Claudia, beneath the scars

Chapter Fourteen

"Hey Claudia, check out the new office policy," Janice called out, waving a sheaf of papers.

"One sec," Claudia responded, her eyes glued to the computer screen as she typed away at the email that had been giving her grief all morning.

The office buzzed with the usual mix of keyboard clicks and the occasional ring of a phone, but Claudia barely noticed. She had enough on her plate already without worrying about whatever new rules Mr. Lucio had cooked up. She hit send and finally looked up. "Alright, what's the damage?"

Janice's smile was forced as she handed over the paperwork. "Just the usual stuff, but he wants everyone to sign it by the end of the week."

Claudia skimmed the document, her heart sinking. More work, more scrutiny. She nodded and took the papers, her mind racing. She'd have to add this to her already overflowing to-do list. "Thanks."

Mr. Lucio's office door creaked open, and the heavy silence that followed was a stark contrast to the room's usual chatter. The other employees stole quick glances at each other, the tension thick enough to cut with a dull knife.

"Good morning, everyone," he said, his voice oily and smooth. The room collectively held its breath.

"Hi, Mr. Lucio," Janice chirped, a little too brightly.

He stepped out, his eyes scanning the room. When they landed on Claudia, they lingered a beat too long. She felt a hot flush creep up her neck and forced herself to keep her gaze on the papers in her hand.

"How's that report coming along, Claudia?"

"Almost done," she said, her voice a squeak. She didn't dare look up.

"Excellent," he said, his tone dripping with something that made her stomach twist. "I'm counting on you."

With that, he strolled back into his office, the door clicking shut behind him. The room exhaled in unison.

"What was that about?" Janice whispered.

"Just... work," Claudia murmured, her mind racing with thoughts of the unpleasant encounter she'd had with Mr. Lucio the last time. She needed to find a way to deal with his unwelcome advances without losing her job. The thought of having to interact with him on a daily basis, knowing what he wanted from her, was almost too much to bear.

But for now, she had to focus. The paperwork wasn't going to deliver itself. She gathered her courage and stood up, the papers in her hand a silent declaration of her intent to keep her distance.

"I'll go grab some coffee," she announced, hoping the break would clear her head.

"Want me to come?" Janice offered.

"No, I've got it," Claudia said with a tight smile. "I need the walk."

The corridor was blissfully empty as she headed towards the break room. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the beige walls. It was a stark contrast to the chaotic jumble of emotions swirling inside her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

"Hey, Claudia," a voice called out. She recognized it immediately and her stomach did a little flip. It was him.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she turned to face Mr. Lucio, his smile too wide for comfort. "You know," he began, stepping closer, "I've noticed how hard you've been working lately. Maybe we should grab dinner and talk about your future here."

The smell of his cologne was overpowering, and she took a step back. "I-I've got plans," she stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Some other time, then?" He leaned in, his breath hot against her ear.

"I'll, uh, I'll let you know," she said, desperation creeping into her voice.

He winked and sauntered away, leaving her trembling in his wake. She had to figure something out, and fast. Her job, her dignity, and maybe even her safety depended on it.

Back at her desk, Claudia tried to bury herself in work, but every time she heard the squeak of Mr. Lucio's office chair, her concentration wavered. She couldn't shake the feeling of his eyes on her, even though she knew he couldn't see her through the solid walls. It was as if his leer had branded itself into her skin, a constant reminder of his unwanted attentions.

The day dragged on, each tick of the clock feeling like a countdown to doomsday. She avoided the water cooler, the photocopier, anywhere he might be lurking. Her nerves were so frayed that even the most innocuous interactions with colleagues felt like minefields she had to tiptoe through.

Finally, it was time to leave. She packed her things up, hoping against hope that she could slip out unnoticed. But as she reached the door, she felt a hand on her arm, spinning her around.

It was Mr. Lucio again, his smile predatory. "You know, I've got a few things we can discuss right now," he said, his grip tightening.

Her heart hammered, but she kept her voice steady. "Mr. Lucio, I really need to go. I have an appointment."

"It won't take long," he said, steering her back towards his office. "Just a little chat about your performance."

The door closed with a click that echoed through the empty hallway. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her as she sat in the chair opposite his desk, the leather cold and unwelcoming. His office was a prison of glass and chrome, reflecting his power and her fear back at her.

"So, Claudia," he began, leaning back in his chair. "Tell me about your weekend."

Her mind raced, trying to think of a way out of this. But she knew what he really wanted to hear. The office policy she'd signed that morning lay on the desk between them, a silent threat. She took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "It was fine," she said, her voice shaking. "Just some errands."

"Oh, I'm sure it was more interesting than that," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "How about we go over your report instead?"

"Of course," she said, grateful for the distraction.

As she talked him through the numbers and projections, she felt the tension in the room ease, ever so slightly. Maybe, just maybe, she could keep this professional. But as she handed over the report, she saw his gaze drop to her chest, and she knew the battle was far from over.

The air grew heavy as he leaned in closer, his hand reaching out to "accidentally" brush against her knee. She flinched, her stomach clenching.

"You're doing a great job," he murmured, his voice low and intimate. "But I think we both know there's more to this job than just the paperwork."

Her mind raced as she tried to figure out what to do. Fight or flight instincts warred within her, but she knew neither was an option. Not here, not now. She needed a plan, and she needed it fast.

"Mr. Lucio," she said, her voice shaking slightly, "I'm really committed to this company, and I want to do the best job I can."

He leaned back, his eyes narrowing. "I'm sure we can find a way for you to demonstrate that commitment," he said, his hand still on her knee. "How about you come to my place tonight?"

The words hung in the air like a noose, tightening around her throat. She forced a laugh. "I don't think that would be appropriate," she said, trying to keep her voice light. "But maybe we could have a work dinner some other time?"

He studied her for a moment, his gaze cold and calculating. Then, with a shrug, he removed his hand. "Alright," he said, his voice still too sweet. "But don't make me wait too long."

The threat was clear, but she managed a nod before getting up and escaping his office. As she stepped into the hallway, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She had to get out of there.

But as she reached for the elevator button, she made a decision. This wasn't going to be the end of it. She couldn't let it. Claudia's hand hovered over the button before she turned and marched back to her desk, determination etched into her features.

Her eyes searched for Janice, her one ally in this corporate hellhole. She needed advice, a sounding board, anything to help her navigate this minefield. But Janice was nowhere to be seen. Instead, her gaze fell on her work phone, the digital leash that kept her tethered to Mr. Lucio's every whim.

With trembling hands, she typed out a text message to Janice. "Can we talk? It's important." She hit send, the finality of the action making her stomach drop. There was no going back now.

Minutes later, Janice slid into her cubicle, her expression a mix of worry and confusion. "What's up?" she asked softly.

Claudia took a deep breath. "I can't do this anymore," she whispered. "I need to tell someone."

Janice leaned closer. "Tell me what?"

"Mr. Lucio," Claudia said, her voice barely above a murmur. "He's been... making advances."

Janice's eyes widened. "What? Are you okay?"

"I've been avoiding him, but it's getting harder," she said, her voice cracking. "I don't know what to do."

"You need to report him," Janice said firmly. "You can't let him get away with this."

"But what if he fires me?" Claudia whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "What if he tells everyone I'm lying?"

"You're not alone," Janice assured her, gripping her hand tightly. "We'll go to HR together. We'll get through this."

The elevator chimed, and they both looked up, startled. The doors slid open to reveal Mr. Lucio, a look of surprise on his face that quickly morphed into a knowing smile. "Ladies," he said, stepping into the hallway. "Collaborating on something juicy?"

They both jumped to their feet, Claudia's heart racing. "Just catching up," Janice said with forced brightness.

"Well, don't let me interrupt," he said, his gaze lingering on Claudia. "But remember, Claudia, we have that little... chat to finish."

The door to his office clicked shut behind him, and Janice's grip on her hand tightened. "We're not going to let him get away with this," she murmured.

Claudia nodded, a spark of anger igniting in her chest. "No," she said, her voice stronger than she felt. "We're not."

Together, they marched towards the HR department, papers clutched in their trembling hands. The corridor seemed to stretch on forever, each step feeling heavier than the last. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows on the beige walls that seemed to whisper warnings of the battle ahead.

The HR office was a small, windowless room with the faint scent of stale coffee. The HR manager, Mrs. Thompson, looked up from her paperwork with a look of surprise. "Ladies, what can I do for you?" she asked, her voice cool and professional.

Janice took the lead. "We need to file a complaint," she said firmly. "It's about Mr. Lucio."

Mrs. Thompson's expression didn't change, but the air in the room grew colder. "I see," she said, gesturing for them to take a seat. "What seems to be the issue?"

Claudia took a deep breath, her heart racing as she recounted the events. The way he looked at her, the inappropriate comments, the touches that made her skin crawl. Mrs. Thompson listened intently, her expression unreadable.

When she was finished, Mrs. Thompson leaned back in her chair. "Thank you for sharing this with me," she said, her tone measured. "But before we take any action, I need to make something clear. This is a serious allegation. And could spoil our partnership with mr castellanos who has invested billions into our firm"

"We know," Janice said, her voice equally firm. "We wouldn't be here if we weren't sure."

"Of course," Mrs. Thompson said with a nod. "I'll need to look into this thoroughly. In the meantime, I'd advise you both to keep your interactions with Mr. Lucio to a minimum. And for your own safety, keep detailed records of any further incidents."

Claudia had thought of mr castellanos impression if he found who he's partner was, it would be a blow to him especially with the amount of money he had invested and the one's he lost to his wife Elena during their divorce proceeding.

Claudia and Janice had done their best to avoid Mr. Lucio, but it was like trying to dodge a shark in a swimming pool. Every time they turned around, he was there, his eyes gleaming with something dark and hungry. The other employees had noticed the change in the office dynamics, but no one dared to speak up.

The whispers started on Thursday. Subtle at first, then growing louder. People were talking about Mr. Lucio and the rumors of his inappropriate behavior. Janice's face was a mask of anger when she heard them, while Claudia felt a cold knot of dread in her stomach. Had someone else reported him? Or was he spreading lies to discredit them?

The answer came on Friday, when Mrs. Thompson called them into her office. The air was thick with the scent of her overpowering perfume, and the room felt even smaller than before. "Ladies," she began, her voice carefully neutral. "I've completed my investigation."

The words hung in the air, heavy as a lead weight. Claudia's heart thudded in her chest as she braced herself for the worst.

"I've found that your allegations have merit," Mrs. Thompson continued. "Mr. Lucio's behavior is in violation of our company's s****l harassment policy."

Relief flooded through Claudia, but it was short-lived. "So, what happens now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Mr. Castellanos has been informed, and he's not pleased," Mrs. Thompson said, her eyes hard. "He's given us the go-ahead to take appropriate action. Mr. Lucio will be reprimanded and required to attend sensitivity training. If his behavior doesn't improve, further action will be taken."

"Even though he's the owner of the company, the company policy must prevail. Especially when it's s****l allegation."

"And if it doesn't?" Janice pressed.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Mrs. Thompson said with a tight smile. "For now, I want you both to know that the company takes this seriously. We'll do everything we can to ensure your work environment is safe and respectful."

They left the office feeling both vindicated and unsettled. The battle was won, but the war was far from over. Mr. Lucio would not take this lying down.

The weekend was a tense, nerve-wracking blur. Claudia barely slept, her dreams filled with the specter of Mr. Lucio's leering face. She knew she had to be prepared for his retribution on Monday, but she had no idea what form it would take.

When Monday finally rolled around, she walked into the office with a sense of dread that was almost palpable. But she was ready. She had Janice by her side, and she had the truth. They wouldn't let him get away with it.

But as she reached her desk, she found a single red rose with a note attached. "My apologies for any misunderstanding," it read, in Mr. Lucio's scrawling handwriting. "Let's put this behind us and move forward."

Her stomach churned as she read the words, but she didn't dare show any outward reaction. Instead, she crumpled the note and tossed it into the trash, the rose landing on top. It was a small victory, but it was something.

The day passed in a tense standoff, Mr. Lucio avoiding her like she had the plague. It was almost laughable, the way he pretended like nothing had happened. But Claudia wasn't fooled. She knew this was just the calm before the storm.

And when the storm came, she'd be ready. She had Janice, she had Mrs. Thompson's assurance, and she had her dignity. Nothing Mr. Lucio could do would take that away from her.

As the clock ticked closer to five, she packed up her things, her heart racing. She had to get out of there before he could corner her again. But as she reached the elevator, she heard his voice, low and insistent.

"Claudia," he called. "We need to talk."

Her hand hovered over the button, the cold metal a lifeline to escape. But she turned to face him, her eyes meeting his with a fierce determination she didn't know she had.

"Not here," she said firmly. "And not now."

Mr. Lucio's smile faltered for a moment before sliding back into place, slick as oil on water. "Fine," he said, his tone deceptively casual. "But soon. We're not done, you and I."

The elevator doors closed with a finality that seemed to echo in the empty hallway. Claudia took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. The day had been a rollercoaster of emotions, and she wasn't sure how much more she could take.

But she knew she had to stay strong. For herself, and for Janice. They couldn't let him win.

When she got home, she called Janice, the words tumbling out of her in a rush. "Did you get the same note?" Janice asked, her voice tight.

"Yeah," Claudia said, her hand trembling. "What does it mean?"

"It means he's not giving up," Janice said grimly. "We have to stick together, okay?"

"Okay," Claudia agreed, feeling a flicker of hope.

The rest of the week passed in a blur of tension and fear. Mr. Lucio's eyes followed her everywhere, his smile never quite reaching them. She felt like a gazelle being stalked by a lion, always watching for the moment when he'd pounce.

But the moment didn't come. Instead, the whispers grew louder. People were talking, and not just in the office. The rumor mill had spun out of control, reaching even the upper echelons of the company. It was only a matter of time before Mr. Castellanos himself would have to intervene.

On Thursday, Janice grabbed her arm, pulling her into a quiet corner. "I heard something," she hissed, her eyes wide. "They're meeting tomorrow. Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Castellanos, and Mr. Lucio."

"What? Why?"

"I don't know," Janice said, her voice shaking. "But we can't let this go on any longer."

That night, Claudia barely slept. Her mind raced with scenarios, each one worse than the last. What if Mr. Castellanos didn't believe them? What if they fired Janice and her for making trouble? What if Mr. Lucio just got a slap on the wrist and came back even more determined?

Friday dawned with a sickening sense of déjà vu. She forced herself to get ready, her hands shaking as she applied her makeup. The office was a minefield she had to navigate, and she couldn't afford to let her guard down.

As she arrived, she saw Mr. Castellanos's sleek black car in the parking lot. Her heart skipped a beat. This was it. The moment of truth.

The entire office was on edge, the air charged with anticipation. Mr. Lucio's usual swagger was gone, replaced by a furtive slinking that made her skin crawl. He avoided her gaze, but she could feel his eyes on her, like a physical touch.

The day dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity. Finally, just before lunch, Mrs. Thompson called them into her office. The air was thick with tension, and Claudia felt like she was going to be sick.

"Mr. Castellanos would like to see you both," she said, her voice as cold as ice.

They followed her down the hall, the click of their heels echoing ominously. Mr. Castellanos's office that was provided was a bastion of power, the heavy oak door a symbol of the unassailable fortress it contained.

Mr. Castellanos looked up as they entered, his expression inscrutable. "Please, sit down," he said, gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk.

They sat, knees knocking together, as he studied them. "I've heard some troubling allegations about Mr. Lucio," he said, his voice as smooth as silk. "And I want to know if there's any truth to them."

Claudia took a deep breath, the words tumbling out of her in a rush. She told him everything, from the first inappropriate comment to the last threatening touch. Janice nodded in silent support, her eyes never leaving hers.

Mr. Castellanos listened without interruption, his expression unreadable. When she was done, he leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Thank you for coming forward," he said finally. "This is not the kind of behavior we tolerate in our company."

"What happens now?" Janice asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It's he's company and he has immunity from this things, I have invested a lot of money into this project and redrawing from the contract will damage my company's reputation.Mr. Lucio will be dealt with," he said, his eyes hardening. "Effective immediately, he is on leave pending a full investigation. I will not stand for this."

The relief was overwhelming, and Claudia felt the weight of the past weeks lift from her shoulders. She looked at Janice, her eyes shining with unshed tears.