CHAPTER 17: Ripples in the Water
Lia's eyes were fixed on Alessandro's face, her mind racing with questions. What kind of proposal was he making? What kind of consequences would she face?
Alessandro's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You see, Lia, I've been watching you for some time now," he said. "I've been watching you, and I've been impressed."
Lia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with suspicion. What did Alessandro want? What was his angle?
Alessandro leaned forward, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "You have a certain... spark, Lia," he said. "A spark that could be fanned into a flame."
Lia's eyes locked onto Alessandro's, her mind racing with possibilities. What did he mean? What kind of spark was he talking about?
Alessandro's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You have the potential to be a great leader, Lia," he said. "A leader who could bring about real change."
Lia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. What kind of change was Alessandro talking about? What kind of leader did he want her to be?
As Lia listened to Alessandro's proposal, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Something didn't feel right. Something felt off.
And then, just as she was about to make a decision, a ripple appeared in the water. A small ripple, but a ripple nonetheless.
Lia's eyes locked onto the ripple, her mind racing with possibilities. What was causing it? What was happening?
Alessandro's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Ah, Lia," he said. "It seems that our conversation has attracted some attention."
Lia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with suspicion. What did Alessandro mean? What kind of attention was he talking about?
And then, just as she was about to ask, a figure emerged from the shadows. A figure that Lia knew all too well.
It was Maximo.
Lia's eyes locked onto Maximo's, her mind racing with questions. What was he doing here? What did he want?
Maximo's eyes locked onto Lia's, his expression cold and calculating. "Ah, Lia," he said. "I see you're considering Alessandro's proposal."
Lia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with suspicion. What did Maximo know? What was he doing?
Maximo's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I know all about Alessandro's proposal, Lia," he said. "And I know that you're not going to accept it."
Lia's eyes locked onto Maximo's, her mind racing with questions. What did he mean? What did he know?
And then, just as she was about to ask, Maximo dropped a bombshell.
"Alessandro is working for me," Maximo said, his voice cold and calculating.
Lia's eyes widened, her mind racing with shock. What did Maximo mean? What kind of game was he playing?
As Lia looked into Maximo's eyes, she saw something there, something that made her heart skip a beat. It was a sense of ruthlessness, a sense of determination.
And then, in a flash of insight, Lia understood. Maximo was playing a game, a game of cat and mouse.
And Lia was the mouse.
Lia's eyes locked onto Maximo's, her mind racing with questions. What did he want? What was his endgame?
Maximo's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Ah, Lia," he said. "I want you to join me."
Lia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with suspicion. What did Maximo mean? What kind of partnership was he proposing?
As Lia looked into Maximo's eyes, she saw something there, something that made her skin crawl. It was a sense of calculation, a sense of manipulation.
And then, in a flash of insight, Lia understood. Maximo was using her, using her for his own gain.
Lia's eyes locked onto Maximo's, her mind racing with questions. What did she do now? What kind of choice did she make?
As she looked into Maximo's eyes, Lia knew that she was taking a risk. But she also knew that she had to consider all options.
"I'm listening," Lia said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Maximo's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Ah, Lia," he said. "I knew you were a woman of vision."
And with that, Maximo began to outline his proposal, a proposal that would change everything.