A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER XLIX

Isabella’s heart skipped a beat when she saw Matteo across the room, his tall figure impossible to miss. He looked as composed and powerful as ever, his sharp gaze scanning the crowd before it landed directly on her. For a split second, their eyes locked, and her chest tightened.

Matteo’s expression softened, but his eyes carried an urgency that made her heart race. He gestured for her to follow him, a subtle but unmistakable motion of his hand. It wasn’t a request; it was more of a demand, the way Matteo always seemed to operate. But something had shifted inside Isabella. She wasn’t the same girl who would drop everything at his beck and call.

With a quiet resolve, she turned her attention back to Carter, refusing to give Matteo the satisfaction of her obedience. He had ignored her for days—no texts, no calls—and now he expected her to come running? She could feel the anger bubbling up inside her, and the memories of how he’d left without a word only fueled her decision.

Carter noticed the brief exchange between her and Matteo, his eyes narrowing slightly as a smirk played at the corner of his lips. "Is everything alright?" he asked, his voice smooth, though it carried a hint of something more—a subtle triumph, perhaps, at seeing the tension between them.

Isabella nodded, her expression carefully neutral. "Everything’s fine," she replied, though her mind was anything but. She could still feel Matteo’s eyes on her, watching, waiting, but she refused to give in.

As she continued talking with Carter and Andria, she felt Matteo's presence lingering at the edge of her thoughts. Every few minutes, she caught herself wondering if he was still there, watching her, waiting for her to come to him. But she forced herself to focus on the conversation, determined not to let him disrupt her evening any further.

Matteo, on the other hand, clenched his jaw as he watched her ignore him. This wasn’t like her. Normally, she would have followed him, asked him what was wrong, even been concerned. But tonight, she stood her ground, and he could see the defiance in her stance. He hated the way Carter hovered near her, too close for comfort, his charm on full display. The jealousy that had been simmering beneath Matteo’s cool facade now threatened to boil over.

He wasn’t used to being ignored, especially not by Isabella.

Deciding he wouldn’t give up that easily, Matteo moved quietly through the room, positioning himself in a shadowed corner where he could keep an eye on both Isabella and Carter. He had other plans for tonight, but it seemed that his emotions—his need to be near Isabella—were interfering with them.

Carter, noticing Isabella’s distraction, placed a gentle hand on her arm. “You look tense. Are you sure you’re okay? We can step outside if you need some air.”

Isabella glanced at him and smiled, shaking her head. “No, I’m alright, really. Just... thinking about work.” She lied, though Carter didn’t seem convinced.

As the night progressed, Isabella stayed determined to avoid Matteo, but the tension between them grew, simmering just beneath the surface. She knew that eventually, they would have to face each other, and when that moment came, she wasn’t sure if she could keep pretending that his absence hadn’t hurt her.

Matteo, still watching from the shadows, wasn’t ready to let her slip away just yet. If she wouldn’t come to him, he would find a way to make her listen. One way or another, this night wasn’t over.

As the lively chatter of the party continued, one of Carter’s men discreetly approached him, whispering something into his ear. Carter’s expression shifted ever so slightly, his smile fading as he nodded in response. “Excuse me, ladies,” he said smoothly, giving Isabella and Andria an apologetic glance. “There’s something I need to take care of. I’ll be back shortly.”