Through My Window(Hidalgos #1)(82)

Ares’s mother waits for my answer, not bothering to hide her contemptuous look. I can’t speak. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m very intimidated by this lady. Sofia crosses her arms over her chest.

“I asked you a question,” she says. I clear my throat.

“My name is Ra-Raquel.” I extend my hand to her in a friendly manner. She glances at my hand and then back at me.

“Well, Ra-Raquel,” she mocks my stutter, “what are you doing here?”

Claudia stands next to me, and with her head held high and a firm voice, she speaks for me: “She came with Ares.”

At the mention of Ares, Sofia raises an eyebrow.

“Are you kidding? Why would Ares bring a girl like her?”

“Why don’t you ask him yourself? Oh, right, communication with your children is not your forte.”

Sofia presses her lips. “Don’t start with your little tone, Claudia. The last thing you want to do is provoke me.”

“Then stop looking at her like that. You don’t know her.”

Sofia gives us a tired look. “I don’t have time to waste with you. Where is my husband?”

Claudia just points to the door, and Sofia walks through it, leaving us alone. Finally, I feel like I can breathe. I clutch my chest.

“What a scary woman,” I say.

Claudia smiles at me. “You have no idea.”

“But you don’t seem to be intimidated.”

“I grew up in that house. I think I developed the ability to deal with intimidating people long ago.”

It makes sense, I think, remembering how intimidating Artemis is, and even Ares before I got to know him well, and now this woman? Claudia must be immune to these kinds of strong personalities after growing up surrounded by them.

“I noticed, I just thought that since she’s your boss, you . . .”

“Would let her intimidate me and treat me badly?” she finishes for me. “She’s not my boss. Juan is, and he’s always protected me from that witch, especially after . . .” Claudia stops. “I think I’ve talked too much about me, tell me about yourself.”

I sigh, and we sit down.

“There’s not much to tell. I’ve just fallen under the Hidalgos’ spell.”

“That’s obvious, but I see you’ve gotten that idiot to admit his feelings.”

“How do you know?”

“Because you’re here,” she replies. “His grandfather is one of the most important people in the world to him, so the fact that you are here says a lot.”

“I have heard so much about this gentleman that I’d like to meet him.”

“I hope you meet him soon. He’s a wonderful person.”

We chat for a while, and I realize how much I like Claudia. She’s an interesting woman with a strong character. I think we could be incredibly good friends. She gives me a good feeling, and I feel comfortable around her. There are people with whom you just have good chemistry, and we kind of click, even after talking once.

After a while, Ares leaves the room, followed by Artemis and Apolo. Claudia and I stand up. Artemis’s eyes meet Claudia’s, and he presses his lips together before turning and walking down the hall.

Apolo smiles at us, avoiding Claudia’s eyes at all costs.

“Let’s go get a coffee. Grandpa asked for you, Claudia. You should go in when my parents leave.” And with that the youngest Hidalgo brother follows Artemis.

Ares approaches me, his blue eyes are full of emotion, relief, and peace. I can’t imagine how worried he’s been the past few days. He takes my hand, and I can’t help but notice that he doesn’t greet Claudia.

“Come on, Witch.” I glance at Claudia, who has her head down, and a murmur escapes her lips.

“I’m sorry,” she says. Ares looks at her.

“It wasn’t your fault,” he says, sounding honest. “His impulsiveness will never be your fault, Claudia.” She just nods, and I don’t understand shit.

I say good-bye to Claudia and follow Ares. Walking with him hand in hand feels so unreal.

Dad, this is Raquel, my girlfriend.

His girlfriend . . .

The title makes my heart flutter with excitement. I never thought I’d get to be his girlfriend; he’s the guy I watched from the shadows, fantasizing about being by his side someday like this, but I never thought it would become a reality.

Ares looks at me, with his cute lips forming a smile, and I swear my heart threatens to pump out of my chest and leave me.

I want to kiss him.

I clench my free hand to control myself so as not to pull him toward me and crash my lips against his. We arrive at the hospital cafeteria, and Ares leaves me at a table after asking me what I want. He goes to order something for both of us. With my hands in my lap, I look around.

I find Artemis and Apolo, sitting at different tables. What’s wrong with those two?

Slowly, my head begins to connect the dots: Artemis’s bandaged hand, Apolo’s black eye, the uncomfortable look and tension between Artemis and Claudia as he left the room. Did they . . . fight over her? They couldn’t have. Apolo is interested in Dani, isn’t he? And the thought of Artemis being interested in Claudia doesn’t sound like him, does it? What the hell is going on?

Ares returns, putting a caramel macchiato in front of me, my favorite.