Claudia, beneath the scars

Chapter Twelve

Mr. Ferdinand stood in his office, staring out the window as the city lights flickered to life. The sky outside was a canvas of oranges and purples, painting the end of a long, tiresome day. His reflection in the glass revealed a man who had seen better times, lines etched deep into his face, a stark contrast to the vibrant colors of the dusk. The room was a bastion of order, files neatly stacked, a desk devoid of clutter. Only a single photograph of his ex-wife, Elena, remained from his previous life, a silent sentinel to his past.

The door clicked open, and Mr. Lucio sailed in, a whirlwind of confidence and energy. His tie was loosened, and his suit looked like it had seen better days, yet he exuded a charm that was hard to ignore. "Ferdy!" he boomed, slapping a stack of papers onto the desk. "We've got another contracts from Megan company":

Ferdinand turned, his gaze lingering on the photograph before it fell to the documents. The weight of his divorce had lifted, and now, with the ink still drying on the papers, he could focus on rebuilding his empire.

As Mr. Lucio shuffled through the paperwork, his secretary, Claudia, slipped into the room. Ferdinand had always noticed her, though not in the way one might expect. Her fashion choices as expected were questionable, often too flashy for his refined taste. He had never understood why Mr. Lucio had kept her around, but she was efficient, and in their cutthroat world, that was all that truly mattered.

"Thank you, Claudia," he said, his voice cool and professional. She nodded, her eyes flicking up to meet his before returning to her work. There was something about her today, something different. She wore a scent that was both familiar and foreign, a mix of jasmine and leather that lingered in the air like a siren's call. He felt a pang of curiosity, a sensation that had been buried for years under the weight of his Divorce.

As Mr. Lucio launched into an enthusiastic summary of their latest dealings, Ferdinand's thoughts strayed back to Claudia. She was young, ambitious, and had an air about her that suggested she knew more than she let on. Her outfits were always a bit too loud, a stark contrast to the sleek, understated elegance he preferred. Yet, there was something undeniably alluring about her, something that made him question his own judgment.

Their eyes met again as Mr. Lucio paused for breath, and Ferdinand felt a spark of something unexpected. It was the kind of moment that could either be ignored or acted upon, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he was tempted to take a risk.

"Why don't you join us, Claudia?" he suggested, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk. She looked surprised but complied, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she approached. Up close, he noticed the flecks of gold in her eyes, the way they shimmered in the artificial light.

The conversation turned to business, but Ferdinand found his attention drawn to the curve of her smile, the way her hair fell over her shoulder. It was a distraction he hadn't allowed himself in a very long time, and it was both thrilling and unsettling. He had built his empire on rationality and strategy, not on the whims of attraction.

As the meeting drew to a close, Mr. Lucio slapped him on the back. "Good work, old chap," he said, his smile wide. "You're going to love what we have planned next."

Ferdinand nodded, his mind racing with both business and personal thoughts. "Thank you, I'll review the contracts tonight," he said, his voice a touch distracted.

After Mr. Lucio left, Claudia remained, her eyes on him. He felt a sudden awkwardness, unsure of what to say or do next. "Thank you for your help," he managed, his voice sounding forced even to his own ears.

"It's no trouble," she said, her voice softer than he had ever heard it before. "Is there anything else you need?"

He considered the question for a moment, his mind swirling with possibilities. Then, with a decision made, he leaned back in his chair. "As a matter of fact, that will be all for now"

It wasn't from his heart, but he had to keep it a secret, besides he just lost some fortune to his ex wife Elena.