Through You (The Hidalgo Brothers Book 2)

ARTEMIS

Five hours ago

Sitting around the U-shaped boardroom table alongside the heads of every department working for our company, I’m bombarded with numbers, figures, graphs, and a pile of proposals. I play with the pen in my hand while I listen. But my mind is occupied elsewhere.

Black eyes, red hair.

Claudia.

I still can’t believe that after all these years, waiting and longing, I finally kissed her. The feelings she stirred in me with one single kiss frighten me. I can’t shake the image of her flushed beautiful face, the desire in her eyes, her soft moans, how she desperately unbuttoned my shirt.

She is so precious to me.

I press my lips shut when I’m hit with the memory of how wet she was. The evidence that that she wanted me as much as I wanted her drove me crazy. I would have plunged myself inside her right there in the kitchen if it wasn’t for Ares’s unfortunate timing.

The last thing I need is an erection right in the middle of this meeting, so I push away the wayward thoughts.

“What do you think, sir?” Ryan, a project manager, asks me. I look up at him for the first time in the ten minutes of his presentation. Fortunately, my brain excels at retaining information after hearing it once, even when I’m not fully focused. Maybe that’s the reason why university was a breeze for me.

“Brilliant. However, why the need to hire out-of-state contractors?”

Ryan proceeds to explain. “It will reduce the total cost, sir.”

I turn to look at Alex, my best friend, who currently occupies the position of chief financial officer. “How much would we save if we worked with out-of-state contractors?”

Alex takes a quick glance at his meeting notes. He understands exactly what I’m asking without me having to go into details.

“Not much. We’re talking about contractors bringing in out-of-town workers who will have to travel and will need room and board for the duration of the project. We also have to factor in the level of motivation of a crew of workers who won’t be well-fed and may feel homesick.”

“Exactly.” I put down my pen. “We have an efficient local workforce. I believe we’ll achieve optimal performance by creating work opportunities in our own community. Moreover, we’ll be fostering a sense of ownership among the crew since they’ll play an integral part in the further development of their home-town by putting up buildings and houses where they live.”

Ryan lowers his head. “Understood. I was simply trying to save the company some money.”

“I know. But as Alex pointed out, it’s not much. And I believe we’ll get better results if we generate new employment opportunities where we live.”

Sasha, our chief of human resources, interjects. “I only want to add that we’ve worked with local contractors before, and they’ve been incredible.”

“Well, then, it’s settled,” I conclude.

The door to the boardroom opens and everyone but me stands up when my father makes his entrance. Everybody here has great respect for Juan Hidalgo. He’s a role model to many who choose to follow in his footsteps. He built this great corporation from the ground up and established an empire that comprises six branches nationwide, overseeing a multitude of projects in many states. I admire him too, although maybe not for the same reasons held by those present in this room. I know how much my father has sacrificed to accomplish all this. I know how hard it was at the beginning—all the sweat, tears, and what he had to endure to get here.

“Good morning. Please sit down,” my father instructs everyone with a smile. “I’ve told you before this formality isn’t necessary.” He jokes with them while lightly slapping the shoulder of a department head. “Forgive me for interrupting.”

Alex speaks to him in a friendly tone. “We were finishing up.”

“Oh.” His eyes finally land on me. “Then would you mind giving me and your CEO a few moments alone?”

The team promptly vacates the boardroom and my dad takes the seat at the other end of table, straight across from mine.

“I thought you were going to be away for a few weeks,” I inquire, getting comfortable in my chair.

“I leave this afternoon,” he answers, tapping his fingers impatiently on the table. I know why he’s here, but I want to hear him say it. “Let me get to the point to save us both precious time.” I gesture for him to go on. “I got a call from Jaysen this morning.

He told me that he’s reconsidering renewing their contract with us.”

“Okay.”

“Artemis, I don’t like surprises. Particularly those with repercussions for our company. We had a deal. I let you choose which girl, and today I’m informed that you broke up with her.”

I let out a deep sigh. “I don’t think it’s wise to mix business with my personal life.”

“That’s not what you told me a year ago when we spoke about this. You agreed, and have been involved with her ever since. And now you’re changing your mind as if there are no consequences?

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The protruding vein on his forehead has become very visible.

He’s angry, so I choose my words carefully. “We can merge with another furnishing firm to fulfill the needs of our development projects. For instance—”

“Enough!” He raises his voice and cuts me off. “It is absurd to change suppliers in the middle of our projects. Do you have any idea how much that will cost us? We’re not talking about hundreds. It will be millions. Jaysen & Associates is the best and most prestigious furnishing firm in the nation. The quality they offer is unmatchable in the industry. There is a long line of companies waiting and eager to partner with them. Hasn’t it become crystal clear to you that we need them more than they need us?”

I run my hands over my face. “Father . . .”

“No. I’m not talking as your father now. I’m speaking to you as the president of Hidalgo Enterprises. You made a deal. You need to keep your word and avoid causing problems for this company. You are the CEO, and the well-being of the company needs to be your first priority.”

My lips curve into a sarcastic smirk. “You haven’t even asked why I did it.”

My father scowls. “What are you talking about?”

“You haven’t asked why I changed my mind. Is that not relevant?”

“It’s completely irrelevant. The company always comes first.”

The coldness in his tone is unnerving.

Part of me wants to rebel against all this, challenge my father and do the opposite of what he expects from me. But he’s right—I did give him my word.

I like Cristina a lot. Back then, I didn’t think it was a terrible deal or that it would be difficult to follow through with an engagement that benefits both companies, not only from the publicity but by strengthening the relationship with Cristina’s father. It seemed a natural part of doing our family’s business.

My father gets up. “Cristina is coming by later. So fix it.”

I simply nod as he makes his exit. After the door clicks closed, I punch the surface of the table with my closed fist in frustration.

Artemis, what are you doing?

I rub my face, thinking, unable to answer to this question. I keep thinking about Claudia. She finally allowed me to kiss her and touch her. And now I have to push her away again? Perhaps our destiny is to overcome many hurdles along the way. I like her a lot, but I committed to keeping the company afloat and successful at all costs. Nothing can derail me from my course, not even her.

Then why do I feel this way? Awful. I don’t want her to think that I was playing with her feelings. But how am I going to explain this change of heart without sounding like a jerk?

Yes, I kissed you. Also, I’m getting back together with my ex.

I could ask her to wait for me. Or to be the other woman. She doesn’t deserve either.

I’m not surprised to find Cristina waiting in my office when I return from the boardroom. She’s wearing a fitted black skirt, a nicely tailored white shirt, and red high heels. She has her red hair pulled up in a high ponytail.

She greets me with a smile. “I’m sorry about what happened.”

I believe her. She’s trapped in this arrangement just like I am.

“It’s fine. This is how things work here.”

“I want you to know that I made several attempts to reason with my father. I—”

I interrupt her with a smile. “You don’t have to explain anything. I trust you tried your hardest. Our parents can’t adjust to today’s different standards.”

She sighs. “Tell me about it. He’s so old-school. Are we living in Victorian times, back when parents chose their children’s spouses?”

“They don’t treat us like their children.” I can be totally honest with her since we share the same opinion. I lean over my desk with my arms crossed. “They think of us as assets they can make use of when convenient. Right now, we are simply an arrangement, an attractive publicity campaign that will benefit their respective companies.”

She approaches me and places her hands around my neck.

The scent of roses from her perfume fills my nose.

“I am glad that it’s you,” she states, as her eyes lock with mine.

“I don’t think I could bear it if it was someone else.”

I caress her cheek. “Me either.”

My eyes drop to her pink lips and I run my finger over them.

“I missed you,” I whisper as I put an arm around her waist.

She smiles broadly. “Wow. Artemis Hidalgo, being sweet. We should break up more often.”

“From one to ten, how much did you miss me screwing you?”

She bites her lower lip. “Eleven.”

I give in and kiss her. I’ve underestimated our attraction.

We spent over a year together, and given the similarities in our upbringing we understand each other very well. I’d be lying if I said that my father is the only motivating factor that made me date her.

I like her and feel at ease in her company. And the sex is incredible.

She was a virgin when we met, and one of the advantages to being her mentor during her sexual awakening was teaching her what satisfies me in addition to helping her discover what pleases her.

When she pulls away, guilt washes over me when I think of Claudia. Then I immediately scold myself. This is my world, and this is how things work. There’s no room for fleeting emotions.

What I share with Cristina needs to be enough. It’s an arrangement of convenience and I’m attracted to her. I can have total control over this situation. No surprises. No risks.

“Are you hungry?” she asks as she takes a step back. “Look at those dark circles. How long have you gone without sleep?”

“I’m fine,” I reply as I round my desk.

“You don’t have to do this all on your own,” she tells me with reproach. “You know you can ask me for help, right?”

“You’re already doing enough by reviewing the designs I send you every week. Thanks for your feedback—it’s spot-on by the way.” She’s about to protest, but I keep talking. “You don’t work for me, you’re my fiancé.”

I wake my computer and log in, navigating to the internal pages of the company server to check on a few things.

“I’d love to work for you already,” she comments with a sigh as she sits on the edge of my desk next to me and crosses her legs.

I swivel my chair in her direction. “I find it difficult to wrap my head around making a job offer when you’re already an executive director managing a company that’s as big as mine.”

She rolls her eyes.

“Precisely. You better than anyone understands the immense responsibility that comes with the title—dozens of employees, people with families and children to support, could lose their jobs if I were to make a simple mistake.” She stares intently at one of the windows. “I would love to be just another employee and focus solely on doing my job right, putting food on my table and looking after myself instead of being in charge of hundreds of workers.”

“I’m pretty sure that if one of your employees heard that, they’d think you’re ungrateful.”

“Fortunately, you are not one of my employees.” She holds my hand. “And you understand what I mean.”

I nod in agreement because she’s right. Cristina and I understand each other very well.

“I’m going to get you something to eat.”

“How do you manage to have all this free time?”

She winks at me, and leaves the office. My eyes feel heavy and I’m drowning in reports, but this project is very important, and I review every detail several times. If everything goes well, it will be a windfall in profits.

My assistant calls and I put him on speakerphone. “Sir, there’s a woman at reception who would like to come up and see you. Her name is Claudia. She says your mother gave her orders to bring you lunch.”

This takes me by surprise and makes my heart beat a little faster than usual. I haven’t seen Claudia in days. “You can send her up.”

I have a hard time focusing and my eyes keep darting to the door, anticipating her arrival. I play with the pen I’m holding, and keep twirling it, but stop when I hear a light knocking on the door.

“Come in.”

Claudia enters. She’s wearing a pair of hip-hugging jeans that are very flattering, and a blue buttoned-up blouse that accentuates her skin tone.

She looks good in everything she wears. Her black eyes meet mine and I can’t help feeling a sense of relief sweeping over me.

“Hi, sexy.”

“Hi, iceberg.”

Claudia empties the contents of the lunch bag, placing each item on the table in front of the big couch in my office. I sit down next to her and start to devour the food laid out before she’s even done unwrapping everything she brought.

She’s looking intently at me. “Having a difficult week?”

“You have no idea.”

I recline on the couch when I finish eating. It’s a marvelous feeling when your stomach is full with homemade food, so I close my eyes and savor this special sensation, knowing it may well be the last time I spend with her like this. She places one hand over mine. The warmth of her skin makes me feel good, and I open my eyes and stare at her.

“I . . .” She stops herself, but I understand what she needs to say by her expression. For the very first time I’m able to read her face, and knowing how she’s feeling takes my breath away. I turn my hand and intertwine it with hers.

“I missed you, too, sexy.”

The moment we hear the door open, she immediately lets go of my hand as if it was on fire, and my heart hurts because I know the special magic moment we just shared is over. I turn around to see who is at the door, and Cristina struts elegantly in, carrying a bag of food.

I didn’t, for an instant, fail to remember that Cristina would return shortly. I don’t want to explain myself to Claudia; I’d rather she arrive at her own conclusions.

Claudia, please hate me.

Push me away.

Close yourself off again.

I’m a coward, I know. But I’m not good with words. Besides, I’m not confident I can look her in the eye and tell her that I’m back with Cristina, who is currently greeting Claudia with a friendly smile.

“Oh, hi. It seems I’m too late, and you ate already!”

I watch Claudia’s expression change. Pain spreads over her beautiful face. And I can’t bring myself to look directly at her. I don’t want to see the hurt she’s feeling written on her face. Cristina bends forward and gives me a quick peck. I fix my gaze on her when she straightens up. At this very moment, I’m having a hard time grappling with how deeply I’ve hurt the woman sitting next to me.

“You must be Claudia. Pleasure to meet you. I’m Cristina, his fiancé.”

Cristina knows well who Claudia is. My mother has mentioned her name many times when speaking about the house staff.

“Are you not feeling well?” Cristina asks her politely.

This makes me turn to check on Claudia, which I regret immediately. The pained look on her face makes my stomach churn. I can tell she’s struggling to stay calm.

I’m a piece of shit.

Suddenly, I realize I’ve handled the situation in the worst possible way. Claudia leaps to her feet.

“I . . . need to go now.”

I feel her gaze on me but I can’t bring myself to look at her.

I can’t stand seeing you like this, Claudia. It hurts.

“Have a good afternoon,” she says as she leaves my office.

And behind her, a deafening silence.

It’s better this way, Artemis, I tell myself over and over again, trying to exorcise from my mind the pained look on Claudia’s face. I need for her to hate me and to stay away from me because I believe I’m incapable of doing that on my own.

Cristina is watching me. “What was that?”

“Nothing.” I get up and walk to my desk.

She folds her arms. “That did not look like ‘nothing’ to me.”

There’s no reproach in her voice, just curiosity. “I was under the impression that we were going to be honest with each other if we became involved with someone else.”

“There’s nothing between us. Well, not anymore.”

She understands what I mean.

“Was she why you broke up with me?”

Her question doesn’t surprise me. I don’t need to lie. Cristina is quite perceptive and good at reading people.

“Yes.”

Cristina laughs a little.

“You have a thing for redheads, huh?”

I remain quiet. She lies down on the couch.

“She’s very pretty.”

Claudia is more than pretty.

“Are you jealous and making a scene?” I observe her inquisitively.

“Jealousy isn’t something that factors into the type of relationship you and I have.”

“Oh, I see. And what type of relationship do you and I have?”

Cristina gives me shrug. “A relationship of sex and convenience.”

“And since when are you this cold and calculating?”

“Since the moment you acted in the same manner. It’s the only way we can survive in our world, Artemis.”

“And here I was thinking that you were madly in love with me.”

She snorts. “You wish.”

We stay silent for a few minutes, and I continue to fight the urge to go find Claudia and explain that I wasn’t using her, that I was done with Cristina when I kissed her, and I’m not the kind of jerk who resorts to deception to get what I want. Unfortunately, I can’t do that. I have a role to play in this company and for my family.

And there is no place for Claudia in this world.