Under His Gaze

Michael's POV

I could feel his breath against my face, warm and slow, teasing the tension in the air between us.

My own breathing had turned shallow, uneven. This wasn’t how I wanted to confront Fernando whenever i saw him, but I couldn’t help it.

My body always seemed to shut down each time we were mere inches apart.

The scent of his cologne—rich, dark, and laced with the faintest trace of smoke—filled my lungs, making my stomach coil.

Fernando's hand was firm on my jaw, fingers pressing just hard enough to remind me of his strength, of his control.

His dark eyes bore into mine with an intensity that threatened to unravel me right there.

I hated him, but I couldn't let him see that. Not when I was already at such a disadvantage.

My mission came first while my revenge would follow afterwards but it was hard to hide my disdain for him.

I should have hidden it better. The resentment, the burning rage. I had spent years perfecting my mask, smoothing out every sharp edge that could give me away. And yet, somehow, he had seen through the cracks.

His lips curled into something between amusement and menace.

“You’re looking at me like you want to slit my throat again” he said.

I swallowed hard.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Fernando’s grip tightened just slightly before he let out a quiet laugh. It was low, calm, but full of condescension.

He tilted his head, studying me as if I were a particularly interesting puzzle he had yet to solve.

“You’re polite. Too polite. And yet, your eyes tell a different story.”

I forced a slow breath through my nose, lowering my gaze just slightly.

“I respect you, Boss. If I gave off any other impression, I apologize.” My voice was even, controlled—nothing like the storm raging inside me.

He chuckled again, releasing my face, though the space between us remained stiflingly small.

I resisted the urge to step back. Showing weakness now would only fuel his arrogance.

Fernando took a step backward, rolling his shoulders as if this little exchange had been nothing but entertainment to him.

“You know,” he began, his tone slipping into something almost conversational, “men all over the world fear me. They respect me. Some grovel at my feet, others make foolish attempts to challenge me. But there is one rule that never changes.”

I kept my head slightly lowered, fists curling at my sides.

“And what rule is that?” I asked.

Fernando smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

“No one looks into my eyes unless I consider them my equal.” He let the words hang in the air, letting them sink in before delivering the final blow. “And you, Michael? You are not my equal.”

My jaw clenched involuntarily, but I caught myself quickly, bowing my head.

“I understand,” I said smoothly, though my hands itched to wrap around his throat. “I meant no disrespect.”

He hummed, as if contemplating my response.

“Good. At least you know your place.”

I could feel the anger simmering beneath my skin. Every muscle in my body screamed at me to strike, to end this game and take my revenge. But I couldn’t. Not yet. I had to bide my time.

Then, without warning, Fernando leaned in, his breath resting over my ear as he whispered,

“You’re a liar.”

Every hair on my body stood on end.

I kept my expression calm, though my heart pounded against my ribs.

“Excuse me?”

“I know you’re not who you pretend to be.” His voice was soft, almost teasing, but the weight behind those words was suffocating.

I forced a small chuckle, shaking my head.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Fernando pulled back slightly, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Oh, come now. Do you take me for a fool?”

I let out a slow breath, forcing my lips into a small, sheepish smile.

“I assure you, I have nothing to hide. I only admire you, Boss. You’re… remarkable” I replied, hoping I could make him drop whatever suspicions he had of me.

He smirked, but I could tell he wasn’t convinced.

I had to try harder.

“I know my place,” I continued, keeping my tone light, respectful. “I know I’m not your equal. I could never be. I only hope to learn from you, to serve you in whatever way I can.”

For a moment, he only watched me, his dark eyes searching mine, peeling away the layers of my carefully crafted mask.

I forced myself to hold steady.

Then, slowly, a sinister smile curled his lips.

“Everything?”

I hesitated.

"What?”

“You said you’d do everything for me to believe you.” His gaze darkened, filling with something both cruel and amused.

I suddenly regretted my words.

Fernando took a deliberate step closer.

“If you truly mean it,” he said, voice slow and taunting, “then prove it.”

I kept my face calm, though a chill ran down my spine.

“How do you want me to prove it?” I inquired.

His smirk widened.

“Strip.”

For a second, I thought I had misheard him.

My entire body went rigid, my mind racing to make sense of his command. But Fernando’s expression remained perfectly calm—expectant, unwavering.

"Excuse me?”

His eyes glinted with something dark and unreadable.

“Take off your clothes” he commanded.

I forced a breath, my fingers twitching.

“That’s unnecessary” I said.

Fernando’s expression didn’t change.

“You said you’d do everything to convince me. Did you not?”

I clenched my jaw.

“This—”

“Strip.”

His voice rang out in my ears.

A cold sweat broke out on the back of my neck. I knew better than to refuse him again.

I had seen what happened to men who defied Fernando. And right now, I was already walking on the edge of a blade.

I had no choice.

My hands moved to the buttons of my shirt, my fingers trembling ever so slightly.

Fernando watched, his gaze never wavering, never blinking.

I wished I could kill him right now.

But I couldn’t.

Not yet.

And so, with a slow, measured breath, I began to do as I was told.