The day of the encounter finally arrived. Liana wore a crimson red dress, making her beauty stand out even more. But she didn't associate this dress like she usually did with her clothing. She normally wore lighter, simpler colors. Today, however, she chose red—giving herself over to desire and cunning. Still, she would never paint her lips red; they had to look natural.
Then, she looked at herself in the mirror and said:
—The winner is the one with the best cards.
A while later, she arrived at the luxurious restaurant. Liana greeted him with a feigned kiss, but for him, it was disappointing. As he smiled, he thought:
Your scent is enchanting. This flower must be mine, and her petals must belong to me… so I can pluck them with the finest delicacy. Everything about you tempts me. It's like seeing a delicious dish, knowing it's poisoned. Will I give in to the flavor, or flee from danger? I wonder… how soft will her skin be?
Meanwhile, Liana was smiling and thinking:
Idiot… who do you think you are? I'm a flower no garden deserves, because I belong to no one. I'm a free spirit, a hummingbird that flits here and there. No one can catch me… and you are no exception. I'm only here to take what's mine. Because I decided so.
The tension in the air was intense, though the restaurant remained calm.
Alejandro, with a smile, said:
—You look so stunning tonight that if I'm not careful, you'll drive me mad.
And Liana, with that innocent smile she practiced so well, replied:
—Thank you. But I already knew I was beautiful. Every time I look in the mirror, my heart feels such delight…
Alejandro smiled slyly.
—Seems like you don't enjoy compliments. You make me feel like I'm taking advantage of a little girl.
—Technically, I am a girl… aren't I? —Liana replied, still smiling.
—Why don't we order a bottle of wine to start?
—Sure, why not? —Liana answered with an innocent yet flirtatious look.
After three glasses, Liana asked with a smile:
—Can I ask you something?
—Anything you want —Alejandro replied, confident.
—Tell me… why do you cheat on your wife? Isn't she a good wife?
Alejandro's expression went blank, as if she had hit his most sensitive spot. He sighed and said:
—She was a mistake from my past. When I was young… I remember I was drunk and out of control. I was chasing pleasure. It was raining that night… and there was a young girl in the garden. She had seen me before. Always tried to get my attention. And since I was so drunk, I let myself go. I dragged her to the garage… made her mine. She resisted… but I know she wanted it. The next day, my parents found out. To avoid scandal, they forced me to marry her. It was a business alliance. After all, money and power fix everything.
A few weeks later, she was pregnant. And even though I hated her, I thought things would be different with my daughter. But they weren't. I ended up hating her too… until Alex came along.
Liana simply smiled. She called the waiter, ordered something, and kept refilling Alejandro's glass. Half an hour later, he was completely drunk.
Then Liana pulled out a folded piece of paper.
—Sign here. It's the check.
Alejandro signed without reading. And right after that, Liana stood up and left, leaving him alone at the restaurant. As she got into her car, she said to herself:
—He was smart and cunning, but he never imagined I'd use powders. He thought my cleverness meant I'd sacrifice my body… but I'm not that dirty. I may look young, but that doesn't make him any less filthy or sick. I want nothing to do with someone like him.
When she got home, she thought:
—Tomorrow, we play cards… to recover what doesn't belong to him. Although I'm sure he won't win. This plan was risky… but the adrenaline is delightful. First, while the wine was being served, I subtly moved my hand as if seducing him—but it never was. Second, I added the powder in small doses… so small they went unnoticed. That man is cunning, but not enough. I admit I didn't think I'd use that trick… but I had to. He's handsome, yes… but not my type.
And get ready, Alexandra… because your family has lost everything. Tomorrow, in your father's hands, lies your financial future.
The next day, LIANA called Alejandro and, with a satisfied smile, asked:
—Are you home?
Alejandro replied:
—Of course, I'm home. A bit sore, but I'm fine. After all, a woman like you is dangerous and cunning.
LIANA replied with a smile:
—I invite you to a card game today. My treat, don't worry.
Alejandro agreed, though something didn't feel right. But his desire clouded his judgment.
Meanwhile, at home, LIANA ended the call and began breaking things, shouting:
—Why? Why? Why am I the poisonous ivy? Is it wrong that I seek justice? When I get hurt, I must stay silent and follow etiquette… but when I strike back, even I feel bad, even knowing I'm right. There's no sadness in my heart… but I can't… I can't lie to myself.
After saying that, LIANA sat in a cold corner, the same one where she had lived her darkest days. The poison ivy. That place remained in absolute silence, the darkness echoing in every corner of the room.
LIANA stayed there for over two hours, until the time came. She got ready, put on a simple yet striking white dress, and left her wild hair untouched. She headed to a restaurant. The view was beautiful: the cold sunset beside the calm sea.
LIANA smiled softly. It wasn't her usual sly or satisfied smile. It was one we had rarely seen.
A while later, Alejandro arrived with that filthy, lustful smile.
—Sorry I'm late. But you look so beautiful… and that smile is enchanting.
LIANA immediately erased the smile from her face. She reached into her purse, pulled out a paper, and said:
—Read this. It will decide our game.
Still smiling, Alejandro took the paper. But as he read, his smile faded. With a serious face, he said:
—Where did you get this? When did I sign it?
LIANA, expressionless, replied:
—You thought I was cunning, but not that cunning. I simply got you drunk, made you spill some little secrets… and finally had you sign that document where you grant me everything: your house, your shares, your properties.
Alejandro grew furious, but LIANA said in a commanding tone:
—Don't ruin my mood. This game depends on it. If you keep pushing me, I won't let you refute it.
Alejandro sat down, angry. LIANA pulled out a deck of cards and said:
—If you win, they're yours. But if you lose… they're mine.
Alejandro agreed. The game was intense at first, but then he took the lead. Confidence grew on his face, while LIANA, even though she was losing, never stopped smiling. That confused him, but didn't slow his celebration.
On the final move, Alejandro placed his cards down with a smile. But then, LIANA revealed hers… and Alejandro's eyes widened in shock. He gasped, clutching his chest as his heart faltered.
Immediately, LIANA called an ambulance. And as they took him away, she whispered:
—You have three days to vacate what now belongs to me.
Then, she left.
When she got home, she called Alexandra, who was in deep depression. Alexandra answered:
—Hello? Who is this?
LIANA, smiling, replied:
—It's me, LIANA. The poisonous, climbing ivy. The curse on your lips and the beauty in others' eyes.
Alexandra screamed:
—Witch! You're the cause of all my pain! I hate you! I despise you!
But LIANA answered:
—Don't pretend to be on my level… not in this society. Those were your words, remember? But I'm not calling for that. I want to tell you something your father confessed to me. But first, tell me: does your mother love you?
Through tears, Alexandra replied:
—Leave me alone. My father would never speak to me…
And LIANA, with a bitter smile, said:
—You are nothing to me. But this… this is for your own good. Do you know why your mother was never around? Because your father abused her… just because he thought money and power could fix anything. So stupid. Your mother is beautiful, yes—but things didn't go as he wanted, and he had to pay for stealing her purity. Their families arranged a marriage. And you… you are the result of that violation.
—I don't believe you, poisonous ivy! I don't believe you! —Alexandra screamed, before hanging up.
But the message had been sent. A recording. Her father's voice. Alexandra couldn't bear to listen. She stopped it halfway through.
In tears, she went to look for her mother. But she was gone. No clothes, no trace.
—My mother left…
She called her. And her mother, with a broken voice, answered:
—Sweetheart… I left. I wasn't happy there. Cry as much as you need, but remember, none of this is your fault. I'll be here… whenever you want to come out of the darkness.
She hung up.
Alexandra broke down crying. Moments later, the hospital called: her father had suffered a heart attack. He was stable… but could die.
Alexandra cried in silence, finding no comfort.
Meanwhile, at home, LIANA thought:
—Everything that happened to him… he brought on himself. One humiliation stripped him of everything. It shows how fleeting life and power really are. And of course… I was merciful. Because if it had been someone else, they would've taken everything at once. I did it piece by piece… so he could mourn every item, one by one.
And with a sadistic, selfish expression, she concluded:
—Alejandro was greedy. If he had chosen Aurora, he would've ended badly… but not this badly. I'm not the same. Choosing me… was your biggest mistake.