Diana

Diana was stunned by her question. The tone in which she used, was as if she was certain something was wrong with her.

Diana turned around and look her in the eyes, "what happened to you as well? you don't look happy." Diana replied and dropped the clothes in her hand, moved closer to her and wiped her tears with her thumb.

Stella's tears kept falling nonstop. Immediately Diana tried to retract her hand; she held onto it on her face.

She finally get to touch her daughter, look into her eyes and doesn't have to pretend like before, pretend like she's just a normal customer and nothing special.

Diana's heart race at her action. She tried to fight back her tears and act strong, but it's hard. It's the first time she's getting to look at Stella straight in the eye and know that she's looking at her birth mother.

The woman who sacrificed a lot for her. 'Don't cry Diana.' she told herself in her mind. It was hard but she tried to control herself.

She slowly moved into her embrace and wrapped her hands around her. Stella wasn't expecting it. She thought Diana will be angry at her, she thought she will have to go on her knees and plead for not being there for her, before Diana could allow her a hug.

"Thank you." She said and held her tightly.

"No, thank you mom." Diana replied, her tears finally finding their ways out of her eyes, "thanks for your sacrifice for me." she added.

Stella couldn't believe she just heard 'mom'.

"You called me mom." She said in a broken voice.

"That's what you are, a mother. The best mother a child could ever wish for." Diana replied. She wanted the woman to know her worth. To know that she shouldn't blame herself for anything and wait. Wait till all will turn out well and they can be together.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. You've grown so much, but don't be too mature above your age. I'm still at fault my baby. I failed you." Stella said, taking a deep breath and tightened the embrace.

Diana sniffed her nose and took a deep breath. If that's gonna make Stella feel better; she decided to give in.

"I forgive you for not being there for me and hope you can stay strong because you will get to be there soon." Diana said.

Stella whimpered and closed her mouth with her palm to stop herself from crying out loud. To stop herself from calling attention to them and break this moment she has longed for everyday.

"I will be strong. But Diana what happened to you? You seem different. Are you okay? are you safe at where you are? where have you been? did someone hurt you? Shane, did he cause trouble for you?....

"I'm fine mom." Diana cut in.

"You called me mom again." Stella said.

Diana chuckled in between tears, "yes I did, because you are my mother." she added.

Stella pulled back, cleaned her eyes, "give me a moment." she said, took the clothes Diana dropped and headed out of the changing room.

Diana squat down immediately, buried her head in her palm and burst into tears. The warmth, she wants more of it.

She didn't want to hide in a dressing room before hugging her mother. A lot of thought occupied her mind. She was thinking if she should just stormed towards Shane's company in disguise and run a bullet through his head.

She wonder why they are dragging things this far, when it's just one single man. This is so hard and she can't cope.

It's taking her every single resistance she could gather to not go and do that right now and get it over with.

Stella returned with another outfit, before Diana realize what was happening. She left to make her stalker of a guards not suspect her staying too long in the room.

'What sort of life is this? how has she been coping like this? being monitored, not able to go out with friends and breathe a different air. All she had to do was moved from the mall to their house and vice versa.' Diana couldn't help but wondered.

Stella quickly dropped the clothes and moved closer to Diana again. "We don't have much time, or they will come check on me and might suspect you. How are you? What are you doing now? Where are you staying at? Are you safe where you are now?" she questioned again.

Diana smiled at her. "I'm safe at where I am, don't worry. About how I've been living my life; it's hard" Diana paused and Stella nodded her head in understanding.

If Diana had said it wasn't hard; she wouldn't believe her anyway. For everything about her to change this much; she must have been through a lot.

"But it's fine now mom, it's getting better and better. I have a man who's doing a lot for my sake and love me." Diana continued. She wanted to give Stella more assurance.

She wanted her to understand that she's fine and made her brace herself up and remain strong.

Stella smiled, "a man. do you love him too?" she asked.

"Very much. I'm happy mom, so please be strong." Diana replied.

Taking a deep sigh and hugging her once again, "what's his name and what does he look like?" Stella asked.

"Ethan. He's very handsome." Diana said and both chuckled.

"Ethan?" Stella was surprised by the name.

"Yes, your friend's son." Diana affirmate Stella's suspicions.

Stella was stunned. She wanted to ask how they meet, she wanted to know more. Get gist like she did with her own mother before she died, but knew this was not the right time for that.

"I'm happy to hear that. But Diana, it's dangerous to come here. It's not safe." She said.

"I know." Diana said and Stella pulled back, while her hand accidentally hit the gun behind her.

Diana bit down on her lower lip as Stella's hand confirmed that it's really a gun.

With an astonished expression; "Diana, you have a gun." Stella said, looking into her eyes with a fearful expression, while her tears started rushing out as her heartbeat increases.

She's not a police and has a gun. She wondered what exactly has her daughter been doing.