Claudia, beneath the scars

Chapter thirteen

Chapter thirteen:

The office air conditioner hummed a steady rhythm, a comforting background to the quiet afternoon. Claudia sat at her desk, her eyes glued to the spreadsheet that seemed to have more rows than there were stars in the sky. She was good at her job, meticulous even, but today, numbers swam in front of her eyes like fish in a bowl.

"You okay, Claudia?" Mr. Castellanos leaned over the partition, his voice deep and slightly concerned. He was becoming a frequent member despite having his own company more luxurious than this company.

"Fine," she said, her voice a little too high. "Just... a bit tired."

He nodded and went towards the entrance were one of his bodyguard opened the limousine, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary. Claudia felt a flush creep up her neck. She knew Mr. Castellanos had been looking at her differently lately, his eyes holding a warmth that made her stomach flutter. It's a woman instinct, they always smell affection from afar. She was flattered, of course, but she also knew the risks.

Her boss, had a way of making his employees feel like they owed him more than just their work. He'd had his eye on her since she started, and the thought of his heavy hand on her shoulder made her skin crawl. She had heard the whispers around the office, the rumors of his late-night "meetings" and the favors he'd ask for in return. She didn't want to be another one of his conquests.

Plus, there was her ex, Fred, whose memory still stung like a fresh wound. He had taken so much from her, she didn't want to give any more of herself away.

The phone on her desk rang, jolting her back to reality. "Claudia," Mr. Lucio's gruff voice boomed through the line. "Could you come to my office, please?"

Her heart skipped a beat. This wasn't a good time to be summoned by the boss. She took a deep breath and stood up, smoothing her skirt. As she walked down the hall, the air grew thick with tension. She could feel the weight of Mr. Castellanos's gaze on her back, and she wondered if he knew what was coming. She didn't want to be the cause of trouble, but she couldn't ignore the flutter in her chest that told her she had to make a choice.

Mr. Lucio's office door was open, and he waved her in without looking up from his paperwork. When he finally did look up, his eyes traveled from her face to her chest and back again. Claudia felt a flicker of anger but pushed it down, focusing on the task at hand. She knew this dance well.

"Take a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. She sat, her back straight, her hands folded in her lap. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving hers. "I've noticed you've been... distracted lately.”

Her heart thudded in her chest. "I've had a lot on my mind," she said, hoping her voice didn't betray her.

"I understand," he said, a smarmy smile playing at his lips. "But you know, I've always liked you, Claudia. You're a hard worker. And... you're quite the looker." He let the silence hang, thick and heavy, between them.

"What are you saying?" she asked, her voice a whisper.

"Just that maybe we could... help each other out." He leaned forward, his elbows on the desk. "You know I've got a big promotion coming up. And I've heard a rumor that you're seeing someone who could... complicate things."

The color drained from Claudia's face. He knew. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said, her voice shaking.

"Mr. Castellanos," he said, his voice like oil. "I know you two have been getting cozy. But think about it. He's a divorcee. A billionaire. And let's not forget, my business associate."

Her thoughts raced. How had he found out? What did he want from her? She knew that if she didn't play this right, she could lose everything.

"I'm just saying," Mr. Lucio continued, "that a woman in your position might want to be careful. You wouldn't want to get involved with someone who could ruin your reputation. Or your career."

The room felt like it was closing in on her. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice stronger now.

"Just one night," he said, his eyes gleaming. "One night, and I'll make sure you get that promotion. And if Mr. Castellanos ever causes trouble for you... well, I'll take care of it."

Her stomach churned. She knew what he was proposing was wrong, but the desperation in her chest grew with every beat of her heart. A promotion would mean so much for her future, and she had worked so hard for it. But at what cost?

"Think about it," he said, standing up and walking around his desk. He leaned down, his breath hot against her ear. "You don't want to disappoint me."

He saw her as a conquest, a symbol of his success, and he planned to possess her, believing he had a right to break her innocence after her past relationship with Fred in which she had told him as her Boss, but guess he wasn't buying it and had secretly hired killers to assassinate Fred.

The door clicked shut behind her as she left his office, her mind racing with the implications of his offer. She didn't know what to do. Her heart told her to run, to tell Mr. Castellanos everything and get out of this toxic situation. But fear held her back. Fear of losing her job, her dignity, her chance at a better life.

As she walked back to her desk. She sat down, her hands shaking, and opened her computer. But the spreadsheet was just a blur. She had to make a decision, and she had to make it fast. But which path would lead her to safety?

Castellanos's glances grew more lingering, his smiles more intimate when ever he came around to sign some paperwork.Claudia felt like a tightly wound spring, ready to snap at any moment. She avoided Mr. Lucio's gaze, focusing on her work with a ferocity that surprised even her. But she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, that every move she made was being scrutinized and judged.