Diana's eyes widened as Jacob kept listing them one after another.
-A-are you serious? Like… how can you handle all that? Even I know how time-consuming those must be. Do you even have time to breathe?
Jacob laughed.
_ You're right! But it's not just me and Matthew. Do you know how many companies work for us? Sure, Matthew gets involved in design himself, but only for the major ones or the ones he's extra picky about.
He smirked.
_ Besides, Matthew's expensive.
Her eyes widened again.
-Expensive? What do you mean "expensive"?
_ A lot of companies hire us hoping Matthew's name will be attached to their project. He's like a small brand on his own. Remember the DM project? Why do you think the guy handling that court deal was so eager to get the hearing done fast?
_ Because he didn't want Gray's name overshadowing his project. Even though we're getting a big profit out of it, he didn't care. You see what I mean?
Diana blinked a few times.
-Yeah… yeah, I get it.
She fell quiet for a moment. Jacob could tell she was thinking, ready to ask another question.
-So… how old is Matthew?
_ What?
A teasing smirk curved on her lips.
-I said, how old is he? From the way you talk about him, he must've started working at one year old to earn all that fame.
Jacob laughed quietly to himself.
_ He comes from a well-known family, little one. His father was in the same business. And he was a smart heir, took the family name even higher.
-His father? Wait, he has a father?
Jacob let out a surprised laugh.
_ Diana? What do you mean? Of course he does! Where do you think he came from? The angels dropped him off?
He laughed again, and Diana joined him.
Under her breath, she muttered:
-Definitely not an angel. More like the devil's kid.
_ Oh, stop it. He'll show up any second now.
-But seriously, there's no trace of his family anywhere. Shouldn't they at least see each other sometimes? Are they on bad terms or something?
Jacob hesitated.
_ No… not exactly. It's just… complicated.
-Does he have any siblings?
Jacob gave her a long look, then smiled again.
_ Yeah. He does. You might meet them one day.
-What about you? Do you have any brothers or sisters?
He intertwined his fingers, pressing them lightly.
_ Me? No. No brothers, no sisters.
-Oh… your mom or…
Jacob shook his head.
_ Neither, little one. They passed away.
Diana bit her lip, instantly regretting how carelessly she'd asked.
-I'm sorry, Jacob… I didn't mean to pry. I just...
_ It's okay. It's been a long time since anyone asked me that. Don't worry, I'm not upset.
She looked down at the table, awkward and quiet, then pushed the strawberries toward him.
-Want one? I think it'll make you feel better.
Jacob laughed out loud.
_ I told you, after dinner not before.
She grumbled.
-I was talking to you, not me.
_ Yeah, yeah. I know.
They were still bickering playfully when Matthew walked into the kitchen and pulled out a chair.
Diana stood up to serve the food. Jacob moved to help, but she stopped him.
-Sit down, Jacob. Rest a little. I'm not tired.
_ You sure?
She placed the dishes on the table and sat down. Jacob's eyes caught the bandage on her hand.
_ When did you cut your finger?
Diana swallowed her bite and glanced at it.
-Before you got here. It's not deep, it's fine.
_ It won't get infected, right?
-I made sure it was clean.
Matthew stayed quiet, eating with a slight frown, not sparing her even a glance.