Claudia, beneath the scars

Chapter Seven

Mr. Ferdinand leaned back in his plush chair, the leather creaking under his weight. He stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. Above him, the fluorescent lights flickered, casting shadows that danced across the pristine white surface. The silence in the office was so thick, it was almost tangible. It was a stark contrast to the buzzing city outside his skyscraper's windows.

He picked up the paperweight, a heavy cube of crystal with a tiny model of the Earth encased within. He rolled it between his thumb and forefinger, watching the world spin lazily. It was a gift from his wife, a gentle reminder of the power he held in his hands. He was the master of his own destiny, the captain of his soul. Or so he liked to think.

The intercom on his desk crackled to life. "Sir, Mr. Lucio is here," his secretary's voice announced. He set the paperweight down with a soft thud and stood up, straightening his tie. It was showtime. The meeting with his long-time business partner would be the talk of the town, the kind of deal that made careers or broke them.

Mr. Ferdinand's heart thumped in his chest as he walked towards the door. He knew he had to put on a brave face. In the cutthroat world of billionaires, weakness was a scent that sharks could smell from a mile away. He took a deep breath and opened the door, extending his hand to Mr. Lucio with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Mr. Lucio, a man of medium height with a sharp nose and piercing eyes, took his hand in a firm grip. "Good to see you, Ferdinand," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "Ready to change the world with this new venture of ours?"

Ferdinand nodded, trying to ignore the knot in his stomach. The press conference was in two hours, and the weight of what he was about to announce settled on his shoulders like a lead blanket. He had to play it cool, act like the tough, unshakeable mogul everyone believed him to be.

He led Lucio into the conference room, where a long table gleamed under the artificial lights. Papers were spread out, detailing their new product. It was a revolutionary idea, something that could change the face of their industry. But it came with risks, risks that Ferdinand had been playing devil's advocate about in his mind for weeks.

The room was filled with their closest associates, all eager to hear the news. The air was electric with anticipation. Ferdinand took his place at the head of the table, his heart racing. This was it. The moment he had been waiting for. The moment when he would show the world what he and Lucio had been working on.

But as he opened his mouth to speak, doubt crept in. Was he really ready for this? Was the product truly as foolproof as they claimed? The eyes of his colleagues bore into him, expectant and hopeful. He swallowed hard and began to outline their new venture, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his chest.

The tension grew as he spoke, a palpable force that thickened the air. Each word felt like a gamble, a roll of the dice that could either cement his legacy or bring it all crumbling down. And yet, there was a thrill to it, a rush of adrenaline that made his blood sing. This was what it felt like to play with fire.

The room was silent as he finished, the only sound the faint hum of the air conditioning. Then, applause erupted, a crescendo that echoed through the walls. The deal was done. The press would be notified, and soon the world would know.

Ferdinand's heart was still racing as he sat back down. He had done it. He had played the tough guy, the devil's advocate, and come out on top. But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had just made the biggest gamble of his life. And the house always wins, eventually.

Mr. Lucio leaned back in his chair, a smug smile playing on his lips. He had seen this side of Ferdinand before, the man who second-guessed every move. Yet, every time, Ferdinand had come through, turning doubt into cold hard success. "You did well," he said, slapping his partner on the back. "Now, let's get ready for that press conference."

The two men retreated to a private corner of the room to review their statements. Ferdinand's throat was dry, and he gulped down a glass of water, his hand trembling slightly. He could feel the weight of his words from moments ago. This was a pivotal moment for their companies, one that could lead to untold wealth and power. Or disaster.

The clock ticked away, each second a tiny hammer driving home the reality of what was about to happen. The press conference was a formality, a performance that would either win the public's trust or send their stocks plummeting. They had rehearsed their lines, practiced their smiles, and knew every detail of their new product. But in the back of his mind, Ferdinand couldn't help but wonder if they had missed something.

As they approached the podium, the flash of cameras blinded him. The room was a sea of eager faces, all hungry for a piece of the story. He took a deep breath and stepped into the spotlight, the warmth of the stage lights washing over him. This was it. No turning back now.

The room fell silent as he began to speak, his voice steady and confident. He laid out their plan, their vision for the future, and the revolutionary technology that would make it happen. The words flowed easily, the script rehearsed so many times that it felt almost natural.

But as he talked about the product's potential, he noticed a flicker of something in Mr. Lucio's eyes. Was it concern? Fear? Or was it the same greed that had driven them both to this point? He pushed the thought aside and continued, painting a picture of a world transformed by their innovation.

As the questions from the press began, Ferdinand felt a strange sense of detachment. The words leaving his mouth were no longer his own, but those of the persona he had created. The devil's advocate had been buried beneath layers of corporate jargon and forced optimism. He answered each question with the precision of a well-oiled machine, never faltering, never revealing the storm raging inside him.

When it was over, the room erupted into applause once more. The press swarmed around them, eager for quotes, for soundbites that would make headlines. Ferdinand and Lucio shook hands, smiling for the cameras, the picture of unity and triumph. But as they stepped away from the podium, Ferdinand couldn't help but wonder if he had just signed away his soul.

The weight of the unknown settled on his shoulders as they retreated to the safety of the green room. He glanced at Lucio, who was already on the phone, arranging celebratory drinks. Had they made the right choice? Would their gamble pay off? Or had they just lit the fuse on a bomb that would blow them all to kingdom come?

A young journalist slipped into the room. She looked nervous, her eyes darting between the two powerful men. "Mr. Ferdinand, Mr. Lucio," she began, her voice shaking slightly. "Could I have a moment of your time?"

Ferdinand nodded curtly, his curiosity piqued. What could she possibly want that hadn't been covered in the press conference? He gestured for her to sit across from him. "Fire away," he said, his tone firm but not unkind.

The journalist took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Ferdinand's. "Sir, I noticed a... hesitation in your speech today," she said, her voice gaining strength. "Can you tell me more about the potential risks involved with your new product?"

Ferdinand felt the color drain from his face. This wasn't part of the plan. The questions from the press were supposed to be softballs, designed to showcase their success without digging too deep. He looked to Lucio, who was busy with his own phone call, oblivious to the situation. The devil's advocate within him stirred, eager to be released.

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "You're right to be concerned," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "Every innovation comes with risks. But let me assure you, we've done our due diligence. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that what we're bringing to market is not only revolutionary, but safe."

The journalist nodded, scribbling furiously in her notebook. "But what if something does go wrong?" she pressed. "What's the backup plan?"

Ferdinand's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected this level of scrutiny, not from someone so young and inexperienced. He took a moment to compose himself, his mind racing. "We have contingencies in place," he said, choosing his words carefully. "But the beauty of our product is in its design. It's been tested extensively, and we're confident in its abilities."

Her eyes searched his, looking for a crack in the façade. "But what if the unthinkable happens?" she asked. "What then?"

Ferdinand's mind went blank for a moment, the devil's advocate in him screaming warnings of catastrophes and ruin. But he couldn't let her see that. He couldn't let anyone see the doubt that plagued him. "Then," he said, his voice firm, "we'll deal with it. Like any responsible company, we're prepared for the worst. But we believe in the future we're creating."

The journalist nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer. As she left the room, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration. She was good, really good. And for a moment, he wondered if she saw right through him.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of interviews and congratulations, but Ferdinand couldn't shake the feeling that he had just danced with the devil and barely escaped with his soul intact. The night was spent in a restless sleep, dreams of fires and crumbling empires filling his mind.

The next morning, he woke with a start, his phone buzzing on the nightstand. He checked the time—5 AM. The sun wasn't even up yet, and the world was already waiting for him to make his next move. He reached for the phone, his hand shaking slightly. It was a text from Lucio: "We're going live in three hours. Get ready to change the world."

Ferdinand took a deep breath and pushed the covers aside, his feet hitting the cold floor. It was time to face the music, to stand by the promises he had made. But as he stared into the mirror, the reflection that stared back at him was that of a man on the edge, a man who knew that today could either be the dawn of a new era or the start of his downfall.

When it was over, the applause was deafening. The world had bought into their vision, had swallowed their bait hook, line, and sinker. He looked around the room, at the sea of smiling faces and nodding heads, and wondered if any of them knew the truth. If any of them could see the doubt that lurked behind his eyes.

As the cameras turned off and the audience filed out, he found himself alone with Lucio once more. "Well done," his partner said, clapping him on the back.

Ferdinand forced a smile. "Thanks," he murmured, the weight of the day's events heavy on his shoulders.

"You looked a bit... tense up there," Lucio noted, his gaze sharp.

"Just nerves," Ferdinand lied, running a hand through his hair. "You know how it is with these things."

Lucio studied him for a moment before nodding. "We'll celebrate tonight. My place," he said, a hint of a threat in his tone.

Ferdinand nodded, his mind racing. He had three hours to prepare himself for the inevitable grilling he'd face at the party. He showered and changed, his thoughts a tumultuous storm of doubt and anxiety.

The penthouse was a gleaming bastion of wealth, the view of the city below them a dizzying reminder of how high they had climbed. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and the murmur of hushed conversations. As they entered, the room grew quiet, all eyes on the dynamic duo who had just promised to change the world.

Glasses clinked, and the celebration began in earnest. The devil's advocate in Ferdinand took a backseat as he schmoozed and charmed, his smile never wavering. He knew how to play this game, how to keep the sharks at bay with just the right mix of confidence and humility.