A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER XLIII

She couldn’t help but feel light, almost carefree. It felt like one of those mornings where everything seemed brighter, and even though her mind had been clouded with doubts, the affection she shared with Matteo somehow pushed them away, at least for now.

Her phone buzzed, she looked at it,
it's Andria
'where were you last night after I wake up and didn't see you'
She grip her phone tight before texting her back,
'It was an emergency, so I have to leave for the hospital, I'm sorry'
she felt sorry that she lied to her friend, but if it's a white lie then it's okay, she thought and she'll be telling her the truth when she gets back,
She gets a text back
'okay stay safe and I'll be sleeping over today too'
Isabella replied 'okay boss'

At work, her colleagues noticed the change in her. Dr. Allen, one of the senior surgeons, gave her a playful nudge during rounds. “You seem in a good mood today, Dr. Romano. What’s the secret? A new coffee blend, or something more interesting?” he teased with a knowing smile.

Isabella blushed slightly but laughed it off. “Just a good morning, that’s all,” she replied, keeping her personal life under wraps. The truth was, the night she had spent with Matteo had left her feeling… grounded

Throughout the day, as she moved from patient to patient, checking charts and diagnosing cases, that lingering sense of contentment stayed with her. She felt in control, as if no matter what the world threw her way, she could handle it. Maybe it was Matteo, maybe it was just the joy of the moment, but she didn’t want to overthink it.

However, during her lunch break, as she sat in the staff lounge sipping her coffee, her phone buzzed. She instinctively reached for it, hoping it was a message from Matteo. But when she unlocked it, her smile faded.

No message. No missed call.

She frowned, her earlier joy dimming slightly. It had been almost 6 hours since they were together, but still no word from him. She tried to brush it off, focusing on the busy hospital around her, but something gnawed at her. Which she didn't know what was it?

Shaking her head, Isabella pushed the thoughts aside. She wouldn’t let it ruin her day—not when she was feeling so good. For now, she would focus on her patients, her work. Matteo would have to wait.

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Andria showed up at Isabella’s apartment, catching Isabella off guard. She had always been a sharp observer, and tonight, something felt off to her.

As she entered, Isabella tried her best to act normal, but there was a certain nervousness in her voice. Andria looking and scaning her apartment.

"Bella... How's work, you reach early today?" Andria asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"Normal, I just came early because Dr. Emily filled in so I could leave early, she's just doing it for a favour I did to her day before" Isabella replied, going to the kitchen

Andria sits in the couch, "do you want some coffee?" Isabella asked
"Yes, please"

After making the coffee, Isabella placed two cups before joining herself in the couch "Bella, I have something to say to you, about Matteo" she said looking at her eyes

"Yes, Andria and I want to tell you something too, but you could go first" Isabella said gesturing her to continue

"Do you even know who he really is, Bella?" Andria’s voice trembled, filled with anger and concern. "The man you’ve been seeing?"

“Bella, I need you to listen to me carefully,” she said, her voice low but serious. “There’s something you don’t know about Matteo, something dangerous.”

Isabella, confused, looked at her with wide eyes. “Dangerous? What do you mean, Andria? He’s… he’s just been busy with work, that’s all.”

Andria leaned in closer, her tone sharp with urgency. “Busy with work? Bella, I’ve done some digging because I saw Matteo Surname in one of the file while I was searching for my case. Matteo isn’t just some businessman. He’s involved in something bigger, something underground, and I’m not talking about a legitimate business.”

Isabella froze, her heart pounding in her chest. “What are you saying? That Matteo’s—”

“He’s dangerous, Bella. He’s part of the underworld—organized crime. And the people he’s dealing with… they aren’t the type you want to get involved with. Trust me, You don’t know who he really is.”

Isabella’s mind raced. The late-night calls, the sudden disappearances, the secrecy. Could Andria be right? She felt a growing unease, but part of her resisted.

Andria sighed, her voice softening. “I know you think he cares, Bella. But love isn’t enough to protect you from what he’s involved in. You don’t even know the half of it. What if something happens? What if you get caught in the crossfire?”

Isabella bit her lip, torn between her feelings for Matteo and the fear creeping into her heart. She didn’t want to believe it, didn’t want to think that the man she was falling for could be involved in something so dark.

“Please, Bella. Just think about it. I’m not saying you have to leave him right now, but be careful. Keep your eyes open. If you see anything… strange, anything that makes you doubt him, don’t ignore it.”

Isabella nodded slowly, the weight of Andria’s words settling in. She had never questioned Matteo, had never asked about his life outside of what little he told her. But now, doubt crept into her mind, casting a shadow over Matteo.

"I know it's hard, to swallow but...." Andria looked at her friend who's caught between confusion and pain, she knew she have to tell her slowly not to take a high step on it, it could crack or break her friend heart

"What do you want to tell me? Bella," Andria asked
Isabella looked at her "it must have slipped my mind, not serious but I'll make sure to tell you when I remember" She said, Andria nodded

"Well, it's better if you haven't heard from Matteo, he has given you a chance to move on, he may had other girls in his back, he might be playing with you too, Bella, please I don't want you to get involved with him anymore" Andria added

Tears welled up in Isabella’s eyes as she struggled to speak, feeling torn between her loyalty to Andria and her undeniable connection to Matteo.

"Don't cry, Bella, it's for the better, let's order Chicken wings, you love it don't you, and let's go to my apartment" Andria said, looking at her friend, she knew it was not easy for Isabella to take in but it's for the better if Matteo didn't come back.

"I'm just tired, I will go to sleep now" She said, while walking to her room leaving Andria alone

She sits on her bed, many things pooped out of her mind, Is it really true she thinks to herself, Was Carter right about him?, Was Andria right about him?, She's just stuck in between confusion and wanting her heart to let go of the dirty feeling she had been feeling.