Through You (The Hidalgo Brothers Book 2)

ARTEMIS

Claudia didn’t say it back. She didn’t tell me that she loved me too when I made my declaration. I didn’t realize how much it meant to me for her say it back, and how badly I hoped she would.

I remember in great detail her expression, and how her small face twisted, looking surprised. And how her lips slowly parted yet not a single word came out. At that precise moment, Apolo knocked on the door to inform her that mother was asking for her. And she left, disappearing from my sight right after I had confessed that I loved her. I twirl the pen I hold in my hand. It’s later in the day and I’m in my office, but I keep replaying that scene over and over in my head. A part of me is glad that my mind is preoccupied with that moment and not the argument I had with my mother.

I run my hand over my face, stroking my beard, and sigh. I glance at the paperwork in front of me. I have to take care of so many things before I leave my job. I wish it could be as easy as stop coming in one day and that’s it, it’s over. But since I’m CEO, I need to proceed at a slow and thoughtful pace in order for this transition to have as little impact as possible on the company’s daily operations.

Though it wasn’t a personal choice to work for the company, I want to make sure my decision doesn’t affect my father or the rest of my family in any way. I’ve also developed a sense of belonging and a great respect for this company during my time here. This is my family’s business, which my father built from the ground up with a lot of effort, sacrifice, and dedication. It’s thanks to this place that my brothers and I have enjoyed a comfortable life and have never wanted for anything. So I have great respect for my father now and always. I pick up my phone and press a button to connect with my secretary. David promptly responds.

“Please call the chief of finance to my office.”

“Yes, sir. Right away.”

I can’t believe I’m calling Alex. As annoying as he can be, and as hard as it is to get rid of him, we need to talk. I need to bring him up to speed with all aspects concerning the transition. Ten minutes later, I’m turning a page from a document, one of the many piled on my desk, when Alex arrives, adjusting his red tie as if the fit is too tight.

“Mr. Hidalgo,” he calls in a mocking tone.

“Don’t call me that.”

“Why? Because it makes it sound like you’re an old man?”

Alex sits on the other side of my desk. He’s finally loosened his tie.

“Why’d you ask me to come?”

“How are preparations going?”

Alex sighs. I put down the papers, rest my elbows on the desk, and look straight at him. “What’s wrong?”

“Look.” Alex purses his lips. “I appreciate that you recommended me to your father for the promotion to CEO. But to be quite honest, I don’t think I can do it.”

“Why? Does the position not interest you?”

“It’s not that. You know better than anyone that it’s the last step in the corporate ladder. So it’s an honor, but I don’t know if I meet all the requirements for the job.”

I pick up on the hesitation in his words, as well as his insecurity. Alex comes from a family of very modest means. He got a scholarship to attend university, and had to maintain high grades to stay enrolled. After he graduated, he went through a few internships in which he did a phenomenal job. The letters of recommendation were endless. He was an intern here first, then he was offered full-time employment, and quickly moved up to occupy the position of chief financial officer. Now he’s financially secure and can help support his family. I still remember how he cried from happiness when he was finally able to buy a car for his mother, who’d worked hard throughout her life but couldn’t afford one. I’ve always admired him, but I’ve never told him that.

I don’t think anyone has ever told him how inspiring he is. Hence, the self-doubt and hesitation he’s showing at this crucial moment.

“Alex,” I say in a serious tone, “do you think I made the recommendation to my father because you’re my friend? You don’t think I’m capable of keeping my friendships separate from my work relationships? Or that I would put the future of my father’s company at risk just because you’re my friend?”

Alex says nothing.

“I recommended you because you exceed the expectations.

Because I’ve never met anyone as hardworking and dedicated as you. Because you’ve fought your way to the top. You’ve also amassed a stellar employment record throughout your time here.

You deserve it, Alex. This is not a promotion out of friendship. It’s a promotion based on merit.”

He looks uncertain, but as usual, he smiles and makes jokes to conceal his emotions.

“Are you flirting with me, Artemis?”

I smile back at him.

“No more self-doubt, okay? You’re going to be the fucking CEO of this company. So start celebrating.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Now, let’s get to work.”

We begin to go over the documents on my desk. There are acquisitions, potential projects, contracts, subcontracts with other companies, partnerships, etc. The day flies while we try to cover everything; we move to the couch. There are papers everywhere—on my desk, on the small table across the couch. Our ties and suit jackets have come off.

We’re interrupted by a knock on the door, and I let whoever is on the other side know it’s okay to come in. It’s Alex’s secretary.

Now that I see her up close, I notice she looks very young. She has a pink twinset on and a skirt that hits at her knees. Her hair is wavy, and loose curls fall on each side of her face. She’s holding a bag in her hand.

She clears her throat. “Pardon me.” She sounds nervous. “Sir.”

She addresses me with respect, and I smile in an attempt to calm her down. I forget how much I intimidate everyone who works here.

Alex keeps flipping through papers and doesn’t look at her.

“What’s wrong?”

Her delicate hands have a tight grip on a bag she holds out.

“I went out on my lunch break, and I thought, well . . . I brought you lunch,” she says, licking her lips. “When I called Mr. Hidalgo’s secretary, he told me you hadn’t eaten, so I thought . . . I hope I’m not bothering you.”

I sit up straight. “What’s your name?”

“Chimmy. I mean, Chantal. It’s just that my friends call me . . .

It’s Chantal, sir.”

She’s adorable, and reminds me of Ares’s girlfriend.

“Nice to meet you, Chantal.”

Alex gives her an answer but continues to avoid her gaze.

“You can leave the lunch on the table, Chantal.”

I can see the disappointment on the girl’s face. “Yes, sir.”

I give my best friend a cold stare, and smile at Chantal when she places the bag on the table.

“Thank you very much, Chantal. Thanks for thinking of us.

It’s very kind of you,” I tell her genuinely.

The disappointment that marred her expression earlier fades away, and her small face lights up. “You’re welcome, sir. I hope you enjoy it.”

As soon as she leaves, I punch Alex on the shoulder.

“Ow!” he complains. “What was that for?”

“I thought the cold one in this duo was me.”

“What did I do now?”

“Why do you treat her like that?”

Oh, the irony. I’m interrogating Alex and asking why he’s cold with a girl. It’s likely I see myself in him, the version that had just come back home who treated Claudia so poorly. I still regret my behavior.

“How so?” Alex seems to be unaware.

“She brought us lunch when she didn’t have to. And you didn’t even look at her or thank her.”

“She’s seeing someone.”

“Huh?”

Alex sighs and slams the papers down on the table.

“Chimmy is seeing someone.”

“Chimmy? I thought only her friends called her that.”

“We were friends.”

“You were? Alex, I don’t understand.”

“Or we are friends. I don’t even know anymore. It’s just that, I can’t explain, since she started seeing that idiot, I get angry every time I see her.”

Oh.

“You like her.”

“No.”

“Oh, you’re crazy about her.”

“No, Artemis. It’s just—” He opens the bag and takes out his lunch. “She’s always been in love with me, ever since she started working as my secretary. By pure fluke I overheard her a few times chatting with other female staff about her crush. She’s always been resigned to leave it at that, and I never encouraged or misled her in any way. You know I’m not that kind of guy.”

I nod and motion for him to go on talking.

“She’s always been there for me, including the time when . . .”

He doesn’t need to mention his fiancé’s infidelity. “I suppose I got used to being her everything.”

“So what happened?”

“She confessed her feelings to me, and I turned her down. We remained friends, and everything was fine until . . .”

“Until she started dating someone else and you stopped being her everything.”

“Exactly. It’s not that I like her. Maybe I’m just being selfish.”

“Alex.”

“What?”

“I think, for the first time, it’s my turn to give you some love advice,” I tell him in disbelief. “Who would have thought! You can deny it all you want, but I think you like Chimmy. In fact, I believe it goes beyond that. It’s just that you’re afraid that she’ll make you fall in love with her and make you vulnerable again.”

“You’re crazy.”

“Either way, it’s not right that you treat her like that just because you lack self-control. Don’t be like me—you’ll regret it later when you think back to the times you mistreated her. You can apologize all you want but that won’t turn back time.”

Alex looks at me with a concerned expression. “It sounds like this happened to you.”

I let out a sigh, pull the other lunch container out of the bag, and remove the lid.

“Is everything okay?”

I’m not sure if it’s because we just discussed the topic of declarations, but I go ahead and share what happened with Claudia.

“That must hurt,” Alex replies, before taking a mouthful from his meal. “But look on the bright side, Artemis. At least she was honest. It’s very easy to lie and say I love you without reciprocating those feelings simply because you don’t want to embarrass someone. And she didn’t do that.”

“I thought she and I felt the same way.”

“Oh, come on. After all you two have been through, don’t doubt her feelings just because she didn’t say she loved you back.

We’re all different. And our feelings develop at our own unique paces. The time will come when she’ll say it back.”

“I hope so.”

I’m greeted by silence and emptiness when I enter the house, and I’m glad that’s the case. I don’t want to have another confrontation with my parents or Apolo. In all honesty, I don’t even think it’s a good idea I see Claudia after my unreciprocated love declaration.

Nevertheless, it’s strange that the lights in the kitchen and the hallway that leads to her room are turned off. Maybe she’s still at school?

I loosen my tie and climb the stairs to my room. Instead of finding it cloaked in darkness when I open the door, I notice dim candlelight. I frown as I enter and my heart tightens when I spot Claudia sitting on my bed.

At the sight of her, my body immediately feels as if it’s been lit on fire. She’s wearing her uniform. Her hair is styled in two braids falling on either side of her beautiful face. The top of her uniform is slightly open, and I can see the swell of her gorgeous breasts. She’s hiked up her skirt, exposing her creamy thighs.

The same thighs that were wrapped around me the other night.

The memory alone makes my body heat rise, moving from my abdomen down to my already hardened member. I haven’t even touched her, and I already feel like I’m about to come in my pants, like a novice teenage boy. I swallow with difficulty and lock the door behind me. And she shoots me a naughty smile when I turn around.

“Welcome home, sir.”