The sky was still overcast, Diana loved this kind of weather.
Her lower abdomen still throbbed with pain, so she subtly tried to shift her weight onto her hands before sitting down.
But Jacob noticed, and his brows instinctively pulled into a frown again.
Diana caught his expression.
-"Something wrong, monsieur?" she asked, trying to smile.
He gave a small, awkward smile back.
_"No, madam. Just... sitting with a beautiful lady like you is making me a bit nervous, that's all."
Her innocent, slightly embarrassed smile eased his nerves a little.
He started preparing bites of food for her and, to keep her from feeling awkward, helped himself to a bit too.
-"Hey..."
she said suddenly.
-"What if I told you I have a few things I need to go back and get? What would you say to that?"
Jacob chuckled.
_"I'd say I know better than to bring my gun with me."
-"I'm serious,"
she said quietly.
-"I don't know what to do. There are actually a few important things I need to pick up."
_"I'll try talking to Matthew myself," he replied. "But for now, maybe just try not to be in his face, alright?"
-"You don't have to tell me that,"
Diana muttered under her breath.
- "I already had the same plan."
Jacob finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
_"Diana, listen to me," he said. "I hate seeing you like this. So please, don't do anything that'll set Matthew off again."
He hesitated, voice softer now.
_"I care about you. A lot.
Maybe I shouldn't be saying this so soon, but there's something about you that makes it hard for me to just act normal around you.
I don't know maybe it's like you're a little sister to me, or a close friend, or whatever the hell this is.
It hasn't even been a full week, but I already feel this... guilt eating away at me."
He locked eyes with her.
_"I know you're arrogant. I know it's hard for you to stay silent when he pushes you.
But please, just try to take it easy. Let your guard down a little.
There's still a lot you don't know about Matthew…"
He paused. Hesitated.
_"I didn't read those damn papers, and I still don't.
I don't know exactly what he asked from you, though I can guess..."
His eyes flicked briefly to the bruises on her neck.
_"Just… do whatever you can to protect yourself, okay?
you don't deserve this kind of pain."