Through my Window by ARIANA Godoy ,Chapter 54,The Grandpa – ARES –

Watching her sleep relaxes me. It gives me a sense of peace and security that I never thought anyone could provide. I run the back of my fingers across her cheek gently, not wanting to wake her, though I know it would take much more than a simple touch for that. Raquel is exhausted. I left her exhausted. A cocky smile forms on my lips, and I wish she could see it so she could joke or tease me about it. I know she would say something like, arrogant Greek god. She looks so vulnerable and beautiful in her sleep. Her transparency, the ease with which I can read her, is one of the things that drew me to her. I didn’t have to worry about ulterior motives, lies, or false feelings. She is for real, so clear, and obvious with everything she feels. That’s exactly what I’ve always needed: clarity and honesty. It’s why I can expose myself in this way and allow myself to follow my feelings, release them, and open my heart to her. I lean over and kiss her forehead. “I love you,” I whisper. She stirs a little but stays asleep. Watching her sleep makes me feel a little stalker-ish, reminding me of our beginnings. My little stalker witch.
The one who thought I didn’t know she was stalking me. All those times I acted like I didn’t know she was watching . . . A knock on the door brings me back to reality. I cover Raquel completely with the sheet and get up, dressing quickly, but I can’t find my shirt, so I open the door without it. Two girls, whom I recognize as Raquel’s cousins, but whose names I can’t remember, look petrified when they see me standing there. Their eyes run up and down my naked torso shamelessly. One of them blushes, sharing a glance with the other. “My goodness, you’re so hot,” she exclaims. “Cecilia!” The other girl scolds her. Cecilia bites her lip. “I’m just telling the truth, Camila. He knows he’s hot, so why deny that we’re dazzled?” she asks. I ignore her compliment. “I imagine you’re the cousins who are sleeping in Raquel’s room,” I say drily. Camila nods. “Yeah, we’re sorry to interrupt,” she says. I give her a polite nod in return. “Don’t worry, come in,” I offer, and Cecilia follows me into the room. “I was just leaving. I need to find my shirt.” “What’s the point?” she asks. “You look perfect without it.” Camila grabs her arm. “Cecilia!” She gives me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Ceci has had too much to drink.” “Don’t worry,” I mutter. I pick up my shirt from the floor and lean over to give Raquel a short kiss on the cheek before putting it back on. “Don’t wake her up. She’s exhausted, and it’s been a long day for her.” “Okay,” Camila agrees. “Good night,” I say. I walk out into the hallway and head for the stairs. “Ares,” I hear one of them shout from behind me. I stop and turn to see who’s calling me. Cecilia walks toward me slowly, smiling.
“I . . .” “What?” I demand. My voice takes on its usual icy, defensive tone. “I don’t understand,” Cecilia says. “You and her, it doesn’t make sense.” This girl has no idea how cold and brutally honest I can be. She’s only seen my sweet side; the one that only comes out with Raquel and no one else. “You don’t have to understand. It has nothing to do with you.” “I know . . .” She takes another step toward me. “But you’re just so perfect . . . and she’s so . . .” “Stop.” I warn her. “Be very careful about what you say about her.” “I wasn’t going to say anything bad.” She pouts. “The truth is, I’m not the least bit interested in what you have to say,” I cut her off and leave. “Good night.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Raquel has her hands on her hips. She looks upset. “Ares?” “I don’t know,” I reply. It’s a few days after her birthday party, and we’re finally alone again in her room. The bad news had come in various forms: e-mails and rejection letters. The main reason they gave was that the deadline for scholarships had passed, and that the spots were already taken by people who had applied on time. Raquel had found out from Apolo because I hadn’t told her when I started getting responses. I didn’t know how to tell her. I had given up hope, but she hadn’t. I didn’t want to take that away from her. I can’t lie, the rejection makes me sad, but my consolation is knowing that at least I’ll be able to attend the same university as her. I’ll be miserable studying business, but at least I’ll be miserable next to her. “Are you mad at me?” I ask. Raquel sighs and puts her hands around my neck.
“No,” she says, giving me a short kiss. “I’m so sorry it didn’t work out, but we’ll figure something out.” “Raquel . . .” I shake my head at her. Her eyes meet mine. “No, don’t even think about giving up.” “Do you think I want to give up? But we can’t cling to nonexistent hopes either.” “Did you try talking to your grandfather?” “What for? He already told me he won’t get between me and my father.” “Go back and talk to him,” she pleads. I shake my head. “Ares, he’s your last resort. Please try again.” “I don’t want to be rejected again,” I admit, lowering my head. Raquel holds my face, forcing me to look at her. “One last try. Please?” she asks again. I kiss her softly, my fingers tracing her cheeks slowly. When I step back, I smile at her. “One last try.”
Grandpa Hidalgo doesn’t seem surprised to see me. He’s sitting in my father’s study. Claudia is sitting next to him, laughing at something. “Hello,” I say a little nervously. “How are you, Grandpa?” He smiles at me. “Some days are better than others, that’s how old age works,” he replies. I take a seat in the chair on the other side of the table. “Claudia, my dear. Can you ask my son and Artemis to come in here for a moment?” He’s calling my father and Artemis? What for? This is not going to end well. Claudia exits, closing the door behind her. “Grandpa, I . . .” I pause, thinking of how to begin. He raises his hand. “I know why you’re here.” I open my mouth to speak, but my father walks in, followed by Artemis.
“What’s up, Dad? We’re busy. We have a video conference in ten minutes.” My father gives me a quick glance but doesn’t say anything. Artemis looks confused. “Cancel it,” Grandpa orders, smiling. My father protests. “Dad, it’s important, we’re . . .” “Cancel it!” My grandpa raises his voice, surprising us. Artemis and my father share a glance, and Dad nods, so Artemis makes the call to cancel. They both sit off to the side, a little distance away from Grandpa and me. “What happens now?” my father asks with a sigh. Grandpa takes a moment to regain his composure. “Do you know why Ares is here?” he asks, his voice back to his normal tone. My father gives me a cold look. “I guess to ask for your help again,” he says. Grandpa nods, prompting Artemis to speak up. “Which I imagine has annoyed you because you’ve already told him no,” he interjects. “There’s no need for this, Grandpa,” I say, standing up. “I get it.” “Sit down.” I don’t dare challenge him, so I sit back down. My grandpa turns slightly toward my father and brother. “This conversation is far more important than whatever stupid business you are conducting. Family is more important than any business, and you seem to have forgotten that.” Nobody says anything, so Grandpa continues. “But don’t worry, I’m here to remind you. Ares has always had it all. He’s never had to fight for anything. He’s never worked in his life. He came to me for help, and I turned him down to see if he would give up the first time, but he exceeded my expectations. This kid has been working day and night, begging for scholarships and applications for months, fighting for what he wants.” Artemis and my father look at me with identical expressions of surprise.
“Ares has not only earned my support; he has earned my respect.” Grandpa looks me straight in the eye, and my chest feels tight. “I’m so proud of you, Ares. I’m proud that you bear my name and carry my blood.” I don’t know what to say. Grandpa’s smile fades as his gaze falls on my father. “I am very disappointed in you, Juan. Family legacy? May death come for me if I ever thought that family legacy was something material. Family legacy is loyalty, support, caring, passing on all those positive characteristics for all generations to come. Family legacy is not a damn company.” The silence that follows is agonizing, but my grandpa has no problem filling it. “The fact that you have become a workaholic to avoid dealing with your wife’s infidelities does not give you the right to make your children as unhappy as you are.” My father clenches his fists. “Dad.” Grandpa shakes his head. “What a shame, Juan, that your son begged you for support, and you turned your back on him. I never thought I would be so disappointed in you.” Grandpa turns his gaze and gestures toward Artemis. “You made him study something he hated. You’ve done everything you could to make him like you, and look at him. Do you think he’s happy?” Artemis opens his mouth, but Grandpa raises his hand. “Shut up, son, even though you’re just the product of your father’s bad parenting, I’m also upset with you for turning your back on your brother, for not standing up and supporting him. I feel sorry for both of you, and these are not the moments I want anyone to associate with our family name.” Artemis and my father lower their heads. My grandpa’s acceptance is something extremely important to them. “I hope you can learn something from this and improve. I have faith in you.” I am struck by the sadness in my father’s and Artemis’s expressions.
Grandpa looks at me again. “I started your enrollment process for medical school at the University you told Apolo about.” Grandpa hands me a white envelope. “It’s a bank account in your name, with enough funds to pay for your degree, college expenses, and inside are keys to the apartment I bought near campus for you. You have my full support. I’m only sorry you had to see your own father turn his back on you. The good thing about all of this is that you experienced not having it all and having to work for what you want. You’ll make a great doctor, Ares.” I can’t move. I’m speechless. Of all the scenarios I’d imagined, this one had never crossed my mind. Grandpa shakes his hands and slowly stands up. “Well, that’s it. I’ll go get some rest,” he concludes and leaves the room. With his head down, my father walks out behind him. I’m still sitting there with the envelope in my hand, processing everything, when Artemis stands up and faces me. “I’m sorry,” he says, looking me in the eyes. My older brother has rarely said those words to me. He runs his hand over his face. “I’m really sorry, and I’m glad that you can follow your dream. You deserve it, Ares.” A sad smile crosses his face. “You have a strength that I didn’t. Grandpa is right to admire you.” “It’s never too late to change your life, Artemis.” He shakes his head. “It’s too late for me. Good luck, brother.” And with that he walks away, leaving me alone. I don’t know how to feel. My emotions are so jumbled, but I recognize the main one as pure happiness. I made it. I’m going to be a doctor. I’ll study what I want and I’ll save lives.
The only thing that dulls my happiness is the thought of the girl waiting for my call to tell her what happened. The girl I love, and the one who will be miles away from me once the semester starts. Grandpa is wrong about only one thing, I’ve never had it all, and this time seems to be no exception.