After a while, LIANA got out of the bathtub, moisturized her skin, and went to bed. But she couldn't sleep. So she got up and headed to the kitchen. There was Lucas, and LIANA, surprised, asked:
—Can't sleep?
He replied:
—No, I just have a habit of staying up late.
LIANA responded without emotion:
—Mmm, good to know.
Then she added:
—Would you like to come see something with me?
Lucas replied:
—As long as it's not a ritual where I'm the offering, I'm in.
LIANA smiled:
—Maybe it is.
They headed to the second floor, and Lucas asked:
—Should we take the elevator?
LIANA, surprised, responded:
—We have an elevator?
Lucas said:
—Yes, we do.
LIANA placed her hand on her head:
—Of course… I never explored the house. But that's not the point.
Without another word, she walked down the hallway to the last room, where darkness was deep but not overwhelming, and silence embraced every corner. LIANA opened the door and said:
—That's my teacher.
Lucas, without expression, replied:
—Yes, I've seen her. But what's a woman doing in this place?
LIANA answered:
—She's always been with me.
LIANA pulled out a chessboard, her face reflecting melancholy:
—Would you play with me?
Lucas answered:
—Sure. But… what's that other board?
LIANA said:
—That's the game of real life. The game of destiny.
Lucas asked:
—And which side are you? White or black?
LIANA smiled:
—White.
Lucas said:
—They have the advantage with some pieces, but—
LIANA interrupted him:
—It's not time to narrate the game yet.
Lucas understood and said:
—Alright. But… don't you think she might be uncomfortable with us being here?
He said it as the room remained silent, lit only by their eyes.
LIANA replied:
—It doesn't matter.
And they began to play.
LIANA said with a sly smile:
—You're observant. I see you're wondering about all the writings.
Lucas nodded, and LIANA responded:
—These writings are mine. You might think I received a top-tier education. I can't lie, I did… but it was divine. Everything you see here, all the literature, I learned on my own, guided by the intellect I developed. I learned chess at school, by obligation. My way of speaking, of being… was forced upon me. Then I forced myself to embrace it. Etiquette and protocol… some of it was taught, the rest I pursued. My elegance and wit come from the world I had to survive in. Not because they were refined, but because I had to be different from them… yet not detached from it. I was conditioned to be better, to excel in everything. But that path leads to perfectionism, and then they look at you with disgust. But that's life—normal, quiet.
Lucas said:
—Seems like your education was ambiguous, and yet… you know a lot.
LIANA replied:
—I always had a good memory. I can remember so much… yet I'm forgetful.
Lucas laughed out loud:
—That's dumb.
LIANA answered:
—That's what I think too.
Before LIANA could smile, the game had ended.
Lucas asked:
—Should I make the final move?
LIANA replied:
—I'll decide the outcome on the day I die.
And Lucas responded:
—Then it won't be anytime soon.
LIANA said:
—I'm sure it'll be soon. You never know.
Lucas replied:
—True. Humans are fleeting—just like a flower.
LIANA responded:
—You know? My teacher used to make me write recitations.
Lucas asked:
—Which ones?
LIANA replied:
> "A wise man who calls himself wise is nothing but a fool in disguise. A sage who seeks the fleeting is a sage who has understood nothing. A wise man punished is a man who failed to learn his lesson. And a sage who seeks death is unworthy of wisdom—for he believes he has seen and known everything… but in truth, he has seen nothing."
Lucas said:
—That's intense. But it's time to sleep. Would you like to rest on my lap?
LIANA said:
—No, thank you. I'm fine.
Lucas replied:
—Don't be so modest.
He pulled her close, thinking about how cruel her childhood had been, and how brutal her education must have felt.
LIANA only thought:
"This is annoying… but I hope one day I find the reason a sage must seek. For now, I'll keep expanding my empire and make them see me as a significant figure," she thought, with a sadistic smile, as Lucas silently watched her.
After a while, LIANA fell asleep, and Lucas carried her to her room.
---
The next day, as the sun rose and the birds sang, and LIANA's room filled with light, Lucas entered with a smile:
—Miss, wake up. There's work to be done.
LIANA, rubbing her sleepy eyes, asked:
—What time is it? And what work are you talking about?
Lucas replied:
—There's a job interview you need to pass.
LIANA said:
—Pick out my outfit today.
Lucas answered:
—As you wish.
LIANA went to shower. A few minutes later, she came out and got dressed. She wore a short black skirt, heels, and a white button-up shirt. Not too flashy, but not plain either. She put on her earrings, then grabbed her laptop and phone.
When she came downstairs, Lucas was waiting at the door to head to the car. Once inside, LIANA remembered she hadn't eaten breakfast. Immediately, Lucas handed her a tray of fruit and gave her the necklace LEONARD had sent along with the invitation.
LIANA, with a serious expression, said:
—This necklace is beautiful, but I don't think it's the right kind of gesture. How much does he think I'm worth? Does he really believe a woman like me would be dazzled by something so… small?
—Lucas, let's stop by LEONARD's house first.
Lucas nodded.
Meanwhile, LIANA thought, annoyed:
"That man… how does he know where I live? And worst of all… I don't know where he lives. But clearly, Lucas already found out. This man is starting to play the game, and I think…"