A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER XXIV

After a long, hectic week, Matteo couldn’t help but feel that his time with Isabella had grown deeper. They had been doing dinners, spending time together at her place, and texting every day. While Matteo enjoyed every moment, he felt like they needed something more than their usual routine.

When they met again for dinner that weekend, he decided to suggest a change of pace.

“Bella,” he began as they settled into their seats at the restaurant, “I’ve been thinking. We’ve been having a lot of dinners lately, and I love spending time with you, but how about we take a break? A real vacation.”

Isabella looked at him with a mix of surprise and curiosity. “A vacation? That sounds amazing, but I don’t know if I can take time off from the hospital right now. Things have been really busy.”

Matteo smiled, leaning in slightly. “Just for a weekend. Nothing too long. You said you missed your Mother let's visit her together. It’ll be good for both of us to get away from everything for a bit—no work, no stress. Just us.”

Isabella hesitated for a moment but could feel the excitement building inside her. “That does sound nice. You really know me, I really wanted to see my Mother and I wanted to tell her about you too, so it'll be great if we went together, right?”

Matteo's eyes lit up. “Yeah, I wanted to meet her too and you know it used to be my hometown too, I live there when I was a child, so it'll be great to visit a while, we can relax enjoy the ocean and just......breathe”

The idea of a getaway tempted Isabella. The hospital had been overwhelming lately, and she hadn’t had a break in what felt like forever. A weekend away with Matteo sounded like the perfect escape.

“Okay,” she finally agreed with a smile. “Let’s do it. I think I could really use a vacation.”

Matteo grinned, feeling a rush of happiness at the thought of being able to spend uninterrupted time with her. “Great! I’ll take care of everything.”

As they continued their dinner, both of them felt a sense of excitement and anticipation for their upcoming trip. For Matteo, it was another chance to grow closer to Isabella, and for Isabella, it was an opportunity to escape her hectic life, if only for a little while.

Matteo and Isabella spent more time together at his apartment, enjoying the cozy intimacy that had developed between them. They shared laughter, delicious food, and sweet kisses that left them both feeling breathless. Each moment felt like a small escape from the realities of their lives.

As they stood on Matteo's balcony, looking out at the skyline, Isabella’s gaze drifted. To her surprise, she noticed her own apartment building in the distance, barely visible through the twilight. A strange feeling washed over her, but she quickly brushed it aside.

“It’s funny,” she said, trying to shake off the odd sensation. “I can see my place from here.”

Matteo turned to look at her, a slight frown creasing his brow. “Really? I didn’t know. I usually don't spend much time in the balcony, I usually came late and get rest and then wake up get to work again,” he lied, infact whenever her miss her he usually spend most of his time in his balcony, he knows he sounds like a stalker but he couldn't help it, he just wants her close and keep her safe, it just became his habit.

Isabella nodded, still trying to process her feelings. “Yeah, I guess it’s nice to know I’m not too far from home.” She smiled, attempting to keep the mood light, but a part of her felt unsettled.

Matteo, sensing a shift in her demeanor, brushed it off as she had. “Well, it’s a good thing! You can come over anytime you want.” He leaned in closer, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her back to the warmth of their moment.

But even as they kissed, a tiny voice in Isabella’s mind lingered, nagging at her curiosity about the proximity of their house. She decided to focus on the present, the thrill of being with Matteo outweighing her concerns. The weekend was meant to be a time to relax and enjoy each other's company, and she was determined to embrace that.

As they pulled away, Matteo looked deep into her eyes, his expression softening. “I’m really glad you’re here, Bella.”

Isabella smiled back, allowing herself to get lost in the moment. “Me too.” She pushed the strange feeling aside, knowing they had a beautiful weekend ahead of them.

As the evening unfolded in Matteo's apartment, a comfortable intimacy settled between them. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated their faces, highlighting the warmth in their smiles and the spark in their eyes.

Isabella sat close to Matteo on the couch, their legs brushing against each other. The conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and shared stories, creating an atmosphere that felt both safe and exhilarating.

Matteo leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a soft whisper. “You know, I feel different whenever I'm with you” His gaze lingered on Isabella, searching her eyes for understanding.

Isabella’s heart raced at his words. “I feel it too. It’s like we just... click,” she replied, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

Encouraged by her response, Matteo reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, letting his fingers linger against her skin for a moment longer than necessary. The gesture felt charged, and Isabella couldn’t help but lean into his touch.

“You have no idea how happy I am right now,” he said, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. The sincerity in his tone made her stomach flutter.

Feeling a rush of courage, Isabella moved a little closer, their shoulders touching. “I’ve thought about it a lot. It’s like I’ve known you forever, even when we were apart.”

Matteo nodded, his expression softening. “It feels like fate, doesn’t it?”

In that moment, Isabella felt a warmth spread through her. The air between them was thick with unspoken feelings, and she could sense the longing in Matteo’s gaze. As if drawn together by an invisible force, they leaned closer, their breaths mingling.

When their lips finally met, it was gentle and sweet—an exploration rather than an explosion. Isabella closed her eyes, savoring the softness of the kiss, the way Matteo’s lips moved against hers with a tender urgency.

After a lingering moment, they pulled away slightly, foreheads resting against each other, both breathless and smiling.

“Wow,” Isabella breathed, her heart racing. “That was... nice.”

Matteo chuckled softly, his fingers still resting on her cheek. “Just nice? I was aiming for amazing.”

“It definitely was amazing,” she assured him, her cheeks warming as she looked into his eyes. “I just didn’t expect it to feel this... right.”

Matteo’s smile widened, and he took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. They stayed like that for a while, enjoying the comfort of each other’s presence, the world outside forgotten.

In that simple act of closeness, they found a deeper connection—a promise of what was to come, built on trust and understanding.