Isabella finds Carlos in her father's study

A few moments later, after she composed herself, Isabella stood up shakily and smoothed her clothes, fixed her hair. She wiped her face dry, removing any evidence to her moment of vulnerability, and left for her father's study. Carlos' words remained fresh in her mind as she walked the empty halls, the silence heavy and foreboding.

The Palacio del Sol had never felt so lonely.

***

Isabella walked into the study, her mind swirling with questions. Carlos sat in her father's chair, behind the imposing desk that dominated the room. He was facing away from her, gazing out of the window, the city of Valverde sprawled out before him.

Carlos spun around in the chair as Isabella shut the door behind her. "Your Excellency," he said with a smirk, "please, have a seat."

He gestured to one of the chairs facing the desk.

"Get out of my chair, Carlos," Isabella said coldly.

Carlos stood up slowly, his hands raised.

"Very well, Presidente," he said, emphasizing the last word.

He turned around and sat on the edge the desk, beckoning for her to join, a constant smirk on his face.

Isabella walked past him and took her seat, settling into the comfortable leather chair for the first time since she was a child. As she passed, she could sense his eyes drop to her ass, and feel his gaze burning into her. She wanted badly to slap him, but it would be a lie to say she did not feel a sharp rush of arousal.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Isabella asked.

Carlos laughed. "Straight to business, eh? I was going to offer you a drink, but I guess we can just get right to it."

He pulled a cigar case out of his pocket, and Isabella's eyes widened.

"That's my father's," she said.

Carlos shrugged, flipping the lid of the case open and holding it out to her.

"Yes, it was just lying there on the desk when I came in. But it seems that everyone else is taking what they want, now they he's gone."

Isabella reached for the case, her fingers brushing briefly against Carlos' hand. A spark of electricity ran up her arm, and she quickly withdrew her hand. Carlos' eyes met hers, a glint of amusement in them. He threw the case onto the table and picked up a cigar, rolling it between his fingers.

"That's fine, I prefer participating in other vices with you anyway," he said, his voice low and husky.

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

"So, you talked to Romero. Did he threaten you? To replace you with a better, stronger leader?"

Isabella looked up in surprise.

"How did you...?"

"Despite my appearance, I am not stupid, Presidente. I simply realised that a smart man in that snake pit oftentimes wind up in the bellies of crocodiles. Better a useful idiot than a dead genius. So I learned how to play my cards, and kept my ear to the ground."

Carlos bit the end of the cigar, his lips curling around the tip. He spat out the shredded leaf and lit it with a solid gold lighter, taking a deep drag. The rich aroma of the smoke filled the room, and Isabella breathed in deeply, savouring the scent.

"But he was right, was he not? The cabinet are plotting against you. You don't have the support, the skills, the money, or the power. All you have is a title, and they will not respect that forever."

"What would you have me do, Carlos? You tell me I am weak and powerless, and that my father's former allies have abandoned me. You tell me that the cabinet will replace me. What would you have me do, then?"

"Not all, Bella. I have not abandoned you, and I came bearing gifts."