Dedicated to Graciouslydontcare and Mae_roses for commenting on the last chapter and making me laugh. Love ya, girls. 

- 14 -

I feel horrible.

Both physically and emotionally, my head and body hurt. My stomach churns and twists after all that drinking and I haven't slept a a second even though it's the morning already.

And what about Apollo?

Well, he's great, sleeping like a vampire on a sunny day.

My cup of coffee warms my hands. I'm sitting on the floor in front of the bed, a blanket around me. I hope coffee does something for my soul, I feel like a zombie and I'm sure I look like one.

Although the physical discomfort is nothing compared to this feeling of disappointment that pierces my soul. I feel used, rejected and undervalued. It's amazing what Ares can do to me with just a few words. I know I did the right thing by kicking him out of my life, however, that doesn't ease the heartbreak and sadness in my heart.

As unexpectedly as he appeared in my life, he left.

The sun peeks through my small window and I remember as if it were yesterday —technically it was yesterday— when Ares disappeared through it. I can't help analyzing every moment over and over again. My poor heart-guided brain searches for gestures, expressions, hidden words that give some sort of hope that he wasn't just playing me, that he's not a jerk.

I've always known his personality isn't the best. In all the time I've watched him, I realized that. But I didn't expect him to have such cold perception of romance, that he wouldn't want a relationship, and he would view women as something to use and discard.

That hurt me a lot.

And I know that if I didn't have my strong convictions, I would have fallen into his trap. I would have given myself completely because I'm crazy about him. Never in my life had I ever been so drawn to someone. The things that Ares makes me feel by just looking at me leave me breathless.

So I don't blame those girls who have gone through it, who have tried to change him and failed.

I sigh, taking a sip of my coffee.

I'm so tired of being alone.

I want to love. I want to experience everything. I want to have fun. I want so many things but I also want someone who respects me, who wants to be with me. I don't want to be anyone's toy no matter how much I like him.

I put my head on the edge of the bed and my coffee cup to my side to watch my ceiling fan spin, it moves so slowly, blowing fresh air over my face.

Without realizing it, I fall asleep.

.

Rachel...

Rachel...

"Rachel!"

I jump, waking up, "I didn't do it! I swear!"

"Rachel?"

I blink to find an Apollo leaning over me. I realize I'm on the floor, rolled up in my blanket. The sun coming in through the window is already reaching me, warming my skin.

I sit, rubbing my eyes. Apollo is dressed and leans back looking rather uncomfortable.

"Rachel, I can't explain how sorry I am." his cheeks turn red and I smile, he is adorable.

"It's okay. We have all been there."

"I'm really sorry. I don't know what came over me, I had never had so much to drink before."

"Exactly, that's what happened."

There is a silence and Apollo shifts in his feet. He clears his throat, "Well, I should go."

Ares's face pops up in my mind.

"When Apollo wakes up, tell him to jump the fence and enter through the back door, I'll leave it open for him."

"Ares," even saying his name makes me sad, "said, you can jump the fence and enter through the back door. He'll leave it opened for you."

Apollo's expression morphs into slight fear, "Ares saw me drunk?"

Yes and don't worry, that wasn't the top moment of the night.

Ares and I touched each other right by your side while you slept.

"Yes, he was here."

"Oh no! Ah," he holds his head "If he tells Artemis, or my parents, I'll be in serious trouble."

"I don't think he will, he told me he'd leave the back door open for you for a reason."

"For real? He must be in a good mood then."

No, not in the slightest.

"Sure."

Apollo peers out the window, "How am I supposed to... Oh," he stops when he sees the ladder outside, "Why is there a ladder here?"

Very good question for your stalker brother.

"I like to exercise, to stay active."

Apollo gives me a look of 'What the hell?' "Going down a ladder that is holding itself precariously outside your window?"

"Yes, the stairs inside the house are boring."

"By boring, you mean, safe?"

"Stop looking at me like that. That ladder works miracles, it's the new boom, you'll soon see it in exercise commercials."

"Or in 1000 ways to die."

I roll my eyes, "If you prefer to go through the house and use the front door for all the neighbors to see you, then be my guest."

Apollo lowers his shoulders defeated, "Well, you have a point. I'm leaving."

"Okay."

"Once again, I'm so sorry, Rachel. I owe you one."

"Don't worry," I get up to sit on the edge of the bed.

Apolo passes one leg over the window frame and then the other to stand on the first steps on the ladder. When he faces me, I notice how red his face is, "Rachel, did you... and me... you know, did we—"

"Oh, my God! No!" I say in a hurry.

Blessed the Hidalgo brothers and their dirty minds.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just don't remember anything."

"I just want to sleep and forget about everything."

"Bye, Rachel." Apollo waves of his hand and descends the ladder, disappearing from my sight.

And that reminds me of Ares again. That moment when he was descending the ladder and waited for me for a second, his eyes fixed on me, as if waiting for me to change my mind and to tell him to come back.

Ah! Get out of my head, Greek God.

I need sleep, I cover myself entirely with my blanket.

Apollo Hidalgo.

My head is going to explode from the headache.

Carefully, I walk quietly inside the house. I have my shoes in my hands and I'm about to cross the kitchen when I see a figure from the corner of my left eye in front of the kitchen table.

Shit!

Let it not be my father.

Let it not be my father.

My mother is easier to handle. My father is another story, the word strict doesn't do him justice.

Maybe if I don't breathe, he won't see me.

The figure clears his throat, "Good morning, Apollo."

It's Artemis.

His voice cold as usual and his face doesn't denote any expression. I turn to him and give him a smile, "Good morning."

Artemis is sitting at the table in his black suit and dark blue tie, looking as flawless as ever. The heir and CEO of my father's company always has to look perfect. He's the prodigy son and my father's favorite. My father has helped Artemis to build his own business. Me on the other hand, I ask for some money and my father interrogates me as if I were a prisoner.

Artemis has his newspaper spread out in front of him and a cup of tea on the table, "Apolo, sit down."

I swallow, "I'm a little tired."

"I'm not asking you."

I give him an annoyed look, "Good-humored as always."

"If you think this is a bad mood, you should see Ares."

Reluctantly, I sit in front of him.

I think I would have preferred my father.

Artemis closes the Newspaper and puts it on the table, "You are aware that you are part of this family and represent us wherever you go. I will not allow your immaturity to ruin the reputation that father and I have built with so much effort. We are a respectable family and we will continue to be even you have to stay in your room for the rest of your life."

Of course.

Artemis gives me a stern look, "Your behavior last night is unacceptable, Apollo. You're lucky nobody took a picture or recorded you."

"You always seem to forget you're not my father."

Artemis gives me a twisted smile, "You're lucky I'm not because I'm sure father would have grounded you severely, I'm just giving you a warning."

Annoyed, I huff, "Anything else, sir?"

"Don't do it again and you're suspended from my bar."

"What? No, Artemis, please."

"This conversation is over, go shower, you reek alcohol."

"Artemis..."

I hear footsteps and look towards the kitchen door, Claudia, the girl that services our house for cleaning and such, is standing there without moving. I narrow my eyes when I notice that she is wearing a typical maid uniform, we have never made her wear a uniform. My mother finds them ridiculous and demeaning, so why is she wearing one?

Then I see the expression of impotence on her face. Her pretty black eyes flash with anger and her red hair is in braids at the sides of her face, "Sir," I know she's talking to Artemis who doesn't even glance at her, "I already have the uniform, can I go back to work?"

Go back?

When had she left?

What's going on?

Artemis continues to read the newspaper, "As long as you know your place, you can go back to work."

Claudia purses her lips. "I am clear on my place as a servant, sir."

"Well," Artemis set the paper aside, took the teacup and emptied it on the floor, "Clean, then."

"Artemis." I protest but my brother gives me a look that tells me that I'm not in a position to challenge him, not now.

Tears fill Claudia's eyes but she doesn't let them fall as she looks for the mop.

Artemis looks at her for the first time since she appeared in the kitchen. "No, use a rag."

The rage invades me, "Artemis."

A tear slides down Claudia's cheek. "As you say, sir."

I'm going to get up to stop her but Artemis seems to know my intentions, "Do something and tell my father everything. She's just a maid, she's not worth it, Apollo."

I tense my jaw because I know he has me in his hands. But why is he doing this to Claudia? Artemis has always been a fucking robot but I've never seen him attack someone this way.

I watch angrily as Claudia kneels down to clean the tea at Artemis' feet. He has an arrogant smile on his face, it's like he's proving a point. But what? And to whom?

Without being able to witness this, I get up and take Claudia's arm and help her to get up, "Enough."

His cheeks are red and wet with tears, a look of gratitude fills her eyes, but she releases her arm from my grasp, "The boss ordered me to clean and I have to."

"The boss already had enough," I say, and I stretch my hand to wipe her tears away but a hand traps my wrist.

I'm surprised to see Artemis by our side, holding my wrist, "Don't touch her."

That surprises us both, Claudia and I share a look.

Artemis lets me go, "Just go to your room, Apollo."

"Only if you leave her alone."

Artemis sighs tiredly, "Whatever, get out of my sight, both of you."

We leave and Claudia whispers a sweet thank to me before going to her room. She and her mother live in our house.

After climbing the giant stairs of the house, I walk down the hall where my room is and when I pass in front Ares' door, I hear to music.

I knock on the door but there is no answer so I open to get in.

Ares is sitting in his recliner, shirtless with a bottle of Tequila in his left hand and another empty one on the floor. He doesn't look good, he has dark circles, and his hair is messy.

I notice movement across the room and then I realize my dear brother is not alone.

Samantha, or Samy, as we call her, is on the couch using her phone. She's wearing Ares' grey shirt and nothing else. She is the closest person to a girlfriend Ares has.

She was her best friend but a year ago that evolved into something else, I don't even know what they have but Samy is the only girl he has continued to have around despite having already slept with her.

"You started the party without me," I say, closing the door behind me.

I shake my head at the injustice of life, Ares can drink and sneak women in the house but I have a few drinks and I almost get shipped to a boarding school. I think you can see who is the least favorite of the Hidalgo.

"Apollo!" Samy jumps off the couch and runs to me to give me a hug, "Ares told me you got drunk last night, bad boy! You're growing so fast."

"Yeah, I got a little carried away." I scratch my head.

"Do you want a drink?" she offers, and the mere mention of alcohol makes my stomach twist.

"No, thanks."

Ares looks at me and it's not exactly brotherly love what I see in his eyes, Samy notices and tries to calm my concern, "He's in a bad mood, it's not personal."

"That's what Artemis told me. Did something happen?"

"I don't know, he says nothing's wrong when I ask."

Ares takes a swig from the bottle, "Stop talking like I'm not here." He pauses, "Apollo, go shower before my father sees you like this and you, Samy, come here."

Why does everyone act like they are my father?

Samy goes to Ares and sits on him, "Okay, enjoy it." I wave my hand goodbye and leave the room.

I definitely don't have normal brothers.

-

Author's note: ¡Hello! I'm sorry that update took so long! How is that beginning of the year going for everyone? I'm back to working on the translation of this story. Thoughts on the chapter? We got to see a little of Apollo's point of view and a glimpse of the older brother.

How badly are you hating Ares right now? Lol.

Thank you for reading!