When dinner was over, Matthew stood up.
Jacob glanced at him.
_ You're not staying to talk about the projects?
Matthew rubbed his eyes a little.
+Don't wanna think about them right now. You going to the office tomorrow?
_ Nah. I'll check the sites instead, see how the progress is going. My schedule's a bit lighter tomorrow.
+Alright then.
Come back here the day after tomorrow. We need to go over a few things.
Then he turned toward Diana.
His voice was cold and calm.
+You...come to my room in an hour. I need to remind you something.
He didn't wait for an answer and went upstairs.
_ What's he gonna remind you of?
Diana shrugged, confused.
-No idea. I didn't even do anything.
_ Forget about it. Come on, let's clean up and play something for a bit.
Diana clapped her hands together.
-Ah, right! I missed playing games.
_ You mean losing games? Jacob teased with a grin.
Diana glared at him.
-Hey… I'll get better one day.
_ We'll see about that.
She would get better...just not tonight.
-For God's sake, just let me win once! I wanna see how it feels! Why take it out on me just because Matthew always beats you?
Jacob was laughing so hard there were tears in his eyes.
_ I swear… I'm going easy on you! You're just so bad it doesn't help!
He burst out laughing again.
Diana stared at him blankly.
-Look at this child, all proud of himself.
She pinched his cheek.
_ Oh really? Gonna try to win with your mouth now?
She gritted her teeth.
-I'll use anything that'll shut you up.
They kept playing for about an hour before Diana finally sighed, snapped the game shut, and looked at him.
-Okay, that's it. I'm done. Go home, Jacob. I'm tired. Come back later and crush me again.
Jacob rubbed his eyes.
_ Hm? You sure?
-Yeah, positive.
She turned off the TV, walked over, and pulled him up by the hand.
They stepped out of the room.
Diana grabbed a few strawberries, put them in a small bowl, and handed it to him.
-You won't make it back to your place awake. Go crash in your room here.
_ You're probably right.
He bit into a strawberry, half-asleep already.
Jacob was so exhausted he didn't even realize when she came i or when he fell asleep.
She looked at him quietly. Who knew how many nights he hadn't slept properly?
She closed the door, went upstairs, and stopped outside her own room then remembered Matthew.
-I should see what he wants first. Then I can sleep in peace.
She knocked lightly.
Matthew's voice came from inside.
She pushed the door open slowly.
He was sitting on the chair, reading with a cigarette between his fingers.
Diana hesitated at the door.
-Did you need me?
+Jacob left?
-He's asleep in his room. He was too tired. If you're tired too, I can come back later.
+I've been awake since I came upstairs, so no. Not tired.
He closed the book and looked straight at her.
+What about you? You tired?
She swallowed hard.
She knew that tone, recognized the danger in it.
What could she say that wouldn't make things worse?
-N-no… not tired.
He held the smoke in for a moment, then let it out slowly.
His eyes locked on hers, dark and sharp.
+Come inside.