12..

Alina stared at her reflection in the large mirror that adorned the corner of her room. Her face remained calm, but her mind was working fast. Ricardo was starting to doubt her, and that was a serious threat. If she didn't act soon, things could end much worse than she had anticipated.

With steady steps, she left her room and made her way toward Ricardo's chamber. Two guards stood by the door, but they didn't stop her. Alina had long been part of Ricardo's inner circle, and everyone knew her position was special.

Without knocking, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. Ricardo sat in a chair near the window, a cigarette between his fingers, smoke curling in the dim light of the room. His sharp eyes immediately fixed on Alina, watching her with an unreadable expression.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

Alina walked closer, her expression slightly wounded. "I couldn't sleep." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "I've been thinking about all of this, about how you're doubting me after everything we've been through."

Ricardo exhaled a slow stream of smoke, his gaze never leaving her. "It's not that I want to doubt you, Alina. But there's evidence."

Alina gave a faint smile and sat at the edge of his bed. "Evidence can be manipulated, Ricardo. You know that better than anyone. We've been together for so long, and I've always been loyal to you. If I wanted to betray you, I could've done it long ago." Her eyes locked onto his, as if trying to reach into his mind.

Ricardo didn't answer right away. He studied her face, searching for any sign of deception. Alina had always been reliable, always by his side without hesitation. But could he truly trust her?

Alina took a deep breath, then slowly rose from the bed and stepped closer to him. She stood in front of him, her fingers gently brushing against his cheek. "Do you still doubt me?" she whispered.

Ricardo held her gaze, then lowered his cigarette. "I want to believe you, Alina. But the situation isn't that simple."

A small smile played on Alina's lips as she leaned in slightly, her face inches from his. "Then let me convince you," she murmured.

Ricardo didn't react at first when her lips met his, but within seconds, he responded. His kiss was gentle at first, then deepened, filled with something raw and unspoken. His hands moved instinctively, wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer.

Alina let herself sink into the moment, her arms looping around his neck, pressing their bodies together. She could feel the tension in him slowly fading that was exactly what she wanted.

When they finally broke apart, Ricardo looked at her differently. There was warmth in his eyes, faint but undeniable.

Alina smiled softly, then settled onto his lap, resting her head against his shoulder. "Have you ever considered that maybe this is all Ema's doing?" she whispered. "She betrayed you once before. Why are you so quick to trust her again?"

Ricardo exhaled, his hand naturally running along Alina's back. "I don't trust her completely. But she brought evidence."

Alina nodded. "She came back to your side, but are you sure she's truly loyal? Maybe she's just trying to drive a wedge between us. She knows how close we are, and she might be jealous."

Ricardo remained silent, his eyes locked onto hers, deep in thought. Ema had indeed betrayed him once. Could she be doing it again?

Alina saw the doubt creeping into his mind. She pressed on, "I'm not trying to accuse anyone, Ricardo. But we have to be careful. We can't let anyone come between us."

Ricardo nodded slowly. "You might be right, Alina. I'll think about it."

Alina's lips curved into a small, victorious smile. Inside, she felt relieved. She knew she had planted the seed of doubt in Ricardo's mind, at least for now. "Thank you, Ricardo. I just want to protect you."

Ricardo pulled her closer, his touch softer this time. "You always know how to make me rethink things, Alina."

She smiled and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I just want you to trust me, Ricardo. Because I will never leave you."

Ricardo lifted her chin, gazing at her intently before capturing her lips in another kiss this time slower, deeper, filled with unspoken desire. Alina responded in kind, her fingers tracing along his jaw before threading into his hair. Their breaths intertwined in the quiet of the room.

Her hands slid to the back of his neck, pulling him even closer. Ricardo responded by tightening his grip on her waist, as if unwilling to let her go. Their lips parted only to meet again, the heat between them intensifying.

Alina smiled against his lips, her mouth trailing along his jawline and down to his neck, pressing soft kisses that made Ricardo take a sharp breath. She felt his body tense slightly before surrendering to her touch.

That night, they lost themselves in each other in warmth, in closeness, in something they rarely allowed themselves to share. Their bodies moved in sync, seeking, claiming, as if the world belonged only to them.

When Ricardo finally fell asleep, Alina lay beside him, staring at the ceiling. She knew her fight wasn't over yet she had to stay sharp. But for tonight, she had taken the first step.

In her heart, only one thought remained. She would not let Ema win. She would destroy her in a way Ema never saw coming.