7. A Beginning Plan (2)

"Has Miss Vellina been honored like that all her life?" asked Stella. "I mean, before the bad accident."

Fabian did not immediately answer at that time. During his silence, he noticed Stellina who looked very curious with the vitamin infusion tube on her wrist.

"Yes, because she is Master Diego's wife and Big Boss Eston's daughter."

Stellina immediately stopped looking at the vitamin infusion tube in her hand and looked up, turning to look at Fabian. There is interest that arises after hearing a bit of explanation about Vellina.

"Is she a very beautiful woman?" Stella asked without hesitation showing her curiosity.

"Yes, and arrogant," replied Fabian, then seemed to be watching the door of the room for a split second. "Since you have an interest in acting, I will tell you anything about Miss Vellina."

Feeling Fabian's seriousness getting more intense, Stellina nodded quickly for the umpteenth time. Stellana patted the space next to her which was empty and still very wide.

"Sit beside me. Tell me so I know what to do."

Fabian was a little hesitant to sit next to Stella. But because at that time Stellina was constantly patting the spot next to him, Fabian was forced to say yes.

After sitting beside Stellina—Fabian deliberately took five inches away while exhaling roughly, Fabian was silent for a moment. She doesn't know what Fabian think. 

Stellina felt that Fabian seemed to be remembering something.

"If it's too difficult and you're still grieving over his passing, it's better not to need to explain in detail," said Stellina later. The way zhs spoke was so subtle that Fabian looked at her in disbelief.

"Do you always speak softly like that?" asked Fabian who looked at Stellina in astonishment.

Stella raised her eyebrows, confused. "You mean?"

"You speak very softly," Fabian answered and clarified what he meant, "and Miss Vellina never spoke softly like that."

Suddenly Stella was surprised. "Is that so? My voice sounds so smooth?"

Fabian nodded calmly, in contrast to Stellina who was suddenly excited.

Stellina immediately looked irritated in her seat. In a split second, Stellina suddenly thought of all kinds of possibilities.

"Gosh. You're the umpteenth person to say that. What then? I have to change my voice?" Stellina bombarded Fabian with all kinds of questions.

Watching Stellina, who was suddenly agitated, Fabian could barely hold back his laughter. But Fabian's laughter didn't last long. Just a matter of two seconds.

"No need, Miss Stellina. Ah, maybe it can be changed a bit. Can you speak in a snappy tone?" asked Fabian who looked at Stellina with curious eyes.

For a moment Stella looked doubtful. Fabian's question was confusing. So far, Stellina has never snapped at anyone, except maybe a few times when she was unconscious or didn't want to snap at someone.

"I doubt it will if it's intentional," Stellina replied.

"You can," said Fabian then. "Try it, now snap at me. Let's pretend I just made a mistake."

Stellina grimaced at Fabian's request. Imagining himself having to snap at someone who hasn't even done anything wrong to him, it's hard. Stellina couldn't assume that Fabian had made a mistake.

"But in reality, you didn't do anything wrong," replied Stella, whose voice suddenly squeaked.

Fabian was somewhat dumbfounded by Stellina's words. This was not what he expected as an answer. Because so far, when dealing with Vellina, he has been repeatedly yelled at without even making a request like now.

"Ah, you really are an innocent woman," Fabian finally made the comment he had been holding back.

Stellana raised both eyebrows, surprised by Fabian's comment. "Innocent? I'm not innocent at all."

"Have you been fooled all this time?" Fabian asked with a serious face.

Seeing Stellina, who immediately frowned in disapproval, Fabian got an idea. If indeed Stellina couldn't snap at him on purpose, then Fabian would provide incitement so she could get her screams out.

"What do you mean?" Stellana sounded like she didn't like Fabian's words.

On the other hand, Fabian was immediately excited to provide feedback.

After looking at Stellina with a disdainful expression, Fabian shook his head.

"As long as I live, only this time have I met someone as weak as you. There are no people in my environment who are as gentle as you."

Fabian's words offended Stellina somewhat. Moreover, the emphasis on the word 'weak' which for some reason seemed to be intentional by Fabian made Stellina irritated.

"I'm not weak." Stellana strongly denied Fabian's words.

"Someone who can't defend himself is weak. Usually soft people are like that," Fabian replied casually. Even though he actually felt bad for Stella, he had to do this.

Stella's frown deepened. "Why are you making fun of me now?" he asked. "Was it the guy from your boss who told you to?"

Fabian realized that Stellina was slightly provoked by his words. Then, Fabian shook his head.

"Not at all, it's me who can't stand your gentle attitude since the first time we met," Fabian without hesitation hounded Stellina even more.

"Soft doesn't mean weak."

"That applies to other people," said Fabian calmly. "For you, you can't even fight me."

Stella gritted her teeth. "Why are you acting so arrogant? Are all mafias like this?"

Because Fabian knew this was just a play, he wasn't offended at all by hearing Stellina's question. After thinking for a while, Fabian shook his head very casually.

"Of course it's like this. We all have to be arrogant to protect ourselves. If you're gentle like you, we're laughed at."

Stellina looked at Fabian with annoyance. Even so, Stellina still managed not to let out her frustration.

"To be laughed at for what? Because an attitude like me is weak?"

Fabian snapped his fingers. "You have to admit that. If you ask the mafia—"

"I'm not weak! If you keep saying that, I could just punch you! Why are you so annoying?!"

Fabian immediately gasped when Stellina suddenly shouted angrily at him. It didn't sound that arrogant or rude, but Fabian felt that this way of speaking of Stella was quite like Vellina whenever he was annoyed with someone.

Then, Fabian's satisfied smile curved without warning.

"This is one of Miss Vellina's traits!" said Fabian enthusiastically. "Why did you say you can't snap at someone?"

Instantly Stella came to her senses with her own actions. He had just let loose and couldn't contain his irritation. Seeing Fabian who had been acting normal like a while ago, Stella finally realized something. 

"Hey, are you... purposely pissing me off?"

Fabian corrected, "More precisely, on purpose to make you speak like Miss Vellina."

Stellana finally let out a sigh of relief. Because when Fabian deliberately provoked his irritation just now, Stellina already felt the tension in the atmosphere.

"I thought you were really making fun of me" Stella replied in relief.

Fabian gave a short laugh. "No way. For what reason?" he asked back. Then he said again, "That is one important thing about Miss Vellina. A very characteristic trait."

"He did say that in that tone?"

"Yeah, he likes to snap and grumble and grumble and stuff."

Somehow Stellina couldn't hold back her laughter after hearing how Fabian explained about Vellina. But beside him, Fabian actually looked at him in astonishment.

"Why are you laughing?"

"The way you explain," Stellana replied. "Why do you sound so annoyed?"

Fabian took a deep breath. "Not to be annoyed, I'm trying to make you understand. Also, Miss Vellina tends to be curt. Her gaze isn't gentle and languid like yours."

Stella nodded her head. "I have to change the way I look at someone?" he said, then suddenly he widened his eyes at Fabian. "Like this?"

Seeing Stellina who suddenly glared at him made Fabian uncomfortable.

"Not scary. Just be natural, don't glare at me," replied Fabian.

Suddenly Stellina immediately loosened her bulging eyes again. He looked down awkwardly.

"Ah, well, I'm sorry. I'll try to be more natural than this."

Fabian patted Stellina's shoulder once, a little awkward.

"You can definitely pull off the play of being Miss Vellina. It's actually not that difficult. It's a shame, your personalities are such complete opposites."

Stella took a deep breath. "I want to meet him in person so I can learn how he behaves."

"No way," Fabian answered quickly. Then, he stood up from his seat. "You're going to see her figure in the mirror. Aka, your own appearance. We're going to cut your hair now."

When Stellina was regretting her hair that had to be cut now, Stellina heard the door to this room being opened.

Then the figure of Diego entered with two female nurses. Diego's gaze was very serious, he only stared at Stellina for a second before moving back to Fabian.

"Fabian, I've already given Eston the news. He'll probably be here in a few hours."

Fabian was silent, but nodded. She and Diego turned their eyes to Stellina in unison.

"I've given a briefing to the nurses and doctors. The preparations must be completed as soon as possible." That's what Diego said.

Stellana suddenly felt her heartbeat pounding. What will Eston look like later? Will she be ready to face her new world?