A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER L

As Matteo reached his men, the air around him grew tense with anticipation. His presence alone commanded respect, and the moment he appeared, his men snapped to attention. They were waiting for his instructions, knowing that their next move would determine the outcome of the night.

One of his men, Jones , stepped forward with a grim expression. "We followed Carter as you instructed, but we lost him around the back corridors. Whoever he's meeting is good at staying hidden. We’ve been careful, but it feels like they’re playing us."

Matteo couldn't help but let out a low, amused chuckle. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous edge, the sound sending a shiver through his men. "So, they think they can outsmart me?" he said, his voice laced with cold confidence. "What a clever game they’re playing."

He leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms, his expression unreadable. Matteo wasn't a man easily outmaneuvered, and the very idea of someone trying to play tricks on him only made him more determined.

"It’s no coincidence that this is happening tonight," Matteo continued, his voice calm but laced with menace. "Carter’s not just here to celebrate his birthday. This is a move, a distraction and I’m betting that person he’s meeting is our leak."

The men exchanged wary glances, sensing the gravity of the situation. Teros stepped forward again. "What’s the plan, boss? Do we go after him?"

Matteo pushed off the wall, his mind already calculating his next move. "No," he said after a moment of thought. "Let him play his games. We’ll let him think he’s got the upper hand for now. But keep eyes on every exit. No one leaves without me knowing who they are. Whoever Carter is meeting tonight will make a mistake. And when they do, we’ll be ready."

His tone was final, leaving no room for questions. Matteo’s men nodded and quickly dispersed to follow his orders, leaving him standing alone, deep in thought.

As Matteo glanced back at the crowded party, the sounds of laughter and music faintly reached his ears. It was almost ironic—the world saw this as a night of celebration, while beneath the surface, a war of power and deception was unfolding.

"Let’s see how far you’re willing to go, Carter," Matteo muttered under his breath, a slow, dangerous smile forming on his lips. The game was getting interesting, and Matteo had no intention of losing. But the only thing that concerned him is Isabella.

Matteo moved through the crowd with a purpose, his eyes scanning the room for Isabella. His jaw clenched in frustration as he replayed the moment when she had coldly ignored his gesture. He knew she was angry, and he understood why, but this wasn’t the time for games. He needed to talk to her, to explain everything.

As he weaved through the party, avoiding the watchful eyes of the media and the curious glances of onlookers, he finally spotted her. She was standing outside the women’s washroom, clearly waiting for Andria. Her arms were crossed, and she seemed deep in thought, unaware of his approach.

Without a second thought, Matteo quickened his pace, the intensity of his emotions driving him forward. He didn’t say a word when he reached her. Instead, he grabbed her wrist firmly, but not painfully, pulling her away from the crowded space.

"Matteo, what are you—?" Isabella started, startled by his sudden action.

"Come with me," he said quietly, his voice low but urgent, cutting through her protest as he guided her through the hallways of the lavish venue. He didn’t stop until they reached a quieter, more secluded area outside, where the cool night air surrounded them.

Isabella yanked her hand away from his grip, her eyes flashing with frustration. "What do you think you’re doing? You can’t just drag me out like that!"

Matteo turned to face her, his expression a mix of anger, frustration, and something deeper—something more vulnerable. "I didn’t have a choice. You weren’t going to talk to me back there."

"And why would I?" she shot back, her voice rising. "You’ve been avoiding me for days! No calls, no texts. And now you think you can just show up, grab my wrist, and everything’s fine?"

He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside him. "I know I’ve been distant, but it wasn’t because I wanted to be. There are things happening right now—things you can’t know about."

Isabella’s heart raced as she stared up at him, torn between anger and concern. "You can’t keep running off and leaving me in the dark. If this continues I don't want to continue this.... our relationship anymore. I'm tired you can't even tell me the truth while I'm always waiting for you to tell me but you always shut me up like what you've been doing, I tried to be understanding but at what cost"

Her eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and sadness. She took a step back, crossing her arms defensively as if bracing herself for what she was about to say.

“I can’t do this anymore, Matteo,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. Matteo’s brows furrowed as he stepped forward, his hand reaching for hers again, but she moved back, creating a distance between them.

“What do you mean?” he asked, his voice low and tense.

Isabella shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest. “You keep running away from me. Every time I think we’re getting closer, you pull back, leaving me in the dark. And I’ve been patient, I’ve tried to understand, but I can’t do this anymore. I can’t keep waiting for you to let me in while you push me away.”

Matteo’s jaw tightened as he struggled to find the right words. "Bella, I’m trying to, I—”

She paused, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, her emotions finally spilling over. “I love you, Matteo. But I can’t keep being in a relationship where I feel like I’m the only one who’s all in. If you can’t let me in—if you’re always going to leave me in the dark—then I think it’s better if we… break up.”

Matteo’s heart sank at her words, his expression shifting from anger to something more vulnerable, more desperate. “Break up?” he repeated, as if the words didn’t quite register. “No, Bella. You don’t mean that.”

Isabella looked down, blinking back her tears. “I do. I can’t live like this anymore. I deserve someone who’s willing to be open with me, someone who’s not afraid to let me in. And if that’s not you, then I’d rather walk away now than keep holding on to something that’s slowly breaking me.”

Matteo’s heart raced, panic rising within him. He stepped closer, reaching for her hands again, this time with a gentleness that mirrored the desperation in his eyes. “Bella, please. Don’t do this. I know I’ve made mistakes, and I’m sorry. But I love you. I love you more than anything, and I’m not going to lose you.” he hugged her

Matteo exhaled, his shoulders slumping as the weight of her words sank in. He knew she was right. He had been pushing her away, keeping her in the dark, all in the name of protecting her. But in doing so, he had hurt her more than he realized. He reached out, gently cupping her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away a tear that had slipped down her cheek.

“I’ll change,” he whispered. “I’ll tell you everything. Just… don’t leave me. Don’t walk away from us.”

Isabella closed her eyes at the warmth of his touch, her heart torn between love and the fear of being hurt again. She wanted to believe him, but the pain of his distance still lingered in her chest.

“Matteo…” she began, her voice soft, “I need time. Time to figure out if I can still trust you. Let's break up...”

Matteo’s heart sank, but he nodded, knowing he couldn’t push her any further. “I’ll give you that time,” he said quietly. “But I’m not giving up on us, Bella. I’ll do whatever it takes.”