LOVE BUILT ON LIES

Chapter 10: Beyond the Boundaries

The exact microsecond Max left the executive room, Mike felt himself suffocating inside the heavy silence trapping his mind. But the strange, chaotic turmoil twisting deep inside his chest wouldn't grant him a single moment of rest. With heavy, deliberate steps, he marched out into the concrete hallway and entered Lucy's office space. Lucy was still desperately trying to wipe away the remaining traces of her tears, but Mike's sudden, unannounced arrival startled her entire presence all over again.Without any warning syllable, Mike closed the physical distance between them and pinned her straight against the desk. Placing his large hands firmly on the wooden edges, he trapped Lucy securely between his heavy body and the desk, cutting off any alternative escape. The distance between their frames was so incredibly small that Lucy's rapid, shallow breathing brushed directly against the expensive fabric of Mike's shirt.

— Listen to me very carefully, Lucy. — Mike's deep voice this time wasn't fueled by blind, chaotic anger; it sounded dark, low, and completely determined to its core.

— From now on, whatever internal problem you have, whatever you cry for, whatever you desperately need... you come straight to me. Not to anyone else across this building. To me!Lucy looked up into the depths of his intense eyes in absolute, helpless shock. Mike continued, his sharp gaze narrowing on her features:— I am your patron under this roof. I am the unique one who hands you the daily orders, and I should be the one to know absolutely everything about your existence. You will not seek refuge inside anyone else's arms without my permission. Do you comprehend my words?Lucy couldn't force a single word out of her tight throat; she could only nod her head slowly, her heart hammering frantically against her ribs. Mike's intense gaze fell once again onto that small, mysterious birthmark marking her soft neck. As if drawn by an irresistible, dangerous magnet, he slowly raised his hand and touched the dark mark with his fingertips once more. This time around, there was no raw hatred or cruelty inside the physical touch—only a hidden, unspoken tenderness. It behaved as if Mike was sealing her soul, claiming her entire presence through this small spot on her skin.

— This mark... — Mike whispered, his low voice dropping into a deeper murmur, — is the unique thing that reminds my mind of who you truly are. Now, get back to your work.Mike abruptly withdrew his hand, turned around, and left the room without delivering another word to the space. Lucy collapsed slightly against the edge of the desk, her strength completely leaving her frame. That small spot on her soft neck was still burning intensely from the lingering, suffocating heat of Mike's fingers