DON'T TELL ME YOU FALSIFIED YOUR AGE

The boy, with a smile, replied:

—Okay, tomorrow I'll bring the permission slip.

And he left that place, while Lucas, with a mocking smile, said:

—Don't tell me you used to fake your age to do certain things.

Liana replied with a satisfied smile:

—Of course. I was a person with many plans and things I wanted to achieve. If I didn't make an effort myself, no one would do it for me or help me. I've always been —and still am— a mastermind. By the age of twelve, I already had mature and deep thoughts... but of course, I never let them show. It wasn't normal for a girl my age to think so maturely.

And Lucas replied, with a serious tone:

—Uh-huh, now you're bragging about how good you are... But aside from that, tell me: how strict was your schooling?

Liana replied with a smile:

—I started school full of desire to learn and with brutal innocence. I was so innocent —she said, lowering her gaze—.

Lucas replied:

—And what happened next?

And Liana, still smiling, said:

—Well, from the beginning I stood out. In kindergarten, I quickly learned to add and subtract, and I was good. At that time, I thought math was my favorite subject. Then, in first grade, I stood out because of my fluent reading and I always excelled, but my efforts were never recognized. I was also a bit distracted and forgetful, but I was never lacking intelligence. Because of those traits, many thought I was stupid or dumb.

Then came a point in elementary school where things didn't go well. Not because I didn't try, but because my final exams sometimes had poor results, and my handwriting was terrible… it didn't improve. Then I said, and I promised myself, that "success and fame would be my name." I started studying hard and always got good results, but I was never the best in my class. Meanwhile, others were praised, and I asked myself: what was my mistake?

She was interrupted by Lucas, who asked:

—And at home?

Liana replied:

—That's not something I want to talk about. And honestly, it's just the story of an average family. Unlike others who suffered, my family was the best... but that's a story I'll tell another time.

In the meantime, I'll keep talking. At home, I was always well-mannered. I was taught to eat properly —which is normal— and to dress like a lady, be polite, and that any mistake, even accidental, would have consequences… but those were the rules. I don't judge.

Later I entered high school, and I always stood out for my intelligence. But there, I understood many things. That school taught me that power overcomes reason; that it doesn't matter if I'm the victim… if I take justice into my own hands, I'll end up being the victorious villain.

I also understood that some people would step on me, and I would just have to stay silent… because that's the sweet taste of power. But I also had good days at school. My best years were first, second, and third year. That's when I focused on standing out more than anyone, on gaining recognition, and on learning etiquette and protocol, because the people I interacted with were ordinary.

From a young age, I was told: "You have to be different." Even my friends were carefully chosen. But in the end, I only found loneliness. The good part is that I learned a lot and had a good memory. Once I memorized something, it became knowledge. But I struggled with forgetting small, important things... even very important things.

In my first year of high school, I discovered that I loved literature. I found it amazing. By the age of fourteen, I was already writing, and by third year, I realized that math wasn't for me —but I loved business.

Lucas replied:

—And business involves math.

And Liana replied:

—It does, but not like the algebra they gave me in school. Equations and inequalities... Even though it was easy and I could solve them, I just didn't like them. And imaginary numbers... and to top it off, a table with intervals that kept getting more complicated.

And geometry... They thought I'd be an architect. Well, no! I wanted something calm, so I studied business.

—Well, that's how I finished school and started university. And now I'm just the way you know me —said LIANA, smiling at Lucas.

He simply adjusted his glasses and replied:

—Nothing important to tell.

—Come on… there's always something to tell, even if it's silly or short —LIANA replied.

Lucas looked at her coldly.

—My life fits in two lines. I was born intelligent too, second child of a well-off family, but I never experienced those comforts. I was an unwanted child, and they never saw a future in me. After finishing school, I was kicked out within a week. That's it. Nothing else to say.

LIANA, surprised, said:

—Wow! You really summarized your story fast.

Lucas replied:

—We can go home now.

—Okay, but let me freshen up a bit —LIANA said.

Lucas replied with a blank face:

—What freshening up? The kind where you remove it as soon as you get home? Because, honestly, "freshening up" is just lipstick and a bit of powder… and it takes you half an hour.

LIANA said:

—Fine, let's go. I look gorgeous anyway. Besides, today… well, never mind. Let's just go home. It's already four in the afternoon.

Lucas replied:

—Exactly.

But LIANA turned and looked at Lucas. The room fell silent. An uncomfortable yet flirtatious atmosphere arose from LIANA, who with an innocent and teasing smile said:

—So… when's your shower? And how does your handsome body look in the shower, covered in bubbles and soap?

Lucas replied, completely unfazed:

—Whenever you want, just check it out. But I won't say "no" because I can't. It's just that your flirting doesn't move me at all. And by the way, my shower is after nine… or maybe seven.

LIANA, disappointed, said:

—Someday I'll make you blush so much your nose will bleed. What if I undressed?

Lucas replied:

—No need. Still wouldn't blush.

LIANA turned and left, and Lucas followed. They took the elevator, went down to the parking lot, and got in the car. On the way home, LIANA received some messages. She checked them: photos of AURORA with LEONAR. LIANA just smiled at the sight, thinking: It's fine if she ends up with him...

But before she could put the phone away, LEONAR called. He said with a smile:

—Imagine, I proposed to my dear future wife. Her lips are sweet and enchanting.

LIANA, annoyed, replied:

—And why should I care? But let it be clear, that painting is for you, for me, and for he… ne… never mind.

LEONAR replied:

—I just called to share the good news. And to tell you I sent some little gifts your way.

LIANA simply said:

—Send someone to pick them up. I don't want them.

LEONAR replied:

—You haven't even seen them.

LIANA sighed and said:

—When I first saw you, I wasn't scared. I even let you stay. Later, I thought we'd remain as mere acquaintances, but you made a move. And that day you said you found Aurora interesting, so I handed her to you. And sure, I know you'd be a good man, but that crazy desire to have me never ends well. I'm telling you, because others tried before —though they weren't as clever as you.

LEONAR replied:

—I'm going to marry her. She's a good wife, but I still want to try you someday. Though I'm not someone who falls easily.

LIANA simply hung up and said to Lucas:

—Let's go. I'm tired. But when we get home, let's eat first and then we can each do our own thing.

Lucas replied:

—Okay, whatever you say.

After half an hour, they arrived home. As always, LIANA took off her clothes at the entrance and put on her robe. Lucas headed to the dining room, removing his jacket, and LIANA followed. While walking, Lucas said:

—Miss, could you please stop with the awkward habit of undressing at the entrance? What if someone's waiting for you and you don't know?

LIANA replied:

—Okay, whatever you say.

While Lucas was scolding LIANA, they reached the dining room. Lucas widened his eyes and swallowed. LIANA said:

—Surprise. Your favorite foo—

Before she could finish, Lucas had already served himself and started eating. LIANA simply said:

—Doesn't matter. I'm glad you like it. At least I know it's the food you enjoy —she said while sitting down at the table.

Lucas said:

—Aren't you eating?

LIANA replied:

—No, thanks. I don't like pasta. That's why I asked for spicy chicken.

Lucas swapped the chicken with lasagna and told her:

—Taste it, and then eat the chicken.

LIANA whined:

—I don't want it, I don't like it!

Lucas said:

—It's not mandatory. Just a little taste.

LIANA agreed. When she tried it, she felt like she was eating something delicious and said with a smile:

—It's delightful, it tastes amazing. But I still want the chicken.

Lucas replied:

—Finish your plate first.

LIANA nodded. After a few minutes, she finished and started eating her chicken while dessert was being brought out. LIANA stood up, saying:

—Enjoy, I don't like desserts.

She turned, thinking: I never thought a man so emotionless would enjoy desserts... but oh well, what can I say?

She said this as she approached her teacher's room, where the woman greeted her with a smile, saying:

—LIANA, looks like you've got what you wanted, but hard times are coming.

LIANA replied with a smile:

—Teacher, I'm not the protagonist to go through hard times.

The teacher replied:

—That's exactly what you said back then… but in the end, you did.

LIANA replied:

—I won't say much today. I just came to watch the beautiful moon.

The woman said:

—LIANA, aren't you here to find what you're looking for? Because what you're looking for isn't the same.

LIANA replied:

—I know that. I just want to pretend it is. I'm leaving now.

The woman said:

—As you wish.

She went to her room. When she entered, on her bed there was a different necklace, a note that said: "One million", a set of car keys, and there were two mi...