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CLAUDIA

July 4th

Five years later

"What is it like to live with three very attractive guys?"

"You are so lucky."

"I am 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 of the fantasies of every girl and boy around town. Although we are not family; I grew up with Artemis, Ares and Apollo 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. I am forever grateful to him for his kindness. A year ago, when my mother fell ill and could no longer work, Mr. Hidalgo let me take her place as housekeeper.

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 so. 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 is 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 twenty years, I should have many friends. Yet, I only have one girlfriend; and that's simply because we are in the same classes. Of course, I do consider the boys my friends. Well, Ares and Apollo. 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 night of July 4th when I rejected him after he kissed me. From that moment onwards our relationship ceased to be easy and comfortable, and turned tense and distant. Now he will only speak to me when necessary.

Although they never asked questions, Ares and Apollo 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 is 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 one night, five years ago. His family is throwing him a surprise party. I must admit that I am 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 occasion.

"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, 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 I walk away. I stand in front of the mirror to make sure I check that the bun I have made with my red hair is perfectly in place. I will be in charge of the distribution of the food so I can't have my hair down. I turn off the light and walk out of our room. I head out of our room, walking quickly, and the black heels I am wearing make clicking sounds, announcing my every step. And though I rarely wear high heels, I am very good at walking on them.

When I reach the kitchen, I find four people waiting: two men wearing waiter uniforms and two women in the same dress I have on. I know them very well. They all work for the catering company that Mrs. Hidalgo frequently hires for these occasions. She prefers to hire the same staff because they are all familiar with how parties are hosted at the house. One of the women is the one friend I have from university, Gin. I helped her get this job.

"And how is everything?"

"Everything is going well." My friend Gin replies. She points to the other young woman, "Anellie has prepared a few cocktails and stocked the minibar with champagne and wine."

"Great. And who will be at the minibar in charge of preparing drinks?" I ask while fixing a tray with hors d'oeuvre "Is it Jon?"

Jon nods. "Yes, and of course. I am, after all, the best bartender in the world." He winks at me.

Gin rolls her eyes. "Ah, excuse me? I make the best margaritas in the world, okay?"

Miguel, who has been quiet all this time, finally makes a comment, "I concur."

Jon flips them off.

I check my watch. The guests are about to arrive. "It's showtime."

They all exit, except Gin stays behind, hoping to walk out with me.

"How are you feeling?" she asks.

I give her a shrug.

"Fine. How else should I feel?"

She snorts. "You don't have to pretend around me. You haven't seen him in months. You must be nervous."

"I'm fine." I repeat.

"Did I tell you that I caught a glimpse of him a few days ago in this business magazine?" she starts. "Did you know that he is one of the youngest CEOs in the country?"

I do know, but Gin carries on with her update. "He was appointed CEO in charge of running Hidalgo Enterprises before he even finished his degree. They added a blurb in the article noting that he graduated with honors. He's a fucking genius!"

"Gin," I turn to grab her by the shoulders. "I adore you, but, can you please shut up?"

Gin snorts, again. "Why don't you ever want to talk about him?"

"Because there is nothing to talk about."

"You'll never convince me that nothing happened between you two. He is the only Hidalgo brother you never want to discuss."

"Nothing happened " I respond as we approach the living room. The space has been decorated for the occasion. The furniture has been removed and replaced with small high tables adorned with centerpieces. Tall glasses and appetizers have been carefully laid on each table.

Sofia and Juan are by the entrance, ready to receive their guests. I notice Apollo, their youngest son, wearing a beautiful suit and standing by their side. Sofia looks behind her and around as if looking for someone and I furrow my eyebrows and then I realized who we're missing. Where is ?

I know these boys, so I quickly head up the stairs. Ares was partying last night, and came home early this morning. And though it is already 6 o'clock in the evening, it is very likely that he is still fast asleep. I let myself into his room without knocking. And I am not surprised it is dark inside. I wrinkle my nose; the room stinks of alcohol and cigarettes. I open the curtains and the shines on the figure of the eighteen year old boy I know so well. He's lying on his bed, shirtless, with his face buried in his pillow, the sheets come up to his torso. I am not shocked to find a blonde girl fast asleep next to him. I have never met her; it's likely she is a one night stand.

"Ares!" I punch him lightly on the shoulder, he groans in annoyance. "Ares!" This time I squeeze his shoulder and make sure he opens his eyes—blue, and very much like his mother's.

"Aaaagh the light!" He complains, throwing his hand over his eyes.

"The light is the least of your problems." I stand straight and place my hands on my waist.

"What's going on? "He sits up and rubs his face.

And I utter the only name he needs to hear in order to understand why I am here.

"Artemis."

I watch as the information finally registers, and he immediately gets up. He is only wearing boxers.

"SHIT! It's today!"

"Hurry, go shower," I order. "Your suit is hanging by the bathroom door."

Ares is about to run to the bathroom when he notices the girl in his bed, who is still asleep. "Oh, shit."

I arch an eyebrow. "I thought you were taking a break from your one-night conquests."

"I was. Argh, damn alcohol." He scratches the back of his head. "I don't have the time for the effort and drama that will take to get her out of here." He comes closer to me. "Clau, you love me. Right?"

"I am not going to get rid of her for you. You have to take responsibility for your actions."

"But I don't have the time. Please." he begs me. "If I have to take care of her, I won't make it on time to welcome my brother."

"All right. But this is the very last time. For real." I shove him towards the bathroom. " Hurry."

I sigh, and proceed to wake the girl up. I try to respect her privacy as much as possible while she puts on her clothes. It is uncomfortable. Even though I hate to admit it, I am used to situations like this. It's hard not to be when you live with an eighteen year old boy in the midst of his sexual awakening. Apolo, on the other hand, is still very innocent and I am grateful for that. The blonde is very pretty, and I feel terrible for her.

"Come on, I'll call you a taxi and take you to the exit out back."

She looks offended. "The back door? Who do you think I am? And you still haven't told me who you are..."

I get what she's asking. My dress is too elegant to indicate that I am just the house staff.

"That's not important. We're hosting a party downstairs. I suggest using the back exit for your own good. Unless you'd rather make your way out past dozens of strangers while looking like that."

She shoots me a murderous glare. "Whatever."

How ungrateful.

I know I'm doing Ares's dirty work. Though I don't endorse his actions, I know him well. He is brutally honest with these girls and lets them know exactly what he wants. If they agree to sleep with him under his terms, but then change their minds after and expect more, well, that's on them.

After I make sure the girl leaves, I descend the stairs, I take the room in: the shining marble floors, the exquisite black and white paintings on the walls. The Hidalgos are not the type of family to have a lot of things to show off, they're more into simple, gentle luxurios details. Many guests have already arrived, and the swarms with elegant dresses, expensive jewelry and designer suits. I put on my best smile and begin to courteously serve those in attendance. I laugh at their jokes, even when I don't find them funny. And I offer compliments, even though they are fake.

I become more nervous as the time passes and the room begins to get crowded with guests. After all, this is a surprise party. Artemis has no idea that all these people are waiting to welcome him home after all these years away. The time of his arrival is getting closer. I don't know why I am so anxious.

Sofía gets everyone's attention, and asks them to be quiet. Jon shuts the lights, and everyone waits in complete silence while the doors start to open.

Artemis has finally arrived.