Page 16 of Through You
“Forget it.” She heads toward the kitchen door.
Before she can exit, I blurt, “I’m sorry.” She stops in her tracks but doesn’t turn around. I’m grateful she allows me to continue. “I deeply regret what happened the other morning. It was too much.
I was an idiot. And it will never happen again.”
I don’t expect an answer. I know her well. An apology is not enough to make amends.Oh, you know her? More like you usedto know her. You hardly know her now. And are not in the leastinterested in knowing anything about her.
“Are you sorry?” She turns around. The fury is noticeable in her eyes. “You treated me like shit and humiliated me in front of your brother. And now you’re sorry?”
I get to my feet. “Claudia.”
She takes three steps toward the table. She takes my tea and empties the cup on the table. She turns and grabs a rag, which she throws at me. I barely catch it.
“Clean it—sir.” Her black eyes are bright with ire; I admit that I’m a bit scared of her. “And if you ever treat me that way again, I will punch you where the sun don’t shine. Apology accepted.”
Now that she’s facing me up close, I’m able to get a good look at her features. The faint bags under her eyes don’t diminish how beautiful she is. I remain silent while I wipe the table clean and she stares at me with her arms crossed over her chest.
“I’ve apologized and I’m done cleaning,” I inform her once I finish. “I believe we’re even now.”
She curls her lips. “I suppose. Now let’s try to behave professionally. I’m the staff at this house and you are the son of my boss—period.”
“So that’s all I’ve ever been to you, the son of your boss? In that case, you’re the hired help and nothing more.”
“Agreed.” She casts one last cautious glance my way before she disappears through the kitchen door.
She leaves me alone with a reminder of the distance that she always placed between us. It’s a distance so immense that it makes it difficult for me to feel her presence even when she’s right in front of me.
Six
Apolo, what are you doing?
CLAUDIA
Even though his apology is not enough, Artemis sounded sincere.
It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t despise me as much as I thought he did. It makes me hopeful that we can manage to be amicable. I walk without consciously thinking where to go, climbing the stairs and finding myself standing outside Apolo’s bedroom. I underestimated how much I need to unload with someone, to interact with another human being.
I also enjoy talking with Ares, but he’s hardly ever home.
He has a very active social life. Apolo on the other hand likes to spend his time in his room, reading or busy with other things.
I knock on the door and wait for the “Come in” as my cue to enter. Even though it’s late, Apolo is sitting on the small sofa next to the window, holding a book open in his hands. His lips turn into a smile and he looks at me with tenderness. He closes the book and places it on his lap. “And to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”
I let out a sigh and sit on his bed facing him. “I’ve had a long day.”
His eyes study my face with worry. “Did Artemis bother you again?”
“No.”
“Is Martha okay?”
“Yes.” My mother’s health has remained stable lately, which has been a relief. Living with chronic liver disease has its ups and downs. “I’m just tired, I guess.”
He gets up and moves closer until he’s right in front of me, forcing me to bend my neck up.
“Would you like a massage?”
Apolo gives the best massages. I smile and nod. He climbs on his bed and kneels behind me. His hands go to my shoulders and move to the dip where they meet my neck. He puts pressure on this point. I close my eyes and give in to pure bliss.
