Jacob turned quickly and they started walking again.
+Don't you think there's fruit at the mansion?
He smiled, setting the fruit box aside.
_ I know there is, but I haven't been able to spend time with her lately. Thought it'd be good for her to know I've been thinking about her.
+You're spoiling her too much, Jacob. Don't forget, she's not one of us.
Jacob's face fell slightly.
_ Let me spoil her. What's the worst that can happen? You've seen her record, it's clean. She's not a threat.
+I don't care about her record…
_ I'm not talking about you, Matthew. But neither Diana nor I have anyone. I never even had a sister to spend time with…
He took a deep breath.
_ You know me better than anyone. I don't want to dig up old wounds just to bleed again. But after everything that happened, I haven't had time for anything good.
He looked at Matthew.
_ I don't know why you're still so hard on her. Whenever I can, I'll spend time with her. That's all.
+Why did you trust her so fast? Do you even know where she came from? Who her damn family is? And why, with all that talent, she's working in a restaurant? None of that sounds suspicious to you?
Matthew's voice had risen.
_ I'll ask her, and I know her answer will make sense. I just need you to let her go out more often. Staying in that massive mansion all day is wearing her down.
Matthew didn't respond. After endless days of work and exhaustion, he wasn't in the mood to argue with Jacob, especially when his words made sense.
Less than an hour later, they reached the mansion.
+You coming in?
Jacob chuckled softly. He didn't want the mood to stay heavy and neither did Matthew.
_ No, I'll grab a shower first. I'll join you guys for dinner.
Matthew got out and headed toward the elevator.
The fatigue was killing him. He needed to get back in shape, start working out again.
The third floor was just as it always was.
He heard a faint sound from the kitchen and walked toward it.
Diana was busy chopping something, completely unaware he'd arrived.
He watched her for a second, her hair tied messily on top of her head, a tiny frown on her forehead as she moved the knife fast.
+Make a little extra. Jacob's coming too.
Diana flinched so hard the knife slipped and sliced her finger deep. She hissed in pain, eyes wide as she looked up at him.
-Oh my God… why do you show up like that?! Ouch…
The sting on her finger made her frown harder.
Her index finger was bleeding, and she quickly grabbed a few napkins to press on it.
Matthew took a step toward her, then stopped midway. He turned around and said while heading upstairs:
+In case you didn't hear me, I said Jacob's coming for dinner too.
Diana scoffed.
-Doesn't even know how to apologize, let alone help.
She bandaged her finger, then went back, this time more careful, chopping the mushrooms.
She was finishing the sauce when Jacob appeared.
As he walked toward the kitchen, he started talking:
_ Mmm… smells amazing. Looks like the chef's back to work again.
He leaned against the counter with a grin.
Diana chuckled softly and stepped into his arms.
-The chef never stopped working. You just weren't here to see it.
Jacob inhaled quietly, smiling.
_ Oh really?
Diana turned the heat down and sat on a stool.
-Sit, Jake. It's almost ready.
He lifted the strawberries he'd brought.
_ And these are for the little one since she asked for them.
Her eyes sparkled like a child's as she took them.
-Thank you, little boy. Thanks for remembering.
He pulled out a chair and sat down.
_ How could I forget? Oh and don't eat them yet. Dinner first.
-Yes, father.
Then she started setting the table.
-So, what's new? The projects finally on track since you're back?
He let out a tired sigh.
_ Not exactly. We just got things started. But the good thing is, no issues so far, so we can focus without worrying about setbacks.
-Are these the same eight projects you guys got after the court deal?
_ Yeah. The older ones are almost done, so no worries there.
Diana asked carefully:
-And the new ones… what kind of projects are they? Still construction? If it's not a problem to say, I mean.
Jacob chuckled softly.
_ No problem, little one. The first one's the same one you got, it's called "DM" for now.
-DM?
He shrugged.
_ No idea! Matthew picked it. Said it's temporary.
_ Aside from that, two hotels in Vegas, one commercial tower in New York, a club in Texas, another in Chicago, a hotel complex in Miami, which, trust me, is a headache, one in Washington, another hotel and club in Vegas, and finally, three commercial centers in San Francisco.