My First, My Last, My Everything

By Guadalupe C. Claudio

Alan Hutchinson, middle sibling of the Hutchinson family, is single, handsome and very lucky with women. He was an eternal playboy with a heartbreaker reputation. As a veterinarian working in San Francisco, he is also very successful. But tired of the big city hassles and commotion, he decides to take a vacation to his native New Jersey and spend time with family. He never imagined that this vacation would change his life for ever. When his hometown veterinarian retires, he is offered the job and he accepts it, but he does not anticipate that the job comes with fringe benefits the assistant.

Guanelis, is young, beautiful and tanned with long black hair, traits she inherited from the Tainos natives of the Caribbean. She is happy with her job as an assistant to the towns veterinarian, but when Alan takes his place; her whole world is turned up side down.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503587984

Guadalupe C. Claudio

Guadalupe Claudio- Carrero was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico. During her teen years her family migrated to United States where she finished her schooling. She obtained a Bachelors degree in education and taught in various schools in New Jersey. She also worked in community outreach programs for Latinos and has been recognized for her educational programs during the Hispanic Heritage month. Her teaching experiences gave her the inspiration for her first two novels, Bittersweet Lesson and Bittersweet Lies, which tells the story of two teachers, although, in different life situations. Even though her passion is writing, she enjoys being involved in cultural events and hopes to some day have her own Latino folkloric dancing group. Presently she works and lives in New Jersey with her husband, Jose, her two children, Jennifer and Joel and her gorgeous dog Prince.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by Guadalupe C. Claudio.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5035-8799-1

                eBook             978-1-5035-8798-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover photo courtesy of models Emily Michaels and Justin Freese.

Rev. date: 07/28/2015

Xlibris

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BOOKS BY GUADALUPE C. CLAUDIO:

BITTERSWEET LESSON- 2010

BITTERSWEET LIES-2009

LOVE IS MY PROMISE- 2015

MY FIRST, MY LAST, MY EVERYTHING- 2015

Dedication:

To my daughter and editor Jennifer, for her constant support and special touches to this book.

To Joel: Thank you son for always putting a smile on my face when I am writing.

To Jose, my husband, for his great help with the cover of this book.

Congratulations and big thanks to models Justin and Emily, my long time friend for the cover photo.

Excerpt for My First, My Last, My Everything.

Well, how do you expect me to believe all of what you say when you have steamy conversations right under my nose? Have some decency and wait until you get home, he finished sternly. She was very upset; tears were streaming down her face. He felt guilty as soon as he saw the tears. ‘Damm, what did I do now?’ he thought. Listen, this is … He didn’t finish his sentence when she took off crying toward the rest room. Alan went around her desk very fast and stopped her by holding her by her arms. I said listen, Guanelis, I’m sorry. Maybe I over did it.

Please let me go, please. she cried.

The most beautiful things on Earth cannot be seen or heard but must be felt from the Heart.

Helen Keller

G uanelis

was in shock. She didn’t know what had just happened. She had to get out of there, out of the room and go for some fresh air, so she did. She took off and walked as fast as her high heels permitted it. She couldn’t see clear because her tears were clouding her sight. She couldn’t stop crying and closed her eyes. Unexpectedly she bumped into some one. They almost fell to the floor with the collision.

Wow! Be careful, Gregg said steadying her. Where are you going so fast, is there a fire? Are you alright? he asked her as he saw her wet face. Her eyes were closed and tears were running from her eyes. Guanelis what is it? Gregg looked at her worried. Suddenly he heard Alan’s voice coming towards them.

Guanelis! he called. He saw Gregg holding her. Alan closed the distance and Gregg looked at him still holding her.

"What the hell is going on? Gregg asked his brother. Alan ignored him.

Guanelis, please I need to talk to you. Let me explain, please. Greg didn’t understand but he knew how things had been between the two. He looked at Guanelis and then at Alan.

Did you hurt her? Alan was upset with the question.

Of course not, what do you think?

Guanelis, did Alan do something to you? Greg asked her. She continued to cry and tried to free herself from Greg’s hold. Answer me, honey. I’m not going to hurt you.

I didn’t hurt her, Greg. We just…

Let me go please, Greg. Let me go. I’m alright. I just need to go freshen up, she pleaded.

"Are you sure? Greg insisted.

Yes, I am alright, I swear.

Ok, if you say so. He reluctantly released her and she ran down the hall still crying. Greg and Alan looked at each other. Alan combed his fingers through his hair showing how worried he was. Well? he asked Alan seriously.

Well what? Alan snapped back.

Start explaining. Greg demanded.

There is nothing to explain. We were just talking, that’s all.

Alan, a girl comes running down the hall, you are running after her, she is crying and you have nothing to explain? Come on, little brother. Guanelis is a friend I care for. If you made her cry, I want to know why. Or we can take it out man to man, you choose.

Don’t be ridiculous, I’m not fighting you, not over this.

Then you better explain.

Well, things got out of hand, ok? he finished.

I can see that, but I still want to know why she was crying. I can’t believe you would hit her.

Of course not, he was fast to answer. How could you even think that? We were talking and I guess we got a little steamy and I, uh… kissed her. That’s all. Greg looked at him and laughed.

She was crying because you kissed her. Come on Alan, you can do better than that, bro.

That’s the truth. I kissed her and I guess she wasn’t expecting that from me. She got all nervous, kind of in shock, I guess.

Well, sure, not everyday a girl gets kissed by Dr. Alan Hutchinson, especially a girl he claims he doesn’t like.

Are you done bugging me? I’m not in the mood Greg, believe me, but I need to know if she is ok. Even though now I bet I’m the last person she wants to see.

Do you blame her? Greg said sarcastically.

Dammed! How the hell do I get into these troubles?

I guess you still haven’t learned to control your hormones, little brother.

My hormones have been asleep for over three months now. I think they just started to wake up at the wrong time and with the wrong person.

Tell me something Alan, what’s really going on with you? I mean, are you interested in her? Alan walked around in circles with his hands in his pockets.

I guess I am. I didn’t know until a few days ago. I heard her talking on the phone with a man she claims was her cousin. I felt like taking the phone and tell him off.

Mhm, that bad, and were you trying to tell her that tonight?

Sort of, she looked so beautiful and so sexy that I guess I couldn’t hold myself. I asked her if we could talk and we came out to the patio. I started telling her that I wanted to really get to know her and try to put our differences away. She was nervous, didn’t say anything. I asked her if she understood what I was trying to say. She said she didn’t, so I showed her by kissing her. She started crying and ran. That’s when you showed up.

So, what are you going to do now?

First, I need to see that she is ok and then I am going to let her calm down. I don’t know! he finished, punching the wall.

Hey, calm down yourself. It’s not the end of the world. Greg said patting him on the back. I think you should let it be for tonight.

But I want to make sure she is ok. Alan insisted.

I understand, we can ask Maggie or mom to go and check on her.

Please don’t ask mom, you know how she is. I will never hear the end of it.

Ok, I’ll go see if Maggie can check for us. You alright? Gregg double checked.

Yeah, yeah I’m alright, please go.

See you in a few. Greg left. He found Maggie and gave her the details. She left for the Ladies’ Room and found Guanelis sitting down staring at her hands. Tears were still running down her face. Maggie approached slowly.

Guanelis, Greg told me you were here and he wants to know if you are ok.

I’m ok, she said wiping her tears.

Are you sure?

Yes.

Then, why are you crying?

It’s nothing. I’m just being silly, I guess.

You won’t tell me? Maggie pressed.

"Did Greg tell you?’ Guanelis looked at Maggie questioningly.

Well, he mentioned something about Alan.

So he told Greg. Well, I guess I should tell you. Yes, Dr. Hutchinson still thinks that he can have fun with whoever he wants and tonight he chose me.

What do you mean?

Well, he told me he wanted to talk to me seriously and I believed him. Then he started talking about how beautiful I looked. He was saying that he just realized that he liked me. So when I told him that I didn’t understand what he was saying, he kissed me and then asked if it was clearer. More tears came down her face. Do you know how I felt, Maggie? It would’ve been better if he would’ve slapped me in the face. What does he think, that I have no feelings? I do have feelings. It’s very unfair for him to talk to me about feelings, especially if he doesn’t have them. He’s just making fun of me, playing with me and, of top of that, kissing me. Do you understand Maggie?

Yes, I understand Guanelis, but maybe you should try to find out if he really has those feelings for you and if he meant what he said. People change; I know that for a fact.

Are you referring to Greg?

Do you know something about Greg and me? Maggie asked.

No, not really but I can tell by the way you two look at each other. Are you in love with him?

Yes I am, but please don’t tell anyone. We want to be sure about our feelings first.

Don’t worry about me. Greg is a good person and I really like him, Guanelis finished.

Yeah me too, Maggie said and they laughed. But back to Alan, I think that maybe he realized that you are the girl he’s been looking for. It could happen.

Not to him, he doesn’t like me, never did.

Maybe that dislike he showed for you was just denial. Maybe he is scared. You know how scared he and Greg have been about falling in love. I know because Greg told me. So maybe Alan can’t fight those feelings anymore and decided to tell you and show you, don’t you think?

No, no, Guanelis said shaking her head from to side to side.

"Why not? He is human."

Yes, he is human, but are you blind? Look at him and then look at me. Is it possible for a man like him to like a girl like me?

Of course it is, why not?

Because Maggie, he is gorgeous, successful and rich. What am I? None of those things, she finished, with tears welling up in her eyes.

Guanelis, none of us have those things. Neither Debbie nor me and look, so far all those things haven’t been important for them or their family. So, it’s possible that Alan is really interested in you. Why don’t you give him a chance?

You don’t mean that, do you?

Yes, I do and I am saying this because I care about you. Really, you deserve a good man to love you and care for you.

And don’t you think I want that? Guanelis asked.

Then try.

Not with Dr. Hutchinson, he is not that man. He doesn’t care about me or my feelings, not that way. I am just a woman to him, that’s all.

Guanelis, maybe he really means what he told you. Maybe you can find out through Debbie or Jason.

Are you joking? I don’t want anyone to know about what happened. Please don’t tell Debbie or Jason, please.

Ok I won’t, but if Alan insists on this, you will have to face the facts. You can’t hide from love.

Love, who is talking about love?

Well, you never know. How do you feel about him? Any of those feelings you claim he doesn’t have, do you have them for him?

I, uh… I don’t think so. I never gave that any thought.

But you at least like him, don’t you?

Like him? Well of course, I think he is gorgeous but I don’t love him."

I know; I felt the same way about Greg until I realized that I had been hiding and that I actually was in love with him.

Well, that’s not me. I am not going to live in a fantasy and think that he is in love with me and wind up hurt. No, I can’t risk my heart and my peace of mind.

Ok, do what you think is right. No one can force you but think about it, ok?

I’ll see, Guanelis said.

Now, can I go out and tell Greg that you are ok?

Oh yes and tell him that I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare him. I’ll come out in a few minutes. Thanks for caring Maggie; I hope you and Greg are very happy.

Thanks, I hope for you too, see you later. Guanelis nodded and Maggie left.

Alan and Greg were waiting nearby. Maggie walked towards them. She is ok, just a little confused that’s all. I talked to her and I know how she feels. Give her time, that’s all she needs.

Well little brother you heard, give her time.

I guess she doesn’t want to talk to me now, Alan asked.

I wouldn’t, Greg said. It’ll make things worse.

It can’t get any worse, Alan snorted.

Greg is right, just wait, Maggie suggested. Alan nodded.

So you two are getting along fine? Alan asked them. Greg took Maggie’s hand and pulled her closer to him.

Yes, I think we are, right? he asked her.

I would say, she answered looking at him.

Great, I wish you two, good luck. Who knows, maybe you’ll wind up like Jason and Debbie, Alan finished.

Thanks, they answered.

You too bro, Greg told him. You’ll see that everything will be fine. Just give it time.

Yeah, I guess I have to and thank you guys. He smiled and took off towards the bar. From there he observed Jason and Debbie going around talking to the guests. They looked so happy. ‘Oh God, all I want is a little of that happiness. And Guanelis, please make her understand that I mean well. I really do, God’ he thought. He had his eyes closed finishing his wish and didn’t realize that his mother was behind him talking to him.

Alan, darling, are you tired? He opened his eyes.

Oh, hi mom, yes a little. How are you?

Fine, did Greg and Maggie give you the news?

About them dating? Yes, they told me. They are good for each other.

So, things are ok between you and Maggie? she asked skeptically.

Oh yes, there is no problem. I told Maggie from the beginning that I couldn’t offer her anything else but friendship. I was glad she understood. I am glad it was him she cared for and him for her. His mother looked at him puzzled.

What about Guanelis? she asked.

That’s another story, he said shaking his head.

Why? Rita insisted.

Mom, you don’t want to know.

Alan, what is really going on?

Oh, nothing is going on.

Nothing?

Nope, he drank from his glass, but I wish it was.

Alan, talk to me, I am your mother.

That’s the problem, you are my mother. I can’t tell you what I feel.

Why not, you always did. What is the difference now?

I am a man now, mom. Believe me, it is different.

"Ok then tell me something, why did you say you wish there was something going on