Claudia, beneath the scars

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter fifteen:

As they left the office, Claudia felt Mr. Lucio's eyes on her, a heaviness she hadn't noticed before. She picked up her pace, her high heels clicking against the marble floor, hoping to outdistance the uncomfortable silence that seemed to stretch on forever. She took refuge in the restroom, her heart racing as she leaned against the cool porcelain sink. Looking into the mirror, she wondered what had changed to make him look at her that way. Her reflection showed the same focused, professional demeanor she had always worn to work.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. She braced herself, expecting Mr. Lucio to follow, but it was only a colleague, Rachel, with a knowing smile. Rachel's eyes held a flicker of curiosity, but she said nothing about the tension that hung in the air. They exchanged pleasantries as Claudia washed her hands, the running water a soothing balm to her frazzled nerves. Rachel left, and Claudia took a deep breath, straightening her posture and reapplying her lipstick. She had to keep her job, she reminded herself, and that meant keeping her personal space as far from Mr. Lucio as possible.

The rest of the day was a blur of filing cabinets and photocopying. Claudia threw herself into her work, avoiding the break room during Mr. Lucio's usual coffee runs. She felt his glances as she moved through the office, but she kept her gaze fixed on the documents she shuffled. The office felt smaller, the air thick with a tension that was almost palpable. The other employees noticed the change in her behavior and whispered among themselves, but no one approached her. They had all seen how Mr. Lucio could turn on his charm when he wanted something, and they knew better than to cross him.

Finally, the clock struck five, and Claudia gathered her things, eager to leave the oppressive atmosphere behind. She slipped into the elevator, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. Would he be waiting for her outside, as he sometimes did, to offer a ride home? She took the stairs instead, her heart pounding in her chest with every step. The cool evening air hit her like a slap in the face as she stepped onto the sidewalk, and she took a moment to compose herself, watching the city come to life around her.

As she walked to the bus stop, Claudia's mind raced with possible scenarios. Maybe he had just been having a bad day. Maybe he had misread her friendly smile as an invitation. But deep down, she knew it was more than that. She resolved to talk to HR in the morning, to find a way to handle the situation before it escalated. For now, she just needed to get home and try to forget about the way his eyes had lingered on her. But as she waited for the bus, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She looked over her shoulder, but the street was empty, the office windows above her reflecting the setting sun. She shivered, suddenly aware of how alone she was. The bus arrived, and she climbed aboard, her thoughts swirling like the dust in the street.

The ride home was a blur of faces and neon lights. She clutched her purse tightly, her mind a tumult of fear and anger. Why hadn't she said anything? Why had she let him make her feel this way? But the fear of losing her job was a heavy weight on her shoulders. She needed the income, the stability, especially after her breakup with Mark. The apartment was quiet when she arrived, a stark contrast to the chaos in her mind. She poured a glass of wine and sat on the couch, staring blankly at the TV, the news of the day washing over her without sinking in.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Rachel, asking if she was okay. She replied with a curt "Fine," not ready to delve into the details. Rachel knew enough to leave it at that. The evening passed in a haze of half-watched sitcoms and restless pacing. As she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, Claudia knew she had to find a way to deal with Mr. Lucio. She couldn't let his behavior affect her work. She had to be strong, for herself and for the others who might be going through the same thing.

The next day dawned with a determination that hadn't been there before. She dressed in her most professional outfit, her armor against his leers. As she stepped into the office, she felt the weight of every pair of eyes upon her. Had they noticed the tension between her and Mr. Lucio? Or was it all in her head? She focused on her computer screen, typing with a ferocity that matched her thoughts. Her resolve grew with every passing minute. She would not be a victim, not again.

The day dragged on, the air in the office thick with the scent of photocopier ink and the low murmur of hushed conversations. When the time came for Mr. Lucio's usual round of the office, she tensed, ready for his approach. But he walked by her desk without so much as a glance. The relief was temporary, a Band-Aid over a gaping wound. She knew it wasn't over. As the workday drew to a close, she took a deep breath and headed for the HR department again, her heart thudding in her chest. It was time to take control of the situation, no matter the cost.

Mr Lucio was a cunning man, he sometime ago ordered the killing of one his business associates because he refused to pay mr Lucio his interest on a loan he had given him. Mr. Lucio was a man of power, he knew the right people and had connections that could make anyone vanish without a trace. He had also killed Fred, the man who had raped Claudia in which wasn't aware, only got to hear from the news that he killed himself through suicide which was fabrication by Mr. Lucio. That's what gave the audacity to say one time that Claudia must be tasted by him as he had killed the one who had enjoyed her without his consent.