23. First Quality Time

"You really don't want to lose," Diego said. "I'm threatening you because I don't know what you'll do next." Over time, Stellina became uncomfortable with Diego's constant urging. She felt cornered and could no longer defend herself. In the end, Stellina's ego was scratched after witnessing Diego's behavior, which made her point the index finger back at him. "I know you're powerful, but I can also reveal that I'm not Vellina to anyone," Stellina threatened back. Diego flinched for the umpteenth time and looked back. Stellina looked at Diego with a stern look on her face. "I won't hesitate to do that, Diego." As his shock subsided, Diego finally curved a lopsided smile. With a casual smile, Stellina's index finger was removed from in front of Diego's face. "Are you really going to do that?" Diego asked Stellina reassuringly. Stellina had a bad feeling after the question Diego asked her. "Well, I can also give you something more surprising," Diego continued before pulling out a cell phone from his pants pocket. Stellina was confused as to what Diego was going to do. She had no idea who he was calling. But eventually the phone was picked up by someone on the other end. "Hello, Roman Hospital. On behalf of patient Enrico Pezcatores. I would like to request the cancellation of the patient's treatment." Hearing Diego's words sent Stellina into a panic. Her eyes widened in surprise as she was suddenly unable to move for a moment. "Diego..." Stellina said softly. Without guilt, Diego only glanced at Stellina with a smile full of satisfaction. Stellina then knelt before Diego without thinking about anything else. "I apologize," Stellina said directly as she knelt before Diego. "Please don't touch my father's treatment. Don't cancel his treatment!" Seeing Stellina begging him made Diego smile. Stellina did not hesitate to bow her head as if she was really begging. Diego watched Stellina for a few seconds. "I won't tell anyone that I'm not Vellina," Stellina continued, trying to persuade Diego. Upon hearing Stellina's words, Diego then said to the hospital, "I request to cancel the treatment because I want to apply for intensive care and transfer the patient on behalf of Enrico Peztacores to the VVIP room." Stellina let out a sigh of relief and smiled widely as she looked up. She looked at Diego who had finished talking to the hospital over the phone. "You know, Stellina..." Diego slowly squatted down and lifted Stellina's chin with his index finger. "You have no power to threaten me. I could have canceled your father's treatment if you had disobeyed me, Stellina." Stellina could not answer. By then, Stellina had fully realized her mistake. All she could do was hang her head in regret, as her father almost fell victim to her selfishness in challenging Diego. After Diego stood up and left Stellina's presence, Stellina realized that Diego's power was higher. She should not have thought she could threaten Diego. *** Stellina was not expecting the argument that ensued between her and Diego. After the argument and the tense situation, neither Stellina nor Diego spoke to each other. Until the morning, having gone through the whole night without a single warm conversation, Stellina was still looking in the mirror while drying her hair. Diego, meanwhile, had just come in from outside-wherever he had been. As the silence between them fell, Stellina watched Diego's reflection walk up to her. There was a plastic bag in Diego's hand, and he had no idea what it contained. "I ordered food for you," Diego said as he arrived next to Stellina, placing the bag on the dresser. Stellina stopped the movement of drying her hair. Her gaze shifted to the plastic bag on the dressing table. Stellina's eyebrows furrowed in astonishment. "Does this motel not offer breakfast?" Diego let out a long sigh as he sat on the edge of the bed. "If they did, I wouldn't be buying you food." There was no answer from Stellina. She resumed the movement of drying her hair. But it didn't last long because Stellina immediately turned off the hair dryer and took a comb from her sling bag. "You always carry makeup in your bag?" Diego asked suddenly after noticing Stellina earlier. Hearing Diego's rather strange question, Stellina frowned and averted her eyes. For a split second, the look of astonishment in her eyes looked at Diego. "Why would you want to know such a trivial thing?" asked Stellina, for Diego had never been curious about anything as trivial as her question just now. For whatever reason, Diego rubbed the back of his neck and made an awkward gesture. Diego didn't know how to answer. Ever since their argument last night, he felt guilty about Stellina. All night Diego searched for a way to start a conversation. As a result, Diego had left the motel because he felt confused about what to do. "Actually, I'm just confused about what to say to you since the argument last night," Diego admitted honestly. Stellina couldn't help but smile amusedly at Diego's answer. In just a few seconds, the tense atmosphere that had also made her awkward towards Diego faded away. Stellina continued combing her hair. "Ah, I didn't know you felt guilty about me." Stellina deliberately teased Diego, even openly laughing at him. "Well, I know you should apologize for how you treated me last night. But you, ah... you must not know how to apologize." Diego widened his eyes, glaring in disapproval. "I don't feel guilty. I did nothing wrong," he said, pointing an index finger at Stellina. Diego exhaled harshly and lowered his index finger. "Why should I apologize if I'm innocent?" With a facial expression that showed a mocking smile, Stellina glanced at Diego uncertainly. Having finished combing her hair and putting the comb into the make-up pouch, Stellina's sitting position changed to face Diego. "Ah, so you don't feel guilty?" asked Stellina as she faced Diego. Her expression was deliberately provocative. "Then it's better if we don't talk-" "Don't be like that," Diego cut in quickly, instantly making Stellina startle and stop talking. "Let's not silence each other. I'm... uncomfortable." Stellina fell silent. Her eyebrows rose as her mischievous smile slackened. Stellina's eyes watched Diego intensely, and she knew he was guilty. But the man's pride was too high. With Stellina's intense gaze, Diego suddenly felt even more awkward. Diego looked at Stellina uncomfortably. "What I'm saying makes sense, right? Do you... feel comfortable in tense situations?" Diego tried to distract Stellina from constantly looking at him intensely. Stellina realized that Diego was nervous. Therefore, instead of stopping, Stellina leaned forward in her seat while placing both hands on her own lap. "If not talking to me makes you uncomfortable, why did you have to behave like you did last night?" Diego actually didn't accept it because Stellina's words from earlier seemed to be deliberately pushing him. Diego finally let out a rude breath and scowled lazily. "You're deliberately pissing me off because I'm being nice to you," Diego complained as he looked away from Stellina. Suddenly, Stellina couldn't help but chuckle after upsetting Diego. Stellina let out a short laugh as she straightened her seat. "Oh my. You're so unstable, Diego. I'm telling you the truth. Last night, your attitude was annoying as hell. I was just doing what I was supposed to do." Frowning in confusion, Diego asked, "You mean doing something that could be detrimental to our agreement?" Stellina looked at Diego for a split second. Then she shook her head. "Yes, I did almost break our agreement, but you can't just blame me like last night." Stellina was still trying to find a middle ground for the conflict between the two of them last night. On the other hand, after thinking it through all night, Diego feels that Stellina is not entirely wrong. If he were in Stellina's shoes, he would have done the same thing: protect and preserve the family company. That's why this morning, compared to last night, Diego's emotions were much lower. Hearing Stellina's words earlier made him not want to protest as loudly as last night. "Yes, I've been thinking about it all night. You're not entirely wrong," Diego replied directly. The look on his face showed a glimpse of guilt. "After all, if it were me, then I'd protect the family company, too. At all costs." Stellina was surprised that Diego relented now. She thought he would still protest loudly. "You're already feeling guilty," Stellina replied, then chuckled and shook her head. "Why haven't you behaved like this since last night? We wouldn't have gotten into an argument." With that in mind, Diego automatically remembered the time when he almost canceled Enrico's treatment - Stellina's father. As a result, he was feeling a little uneasy right now. But Diego didn't want to bring it up further. Pretending to be stern, Diego straightened his seat and made a charismatic gesture. Diego took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "Okay. Since we've made up like this, I actually want to discuss something with you." Stellina paused, looking at Diego quizzically. "What did you want to discuss with me?" she asked curiously. Diego replied, "I've been thinking about this all night. As for our argument last night, I don't think there's really a serious problem..." Stellina didn't speak, waiting to see what Diego would say to her. "The takeover of your father's printing company could have gone smoothly if there had been representation," Diego continued. "And in my opinion, since your family only has you as the eldest daughter, you would be a suitable representative." Diego's explanation did not immediately make Stellina smile happily. Instead, Stellina felt astonished, even suspicious, to hear Diego suddenly say something like that. Stellina's eyes flashed uncertainty at Diego. "Wait. Why are you saying this all of a sudden?" asked Stellina, without hesitation showing her suspicion. Diego had no problem realizing that Stellina was suspicious of him now. Calmly, Diego explained, "Because I've been thinking more clearly than last night." "Just because of that?" Diego's head nodded. "That's right. After all, the company used to belong to your family. If I suddenly processed the takeover of the company without bringing in a representative, the directors would be suspicious." Stellina still frowned suspiciously, but after hearing Diego's words, she agreed. Thinking of the board of directors who had worked alongside her father, they would not be able to simply accept Diego taking over. Who knows what would happen if Diego just took over without any notice. Stellina suddenly thought of something. "So, you're indirectly saying that we should call a board meeting?" Stellina asked. "Of course," Diego replied. "You have to be there for the meeting. They need to hear from you, the son of Enrico, the owner of the company." Stellina wasn't immediately convinced after hearing Diego's answer. "Last night, you were angry with me because you were worried they would find out I wasn't Vellina. So how did I come to the meeting?" While Diego was still listening to Stellina's words, Stellina once again asked, "Then what identity should I come to the meeting with?" "Your identity, Stellina. There's a risk of raising suspicion, but we can make it up," Diego replied without a hint of hesitation. Imagining a new charade when she came to the company as Stellina, it felt like another responsibility. Stellina had to maintain a balance between her father's mafia world and Diego's so no one would get suspicious. "I could have done that..." "You had to," Diego interrupted quickly before Stellina could finish. "After all, you have no choice. And, I'll let you visit the company occasionally. In the same way as I said before." "Also, you have a board meeting today. The sooner the better." "Today?" Stellina was surprised. Diego nodded. Compared to Stellina, he looked more relaxed. "Yes, of course. You must inform the company's directors that I will be taking over the leadership. Also, tell them about the period of time I'll be in charge during your father's treatment in Rome." Diego's lengthy explanation could not be denied by Stellina. After all, what Diego said now was a relief to her. Because after last night's debate, Diego finally agreed that Stellina could visit the company. "Okay, I agree. I also have one condition," Stellina said, making Diego look at her curiously. Then Stellina said again, "While you're in charge, I will propose appropriate policies for the welfare of the factory workers." Diego's eyebrows rose and he thought for a moment. "That doesn't sound so bad." "Are you okay with me deciding on those policies?" Stellina looked at Diego as if to confirm his confidence. Without hesitation, Diego nodded his head as he snapped his fingers once. "Agreed. We both agree." Stellina extended her hand, which Diego returned shortly afterward. The two of them curved wide smiles at each other. But Diego was quicker to fade his smile and pointed at the plastic food through a chin flick. "You should eat. I bought you that," Diego said with a nonchalant face. Stellina just sighed softly. "Alright, I'll eat it." At least Diego wasn't as uptight as he had been last night. Now it only remained for Stellina to think about what policies she should give for the welfare of the factory workers.