With a rush of panic, her slender fingers wrapped around his arm.
-H-hey… wait. If you put on a shirtor anything at all, I'll wear pants. Okay? Fair trade, right?
She tried to laugh it off.
+What the hell are you even talking about? You feeling alright?
He started walking again, but this time she grabbed him with both hands.
-I'm serious. Dead serious. You're not going downstairs like this.
There was no way in hell she'd let Jacob or anyone else see those claw marks.
Matthew caught on immediately, which only made his grin spread wider. Diana squeezed her eyes shut, dreading it. Whenever he smiled like that, it meant trouble.
+What's wrong, kitten? Don't tell me you're possessive now.
She growled through her teeth. Fine. Better to just admit it.
-Y-yeah. I don't want Jacob seeing you like that.
He leaned in, voice dripping with amusement.
+Relax, darling. I'll make sure you get nights just like the last one. Full of moans…
Her nails dug into his arm so hard he hissed.
-Shut the fuck up. Stop messing with me.
She shoved against his back, hands planted on his bare skin, trying to push him forward. He didn't budge.
-Move already. Ugh!
Matthew finally turned to face her.
+Fine. I'll put something on.
Then he dipped close, whispering in her ear.
+But you should probably keep those claws in check, kitten.
And with that, he walked off before she could scream at him.
…
Diana slipped into plaid pajama pants, popped a painkiller, and waited for the ache in her back and hips to dull. After about five minutes, the stabbing pain faded, but now her stomach was burning.
Grumbling under her breath, she muttered:
-Idiot. Who takes pills on an empty stomach?
The burn only worsened.
By the time she shuffled downstairs, she could barely manage a weak greeting.
Jacob was pouring coffee, back to her, chatting with Matthew.
Morning, kitten. Come sit down.
Matthew's eyes flicked to her pants and a smug little smirk tugged at his lips.
+Good girl.
But his smile vanished the second he really looked at her.
Her skin had gone pale, damp with sweat. Her breathing was shallow and quick, pupils blown wide.
Jacob, still talking to Matthew, set a cup of coffee down in front of Diana before taking his seat.
_"Yeah, the choice you made was completely right… you need to show...."
Finally, his eyes landed on Diana.
_"Diana… what's wrong? Why do you look so pale? Are you okay?"
But Diana could barely register what was happening. Every time her stomach pain hit, she ended up like this.
It was as if the pain dulled her awareness half present, half absent like a thick fog had settled over her mind.
A burning sensation spread across her stomach, cold sweat broke out over her skin, and soon her hands began to tremble from weakness.
-"I… I'm fine… just… a little..."
She reached for the bread basket on the table, tore off a small piece, and took a bite.
+"Hey… look at me."
Matthew grabbed her arm.
-"I said I'm fine… I just need to ea.."
The moment she swallowed, her stomach twisted violently. She clapped a hand over her mouth, shoved her chair back, and bolted from the kitchen.
The chair toppled with a loud crash. She barely made it to the bathroom, leaning against the door. With the last of her strength, she turned the lock before sliding down to the floor with a groan. For a second, the nausea seemed to ease then her stomach lurched again.
She crawled to the toilet and threw up. Her back ached from the strain, tears streaming down her face.
A loud knock rattled the door, the handle shaking.
+"Open the door… why the hell did you lock it?"
Diana tried to answer, but another wave hit. She gagged so hard she thought she'd drag her stomach out with it.
Jacob's worried voice carried through.
_"What's wrong with her? Is she sick?"
+"I don't know… she was fine five minutes ago. I was talking to her then suddenly this!" Matthew snapped, pounding his fist against the door.
+"Open this damn door, Diana!"
She retched again and again until finally, her stomach emptied. But every time she thought it was over, the cramps returned. She couldn't believe a single pill had wrecked her like this.
After rinsing her mouth and splashing water on her face, she unlatched the door. Matthew and Jacob stood right outside.
Breathless, she sniffled and swallowed hard.
-"I'm fine… it's nothing."
She rubbed at her eyes and brow.
+"If you saw your face right now, you wouldn't be saying that."
Matthew didn't wait for an answer, he scooped her up, one arm under her knees and the other around her shoulders.
+"As soon as Nilson gets here, bring him to the room downstairs."
Jacob nodded quickly and hurried toward the entrance to meet the doctor.