A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER XXXVII

It was a busy afternoon at the hospital. Isabella had just finished checking on her patients when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She quickly pulled it out, hoping it was Matteo. After days of no word from him, she desperately needed to hear from him, even if it was just a simple text.

But it wasn’t Matteo.

It was Carter.

Her eyes skimmed over the message. He was asking her for a quick lunch, a casual invitation. Isabella sighed, feeling a mix of emotions.

For a moment, she hesitated. She could say no, she wasn’t in the mood to meet anyone. But another part of her, the part that was frustrated and confused by Matteo’s disappearance, thought a quick lunch with Carter wouldn’t hurt. Besides, they were just old friends catching up.

She typed out a quick response:
"Sure, I have a break at 1 pm. See you then."

With that, she tucked her phone back into her pocket, trying to focus on her work, but thoughts of Matteo lingered in her mind.

When Isabella arrived at the restaurant, she found Carter already waiting, seated by the window. The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the table, and his smile was warm, but there was something different in the air—an intensity she hadn't felt before.

“Hey, Isabella,” Carter greeted her as she sat down. “You look just like I remember from med school. It’s like no time has passed.”

Isabella smiled politely, feeling a strange tension creeping up her spine. “Yeah, it’s been a while,” she replied, her voice soft, trying to keep things light.

As the waiter poured them water, Carter’s gaze never left her face. “It’s good seeing you,” he said, his tone suddenly more serious. “I’ve thought about you often, Isabella.”

Isabella blinked, surprised by the direction the conversation was taking. “I… well ughhh hahaha....., how did you disappeared so suddenly. I didn’t know what had happened to you, I thought you got feed up of med school, that you left....” She laughed nervously, “Life got busy, I guess.” She said trying to change the topic, sipping her water.

Carter leaned forward, his eyes locked onto hers. “Life got busy, huh? For me too I never knew that I would take over my father company, but what so ever. You knew I like you back then, and seeing you again, it feels like fate. Like I’m meant to be here… with you.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and not in a good way. She shifted in her seat, trying to find the right words. “Carter, I appreciate you, I wanted to give you an answer back then, but you just disappeared and I wanted appreciate you for everything you've done, but I can't, I'm Sorry ..…. I’m seeing someone."

"I can treat you better than him, I have like you ever since, I know it's my fault for giving you the letter and then leave....but it isn't too late and sometimes I thought that if I hadn't left back then, you would be with me"

She looked at him while his eyes stick at her almost seem like studying her, "It's not that because I'm seeing someone now, but because you're just my friend, I see you as a friend back then and now too nothing more, Carter”

Carter’s expression didn’t falter. He leaned back, a calm smile still on his face, but his eyes darkened. “Matteo De'Luca, right?”

Isabella froze. How did he know about Matteo?

“I’ve heard things, Isabella,” Carter continued, his voice low and almost too smooth. “Matteo’s not exactly a clean man. Do you really know who you're involved with?”

Her stomach twisted, unease settling in as Carter’s words hit her. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but she tried to stay composed. “What do you mean by that?”

Carter smirked, leaning in again. “He’s not the man you think he is. But I’m not here to talk about him. I just want to make sure you’re safe, Isabella. We were close once, and I still care about you. I wouldn’t give up on you.”

The intensity in his voice and the hidden implications made her heart race. She wasn’t sure if Carter was trying to protect her or manipulate her, but something felt very wrong. The lunch that was supposed to be friendly suddenly felt like a trap, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that Carter knew far more than he was letting on.

Isabella stood up abruptly, her hands trembling. “I think I should go.”

Carter’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t stop her. Instead, he stood too, his voice calm but chilling. “Just think about what I said, Isabella. You deserve better.”

She quickly turned and walked out, her heart pounding in her chest. As she stepped onto the busy street, her mind raced with questions. How did Carter know about Matteo? What did he mean by those warning?

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Matteo sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on the swirling chaos of numbers and contracts in front of him. He knew the stakes. The BK.Co deal was slipping, and every misstep he made could tip the balance in favor of his rival, Carter D'Angelo. If he lost this deal, not only would it be a blow to his empire, but it would also hand Carter the leverage he craved. Matteo could almost feel the pressure weighing down on him, but what worried him more than the deal was something far more personal.

Carter had no idea that Matteo was aware of his movements, his every attempt to slide into Isabella's life. While Carter was playing his game, thinking he was keeping Matteo distracted, Matteo had his own eyes watching. His men had been tailing Isabella in secret, reporting back every interaction she had with Carter, every word exchanged, every lingering look.

As Matteo poured over the BK.Co paperwork, his phone vibrated. Another update. He didn't need to look to know it was about Isabella.

"Carter spent time with her today," the message read.

Matteo's jaw clenched. He knew Carter was trying to weasel his way into Isabella's life, but what frustrated him the most was that he couldn't be there, not while he was juggling this deal. And Carter? Carter thought he was safe, that Matteo was oblivious to his intentions. But Matteo was far from ignorant. He saw everything.

He leaned back in his chair, a storm brewing in his mind. If he made one mistake with this deal, it would all be over. But he also couldn't let Carter's intrusion into his personal life continue unchecked.

In the quiet of his office, Matteo's thoughts raced. He had always kept his business and personal life separate, but Carter was pushing him into a corner, and Matteo wasn't the type to sit back and watch someone try to take what mattered to him.

A knock on the door broke his concentration. Mia and One of his men entered, standing at attention.

"Sir, the meeting with the BK.Co reps has been scheduled for tomorrow. It's crucial that we lock this down." Mia said

Matteo nodded, "okay, thankyou, Mia you can go now" he replied

She left the room

"Keep eyes on Carter. And Isabella," Matteo speaks as he looked at Leo. "He's overplaying his hand, and he doesn't even know it."

Leo nodded and left the room. Matteo rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. One wrong move, and everything could crumble-his empire, his control, and worst of all, Isabella's safety.

Carter had no idea that while he was busy trying to charm Isabella and steal the deal, Matteo was three steps ahead. His rival's mistake was underestimating just how far Matteo was willing to go to protect what was his.

He picked up his phone, staring at the screen. Isabella's messages still sat unanswered, and guilt gnawed at him. He wanted to call her, reassure her, but he couldn't-not yet. Not while things were still so uncertain.

"Tomorrow," he whispered to himself. "After tomorrow, I'll fix this."

For now, he would focus on the deal. And once that was secure, Carter wouldn't know what hit him.