Chapter 2 THE GILDED CAGE

The opulent penthouse apartment, once a symbol of her ill-fated relationship with Fred, now felt like a gilded cage to Claudia. Every corner whispered of his violation, and every surface seemed to bear the phantom imprint of his cruelty. The physical pain had subsided, but the emotional wounds festered, deep and raw. She felt exposed, vulnerable, as if her very essence had been stolen.

The thought of returning to work filled her with dread. How could she face Mr. Lucio, her demanding but undeniably captivating boss? He was a man of power, presence, and piercing intelligence. She had always admired his strength, his drive, but now, the idea of being in his presence, of enduring his scrutiny, felt unbearable. Her secret, her shame, felt like a brand on her forehead, visible to everyone.

Mr. Lucio was not known for his patience. He expected dedication, efficiency, and unwavering professionalism. Claudia had always delivered, exceeding his expectations time and again. Her sudden absence, without explanation, was bound to ignite his displeasure.

And indeed, it did. Lucio paced his expansive office, his frustration simmering. He had built his empire from the ground up, demanding the same level of commitment from those around him. Claudia's unexplained absence was not only a disruption but a personal affront. He valued her sharp mind, her unwavering focus, her almost uncanny ability to anticipate his needs. She was more than just an assistant; she was an integral part of his professional world.

He picked up his phone, his fingers hovering over the dial. He considered calling her, demanding an explanation. But something held him back. He sensed something was amiss. Claudia was not the type to shirk her responsibilities without a valid reason. He decided to handle this personally.

He arrived at her apartment building, his jaw tight, his expression unreadable. He took the elevator to her floor, his footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. He knocked on her door, his knuckles rapping sharply against the wood.

Claudia, huddled in her apartment, jumped at the sound. Her heart pounded in her chest. She knew who it was. She had been expecting him, dreading his arrival. She hesitated, her hand trembling as she reached for the doorknob.

When she opened the door, she avoided his gaze, her eyes fixed on the floor. She felt his intense scrutiny, his unspoken questions hanging in the air.

"Claudia," he said, his voice low, "I need an explanation."

Claudia remained silent, her throat tight with unshed tears. She couldn't bring herself to speak, to articulate the horror she had endured.

"I understand if you need personal time," he continued, his voice softening slightly, "but your absence is affecting my work, and frankly, I'm concerned."

Concerned? Or furious? Claudia thought. She couldn't meet his eyes. The shame was too overwhelming.

"I... I can't," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Can't what?" he pressed, his patience wearing thin.

"I can't come to work," she finally managed to say, her voice breaking. She still couldn't look at him.

Lucio's brow furrowed. He sensed the depth of her distress, though he couldn't fathom its cause. He saw the vulnerability in her posture, the shadows in her eyes. He knew something was wrong.

"Claudia," he said gently, "tell me what happened."

****

Dressing in comfortable clothes, they padded downstairs to the kitchen. The scent of fresh coffee filled the air, and Ferdinand poured them both a cup, handing one to Elena with a warm smile. They sat at the table, sipping the dark brew, their legs entwined under the table. The outside world was forgotten for now, the only thing that mattered was the love that burned between them, a flame that no storm could ever extinguish.

Elena took a sip, the warmth of the coffee mingling with the warmth that still lingered within her. "What shall we do today?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Ferdinand leaned back in his chair, contemplating. "Whatever you want, my love," he said, his hand squeezing hers.

Her smile grew broader. "How about a picnic?"

He chuckled. "A picnic in this weather?"

"Why not?" she countered. "We'll find a cozy spot under a tree, and if it starts to rain again, we can always find shelter in each other's arms."

Ferdinand couldn't argue with that logic. He stood, pulling her to her feet. "A picnic it is, my love," he said, kissing her deeply. "Let's start our day with an adventure."

And so, hand in hand, they set about making plans for their day together, their love a beacon that guided them through the uncertainties of life. The storm had passed, but the fire of their passion burned brighter than ever, a testament to the enduring strength of their bond.

The drive to the most private couple's resort was another beautiful moment of the day, as they were so intoxicated by each other's touch. Elena couldn't stop herself from making flirty passes at her husband, who tried concentrating on the steering wheel.

Their morning routine of lovemaking was something he always looked forward to as it gave him a chance to get his mind steady for the day. It was as though Elena was a source of strength and motivation for him. He glanced at her and smirked, knowing too well she still wanted to have sex, and the idea of going for an outdoor picnic was a way of cunning him to fulfill her long desire of having sweet sex on the beach. She was not a shy person, unlike him who likes to keep his 'private' private.

He had met her at a bonfire night where she shamelessly and seductively danced under the influence of alcohol. He wasn't much of a drinker but he could tell she had exceeded her limit that night. She had almost gotten herself naked but for his timely intervention. He instantly fell in love with the intoxicated damsel who curled in his arms as he carried her to a hotel. That was the beginning of his end as he couldn't get himself to forget about her.

Two years down the line, here they are, married, enjoying the bond of skin-to-skin, lavishing extravagantly in each other's love day after day. He couldn't imagine life without her. She had unleashed his sexual prowess and knew how to awaken the stallion in him. And now, she's leading him to do it in public. O Elena.

****

"That bastard. He must pay for what he did. I mean. How could he?" Lucio uttered angrily. Claudia sat still, eyes covered in tears, giving her face an awful sight. She sat, holding tight to the cup of coffee that had turned cold and begging to be drunk. Lucio seemed more angry and pained than she was. Was he angry about what Fred did or the fact that she would not be in the right frame of mind to do her job, which would affect him in the long run?

She watched as he paced the room. Even as angry as he was, he still looked handsome. The suit sat perfectly on him, his hair giving a look of perfection even after he had rumpled it with his hands. She was lost between pain and lust. Pain for Fred, lust for her captivating boss.

"Take all the time you need to heal up and return to work soon. It would be such an honor if you can permit me to get that son of a bitch. Would you?" Lucio asked as he picked up his bag, ready to leave, still livid.

"It's fine, Lucio. I can handle it. I promise to get back as soon as I can."

"Well, if you say so. If you want anything, all you need to do is ask. However, don't take too much time off. I need you. The company needs you, Claudia." With that, he gave a nod and walked out of her house.

The sound of slow music filled the air. Claudia cuddled the blanket tighter as the door closed. She really need not to think so much. Fred is an idiot and she would be a greater idiot to still stay with him. She looked around her apartment and sighted the picture of her and Fred hanging on the wall. With bitterness and pain, the whole incidence came flowing through her mind again....