The early morning sunlight streamed into the room, and Estrella's eyes slowly fluttered open.
She glanced around lazily, her gaze eventually settling on the "pillow" she was hugging.
Wait… that wasn't a pillow.
It was Luciano.
Her eyes widened in shock.
How did she end up hugging Luciano?
Then she realized something else—she was on the bed.
Didn't she fall asleep on the sofa?
A thought crossed her mind. Could Luciano have carried her to the bed?
With that suspicion, she abruptly pulled away from him and smacked his arm hard.
Luciano jolted awake. His eyes opened, only to meet Estrella glaring at him.
"What is it this time?" he asked, clearly annoyed.
"How did I end up on the bed?" Estrella demanded.
"I should be asking you that," Luciano replied calmly, his expression unreadable—no hint of guilt showing.
Estrella paused.
So… it wasn't him?
Then how did she get there? Could she have…?
"Did you sleepwalk?" Luciano asked, his face twisting in slight disgust.
"Sleepwalk?"
How could that be? She had never done that before.
Seeing his expression, Estrella snapped, "Do you have to act like it's something so weird?"
"It is," Luciano replied, clearly enjoying her irritation.
Their exchange was interrupted by the sound of a ringing phone.
Luciano reached for it—it was his.
The caller ID showed his grandfather.
He stood up and walked toward the terrace before answering.
"Have you seen the news?" the old man's voice came from the other end.
Luciano frowned slightly. "What news?"
"Your marriage."
So the old man had already seen it. Luciano wondered if he doubted its authenticity.
But then—
"Don't worry, I believe you."
A flicker of surprise crossed Luciano's eyes.
That was unexpected.
"I know the girl is a bit stubborn and might not want to quit her former job," the old man continued.
Ah… so that was what he thought.
"You need to take things slow with her. Don't force her. Let her understand why she should change her occupation."
"I understand," Luciano replied.
"Good. I'll leave you to handle it," the old man said before ending the call.
Meanwhile, Estrella received a video call from Stella.
She picked it up immediately.
Before she could speak, Stella blurted out anxiously, "You're trending!"
"Trending?" Estrella frowned.
"Yes! The internet is on fire over your marriage to Luciano!"
So the news had spread that far already.
"I've seen it. Luciano said he'll handle it," Estrella replied.
Stella let out a relieved sigh. "That's good. I was worried about you."
"There's nothing to worry about," Estrella assured her.
Then Stella suddenly narrowed her eyes. "Where are you?"
"Where am I?" Estrella repeated.
"Yes. This isn't the room you showed me before," Stella said, observing her surroundings.
Only then did Estrella realize what she meant. Without thinking, she replied,
"I'm in Luciano's room."
There was a brief pause—
Then Stella screamed.
"You slept with Luciano?!"
Estrella froze.
Gosh… what did she just say?
"You said it's a contract marriage! Why are you sleeping in the same room?" Stella demanded dramatically.
"We had to," Estrella said helplessly.
"We had to?" Stella repeated, her tone teasing.
"It's not what you're thinking!"
"What am I thinking?" Stella grinned mischievously.
Estrella sighed in defeat.
"So… did you do the do?" Stella asked suspiciously.
Estrella's face instantly turned red.
What exactly did this girl use her brain for all day?
Just then, Estrella noticed Luciano walking back into the room.
"I'll call you later," she said quickly.
"Why—?"
Before Stella could continue, Estrella ended the call.
Luciano had clearly heard everything.
He glanced at her, unimpressed.
"You should warn your friend," he said coldly. "She shouldn't go around shouting that our marriage is contractual."
Estrella rolled her eyes. "It's not like she said it in public."
Luciano's gaze darkened slightly.
"If that information gets out, you won't be able to handle the consequences."
His tone carried a quiet threat.
Estrella felt her heart skip for a moment.
But she brushed it off.
What could he really do?
Instead, she asked,
"What are we going to do about the news?"