Stubborn as an ox

Hearing this, Den also turned serious. He put a hand on Stella's head and said, "Saving you was my decision. Keeping you here and feeding you is my decision. And whatever else I might want to do is my decision too. So you don't have to repay me for anything."

Stella looked straight into Den's red eyes, they were bright enough for Stella to tell that he would be needing to feed in a day or two.

She said, "Whether I have to or not, is your decision. Whether I want to or not, is my decision."

Den smiled and said, "Okay okay. But eat first and get well. Then you can pay me back all you want. Hell, I might even hire you as a housemaid and give you as much trouble you're giving me."

Stella's face also broke out in a smile. Den seemed a little dazzled for a moment. The smile was not the usual one, Stella's child-like smile that no one could say no to. It was neither her devilish smirk that appeared when something was on her mind.

That smile was a sincere one and you could tell that it came from her heart. Though it could not light up your day like her usual smile or sent shivers down your spine like the devilish smirk, it made Den feel at home so much that he felt like he never wanted to look away from that smile ever again.

But the smile on her lips was gone just as quickly as it had come. Instead, it was replaced by Stella's usual bright smile as she picked up her fork again.

Den, who was feeling awkward for no particular reason, said, "So, McCartney. Aren't you curious about what I brought you?"

Stella looked at the two boxes beside him and said, "Of course I am. But you yourself said you're not gonna tell me until I finish my dinner. And I know you're stubborn as an ox."

Den made a hurt face, "Hey, that's below the belt. And after I even brought gifts for you."

Stella had quickly gobbled up the food by now.

She stretched out her hands, "Now. What did you bring?"

Den raised an eyebrow, "I have a condition first."

Stella pouted, "What?"

Den: "You're gonna listen to whatever I say... And follow it." He added as an afterthought.

Stella pursued her lips, "That's not me. If you're gonna ask me to do something that's not me, I'd rather not have the gifts."

Den was surprised, "Now look who's stubborn like an ox. Okay fine, just, try not to give me too much trouble."

Stella smiled like a child, "Emphasis on 'too'."

Den shook his head and handed the bigger box to Stella.

As she was about to shake it, he stopped her, "Hey hey McCartney, you'll spoil it. Just open it."

Stella was highly interested as she unwrapped and opened the box. Upon seeing the contents, Stella exclaimed, "A cake!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!"

Den smiled, "Not just any cake. Remember how you told me this morning you wanted to have coffee?"

"Yes, and you said I couldn't take caffeine." Stella pouted again.