Page 44 of Through You
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.
