12. Such A Daddy Material

"Why are you silent?" Ariana spoke to wake Diego from his reverie. Diego flinched, and looked at Ariana in a daze. He didn't know how to explain that Vellina's current state was having an accident. After staring at Arianna for a few seconds, Diego curved a sweet smile. "Arianna..." Diego reached out and touched Arianna's head. Gives a very soft caress. "You know, actually you can meet mama later—" "No! I want to see mama now!" Arianna dodged while shaking her head, making Diego's hand reflexively release from his temple. Arianna started to show a whining facial expression. Due to Diego's attitude that couldn't cover up if something happened to Vellina, Arianna felt uneasy. Arianna moved her body left and right, trying to persuade Diego. As a result, hearing Arianna's whining just now, Diego felt confused. Diego rubbed the nape of his neck and winced for a few seconds. When he saw Arianna whining like this, Diego became confused. "Arianna, but mom can't be found now..." Diego was still trying to distract Arianna by coaxing her gently. Unfortunately Arianna still shook her head. In fact, instead of calming down, Arianna was crying loudly. He whined while shaking his head and shaking his body. "Why didn't Papa give Arianna permission to meet Mama?!" Arianna constantly whined. Diego should have guessed that Arianna definitely wouldn't be able to refuse. Even though so far Vellina hasn't treated Arianna gently, Arianna will still miss her mother if she doesn't see her for a few days. Diego ruffled his hair with a disheveled facial expression. Finally, he took a deep breath and let out a long exhale. Slowly, Diego put his hands on Arianna's shoulders and tried to calm her down. "Why are you whining like this?" Diego put his index finger to his own lips. "Shhh, don't cry. Arianna honey, be fine. Papa will take you to meet mama." After hearing Diego's words, finally Arianna's tears slowly subsided. Her body was no longer swaying and Arianna was looking at Diego through her twinkling eyes. There were still pools of tears in her eyes. "That's it, okay. Don't cry anymore. You'll meet Mama after this," Diego said very gently. In the end it's always like this. Diego couldn't refuse Arianna's request, especially if he was already whining. But now Diego was confused about how to tell Arianna Vellina's condition. "Where is Mama now, Papa?" Arianna asked in the remnants of her whimpers. "I haven't heard from mom since yesterday. Why didn't mom come home? Don't mom miss Arianna?" The barrage of questions Arianna gave Diego made Diego even more confused. For a moment, all Diego did was stare at Ariana as he thought of the right words. "Mama..." Did Diego have to lie to Arianna? No, it would be even more difficult for him to lie to Arianna. It's clear that Arianna will meet Stellina—who will later act as Vellina at the hospital. So, useless excuses for Diego's lies whatsoever. "Mama is sick, Arianna" Diego answered in the end. Forced. He had already readied his heart to see Arianna's reaction. Instantly, Arianna's sparkling smile faded. Arianna stopped rubbing her eyes and flinched with a surprised expression. "Mommy sick?" she asked. "Mama sick what, Papa?" Diego saw the worry in Arianna's now facial expression. And that made Diego feel guilty for keeping Vellina's condition a secret from his son. "Mama is sick... because she had an accident" Diego replied. Arianna was even more surprised to hear Diego's answer. He was silent without being able to say anything. Then, after a while, tears welled up in her eyes again. "Mama had an accident? The accident means... mom's car hit another vehicle?" Arianna asked, repeating the explanation Diego had given her. Diego nodded his head. "Yes, honey. Mama is in the hospital right now. That's why I haven't been able to see you for the past few days." Again, the look on Arianna's face turned whining. Arianna looked worried for Vellina, and closed her eyes. Cry. "Mama... Arianna wants to see mom! Now, Papa! Let's go to the hospital!" Arianna once again whimpered loudly. Suddenly Diego was surprised to hear Arianna's whining that was too sudden. "Hey, hey, shhh. Arianna, you're still sick too. Your fever hasn't cooled down that much—" "Arianna is recovering! Want to meet mom now! Papa, what if mom misses Arianna?!" avoided Arianna who still couldn't be persuaded by Diego. Diego took a deep breath. He should have heard Arianna's first refusal earlier, Diego knew this would happen. Even though he was worried because Arianna was still sick, Diego couldn't force his daughter. "Okay honey. Let's go to the hospital to see mom now, okay?" Arianna, amidst a whining expression, then smiled broadly. "Really?! Arianna met mama?" Diego nodded his head. "Yes, honey. Now you're ready, okay? But don't make too much noise later because Mama is also in the process of recovering." Arianna nodded her head obediently. There were still tears in her eyes, but Arianna was more cheerful than before. "All right, daddy!" ----- "Miss Arianna will come here." Fabian gave a notification to Stellina after entering the VVIP room. Stella, who was watching the view outside the room's window, turned her head. Somewhat surprised because Fabian came suddenly to this room. Fabian's steps even rushed closer to him. "Miss Ariana?" Stella asked as she turned her body towards Fabian. Fabian nodded. Now, he was already standing beside Stellina. "Yes, Mr. Diego's child. He is Miss Vellina's child, which you are playing now," Fabian answered explaining. His face looked very serious to Stella. Stella thought for a moment before finally nodding her head. "Ah, about that... what should I do then?" Fabian replied, "You just pretend to be a mother. You can interact with small children, right?" The curve of Stella's sweet smile formed on her face. Stella nodded her head, instantly sparkling. "Of course, I even like children more than anything," replied Stella with great enthusiasm. Seeing Stellina giving a reassuring reaction, Fabian felt a little relieved. He knew there was nothing to worry about now. "I'm relieved that you can interact with small children. Miss Arianna is a very active child, but unfortunately Miss Vellina—her mother never gave her enough love." After listening to Fabian's explanation, both Stellina's brows furrowed. Stellana looked at Fabian questioningly. "Not giving enough affection?" Stella asked in astonishment. Fabian nodded his head. "Yes, Miss Vellina is notorious for never being fond of children. Even so, Miss Arianna loves her very much." Stella didn't budge. Hearing Fabian's explanation made his heart throb painfully. He imagined as Arianna who must have a mother like Vellina, and never be given tenderness at all. Stella took a deep breath. "That's too bad. I'm not going to make her coming here a disappointment," Stellina said to Fabian. Seeing how Stella was acting earlier, now there is no doubt in Fabian's heart. He only nodded in response, then gave a hand signal for Stella to return to her bed. Just as Stellina returned to her bed, already lying down and preparing for the play, the door to the room opened. The figure of Diego appears holding a little girl, about five years old. Stellana was surprised by the arrival of the girl. He had already guessed that it was Arianna. "Slowly open the door, darling," Diego said to Arianna very softly, heard Stellina's ear. He, who was behind Arianna, still held and helped push the door a little. "Mr. Diego. Hello, Miss Arianna," said Fabian, who suddenly changed his tone like a child when greeting Arianna. Arianna waved her hand at Fabian. "Hello, Uncle Fabian!" Stellina spontaneously smiled watching the interaction between Arianna and Fabian. Soon, her eyes met Arianna's. Arianna also gave a sparkling smile, and Stellina felt very clearly how the joy of a child meeting her mother. "Mama! Arianna misses mommy!" Arianna suddenly let go of Diego's hand and ran enthusiastically towards Stellina. Suddenly Diego panicked because Arianna suddenly ran. "Arianna! Don't run, be careful!" Fabian and Stellina chuckled in unison at Arianna's behavior. After Arianna arrived at Stellina's bedside, Arianna held the iron bed rail. Her gaze twinkled at Stellina, but also radiated worry. "Mama, how are you? You must miss Arianna, right?" asked Arianna, tilting her head slightly and looking at Stellina so warmly. Stellina didn't expect Diego to have such a beautiful and warm daughter. In contrast to Diego, Arianna looks very gentle. At that time, Stellana had not answered right away. Her gaze briefly shifted to Diego who was already standing next to Fabian. Stellina was well aware of the look on Diego's face which seemed to be inviting Stellina to interact with Arianna. It is time to play once again. "Dear Arianna, it turns out you came to mama," Stellina said softly to Arianna. Her smile widened languidly, deliberately pretending to be a sick person. "Mama missed you so much, honey. How are you feeling now?" Arianna was immediately taken aback after hearing Stellina's words. There was a look of surprise on his face. "Arianna is very fine," Arianna replied then. Her smile grew very wide knowing Stellana's warmth. Stella breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad to hear that you're okay. I miss you so much." Arianna smiled brightly getting Stellina's hand stroking the right side of her head. Her heart felt warmed by the touch of Stellina—which he thought was Vellina, her real mother. "Mama... I've never felt a mother caressing me like this," Arianna said as she closed her eyes and smiled brightly. "I'm recovered now. Mama knows, I had a fever." Stellina actually felt sad when she heard Arianna's words. Despite that, Stellina still smiled warmly at Arianna. "I'm sorry mom for not being able to see you for the past few days." Stellana looked at Arianna with a guilty expression. Not pretending, she felt how Arianna felt who apparently wanted tenderness. "Mama is glad that you are recovering, Arianna. Now we can meet again," Stellina continued, ending her words with a gentle smile. Arianna nodded her head. She said nothing more. As long as Stellina's hand kept moving stroking the temples of her head, Ariana only closed her eyes to feel the softness of her mother's touch.