Through You (The Hidalgo Brothers Book 2)

ARTEMIS

I come out of the building, rubbing the back of my neck as I make my way to my car.

“Mr. Hidalgo!”

An older gentleman with gray hair wearing slightly wrinkled clothes approaches me.

“Yes?”

“I’m very sorry to bother you like this. I can see you’re tired and are heading home.”

“I’m sorry, but who are you?”

He clears his throat, “My name is Richard Perez, and I work in the cleaning department. Well, I used to work there.”

“How can I help you, Mr. Perez?”

“I understand you’re a busy man who doesn’t concern himself with the trivial things, but today I was fired.” And that’s when I notice his eyes are swollen and red. “You see, I have four girls to feed. I’ve worked all my life with this company. Maybe I’m over-stepping, but could you help me?”

“What was the reason given for your dismissal?”

He hangs his head. “I’m older now, and I guess it’s affected my performance. But I always leave everything very clean, Mr. Hidalgo.

I promise. Even if I take longer than someone who is younger.”

I approach him. “How long have you been working with us?”

“Fifteen years, sir.”

“May I call you Richard?” He nods. “What positions have you occupied over the years, Richard?

“I’ve only worked as a cleaner, sir. Simply because I never graduated from high school.”

“Come with me, Richard.” He follows me back inside the building and I take him up to my office.

Richard sits in front of my desk, wringing his hands in his lap. Sasha, the head of human resources, comes in a few minutes later. It was good fortune she happened to be working overtime.

Her smile quickly fades when she notices Richard sitting with me.

“Good afternoon.”

Richard gets up. “Good afternoon, ma’am.”

“Sasha, Richard here has told me he was dismissed without just cause. Moreover, he wasn’t given severance or any other compensation.”

Sasha places her hands behind her back, looking nervous.

“Mr. Perez has had difficulties performing his duties.”

“Has he been able to complete his tasks?”

“Yes, but it takes him longer than the allotted time.”

“I understand Mr. Perez has been working for this company for fifteen years and has four daughters to support. Were you aware of that?”

“Yes, sir, I was aware.”

“Is this how we show gratitude for years of loyalty?”

“Sir, I think it’s best we have this conversation in private.” She shoots Richard a glance.

“No, Richard has a right to be here. He’s been with this company longer than you. So do we treat him like he’s disposable and let him go just because he’s aging?”

“Sir, that wasn’t at all my intention. I was just trying to improve the quality of the work performed by the cleaning crew.”

Richard cuts in. “Sir, I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

“Richard, don’t worry. It’s me who should thank you for bringing this to my attention.” I turn my gaze back to Sasha, who is visibly sweating.

“Sasha, who is the manager of the cleaning crew?”

“Mr. Andrade.”

“And how long has Mr. Andrade been with the company?”

“One year.”

“You’re telling me that Richard, a man who’s been with us for fifteen years, wasn’t considered for a promotion to the position of manager? A position that’s better suited for him since it requires less physical effort and is more age appropriate?

In addition, he has more experience and knows the company better than Mr. Andrade, which in turn makes him the ideal candidate for a role he would excel at. Yet he was fired, just like that?”

“Sir, Mr. Perez didn’t finish high school.”

“And? He has fifteen years of experience under his belt and knows every member of the crew better than anyone.”

“Sir, if I may, several important factors were considered before arriving at this decision.”

“I’m having a hard time seeing these factors. What I see is a loyal worker who wasn’t given a promotion he deserved. Instead, he was fired.” I pick up from my desk the two files I requested.

“Mr. Andrade’s performance record is littered with complaints and mistakes throughout the one year he’s been working here.

Meanwhile, Richard’s record is spotless, not one complaint in his fifteen years of employment. Sasha, please explain to me why you promoted someone who is undeserving?”

“Mr. Andrade is younger.”

I smile sarcastically. “Be careful what you say. The point you are trying to make is dangerously close to discriminatory.”

Sasha looks alarmed. “No, sir. I would never.”

“Let me explain how we’re going to handle this matter since it’s Friday, and I’m sure we’d all like to go home.” I walk around my desk and stand in front of Richard. “On behalf of my company, I apologize to you, Richard. I want you to know I value the years given to us, and your hard work.”

Mr. Perez’s eyes fill up with tears. “You really don’t have to . . .”

I place my hands on his shoulders. “Your loyalty and dedication will not go unnoticed. I would like you accept the position of cleaning manager. Do you think you can take over the role?”

“Yes, sir.” He quickly wipes away his tears.

“All right, Sasha.” I turn to her, and I can tell she understands what I need.

She lowers her head. “My apologies, Mr. Perez. I did not mean to disrespect you in any way.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Richard replies. “You were only trying to do your job.”

I dismiss Richard and I’m left alone with Sasha. My voice turns cold. “Sasha, let this be the last time that you let the power you hold cloud your judgment and prevent you from appreciating the labor of those who work under you.”

“Yes, sir.”

This is a first time in a long time I’ve made it home while the sun is still up. So I’m not surprised to find the living room full of life rather than quiet and dark. Claudia and Apolo are on the sofa that’s across from the television. I squeeze the door handle tighter than I should when I see Claudia laughing heartily at one of Apolo’s jokes while playfully throwing popcorn in his direction. She looks relaxed in his company.

I would like to put up a wall between them.

I intentionally slam the door to get their attention.

The smile fades from Claudia’s face; she clears her throat and turns her attention to the movie. Apolo does the same, and whispers something to her. The soft tone in his voice makes her face light up; she’s clearly amused. Aw, they’re whispering to each other now. How immature.

“Claudia, can you fix me something to eat, please?”

Apolo turns to me. “Don’t be a party pooper, we’re watching a movie.”

Claudia looks at me, and her icy stare is crushing. “Your food is on the table, and you can heat it in the microwave. Or are you not familiar with how to use one, sir?”

Apolo keeps his lips pressed tight to prevent him from laughing. I move a little closer to the sofa.

“I want a fruit salad. I like it freshly cut and served.”

Apolo snorts. “Don’t be a pain, Artemis.”

“I’m not talking to you.”

Claudia stands up.

“It’s fine, Apolo. Pause it, I’ll be right back.”

Apolo shoots me a hostile look but I ignore him and follow Claudia into the kitchen. I know I’m acting like a jerk. I just can’t stomach watching them together. And I find it hard to control the urge to separate them. What if something else has happened between them in the past months? I imagine her in Apolo’s arms, kissing him. Or even worse, making love to him. My chest tightens. No, Artemis. Don’t let your mind go there.

Claudia efficiently chops each piece of fruit, and I can’t stop myself from thinking back to the morning after the night when we kissed and she let me touch her. I recall how much fun I had teasing her.

She’s wearing a comfy dress that looks more like a night shirt, reaching to just above the knee. Her red hair is loose and a little messy on the sides. It’s grown a bit; it almost reaches her waist.

I miss you.

The words are stuck in my throat. Claudia finishes and presents me with a plate full of fruit. She then washes her hands and leaves the kitchen without giving me a second glance. I suppose we’re back to the cold-shoulder treatment. I make my way back to the living room with my fruit plate, only to find that Apolo and Claudia are no longer alone. Ares and Raquel are seated across from them. Raquel smiles at me when she sees me enter.

“Oh, hi, Artemis.” Raquel gets up. “I wanted to see you.” She hands me an invitation. “It’s for my birthday party. Maybe you’re not interested, but it would be nice if you could come.”

This girl’s joy and positive energy are contagious.

“Ah. I’ll try. Thank you for the invite.”

“Great!” she replies, giving me a thumbs-up.

Ares eyes me with distrust. His expression immediately changes when she turns around and walks toward him. The doubt in his eyes is replaced by a look of pure adoration. Who could have imagined that this girl, who looks like a sprite, would bring my heartbreaker brother to his knees?

Ares gets up and takes Raquel by the hand. “We’ll be in the rec room. A Super Mario Kart rematch awaits.”

Claudia raises an eyebrow and shares a glance with Apolo.

“Sure, a rematch . . .”

Raquel blushes. “Um, well. I hope to see you at my birthday.”

She follows Ares down the hallway that leads to the rec room.

Claudia and Apolo share an amused look, acting as if they know something no one else does. It bothers me that they can communicate just by looking at each other. I need to stop feeling this way; it’s eating me up inside. I head to my room before I say or do something I’ll regret, making matters worse, which tends to happen anytime I’m near Claudia.

After my shower, I go downstairs to get a glass of water. To be honest, I want to check if they’re still sitting together on the couch, enjoying themselves. I’ve imagined the many possibilities and outcomes of what could happen between them. But when I enter the living room, I find it empty. I’m this close to cheering for the peace of mind this brings me when I notice them coming out of the kitchen. Both have wet hair, which I suspect is from having just showered, and they’re dressed nicely. Are they going out? My stomach lurches. My god, this is a horrible feeling!

You’re jealous. Alex’s voice echoes in my head. It’s beyond me how he can get a rise out of me without even being in my presence. Claudia is wearing a short skirt and a blouse with a plunging neckline. She carries her jacket folded on her arm. They greet me with smiles and walk past. I clench my fists and keep them glued to my sides. I want to keep my mouth shut, but I can’t.

“Where are you going?”

They don’t turn.

“Just out,” Apolo replies.

Were they seeing each other all this time while I was drowning myself with work in order to avoid running into her?

“Out?” I let out a fake laugh. “Out is not a place.”

Apolo turns to look at me. “It’s none of your business, Artemis.”

“Since when do you think you can talk to your older brother like that?”

“Since that brother stopped showing up for his brothers when they needed him most.”

I know he means Ares and his desire to become a doctor.

And me taking our father’s side when he refused Ares’s request for assistance.

I take a step closer to him, and Claudia moves to stand between us.

“You go ahead, Apolo. I’ll catch up shortly. I need to clear something up with your brother.”

Apolo is ready to protest but Claudia throws him a pleading look, and he makes his exit. My anger loses its steam with her in front of me. Her presence alone gives my emotions a boost.

“I want you to understand that the only reason I’m offering an explanation is that I don’t want any problems between you and your brother,” she says. “The only thing that’s going on between Apolo and me is a lovely friendship. In fact, we’re on our way to have dinner with the girl he’s dating. So stop going around growling and making up excuses to come between us.”

I’m not exactly sure why I’m smiling. Or why I like it when she clarifies what’s going on. Maybe because I feel like there’s hope for us if she believes that she owes me an explanation. Unfortunately, when it comes to Claudia, I couldn’t be more wrong.

“Stop smiling.” She shakes her head. “I’m not dating your brother. I’m not heartless, and would never do something like that.” She moves closer. “But, Artemis, just because I’m not going out with Apolo doesn’t mean I won’t see other people. And when that happens, you better not get in the way since you have no right to.”

“Are you seeing anyone?”

She shrugs. “Maybe. Anyway, that’s none of your concern.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Oh yeah?” She crosses her arms. “How come? And maybe we should ask your fiancé how she feels about that?”

“It’s complicated, Claudia.”

“Artemis, to me it’s quite straightforward. You’re engaged. So stop meddling in my life and with my business. It’s that simple.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

I take a step forward and she takes a step back, keeping the same distance between us.

“See you later, Artemis.”

I remain rooted to the spot while she walks away. That’s what our life has become; I constantly watch her as she drifts further from me.

I’m certain the time will come when she’ll no longer be on her own. Someone else will be by her side and I won’t be able to take it. I know I have to make a decision soon or I risk losing her forever. Clearly, I can make decisions without difficulty when I’m dealing with company matters. However, when it comes to my personal life, I’m ashamed to admit I’m nothing but a coward.