He splashed water on his face, looked at himself in the mirror, brushed his hair back a few times, washed his hands, and stepped out.
When he got to the lounge, Diana had set out a few dishes on the table and was standing on the balcony, leaning against the glass railing.
He could see her perfect side profile.
+Come inside. It's cold.
You'll catch a cold.
She pulled back, closed the door.
-You know, if I worked here, I'd never go back to the mansion.
And she laughed softly.
He studied her face.
+You like this place more than the mansion?
-Just the view. That's all.
He took a bite of the steak and nodded toward the food.
+Eat.
-No, it's for you. I'm full.
He smirked.
+Eat. If you poisoned me, you have to get sick with me.
She rolled her eyes.
He held the fork to her lips, and she stared at him, hesitant.
+Eat, what are you waiting for?
She took a small bite and covered her mouth.
It actually tasted good, Asian style.
She hadn't cooked something like that often, but it turned out pretty nice.
+So, what's new at the mansion? Haven't hacked the security system yet, have you?
She laughed mischievously.
-Nope, but now that you mentioned it… maybe I should.
He raised a brow.
+Hmm. Good luck with that.
-Thanks.
A short silence.
-Oh, by the way, Luca finally called me.
Matthew frowned slightly.
+Really? What did he say?
Her face darkened as she recalled the talk. She gave him a brief rundown.
He gritted his teeth, took a sip of his drink, and muttered,
+He failed to land a project and now he's looking for someone to blame. Bastard.
-Is Stone dangerous? Could he hurt Luca?
Matthew thought for a second.
Stone had caused trouble before, but he'd never dared touch anyone from Matthew's circle.
Still, he might try to prove himself and Luca would be the perfect bait.
He didn't say that out loud.
He'd just have to check on the boy and make sure he was somewhere safe.
+No. I doubt it.
-Why's he so angry then?
+Because he lost face. He couldn't design his own proposal and had to steal from others. And after what I did to him in court, he's furious.
I doubt any of the main families will hire him now.
He'll have to beg.
She laced her fingers together nervously.
-What if he comes after you?
+He won't. He can't.
-Why not?
Matthew's eyes locked on hers, curious, worried, searching.
+That's not something you need to know.
He smirked at her frown. Sensitive little thing.
Then stood up.
+Come on. Let's sleep.
He nodded toward the bed in the corner.
Her face drained of color.
-Sleep?
No… no thanks, I'll go back. Eric's waiting!
Ignoring her, he lifted her like a sack and carried her to the bed.
Gently set her down and stared at her pale face with quiet satisfaction.
Still looking into her eyes, he unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside, slipping out of his pants.
Diana blushed hard, staring at his boxers.
Matthew smirked.
+Oh… sorry, sweetheart. You're not getting that tonight. But don't worry, soon enough I'll make sure you feel me deep.
Her sudden shriek made him laugh.
She covered her face and curled up tightly.
Matthew dimmed the lights with the remote, leaving only a few wall lamps on.
He slid under the blanket and wrapped his arms around her from behind, locking his legs with hers and pulling her close.
+But if you're that upset… I could make you feel just a little better right now.
She whimpered.
-Stop… stop it. Please.
Let go. Why are you clinging to me like this?
Matthew buried his face in her hair, breathing in deeply.
She couldn't see him, so he could finally relax a little.
He frowned at the hair tie tangled in her strands and pulled it loose, breathing in the scent of her shampoo.
She wriggled.
-You're not letting me go, are you?
+Would you really want to miss this view?
I'm doing you a favor letting you stay.
Diana went quiet.
There was nothing to say.
It suddenly hit her..
Matthew was proud.
Painfully proud.
The kind of man who ran from admitting anything, who could feel something and never say it out loud.
Being with him wasn't easy at all.
-Can I at least turn around a little?
She whispered.
He was already half asleep, so he groggily loosened his grip.
Diana rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling.
Matthew lay on his side, one arm draped across her waist.
+Sleep.
-I will. You're the one who needs it.
It was around ten-thirty.
He was asleep soon after, too exhausted to even move.
Diana turned her head slightly, staring out the window, lost in thought.
She couldn't stop thinking.
For hours, until nearly 3 a.m. her mind spiraled over and over.
And when she realized that being with Matthew, in any way, would only hurt her more, tears quietly slipped down her face.
It was stupid.
She knew she'd end up in another night like this again.
She knew she'd worry, she'd care, she'd miss him more and more…
and she knew the more she felt, the more it would destroy her.
-This is ridiculous… why do I even love him? It's pathetic.
She turned toward him and whispered softly,
-I wish I hadn't been there that night.
I wish you weren't like this with me.
It was the first night she could've fallen asleep next to him but now, she was the one leaving.
Carefully, without a sound, she slid off the bed.
Her hair fell over her shoulders; she couldn't find her hair tie, so she just pushed it back.
Without touching the dishes or making any noise, she grabbed her phone, looked once more at Matthew's sleeping face, and slipped out.
Luckily, the door wasn't locked from the inside.
She pressed the elevator button and soon reached the lobby.
Eric wasn't there.
She took out her phone and called him.
He picked up instantly.
/Yes, ma'am?
-Eric? I'm in the lobby. Where are you?
/Please stay there, I'll be right in.
About thirty seconds later, Eric rushed in and came straight toward her.
/Can we go?
She nodded weakly.
-Yeah… let's go back to the mansion.
She got in the car, and tears started to fall again.
Thinking about the truth that had just slapped her in the face hurt so damn much.
She didn't know how long she could hold on, or what she'd do next.
She blamed herself for something that hadn't even happened.
Didn't even know what exactly she'd done wrong
but that was her habit.
She always blamed herself.
There were voices yelling in her head.
-It wasn't your fault you were there.
-It wasn't your fault that he came crashing into your life like a storm.
-It wasn't your fault you stayed.
-No, but you were the one who showed kindness.
-You were the one who cooked for him like a fool just because he said he was tired.
-You were the one who didn't resist.
-You were the one who clung to every cold word like it meant something.
-What, did you really think you could turn him into some kind of angel?
-But maybe he's hurt too.
-Maybe he's scared.
-Maybe he's…
She felt ashamed for feeling so much.
For caring so easily.
For being so stupidly soft when it came to him.
She was losing her mind.
All those thoughts kept spinning in her head, but one thing she knew for sure...
she knew herself too well.
She knew exactly how she'd act next.
She'd be kind again.
She'd worry again.
Like an idiot, she'd care again.
Diana was alone.
She had no one...
and that was the worst part of all.