The entire north wall was made of glass.
She could see the lights of New York, brighter than ever, more alive than ever.
She couldn't believe she was seeing something like this while awake.
She almost forgot she was supposed to meet Matthew.
She took a few slow steps toward the windows when...
+What are you doing here?
Startled, she let out a little scream and turned around.
Matthew was standing at the door, arms crossed, his brows furrowed, eyes locked on her.
Her gaze dropped
there was a gun in his right hand.
A silver Colt, resting perfectly in his big palm.
She tried to look away.
Her breathing turned shaky.
She couldn't believe how much that gun scared her.
There weren't any good memories of Matthew holding a gun.
Her pulse was racing like crazy, a cold sweat crawling down her spine as her lips and hands began to tremble.
She lifted the food she'd brought.
Her voice came out broken.
-Ja… Jacob said you were… tired, and I thought I'd come… out of the mansion, and um…
She swallowed hard.
Why wouldn't he put the gun down?
Nervously, she rubbed her neck, it felt like Matthew's hands were still around it.
-Yeah… I thought I'd make you something to eat too. That's all.
The three seconds he looked at her felt like a thousand years.
Finally, he closed the door quietly and locked it.
He slid the gun into one of the desk drawers and stood behind it, picking up a pencil and drawing some lines on a paper.
The tension in her body slowly loosened.
She set the food on the wooden table between the couches, took off her cap, and walked to the windows again, watching the city.
It was hard to take her eyes off it.
She smiled faintly...
why would Matthew ever want to go back to the mansion when he had a view like this?
Was he crazy?
She walked over and stood beside him, close enough that their arms brushed.
His hair was messy, his shirt wrinkled.
The top buttons were open, and his stubble was longer than usual.
Cautiously, she leaned forward and whispered,
-Haven't slept in a while, huh?
Matthew glanced at her.
Seeing his tired, red, puffy eyes, she corrected herself and chuckled softly.
-Haven't slept in ages, I mean.
She leaned closer, took the pencil from between his fingers, and set it down on the papers.
He didn't move or say a word.
Slowly, she took his big hand and tugged it along.
Her thoughts whispered,
God, his hand's so warm…
That image of the boy and girl from earlier flashed in her head, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
Matthew followed her obediently toward the couch in the middle of the room.
Diana sat down and tugged his hand again to make him sit beside her, patting the cushion.
-Come on. You've let me boss you around this far. Now sit here and eat.
Still holding her hand, Matthew nodded toward the takeout box on the table.
+Pick it up.
His voice was calm.
Diana blinked a few times, hesitant.
She didn't want to seem upset.
-I made it for you. Just have a little.
If… if you don't want it because of me, I can just go back to the mansion.
Eric's waiting downstairs.
Matthew repeated quietly,
+Pick. it. up.
She tried not to tear up.
Maybe he didn't even like it.
What was I thinking?
She pouted and picked up the box with her one free hand.
When she tried to stand, he tugged her arm again, opening the door and leading her into another room down the hall.
He pressed his finger to the scanner.
The door clicked open. He let go of her hand.
+Get it ready while I wash my face.
She froze, staring at him for a few seconds, then impulsively wrapped her arms around his neck and rose on her toes.
Matthew's hand slipped around her narrow waist as he inhaled deeply against her neck.
It seemed exhaustion made him a bit softer.
With flushed cheeks, Diana pulled away.
It was hard to believe, but seeing that couple earlier had really shaken her heart.
She wanted that too, to hug the person she loved.
-Come back soon, okay?
She went inside.
Matthew smirked.
How did she blush so fast?
Like a tomato...one second and she was red.
He felt his heart beating easier, though he didn't know why.