose so. You’ve always loved a good challenge, though.”

“True,” Andria admitted, her expression softening. “But I do miss home sometimes. My family’s been good, though. Mom and Dad are always asking when I’m going to settle down, but you know how that goes. Between work and travel, I barely have time for myself, let alone a relationship.”

Isabella gave her a sympathetic smile. “I can imagine. It must be hard balancing everything.”

Andria shrugged. “It is, but I love what I do. I get to fight for people who need help, and that’s worth the stress. Plus, it keeps me on my toes. But enough about that—how’s your mom doing? Is she feeling better?”

Isabella’s face softened at the mention of her mother. “She’s doing well, actually. She just went back to our hometown again.I’m relieved, but it’s hard not having her around. I miss her already.”

Andria reached across the table, giving Isabella’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad to hear she’s doing better. I know how much you care about her.”

Isabella nodded. “Yeah, she’s everything to me. But it’s been tough, balancing work at the hospital and worrying about her. I wanted to tell her about Matteo, but I’m still trying to figure everything out myself.”

Andria smiled warmly. “You’ll know when the time is right. In the meantime, I’m here for you, Bella. Always.”

The two friends shared a comfortable silence, sipping their drinks, content in the warmth of their bond. Despite the complexities of their lives, they found comfort in each other’s presence, knowing that no matter what, they would always have each other’s, but the thought of Matteo lingered in Isabella’s mind. She still couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to uncover about him, and part of her wasn’t sure how ready she was to face it.