Estrella left with Luciano after Stella insisted she could go home by herself.
Once they were in the car, Estrella and Luciano sat at opposite ends, completely stripped of their earlier image as a loving couple.
The ride was silent until Luciano broke it.
"Quit," he said, his gaze fixed on his laptop.
Estrella didn't hear him. Her attention was on her phone as she tried to keep track of Stella's movements.
Luciano looked up, his expression darkening with annoyance. He hated being ignored.
Berry immediately noticed and called out, "Mrs. Banks."
Estrella looked up.
"The boss is talking to you."
Luciano was talking to her?
She turned toward him. "What?"
Berry was about to repeat Luciano's words when Luciano spoke again.
"Quit."
Berry blinked in surprise. Did the boss just repeat himself?
Estrella frowned. "Quit what?"
"Your job."
Her expression turned serious.
Quit her job? What was he talking about?
"Why should I quit? It's not part of the agreement."
Berry stepped in and handed her a tablet.
Estrella looked down, her brows furrowing as she saw the news.
Her expression worsened as she read the comments.
How could Mr. Banks marry a waitress? The picture must be edited.
Her clothes look so cheap.
She must be a gold digger.
A waitress as a member of the Banks family? That's hilarious.
Estrella scoffed. What was wrong with being a waitress?
At least she earned her living through hard work.
Then it hit her.
They hadn't considered how the public would react to her status.
She understood Luciano's point—but she couldn't quit.
First, what would she do afterward?
Second, it would affect Max's business. She had only been gone for a week, and sales had already dropped.
"If I suddenly quit, wouldn't it look more like an arranged marriage?" she said.
Luciano considered her words.
She was right. If she quit now, it would make everything seem staged.
After a moment, he said, "I'll come up with something."
Estrella nodded.
She couldn't help but feel that marrying Luciano was exhausting.
Later that night, under Butler Neil's supervision, Estrella ended up sleeping in Luciano's room again.
After taking a shower, she quickly climbed onto the bed and sprawled across it, leaving no space for Luciano.
When Luciano returned from the study, he stopped at the doorway.
His face darkened.
"We need to talk."
He stood over her, his tall figure casting a shadow.
"About what?" Estrella poked her head out from under the blanket.
"I can't sleep on the sofa. This is my room," Luciano said.
"Didn't you sleep on the sofa last night? Why are you complaining now?"
"No."
He hadn't slept at all last night. He had been working.
If he didn't sleep on the sofa… then where did he sleep? Estrella wondered.
"Sleep anywhere you like. All I know is, you're not sleeping on this bed."
"This is my room. Why should I be the one to sleep somewhere else?"
"Because I'm doing you a favor by sleeping here."
"I paid you."
"You didn't pay me to sleep on the sofa," Estrella shot back.
Luciano stared at her for a moment.
Then suddenly, he climbed onto the bed.
He knelt right in front of her and leaned closer, his gaze fixed on hers.
Estrella immediately pulled the blanket up. "What are you doing?"
Before she could react, Luciano slipped the pillow from under her head and lay down in her spot, a faint smirk on his lips.
Estrella froze.
Did he just trick her?
"Get up!" she said, pushing him.
Luciano didn't move.
Her strength was nothing compared to his.
After several failed attempts, Estrella gave up in frustration and got off the bed.
She would rather sleep on the sofa than beside him.
She grabbed the blanket and stormed off.
Curling up on the sofa, she tried to sleep—but it was uncomfortable.
She glanced at Luciano, who was lying comfortably on the bed, and threw a pillow at him.
He didn't even react.
She muttered curses under her breath.
Eventually, exhaustion took over, and she fell asleep.
But Luciano couldn't sleep.
He felt cold.
Estrella had taken the blanket.
He turned from side to side, growing increasingly irritated.
Finally, he got up and walked over to the sofa, pulling the blanket back.
As he turned to leave, he paused.
Estrella looked uncomfortable, curled up in an awkward position.
For a moment, he hesitated.
Then, without thinking, he bent down and picked her up.
He carried her back to the bed and laid her down gently.
As he lay beside her, a thought crossed his mind.
What am I doing?
Had he just… pitied her?
Since when did he pity anyone?
Before he could think further, Estrella suddenly moved.
She wrapped her arms around him, her head resting against his chest as she shifted for comfort.
Luciano stiffened.
He looked down at her. Feeling her soft cheek against his sturdy chest.
His heart skipped a beat, he knew pitying her was a mistake.
He should push her away.
But then—
A faint fruity scent drifted into his senses.
It was soft.
Calming.
Without realizing it, his body relaxed.
And soon…
He fell asleep.