Through You (The Hidalgo Brothers Book 2)

ARTEMIS

“Grandfather is waiting for you in the study.”

My father and I exchange a glance in response to Claudia’s words, delivered right as we arrive home from work. She gives me a cold stare before leaving.

“Do you know what this is about?” I ask.

“No,” he replies, loosening his tie.

We enter the study, and I begin to understand what this may be about when we find Ares already on the couch sitting across from our grandfather. Ares asked our father for his support to study medicine and was turned down. And when he asked our grandfather for his help, he also said no. I suspect this may be the reason behind this meeting.

“Father, what’s the matter? We’re both busy, and have a video-conference scheduled in ten minutes,” my father explains.

“Cancel it.” Our grandfather smiles as he gives the order.

My father protests. “Dad, it’s important.”

“Cancel it!” Grandfather raises his voice, surprising us.

My father and I share a look. He nods, so I call to cancel the meeting, and we take a seat. My father lets out a sigh. “What’s going on?”

My grandfather regains his composure. “Do any of you know why Ares is here?”

My father gives Ares a cold-eyed stare. “I assume to ask for your help again.”

“That’s correct.” Our grandfather nods.

I try to guess what’s really happening, and speak up. “Given that you previously said no to him, I can imagine his insistence has bothered you.”

Ares stands up. “There’s no need for this, Grandfather. I understand.”

“Sit down.”

Ares obeys, and Grandfather turns slightly to face me and my father.

“This conversation is much more important than any goddamn deal you’re trying to close. Our family is more important than any business, which is something that you both have clearly forgotten.”

No one says anything, and Grandfather continues. “But don’t worry, I’m here to remind you all. Ares has always had everything handed to him. He has never had to fight for anything, or had to work in his life. He came to me asking for help and I turned him down because I wanted to see if he would give up on the first try. On the contrary, he surpassed my expectations. For months this boy has been busy around the clock applying for scholarships and grants, fighting for what he wants.

I never anticipated this would happen. Ares working? Not giving up?”

Grandfather looks at Ares with pride.

“Ares has not only won my support, he has also earned my respect. I’m proud of you, Ares. I’m proud you have my last name and that my blood runs in your veins.”

Our grandfather has never looked at me like that. Or expressed those words to me. His smile fades as his gaze falls on my father.

“I’m extremely disappointed in you, Juan. Our family legacy? I’d gladly let death claim me if I ever thought our family legacy was determined by material possessions. A family’s legacy is made of loyalty, mutual support, and affection. And it entails passing all those positive qualities and attributes down to future generations. The family legacy is not a goddamn corporation.”

The silence when he’s done his rant is unnerving.

Our grandfather, however, has no problem filling it. “Just because you’ve turned yourself into a workaholic as a means to avoid dealing with your wife’s infidelities it doesn’t give you to permission to make your children as miserable as you are.”

My father clenches his fists. “Dad.”

Our grandfather shakes his head. “Juan, it’s shameful that you turned your back on your own son when he begged for your support. I never thought you would disappoint me this much.”

Grandfather’s eyes fall on me. “You made this one pursue a career he hated, and have done everything in your power to turn him into you. And now look at him. Do you think he’s happy?” I open my mouth to protest but my grandfather raises his hand to silence me. “Be quiet, son. Though I understand you’re the product of your father’s poor parenting, it bothers me that you turned your back on your brother, chose not to stand up for him, and failed to give him your support. I pity both of you. At this very moment, it would not bother me if you two were not tied to our last name.”

Shame drags my head down.

“I hope you learn something from this, and can improve as human beings. I have faith in both of you.” Our grandfather turns back to Ares. “I’ve begun your enrollment process in the faculty of medicine at the university you mentioned to Apolo.” Grandfather presents him with an envelope. “This is a bank account I opened in your name with enough funds to cover your full tuition and al related expenses. Inside, there’s also a key to an apartment I bought for you, located near the campus. You have my full support, and I’m sorry you had to witness your own father turn his back on you. On a positive and constructive note, you were able to experience what it feels like to work for what you want. I believe you will become a great doctor, Ares.” Grandfather shakes his hands and slowly gets up. “Well, that’s all. I must go and have a rest.”

My father follows him, keeping his head down. Ares and I are left alone. I can read from his expression that he’s still processing what just happened.

The words from our grandfather were painful to hear, though they were honest. The fact that I didn’t support Ares will always weigh heavily on my conscience.

I can’t pinpoint the exact reason why I refused to support him. Perhaps I didn’t want to contradict our father. Or maybe I was jealous that Ares would be able to choose what he wanted to study. No matter the reason, what I did was indefensible. I acted like a terrible person and a bad brother.

I get up from my seat. “I’m truly sorry. And I’m glad that you’ll be able to pursue your dreams.” I try to smile. “Ares, you deserve it. You, unlike me, had the strength to veer off the path that was laid down for you. Our grandfather has good reason to be proud of you.”

I expected Ares would derive some gratification from the reprimand that my father and I received, but there’s no trace of joy in his expression. He appears receptive of my apologies, and understanding of my actions. He’s definitely a better person than I am.

“It’s never too late to change your life, Artemis.”

“It’s too late for me. Good luck, brother.”

I find Claudia in the hallway outside the study. We pass each other, keeping our eyes down. I go up the stairs and head to the terrace. From up here, I can see the main entrance, the garden, the fountain, and the parked cars. I sit down on one of the metal chairs and lean back, closing my eyes. I massage my forehead with my fingers. My grandfather’s words keep repeating inside my head. When I open my eyes, I find my father standing with his back to me. His hands are on the balcony railing and his eyes are fixed on the sky. He looks over his shoulder and back at me.

And for the first time in a long while, his expression is not blank.

He looks very sad.

“Why?”

I frown. “Why what?”

“Why did you break your engagement with Cristina months ago?”

I recall the conversation we had when he found out I had broken things off with Cristina, when he said my reasons were irrelevant and that the company should always come first.

Dad, is this you trying to change?

“Because I was interested in someone else,” I tell him.

He remains silent for quite a while. Then he lets out a long sigh. “You no longer have to worry about marrying Cristina.”

I immediately stop breathing. I’m speechless. My father tightens his grip on the railing, his shoulders visibly tense. Even though he’s facing away from me, I suspect his expression is full of emotion.

“I don’t believe in apologies, Artemis. I think actions are best when making amends for mistakes we make.”

“Dad . . .”

“I’m not quite sure when I became a terrible father. I guess my heart has been hardened by the pain I’ve endured. I can’t promise I’ll change overnight, but I can start to do things differently. So, please, be patient with me.”

My chest tightens. This man standing in front of me is the father I loved so much as a child, before he was changed by what happened with my mother. We would have water gun fights and bicycle races. He would also take me to the movies. He bought me my first soccer ball even though I sucked at playing. This man would display my Pokémon drawings in his office, not worried if clients or partners would see them. My father. He starts to leave but stops next to me and puts his hand on my shoulder.

“After all I’ve put you through, you never left my side, and you kept your promise, carrying a burden all these years that wasn’t yours to carry. But it stops now, my son. You’ve done an amazing job.”

He goes back inside the house, and his words remain suspended in midair. It’s like a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I can finally breathe. I feel free. I become aware of how trapped I’ve felt all these years. And the first thing that comes to my mind is Claudia.

I reach for my cell phone and call Cristina, who is finally back from her trip. She sounds sleepy when she answers.

“Artemis? If this is a last-minute booty call, I can’t . . .”

“It’s over.”

“Wait, what?”NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Is that a hint of excitement I pick up in her voice? I believe I wasn’t the only who was miserable in this arrangement.

“Cristina, we’re free.”

She lets out a long sigh of relief. “Really? Thank goodness.

No offense intended, but you can’t begin to imagine how happy I am to hear this.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“We can still be friends, right?”

“Of course. Good luck, Cristina.”

“Good luck, Artemis.”

I go inside and hurry downstairs, looking for Claudia. But I can’t find her in the living room or the kitchen. She must be in her bedroom. I knock on her door, feeling impatient. I’ve turned back into a fucking teenager. Martha opens the door with a smile on her face.

“Artemis.”

“Hello. I’m sorry to bother you but I need to talk to Claudia.”

I look around the room but it’s empty. My eyes zero in on the nightstand next to the bed where I notice the stuffed pig I gave Claudia that Fourth of July. She still has it? While my heart fills with hope, my brain fogs with confusion. She rejected me that night. Why did she keep a memento?

“Claudia went out. She said she’d be back in a few hours.”

“Do you know where he went?”

She shakes her head.

“All right. Good night, Martha.”

I take a seat in the living room and wait. I take off my jacket. I scroll through emails on my phone. When the clock strikes midnight, I go outside and sit on the front steps, hoping this change in location will speed up her return.

Eventually, a car pulls up and parks in front of the house.

I can spot Claudia inside. She’s saying good-bye to someone.

Is that Daniel? Is she dating Ares’s teammate? I restrain myself before jealousy spoils my chance to tell her what needs to be said. Claudia gets out of the car and waves. She’s wearing a casual minidress with a floral pattern that’s flattering, and she stops in her tracks when she sees me waiting. As usual, my thoughts get all mixed up when I’m in her presence, and my head fills with doubt. Her gaze is on me, and I can read in her expression the questions running through her mind. What are you doing here?

What do you want now?

“Did you have a good time?” I don’t bother adjusting my tone.

“That’s none of your business.”

“I was waiting for you.”

She walks over, and folds her arms over her chest. “Why?”

I rub the back of my neck with my hand and begin my explanation, choosing my words carefully. “Cristina and I are finished.”

She doesn’t seem affected by the news; it could be that she she’s good at hiding her emotions.

“What does that have to do with me?

“It has a lot to do with you.” I take a step closer to her. “I want . . . I want to be with you, Claudia.”

But the cold-eyed stare remains in place. Why?

“Tonight,” she begins. “So you want to spend the night with me, then tomorrow you can get back together with your girlfriend like nothing ever happened? I’m tired of your games, Artemis.”

“I’m not playing a game,” I assure her. “The engagement is over.”

“And why should I believe you?”

I inch closer until she’s forced to look up and meet my eyes.

“Because it’s you. Because you’re the only person who can see through me.”

She slowly parts her lips and I conjure all my inner strength to keep myself from kissing her. I don’t want to scare her. Besides, she says she has a boyfriend. Even though I don’t want to believe it, I wouldn’t want to put her in a difficult situation. I’ve already caused enough problems. It’s obvious she’s not sure what to say, so I speak instead.

“I’m not asking you to be with me right this moment. First, I want to win your trust.” I cup her face with both hands, feeling the softness of her skin under my touch. “I don’t want to act like a coward anymore, Claudia. There are no more obstacles impeding me from being with you.”

She licks her lips. “I told you, I’m seeing someone.”

“We both know that no one makes you feel the way I do.”

A smile plays on her lips. “You’re conceited.”

“And you’re a dummy for dating someone else.”

She puts her hands over mine on her face. “You’re way dumber I am.”

The silence settles between us. And I lose myself in that beautiful pair of jet-black eyes. How can they be this intense and mesmerizing? I run my thumb along her lips, imagining how they would feel pressed against mine. She takes a step back, breaking the connection between us.

“Fine. If you want to fight for me, go ahead. But I make no promises.” She walks past me, heading for the door. She turns around just as she’s about to go inside. “By the way, I don’t have a boyfriend. I wasn’t telling the truth. I just said it to annoy you.”

I open my mouth to protest, but she’s already gone. I’ll fight for her, and I will not rest until I have her in my arms. I contemplate the many ways I can seduce her and make her fall in love with me.

This is going to be fun.