Claudia, beneath the scars

Chapter sixteen

Chapter sixteen

Outside, the city hummed with the distant sounds of traffic and pedestrians hurrying to escape the midday heat.Mr Lucio,He leaned back in his chair, his eyes glazed over as he stared at the ceiling fan's lazy rotation, his mind wandering to a time when his life was less complicated. The phone on his desk buzzed, jolting him out of his reverie.

"Yes, what is it?" he barked into the receiver, his voice a coarse rumble.

"Sir, it's Miss Rebecca," his Former secretary's voice quivered over the line before she was sacked giving way for Claudia who was employed months later. "She's insisting on seeing you again."

Mr. Lucio's heart skipped a beat. The name brought back a flood of memories, a series of clandestine encounters and whispers in the dark. He had thought that chapter was closed. He cleared his throat and replied, "Send her in."

Miss Rebecca, a woman of average height with fiery red hair and piercing green eyes, entered his office, her heels clicking on the marble floor. She looked at him with a mix of anger and desperation that he had seen so many times before. He knew that look. It was the same look his rivals' wives had given him when they realized that their power over him had waned.

"What can I do for you?" he asked, his voice cool and detached.

"You know what you did," she spat. "You can't just fire me like this."

Mr. Lucio leaned forward, his hands folded on the desk. "I gave you a chance, didn't I?"

Her eyes searched his, looking for a semblance of regret. "Is that all I was to you?" she demanded. "A trophy to be won and discarded?"

He shrugged, his expression unchanged. "You knew the rules of the game."

The room was silent except for the ticking of the clock on the wall. Miss Rebecca took a deep breath, her chest heaving. "I need this job," she whispered.

Mr. Lucio leaned back in his chair, a smug smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Well, then," he said, his voice a low purr, "I suppose we can come to an arrangement."

Miss Rebecca's eyes narrowed. "What kind of arrangement?"

He steepled his fingers together and leaned closer. "The same one we've had all along, my dear. You give me what I want, and I'll make sure you keep your position here."

Her cheeks flushed with anger, but she knew better than to argue. She had been down this path before. "Fine," she spat. "What do you want?"

Mr. Lucio stood up, his movements fluid and predatory. He walked around the desk, his hand reaching out to caress her cheek. She flinched but didn't pull away. "Let's just say," he murmured, "I'm feeling a bit... nostalgic today."

The office door clicked shut, and the tension in the room thickened. Miss Rebecca took a step back, her heart racing as she tried to maintain her dignity. She had hoped that this day would never come, but here she was, backed into a corner by the man she once thought she could control. Mr. Lucio's eyes were dark and hungry as he approached her, and she knew what he wanted.

He stepped closer, his breath warm on her neck. "You've always been quite the performer, haven't you?" he whispered, his fingers tracing the line of her jaw. She shivered, not from his touch, but from the disgust she felt for herself. "Let's see if you still have what it takes."

With a sense of resignation, Miss Rebecca took a deep breath and turned to face him, her eyes cold and calculating. "What's it going to be?" she asked, her voice devoid of emotion. He took her by the wrist, leading her to the leather couch that sat in the dimly lit corner of his office. She sat down, her legs crossed tightly, and waited.

Mr. Lucio took his time, his gaze roving over her body with the entitlement of a man who knew he could take whatever he wanted. He poured himself a drink from the crystal decanter on the sideboard, the amber liquid glinting in the muted sunlight. "Take off your clothes," he said, his voice flat.

Miss Rebecca's hands trembled as she complied, slowly unbuttoning her blouse, sliding it off her shoulders. She removed her skirt, standing before him in just her underwear. She watched as his eyes raked over her, a sneer forming on his lips. "Everything," he demanded, holding out his hand for the drink.

With a final act of defiance, she reached behind and unclasped her bra, letting it fall to the floor. She stepped out of her panties, feeling the coolness of the room against her bare skin. He took a sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving hers. "Now, come here," he said, his tone a mix of arrogance and anticipation.

Her legs felt like lead as she walked towards him, the sound of her own breathing loud in her ears. He set the drink down and reached for her, his hands rough as they pulled her closer. She could feel his desire pressing against her, and she had to fight back the nausea that threatened to overwhelm her. "Please," she murmured, "just make it quick."

His laugh was cruel, and his grip tightened. "Oh, I'll make it quick," he promised, "but you'll make sure it's worth it."

The encounter was perfunctory, a stark reminder of the power he held over her. As he zipped up his pants and adjusted his tie, Miss Rebecca felt a cold rage building inside her. This was not how she had envisioned her career, her life, playing out. But she had made her choices, and now she had to live with the consequences.

As she dressed, she made a silent vow to herself. She would find a way out of this toxic cycle, to regain her dignity and her self-respect. But first, she had to survive the rest of the day, the rest of the week, until she could figure out a way to beat him at his own game.

With her head held high, she walked back to the desk and picked up her purse. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mr. Lucio looked surprised. "For what?"

"For reminding me," she said, her eyes flashing, "that I am worth so much more than this."

The door slammed shut behind her, echoing through the empty hallway. Mr. Lucio was left alone with his thoughts, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind. Had he pushed her too far?

The phone buzzed again, jolting him from his musings. It was Claudia, his new secretary, her voice sweet and oblivious to the drama that had just unfolded. "Sir, your next appointment is here," she chirped.

He sighed and took another sip of his drink. It was time to move on to the next conquest. But as he buttoned his shirt, he couldn't shake the feeling that Miss Rebecca had left a mark on him, one that might not be so easy to ignore.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and paperwork, but Mr. Lucio couldn't focus. His mind kept drifting back to the encounter with Miss Rebecca. He had always enjoyed the thrill of the chase, the feeling of power that came with seducing women who were off-limits to others. But now, something felt different. Was it guilt? No, he didn't do guilt. It was something else. Power.

When Charlotte, his new secretary, walked into the office with a stack of files, her blond hair bouncing with each step, he couldn't help but look at her with new eyes. She was young, naive, and had a spark in her eyes that reminded him of Miss Rebecca before she had been tainted by his games. He felt a twinge of excitement and a hint of something else - a challenge.

"Leave the files on the desk," he told her, his voice gruff. "And lock the door on your way out."

Charlotte's eyes widened, but she did as she was told, her curiosity piqued. He watched her go, his mind racing with possibilities. He had a plan. It was time to start a new chapter in his sordid little book.

As the lock clicked into place, Mr. Lucio approached Charlotte, his stride purposeful. She looked up at him, a mix of fear and excitement playing across her features. He knew that look well. It was the look of a woman who had no idea what she was getting herself into.

"I've noticed that you've been working very hard," he began, his tone smooth and seductive. "How would you like a little... bonus for your efforts?"

Her cheeks flushed, and she bit her bottom lip. "What did you have in mind, sir?"

He leaned against the desk, his body language casual but his intent clear. "I'm sure we can come up with something," he said, his gaze lingering on her cleavage. "But first, let's get to know each other a little better, shall we?"

The air in the room grew thick with tension as Charlotte looked up at him, her eyes wide and her breathing shallow. She knew what was happening, but she was too new to the game to know how to play it. She was about to find out.

Mr. Lucio stepped closer, his hand reaching out to trace the line of her collarbone. "You're a beautiful woman, Charlotte," he murmured. "Don't you think we should... explore that beauty together?"

Her pulse raced as she felt his fingertips dance across her skin. She knew it was wrong, but something about his confidence, his power, drew her in. She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay," she said, her eyes never leaving his.

He leaned down, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was more claim than caress. She melted against him, her body responding despite her better judgment. As they kissed, he began to unbutton her blouse, his hands sure and practiced.

But unlike with Miss Rebecca, this time he felt something other than lust. It was a strange feeling, one that made him hesitate. But he pushed it aside, reminding himself that this was just another conquest, another notch in his bedpost. He wouldn't let himself get attached.

He led Charlotte to the couch, his hands never leaving her body. As they sat down together, he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth as he unhooked her bra. She gasped, her breath hot against his skin.

He pulled away, his eyes searching hers. "You're sure?" he asked, his voice low and earnest.

For a moment, she seemed to waver, but then she nodded, her eyes never leaving his. "Yes," she said. "I'm sure."

And with that, the game began anew. But little did Mr. Lucio know, the rules were about to change in ways he could never have anticipated.

Their bodies tangled together on the couch, a dance of power and desire. His hands roamed her body with the confidence of a man who had been here before, while her own tentative touches spoke of inexperience and curiosity. Despite the years of playing this game, he found himself oddly gentle with her, as if she were something fragile that could shatter at any moment.

As they moved together, the sound of their breathing and the rustle of fabric the only music in the room, Mr. Lucio felt something stir inside him that was more than just physical. It was a connection, a spark that ignited a fire he hadn't felt in years. He tried to ignore it, to focus on the task at hand, but it was like trying to ignore the sun when it's burning directly in your eyes.

When it was over, and they were both lying in a tangle of limbs and discarded clothing, Mr. Lucio couldn't help but feel a twinge of something he hadn't felt in a long time. Was it regret? No, that was too strong a word. It was more like... curiosity. What was it about this girl that had gotten under his skin?

He watched her as she dressed, her movements quick and efficient. There was a determination in her eyes that he hadn't noticed before, a steeliness that made him feel like he was seeing her for the first time. When she was fully dressed, she turned to him, her voice firm.

"I won't be like the others," she said. "I won't let you use me and toss me aside."

Mr. Lucio sat up, his interest piqued. "Is that so?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Yes," she said, her chin held high. "I want more than just a job. I want a future here. And I'm willing to work for it."

He studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a slow smile, he leaned back against the couch, his eyes never leaving hers. "We'll see," he murmured. "We'll see what you're truly made of."

"Infact you are fired, get lost" he pridefully said.

Her eyes flashed with anger, but she didn't protest. Instead, she gathered her things and walked to the door, her back straight and her head held high. As she opened it, she turned back to face him, her voice icy. "You'll regret this," she said, and then she was gone.

Mr. Lucio stared at the closed door for a long time, his thoughts racing. He had never been denied before, not like this. It was a feeling he didn't care for, a feeling that made him want to reach out and crush the person who dared to stand up to him. But there was something about Charlotte that made him pause, something that made him question his own actions.

He picked up his phone and called for another secretary, his mind already racing with new plans and schemes on how to get a more attractive one than Charlotte.

He immediately ordered for an interview with any woman who was interested in working with him. His rules were simple. He must sleep with them to know who was best equip to handle his desires.

As the day drew to a close, the interviews lined up one after the other. Each one prettier than the last, but none had the fiery spirit of Miss Rebecca or the intriguing challenge that Charlotte had presented. He felt a strange sense of restlessness, an itch that none of these women could scratch.

The final interview was with a young lady. Claudia. She walked in with confidence, her dark hair framing a sharp, intelligent face. She wore a simple black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, but it was the glint in her eye that truly caught his attention.

"So," he began, his voice lazy as he leaned back in his chair. "What makes you think you're the right fit for this job?"

Claudia looked at him, her gaze unwavering. "I know what you're looking for," she said bluntly. "And I'm not it."

Mr. Lucio's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"

"You want someone who'll play your games, who'll spread their legs for a promotion," she said, her voice low and steady. "I'm here for the job, not to be another notch in your belt."

He stared at her, unable to believe what he was hearing. No one had ever talked to him like this, not in his own office, not in his own domain. But instead of anger, he felt something else. Intrigued, he leaned forward.

"You're very sure of yourself," he said, his voice taking on a sharper edge. "What makes you think I won't just fire you on the spot?"

Claudia shrugged. "You can," she said. "But you won't find anyone better. And if you do, I'll just leave with my dignity intact."

For a moment, Mr. Lucio was speechless. Then, he threw back his head and laughed. It was a rich, genuine sound that filled the room and echoed in his chest. He hadn't felt this alive in years.

"You're hired," he said, surprising himself. "You start tomorrow."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "On one condition," she said. "No funny business. I'm here to work."

He nodded, still chuckling. "We'll see," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. But as she turned to leave, he couldn't shake the feeling that she had just set the terms of their relationship without him even realizing it.

And that's how she was employed.