Prologue
ARTEMIS
July 4th
The sound of fireworks booms throughout the main square. The night sky explodes with colorful circles that expand and then quickly vanish. The people around cheer, shout, and clap. I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants.
Why am I so damn nervous? Because it’s her.
I turn to watch her at my side. I am rethinking everything, calculating. I rehearse in my head what I need to say, how I should say it, if I can actually say it. We’re sitting on the grass, and she’s smiling, her gaze fixed on the spectacle. The fireworks shine on her face and give it a multicolor glow.
She’s been by my side since childhood. As the years have passed, part of me has always known that what I feel for her goes beyond friendship. I want more. It’s taken me weeks to build the courage, to confess my true feelings and let her know where I stand.
I’m ready.
I stare up again at the sky streaked with vibrant colors. I slowly run my hand through the grass until I reach hers, and place mine on top. My heart is racing, and I feel like a fool because I’m losing control. I don’t like feeling this vulnerable. I never thought I could feel this way about anyone, and didn’t expect to find something like this. She remains silent, but doesn’t move her hand away.
I feel her eyes on me, but I’m unable to look at her or speak.
Words have never been my forte.
Then I finally make my move, and the swiftness of my advance takes even me by surprise. My free hand moves to her neck, and I pull her toward me and press my lips to hers. However, the brush of our lips, like the fireworks in the night sky, is short-lived. She pushes me off and quickly moves away. Her reaction leaves me breathless.
Bitter rejection settles in the pit of my stomach. My heart tightens. She seems about to say something, but then quickly closes her mouth. She doesn’t want to hurt me and is unsure what to say—I can tell by looking in her eyes. But it’s too late. I clench my jaw, stand up, and turn my back to her. I don’t want her pity.
“Artemis . . .” she whispers. But I am already walking away, leaving her behind.
That night I decide to put her in the past, and close myself off. I will never be vulnerable like this again or let anyone hurt me this way. It’s not worth it.
One
Why don’t you ever want to talk about him?
CLAUDIA
July 4th, five years later
“What’s it like to live with three very attractive guys?”
“You are so lucky.”
“I’m dying of envy!”
“Living with those absolute gods, what a privilege!”
“How can you stand living under the same roof?”
“Have you ever slept with one of them?”
“Can you get me their numbers?”
I’ve heard these kinds of comments from the moment the Hidalgo brothers became the leading men in the fantasies of every girl and boy around town. Although we’re not family, I grew up with Artemis, Ares, and Apolo Hidalgo. And out there, on the streets, they cause never-ending swooning and sighing.
How did we end up living under the same roof? Well, my mother was hired to work as a housekeeper for the Hidalgo family when I was a little girl. Mr. Juan Hidalgo, their father, opened his doors and allowed us to live in his home. A year ago, when my mother fell ill and could no longer work, Mr. Hidalgo let me take her place as housekeeper. I am forever grateful to him for his kindness.
Many envy my position and think I have the perfect life because I live in close proximity to three very attractive guys.
This is far from my reality. To me, there is more to life than relationships, sex, boys, etc. Relationships only lead to problems, disagreements. Sure, sometimes they may bring happiness, however, it’s fleeting, and not worth the risk. Or at least I don’t believe it is. I prefer stability and tranquility a thousand times over what a relationship may offer. So I keep a safe distance from all these complications. I have too much on my plate already.
I’m not only talking about love. It’s also difficult for me to make friends. I have no time for friendships. I work for the Hidalgos during the day. During my breaks, I look after my mother. And in the evenings I attend university. My day starts at four in the morning and ends close to midnight. I hardly have time to sleep. At the age of twenty, I should have many friends, yet I only have one, and that’s simply because we’re in the same classes. Of course, I also consider the boys my friends. Well, Ares and Apolo. With Artemis, it’s a different story.
The truth is, growing up, Artemis and I were very close. Then everything changed five years ago, that Fourth of July night, when I rejected him after he kissed me. From that moment on, our relationship ceased to be easy and comfortable, and turned tense and distant. Now he’ll only speak to me when necessary.
Although they never asked questions, Ares and Apolo noticed the change. I appreciate their discretion. It helped me avoid the discomfort of having to explain what happened between their brother and me.
It was easy for Artemis to avoid me. At the end of that summer he started university and left home to live on campus, where he remained for the five years of his program. A month ago he graduated. And now he’s coming home. Today.
Life can be full of irony when it wants to be. Out of all the days, he had to come back today, on the exact date of that night, five years ago. I must admit that I’m nervous. The last time I saw him was six months ago. It was a brief encounter—he came by the house to pick up a few things, and didn’t even say hello.
To be completely honest, I hope we can manage to be civilized. Five years have gone by. I doubt he evens remembers what happened that night. I don’t expect us to be as close as we once were, but I hope we can at least be friendly.
“Is the food ready?” Martha, my mother, asks while zipping up the black dress I need to wear for the surprise party the Hidalgos planned for Artemis.
“Claudia, are you listening to me?”
I turn and smile at her.
“Everything is in order, Mother. Don’t worry, and go to sleep.
Okay?” I help her lie down then pull up her blanket and kiss her forehead. “I’ll come back soon.”
“Don’t get in trouble. You know it’s always best to keep one’s mouth shut and avoid . . .”
“Being honest?” I finish her sentence. “I understand.”
She caresses my cheek. “You never know, some of the people coming to this party may be rude.”
“I’ll stay out of trouble, Mom. I’m a grown-up.”
I kiss her forehead one more time and walk away. I stand in front of the mirror to make sure I look okay. The Hidalgo matriarch, Sofia, has ordered me to wear this sleek black dress to match the attire of the rest of the staff. She wants the servers looking after her guests to be elegantly dressed, and I can’t be the exception. I check that the bun I’ve made with my red hair is perfectly in place. I’ll be in charge of the distribution of the food so can’t have my hair down. I turn off the light and walk out of our room, moving quickly, and my black heels make clicking sounds, announcing my every step. And though I rarely wear high heels, I’m very good at walking in them.