That morning, Liana got up and thought to herself:
"Today I'll go to school naturally. No makeup, no flashy clothes... though, to be honest, most of my clothes are blue. But not royal blue—more like a soft, calm blue. And that doesn't bother me. It's charming."
She paused for a moment and added:
"Today I'll wear a white dress and golden earrings."
Though for Liana this seemed simple and far from dazzling, the truth is her beauty was undeniable. She glanced at herself in the mirror one last time and left the house.
Upon arriving at the classroom, she looked around and whispered:
"Alexandra didn't come today… And meanwhile, her father is out there trying to touch another woman's body. How ungrateful. But I imagine she thinks it's her fault. And she's not wrong… she is to blame for the mess she's in."
She sighed and added:
"For now, I'll just study in peace."
After a tiring day, Liana finished her classes. As always, there was Manuel waiting for her with a smile, a bouquet of flowers, and chocolates.
"Will you be my girlfriend today?" he asked enthusiastically.
Liana let out a sincere laugh—something rare for her—and replied:
"Not today either."
Manuel smiled, enchanted.
"You rarely laugh like that. It's charming... and captivating. But I know you'll say yes someday."
Liana took the bouquet and walked away, still smiling. As she stepped outside, she saw Leonard waiting for her. He smiled, and she, surprised, asked:
"Can I know how you got here? Who told you where I study?"
Leonard, with a mischievous smile, replied:
"That's a secret. But today I came to invite you out."
Showing no emotion, Liana got into the car. As they drove, Leonard turned serious.
"Why did you leave that day without saying goodbye? And the next day, as if nothing had happened, you sent me that girl's number… who, by the way, was very beautiful."
"I'll ask you something," Liana said coldly.
"Sure, ask," he replied, curious.
"What do you want? Would you accept just being my friend? And also… how interesting do you find that girl?"
Leonard paused for a second before answering seriously:
"I don't want anything. At first, I thought about sleeping with you… but that wasn't really what I was after. Though, of course, the offer was tempting… But yes, I'll be your friend. Tell me... are you jealous?"
Liana smiled, calm.
"Why would I be jealous? I only know the girl... and it would be a shame if you hurt her. Have you talked to her yet?"
"Yes. In fact… we agreed to meet."
Meanwhile, the scene shifts to Alexandra, locked in a dark room. She cries desperately, blaming herself for Benjamín's death. Hugging herself, she whispers through sobs:
"I was the cause of his death… for being a spoiled girl… for hurting that viper. But she should remember that I will always be better than her. She took everything from me… and I won't forgive her. I'll make her pay for the death of my beloved Benjamín…"
The echo of the room accompanies her lament.
The scene returns to Liana, sitting by the sea, her gaze lost. She thought:
"Alexandra… you fell into the worst hands. I took your lover… and now I'm about to take your father. I'll make them lose their money, destroy your parents' marriage… and bring you down."
She smiled wickedly.
"You'll have to choose: misery or death. And I know exactly which path you'll take."
At that moment, Leonard returned with two ice creams and, seeing her smile, asked gently:
"What makes you smile so sincerely?"
"The calm flow of the sea," Liana answered in a soft, almost ethereal voice.
Leonard smiled, not quite understanding what that phrase truly hid.
After dropping her off at home, Liana was left alone… and once again, the silence wrapped around her like a familiar companion. But she just smiled, as if that silence were the only thing that truly understood her essence.
With almost ritual slowness, she began undressing piece by piece, with a delicacy that seemed choreographed. She reached for her robe. She always kept a different one hanging by the door, depending on her mood. Because each emotion brought forth a different woman—though none strayed too far from the truth.
Wrapped in her robe, she walked toward the dark room. There, on the table, the chessboard awaited. The pieces were neither wood nor ivory—they were symbols of the lives she moved.
"Let me make a reminder," she murmured with a thin smile, gazing at the board.
Her fingers softly touched a piece.
"The enemy moved first… and his name was Benjamín. I took him off the board."
Then she pointed to another.
"Leonard entered… a minor piece. He made a move, but no attack is planned. He exists only because he's useful for now."
Her eyes settled on one of her pawns.
"Aurora… one of my pieces. Her task is small, but effective. Three pieces moved… few advances. But the towers will fall soon."
She lifted the white queen.
"Alexandra… an offense is an offense. And I… I am nothing but a flower that no longer belongs to her land. My crown… oh, my crown, would be far too heavy for you. Because no one else can wear it… except me."
She set the piece down and smiled cynically.
"And then came Alejandro… followed by the absent queen: Alexandra's mother. All the pieces are falling into place. This is just a game… but only the shrewdest wins."
With that, she left the room as if sealing a prophecy. She went to her bedroom and took a shower. Then, with meticulous care, she applied creams and oils to her skin—as if preparing her body for a silent battle… or a coronation.
Afterward, Liana sat in front of the mirror, staring blankly at her reflection.
"In this game, there will be no 'check' when I go after Alexandra," she murmured, "because this is the beginning of a cruel game."
I know I have two options to win… but also to lose. Though deep down, I already knew how this story would end.
And as Liana thought, the image fades to a board filled with photos of her, connected by red threads. At first glance, it's clear the photo was taken with care, but the invisible figure smiled.
"Liana… fake smile and cruel heart," he whispered.
Then we return to Liana, now at home, staring into her beloved mirror. She stood up, turned off the lights… and the scene cuts to Alexandra's house, where her crying echoes with guilt.
Meanwhile, in his study, Alejandro—Alexandra's father—broods with vicious thoughts.
"That woman has lips as perfect as poison… and she's greedy, but enchanting. My daughter's falling apart over that boy's death… but that girl… that girl is fascinating. I'm not willing to give up 30% of my shares to her, but it wouldn't be so bad if she became my wife. After all, Yaneth, my wife… we haven't been together for a long time. We sleep in the same bed, but I don't like her. She disgusts me," he said, face twisted in anger. "Past mistakes are cruelty to me… but power and money are all that matter. And I have both."
That woman will just be another in my bed. A flower I'll pluck… and place in my vase.