Page 40 of Through You
Oh, lady, if you only knew.
“It’s all right, Mother, I’ll be more careful.” Artemis finishes what’s on his plate, then shoots me a playful smile before stepping out of the kitchen. “I need to go shower.”
Twelve
Hello, iceberg.
CLAUDIA
Many days have passed since I last saw Artemis. This isn’t out of the ordinary; when he works a lot he has a tendency to come home very late and leave early in the morning. I overheard his father explain that it’s been a hectic week at the office. Even his mother is concerned with his eating habits, and Sofia comes into the kitchen Friday morning with a special request.
“I need you to prepare a well-balanced meal and deliver it to Artemis for lunch. Carl can take you.” Artemis is so swamped that even his mother, someone who rarely worries about anyone but herself, has taken notice, and even offered her personal driver.
A part of me is excited to see Artemis. I miss him. I’ve grown used to his presence now that he lives in the house. It has also awakened in me a nostalgia that I wasn’t aware I was harboring until now.
Artemis used to be my best friend; the one person I could count on for everything. I’ve missed having someone in my life who’s there for me unconditionally.
I prepare his lunch with care and make sure to include a fruit salad for dessert. I ride in silence with Carl to Hidalgo Enterprises headquarters. I’m glad that I changed my clothes—the last thing I want to do is step inside the building wearing a maid’s uniform that looks more like a Halloween costume. I don’t think I should wear it anymore. After all, the one who made me put it on was Artemis. I enter through the glass doors and am amazed by how shiny the floors are and how impeccable everyone looks. At reception an elegantly dressed brown-skinned woman greets me with a smile.
“How may I help you?”
“I’ve brought lunch to”—I almost blurt out his first name—
“to Mr. Hidalgo.”
She looks at me puzzled. “For our CEO?”
“Yes.”
“And you are . . . ?”
“My name is Claudia. I’m the housekeeper for the Hidalgos.”
She looks me over from head to toe. The jeans I bought at a garage sale last week are not fancy enough, even though when I first put them on I thought they were the cutest pair in the world.
I suppose what’s cute to me may be trashy to others.
“Is he aware you’re coming, Claudia?” Her eyes land on my buttoned shirt, which I also thought looked pretty when I bought it on sale.
“I don’t think so. His mother sent me.”
She hesitates and scrutinizes me, making me uneasy.
I’ve been polite, and tried my best. “Listen”—I stare at the name tag she has pinned on her jacket—“Mandy, you can call whoever you want to confirm my identity. In the meantime, Mr. Hidalgo’s lunch is getting cold while you judge my appearance instead of doing your job efficiently.”
Her jaw drops and she looks stunned.
I continue. “Your job is to make a call, confirm who I am, and let me go up. Very easy. So stop wasting everyone’s time and do what’s necessary.”
Mandy does as I say and calls Artemis’s assistant. She issues me a visitor’s pass, which I pin on my shirt, and lets me go upstairs. Artemis’s office is located on the top floor, which doesn’t surprise me—he’s always loved heights. I bet his office has tall, wide windows so he can enjoy the view. When the elevator arrives, I’m greeted with a sweet smile from a tall, fuller-bodied male assistant, who is way friendlier than Mandy.
“Claudia?”
I nod. “Yes, hi.”
“Go on in.” He points me to the set of doors on the left.
I knock and hear Artemis say “Come in.” My stomach flip-flops as I make my entrance. The sun streaming through the large windows in his office blinds me momentarily. Tall windows, just as I expected. I know him so well. Artemis is sitting behind his desk, buried in paperwork. He’s taken off his tie, his shirt is wrinkled, and his hair is a disaster. I can see circles under his eyes.
