Page 140 of Through You
“I don’t know what you’re trying to prove,” he says.
“I’m not trying to prove anything. I’m being responsible. I signed a six-month contract and there are two more months left in it.”
“A contract with my company that you don’t need to finish. I can render it fulfilled.”
“I’m going to work.”
“Agh!” He turns around and brings his hands to his head. I fold my arms over my chest when he looks at me. “Do you have any idea how many people would kill to not work and stay at home?”
“Well, I regret I’m not one of them.”
“Claudia.” He purses his lips. “You’re so stubborn. I should have known better and had you fired.”
Ha!
“Go fuck yourself.” I turn to leave but am hit by a wave of morning sickness, and rush to the en suite bathroom, where I lean over the toilet, ready to hurl. Artemis leans against the doorframe with arms crossed. I get up to wash my mouth and send a death glare to his reflection in the mirror above the sink.
“Claudia . . .” he starts again, trying to sound as though he’s being logical.
“No.” I face him. “Listen, Artemis, I get that you’re worried.
And I’m not unappreciative of the offer to stay home. But this is my life. And I choose to complete the internship. I need to show that I’m reliable and have an immaculate work ethic. I want to continue working, period.”
“Do you want to open up your own publicity agency? I can . . .”
“Oh my god!” I cover my face with my hands. “It’s like I’m talking to the wall.”
He blocks the door on my way out. “Wait, wait. Don’t leave like this.”
I take a deep breath. “Do you realize you’re acting like a complete idiot this morning? Considering giving orders to have me fired? Are you serious?”
He rubs his stubble. “I’m sorry, very sorry. I don’t know what my problem is. I would like to . . . it’s just—” He takes a step in my direction. “I just want to make sure that you’re safe. If anything were to happen to you . . .”
“Artemis, I’m fine,” I assure him. “Do you think I would do something that could put the baby in danger?”
“It’s not that.” He sighs and cradles my face with his hands.
“I’m an idiot. I’m sorry.”
I give him a fake smile. “I appreciate the apology. However, I’m depriving you of my company at night for a week. Enjoy sleeping alone, idiot.”
I make an exit. I hear him call my name but I keep walking.
By the time my belly is showing in the fifth month, I’ve completed my internship and Artemis has left his job as CEO and appointed his best friend Alex to the position. He’s done with his commitments to the family company and is free to do what he wants. Now he only oversees business projects of his own. I even convinced him to enroll in an illustration course to rekindle his passion.
Returning home from the checkup when we finally get to find out the sex of our baby, we find everyone waiting for us in the living room. Grandpa, my mom, Apolo, and Mr. Hidalgo are here. Ares joins us via video on a tablet placed in the middle of a table.
“Well?” my mother asks.
“It’s a girl!” I inform them, elated. Though they’ve never said as much, I’m sure they were all crossing fingers, hoping for a girl.
“I knew it!” Grandpa smiles and gives Apolo a high five. “A Hidalgo girl!”
“Yeaaaaah!” I hear Ares shout excitedly from the tablet.
“Apolo, you owe me twenty dollars.”
“Did you make a bet? Seriously?” I scold Apolo, who shrugs.
