Through You (The Hidalgo Brothers Book 2)

CLAUDIA

I need to stay away from Artemis.

The distance I was able to establish between us wasn’t enough; this is evident in light of our most recent encounters. What was that moment in the kitchen all about? Why was my heart beating like that? I suppose it’s because I’m still adjusting to how much he’s grown and changed—maybe that’s all there is to it.

Nevertheless, I can’t get out of my head the image of his face so close to mine. I got lost in his eyes, and was able to appreciate every detail of his scruffy beard and strong jaw.

I’d rather not think about what happened. It was difficult to hide the effect he had on me when he walked into the kitchen shirtless. He’s so fit, and he knows it. I can’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me stunned by his good looks.

If that’s the case, why are you always evading me? What are you so afraid of?

I’m still rattled by the sound of his deep voice and the sensation of his breath grazing my lips. I shake my head. Maybe it’s only a physical attraction; after all, he’s very handsome—it’s normal to notice. That’s exactly why my heart was beating that fast. I don’t like to admit that I’m attracted to him; however, it helps explain what’s happening with me and why my body reacts the way it does when he’s near me. Still, I have to forget about that morning. Days have passed, so I don’t know why I’m still dwelling on it. Artemis has maintained a safe distance ever since, and I have a feeling he’s avoiding me. I’m grateful; it’s what’s best for the two of us.

I’m dusting the curtains in the living room when I hear noises coming from the rec room. I pause and listen for a second.

Oh. I guess Raquel, the neighbor, finally fell into Ares’s trap.

I recall how timid she appeared earlier when she came around asking for Ares. I confess, I’m surprised she was able to resist his charms for so long.

I can’t say the same for other girls who’ve passed through Ares’s bed. One look, a few words, and he traps them in a flash. I walk down the hallway to put on some music to camouflage the sounds they’re making. Even though Mr. and Mrs. Hidalgo aren’t home and Artemis hasn’t come from work, I can’t help but feel a little embarrassed on their behalf. Sadly, my attempts are in vain when I find Apolo paralyzed, standing right outside the door of the games room.

“I didn’t know Samy was over.”

I smile. “It isn’t Samy.”

“Then who?” Apolo raises a brow.

I let out a long breath. “I think it’s the neighbor girl.”

Apolo can’t hide his shock. “Raquel?”

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“Oh shit . . . I wasn’t expecting that. I thought they hated each other.”

I shrug. “Sometimes attraction can masquerade as hate.”

I head to the kitchen and Apolo follows me. I’m relieved. In here, we can no longer hear Ares and his guest.

“Would you like a turkey sandwich?” I ask.

He bumps his fist with mine. “You know I do.”

I can’t help but laugh. “You’re too easy to please.”

“I bet he is,” Artemis says from the kitchen door. He’s wearing a suit, which means he just got home from work. The good vibe between me and Apolo is put on pause by his brother’s sudden appearance.

“Claudia, do we pay you to chat or to work?”

I see. He’s in the frustrated and sarcastic idiot mood again.

Apolo moves to stand between us. “Artemis, don’t start.

Leave her alone.”

He remains still, watching us. I prepare the sandwich, place it on the kitchen table, and immediately proceed to make my exit.

I’m barely halfway across the living room when I hear Artemis and Apolo raising their voices at each other. Are they arguing?

Artemis leaves the kitchen. Apolo is right behind him and about to say something when Raquel rushes out of the rec room and slams right into me. Her hair is disheveled and her eyes are teary. She looks completely lost. She is oblivious to our presence and slams the main door on her way out. Artemis, Apolo, and I stare at each other in confusion.

“Wasn’t that Raquel?” Artemis asks, which takes us by surprise because he’s in the habit of remembering only the things he considers significant.

Apolo clenches his fists and heads to the rec room, probably to lecture Ares, which feels right and necessary. And then I realize he’s left me and Artemis alone. This is the first time I’ve been around him since that morning. Even though he appears tired from work, his suit and hair are impeccable. It’s as if elegance comes effortlessly to him.

I walk back to the kitchen. To my surprise, Artemis follows me in silence. What does he want now? Isn’t it obvious to him that tension still lingers between us? He leans against the kitchen door while I sort through some documents on the table; I’d brought them in earlier, hoping to make progress with a university assignment that’s due very soon.

“Claudia.” His voice has gone back to the icy tone he used that morning when he chose to humiliate me with the spilled tea.

I sigh and stop sorting through the papers. And turn around.

“Yes, sir?”

Two can play at the cold-shoulder game.

His impassive expression is void of any amusement or warmth.

“I want to apologize for the behavior I displayed the other morning. It was out of order on my part and it will never happen again.” There is no hesitation in his voice; he sounds certain, and his tone is very chilly. “I’d rather keep our relationship strictly professional.”

I cross my arms. “I agree, that has always been my intention, sir. I believe the one who was confused is you.”

Artemis, I can most certainly kick your ass at this game.

Fine cracks appear on his cold demeanor to reveal . . . something. Is he hurt? Too late—within seconds, he makes a quick recovery.

“All right. That’s all.”

He throws me one last glance before walking out. And I finally let the air that I had unintentionally been holding out of my lungs. I’m glad that he apologized. And that he made it clear that the relationship between us is simply about work. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.

So why am I not feeling great about it?

It feels like a breakup even though we’re not involved. I sit at the table and get back to reviewing my school assignment.

Time to remind myself of my priorities: my mother, my career, and keeping this job, which I would put in jeopardy if I was to get mixed up with Artemis. My mind flashes back to seeing him standing there—his cold-eyed stare, wearing that suit and looking stoic, like a damn iceberg!

“It’s Friday, bitches!” Gin exclaims, throwing her arms up in the air.

It’s almost ten at night and we’ve just left the university campus. We aced our presentation, and I have to admit I’m relieved.

My lips curve up into a grin.

Gin notices and covers her mouth in shock. “Is that a smile?

Oh my god! She’s capable of smiling.”

I slap her on one arm. “Don’t start with me.”

“You look so pretty when you smile. I don’t get why you don’t do it more often.” She links my arm with hers, and we make our way to the bus stop. The small campus is far from where we live.

Fortunately, the buses run late.

“I didn’t expect we would do so well,” I say.

“Hell, yeah, we did amazing. The professor was totally impressed with our work.” Gin rests her head on my shoulder while we wait at the stop. “We have to celebrate.”

“You and your crazy ideas.”

She pulls away. “You deserve a break. You said that your mother was already asleep when you left for school so why don’t we go out for a drink? My treat!”

“You know alcohol and I don’t mix.”

“Because it loosens you up and makes you act like the young woman you actually are.”

“No. In fact—” She covers my mouth with her hand.

“I don’t want to hear any excuses. I have two free passes for a nightclub with an open bar. You’re coming with me, Claudia.”

I give up, and remove her hand.

“Fine. But just for one drink.”Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.

The wide smile plastered on her small features is contagious.

“Let’s go!”

We board the bus headed downtown, and during our ride, sitting side by side, Gin tells me that she scored these passes when she ran into a very handsome man at a coffee shop, who spilled his drink on her by accident. He gifted her the passes as an apology.

“He’s really hot.” She lets out a deep sigh. “He seems educated, very confident. And his smile . . .”

I can’t help but laugh a little. “Last week it was the pizza delivery guy. And today this man. How do you manage to fall in love so quickly?”

“It’s my specialty.” She winks at me. “But seriously, this coffee shop guy is on another level. Very much an Artemis-type.”

I stop smiling. Gin, who never misses a beat, notices right away. “Anything I should know?”

I shake my head.

She gives me an eye roll. “What is the enigma with this man?

At this point, I may very well end up writing a novel à la Harry Potter titled Claudia and the Mystery of the Hidalgos. ”

“You’re crazy. Also, the Hidalgos? I thought you were only interested in knowing more about Artemis.”

She holds up one finger and starts to explain. “No. And it’s simply because lately I’ve noticed that each time I mention Apolo you react like there’s something going on that you’d rather not talk about. Possibly because you think that it’ll go away if you don’t talk about it.”

“Apolo is only sixteen. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, so? He’s cute.”

I slap her in the back of her head. “Gin!”

She bursts out laughing. “Anyway, in this state, the age of consent is sixteen.”

She winks again, and I slap her one more time.

“I’m just kidding. You know how much I love teasing you.

Okay, now let me do your makeup. Right now you look too much like a university student who just finished class.”

“Oh really?”

I let her put on makeup, and don’t put up a fight when she decides to apply a bright, fiery-red lipstick, which she claims matches the color of my hair.

At last, we get off the bus.

“I don’t think we’re dressed to go clubbing.” I’m in jeans, boots, and a long-sleeved sweater, which is totally appropriate attire for school in the fall, when the breeze is cold. Gin is dressed similarly.

She fixes my hair. “We look gorgeous.” She grabs me by the hand and pulls me along as we make our way down the street.

The Rose District, the nickname given to this street, where al the clubs and bars are lined up, is crowded with people. Some are smoking outside venues while others are strolling along the street.

The majority are very well dressed—the women clad in short dresses or jeans paired with beautiful tops and shoes. The men are also wearing fancy outfits.

“I really don’t think we’re dressed up enough,” I say.

“Ah, stop it,” Gin proclaims as she guides me to the end of the strip to one of the biggest clubs; it looks exclusive. There are no lines to get in, only a sign that reads guests with passes only.

I open my mouth in complete shock when I look up and read the name of the club.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

INSOMNIA.

Apolo’s voice echoes in my head: I went to Insomnia, Artemis’s bar, by pure fluke, and I got drunk there.

But of course Gin has passes for the bar that Artemis Hidalgo owns. What could possibly go wrong?