After arriving home, Liana let out a laugh as she looked at herself in the mirror.
"Alexandra, your throne is about to fall. Very soon, you'll come to me begging for mercy… but I won't let go until I get everything I want," she said, stroking the dress Benjamín had given her. "He has good taste, no doubt. Soon you'll buy me more than just this… right?"
She sighed and sat in front of the vanity.
"One more week and the semester ends. I've already turned in the assignments, just a few topics left. I'd better order food. I eat a lot when I'm alone," she added with a crooked smile.
She went to shower. After coming out, wrapped in a white robe clinging to her body, water still dripping from her skin, she admired herself in the mirror, sensual and confident—until the doorbell interrupted the moment. She went to open the door… but it wasn't the delivery guy. A nearly two-meter-tall man, pale-skinned, black-haired, and light-eyed, stood before her. Before she could react, he grabbed her and covered her mouth.
Liana struggled. The man, catching a glimpse of her beauty and the intimate scene, blushed slightly. Liana took advantage of his distraction to hit him, knock him out, and tie him up.
Minutes later, while calmly eating, he woke up tied in front of her.
"What did you do?" he asked, confused.
"Wouldn't it be better to call the police?" he added.
"I prefer to avoid extreme methods," Liana replied with a peaceful smile, as she untied his restraints.
"I'm Leonar," he said, regaining composure. "I organize the biggest party of the year. I hid here because I was being followed. And luckily… I found a beautiful girl."
Liana raised an eyebrow and was about to hit him again, but he pulled out an invitation.
"Take it. It's tomorrow. The theme is medieval."
"And what makes you think I'll go?" she asked coldly.
"Can I stay until sunrise?" he asked sincerely.
Liana agreed. Not out of kindness, but because she already knew who Leonar was… and a favor from someone like him could always be useful.
"But don't go into my room," she warned.
Leonar nodded. The next morning, when she came out of her room, the smell of a delicious breakfast filled the air. In the kitchen, Leonar was waiting in a robe.
"What are you doing in a robe in someone else's house?" she asked, annoyed.
"Just showered before leaving. Come, eat."
The breakfast was exquisite, though she only murmured a dry, "It's fine."
Later, they went out to buy a dress for the party. The store owner greeted her with excitement:
"Liana! I thought you wouldn't come. And who's this?"
"I'll explain later. For now, help me. We need a suit for him and a dress for me."
Liana tried on a silver dress that highlighted her pale skin and long hair. Leonar, upon seeing her, was speechless. When she approached, she tripped and fell on him, their lips brushing.
"This wasn't in my plans… but it works in my favor," she thought.
As they left, Leonar offered to pay for the jewelry.
"I don't accept gifts. I don't want to owe anyone… especially not a man," Liana said.
"You have a charming scent. And your lips… taste nice," he whispered.
"Do you fear God? Because if you did, you'd have more shame," she replied coldly.
Later, alone in her apartment, Liana went to a room with a chessboard. She picked up the phone and dialed:
"Maestra, the game has begun. He made his first move."
She moved her piece on the board.
"Are you sure about what you want, Liana?" a voice answered. "They call you Poison Ivy for a reason."
"I don't desire money, Maestra. But I need it. I don't want power… but it's the only way to survive."
"Remember: among fools there was a wise man… but ignorance defeated wisdom."
"I know, Maestra. I'll follow this cruel game."
A while later, her friend came to help her get ready. Liana descended like a goddess to meet Leonar.
"You look stunning," he said.
"You don't have a date?"
"No. Just you."
At the party, everyone was mesmerized by her. But what Liana didn't expect… was to see Benjamín and Alexandra there.
Liana smiled sweetly at Benjamín. Alexandra, noticing immediately, frowned as he smiled back. She leaned toward him with a reproachful look.
"Don't let her catch you smiling. She's manipulative and cunning… she's making my life miserable," she snapped.
Benjamín tried to calm her in a low voice.
"She's the author who signed my book. That's all."
Alexandra looked at him with disdain.
"If I had known that dirty woman wrote that book, I'd have burned it. I can't stand her. She thinks being pretty gets her everything, but she's just a filthy nobody."
Benjamín interrupted her with a stern gesture.
"Don't talk about her like that. She's a good person."
Alexandra became furious, pulled away from him, and stormed off. He followed her. Then, driven by rage, Alexandra marched toward Liana.
"You knew he was my boyfriend… and still you worm your way into his heart. Poison Ivy! Gold digger!"
Liana, calm and composed, replied with an innocent smile.
"Benjamín is your boyfriend? I didn't know. I only saw him once, when I signed his book. We just talked a little… nothing more."
As they argued, the tension drew attention. Guests started recording and taking photos. Even reporters approached with their cameras, sensing drama.
Benjamín, embarrassed, returned and tried to defuse the situation.
"I'm sorry, Miss Liana," he said quietly, taking Alexandra's hand to lead her away.
Leonar, curious, approached with a raised eyebrow.
"Is that true?"
Liana smiled gracefully.
"Benjamín is polite and charming. I met him at a literary festival. He invited me for coffee, but I didn't know he had a girlfriend."
"So he's a ladies' man?" Leonar joked.
"I don't think so. He's just kind."
"Do you like him?"
Liana smiled, lowering her gaze.
"No, I don't like him."
But in her thoughts, the game was different:
Now comes the seduction. He figured it out. Perfect… everything is going as planned.
Later, Leonar offered her a drink. Liana accepted but only pretended to sip. He noticed with a sly smile.
"You don't drink… you just hold the glass to seem polite, pretending to drink. Right?"
Liana smiled, not denying it.
"You're right."
I can't play innocent with this one… I need to be clever. But this is my job, she thought.
"Let's enjoy," said Leonar, raising his glass.
And she kept up, dancing, laughing, seducing without giving anything away.
Hours later, Liana returned home. Leonar walked her to the door. Once inside, she climbed the stairs, took off her dress, and collapsed onto the bed.
"So tired," she murmured before falling asleep.
The next morning, she checked her phone. Social media was buzzing with the previous night's events. Everyone talked about Leonar's mysterious companion. They compared Liana to Alexandra… and in every post, Liana came out on top.
Among the messages, one caught her attention. It was from Benjamín:
I'm sorry.
Liana replied without thinking:
It's fine. Don't worry. Don't get upset with your girlfriend over this little dispute. Love her no matter what.
After sending the message, she smiled sarcastically.
"Believe what you want to believe. I am only what you decide…"
She turned on the TV. The news was covering the party and mentioning her name. She also got a call: she had been cast in a play.
"Not the lead role… but it's a good part," she murmured, caressing her reflection. "This scandal was spectacular. Everyone's talking about me now.