Bright Fire
CHAPTER TEN

CLARA had no idea how she got to the coffee shop safely. She was out of herself, and she arrived late. She did not get out of her car right away when she had parked.

She glanced at the empty space beside her car and imagined Fuego's big bike parked in there. Her heart twitched in pain as she clutched the steering wheel tight. She hated the fact that things changed between them overnight, literally. She pressed her head on the steering wheel and sobbed quietly. As her shoulders began to shake, she suddenly felt like wanting to go back or run away to a place where no one could ever find her.

Clara lifted her head when her phone rang on the passenger seat. She wiped her eyes to check who it was, but only more tears came running down, blurring her sight, seeing Fuego's name. What is he still calling me for? I already knew the truth!

But a foolish part of her wanted to grab her phone to hear Fuego's voice, even just for a moment.

She reached for the phone with a trembling hand. Clara felt her heart breaking again.

She turned her phone off and buried her face in her arms, crying her heart out as if she had never cried before.

"GOOD morning, Ma'am Clara!" Jennifer greeted with a cheerful smile from the counter. "How are you" She stopped at once and stared at her face, worried. "Are you all right, Ma'am?" "Good morning, Jennifer. I'm sorry. I am not feeling well," she replied in a hoarse voice.

"Do you want me to make your favorite honey lemon water?"

"I would really appreciate that. Thank you." Clara forced a smile and went inside her office.

She collapsed into her chair after closing the door. Her day was only beginning, yet she already wanted it to end. If there was any place she could hide from the world...

Her phone did not ring again. There was not even a single text message from Fuego after refusing to answer his call.

Clara tried to finish her packed breakfast. Rosa was an excellent cook, but she could not bring herself to appreciate the taste.

She glanced at her reflection in the mirror on the wall. Her eyes had not gone any better. Her nose even looked swollen.

She turned when someone knocked on the door. Clara wiped the corner of her eyes and composed herself before opening it.

When she pulled the door open, she froze at the sight of Fuego outside. He looked stern; his expression is unreadable. But she saw a glint of concern in his eyes when he gazed at her face. Clara stood there, staring like a fool because she did not know what to do.

"Will you let me come in?"

And the pain came rushing inside her again when he spoke. She gripped the knob tight, still unable to move. "Clara..." His voice was gentle this time, but it only worsened the cut in her heart. "I'm here. Let's talk."

Her lips quivered as her eyes began to well up.

"I-I can't. I'm sorry..."

"Let me in, please."

She shook her head as tears fell nonstop. Fuego swallowed, looking pained as he watched her becoming pathetic in his eyes.

"I-I was torn between being an obedient niece and following my heart. If I had known from the start that you are Josef's uncle, I would still go with you because I was stupid. I had to pretend that I do not know you because I did not want to disappoint my aunt. I love her so much. I grew up thinking she was my hero. I don't want to hurt her. And even if it meant sacrificing my own happiness just to get her approval, I would." "Clara... it's not worth it-"

"And I am jealous of you because you have a free spirit, and you live like you don't owe anyone. I wish I was just like you. I want you to live like you always do. Don't ever be like me." "What are you saying, Clara?"

"I don't think I can go on seeing you anymore, F-Fuego." Clara brought a hand in her mouth when she felt her tears overpowering her words. "I'm sorry. I was the happiest when we were together, I know you'd eventually forget about me just like the women from your past. I don't deserve you from the start."

"And you expect me to just accept it just the way you wanted?" he asked bitterly. "What the hell, Clara? If I have known it from the start, I should not have brought you back."

"I will only be a burden to you. I already feel sorry for myself. I don't need anyone else's pity anymore." Clara closed her fists as she fought the urge to touch Fuego. She knew how he could melt her defenses easily. She was afraid she would only take her words back..

She should not forget that he already had a woman named 'Venice.' She lured Fuego to cheat on her using her weakness. Clara felt sorry for her. No woman in the world deserved that.

"Go, Fuego. Live like you always do. I'll be okay."

"I respected your silence the whole time, Clara. I did not want to force you because I want you to open up to me and free your heart out when you finally realized you could trust me. I wanted to help you. I intended to stay by your side as long as you need me. But now you're telling me to go just because I could not do anything else for you anymore? I should have known you were only using me."

Those words stunned her. Clara wanted to scream that he was wrong. That there's no way she would use someone as precious as Fuego. Someone who only showed her nothing but kindness from the start.

Clara sniffed, but that did not do any help.

"Y-you're right. You should have just let me died that night."

Fuego drew a deep breath as he threw his head back.

"Stop saying stupid things, Clara," he said blankly. "I don't want to hear any more of it. Is this what you really want? Fine." He waved his hands in surrender and walked away.

Clara stared at the spot Fuego left behind. Just like that, he was gone. Perhaps only a miracle would bring him back.

"MA'AM, I know I am nosy, but what happened yesterday between you and Sir Fuego? Have you two broken up?"

"You are not just nosy, Jennifer. You are also insensitive. Do you really think it's all right to ask Ma'am Clara that?" Agnes scolded.

They were eating lunch at the counter together. Clara treated them because she felt lonely eating alone.

She had not felt any better after the incident yesterday. She had not heard anything from Fuego, and she was not expecting him to. "Yes. I realized I don't really like him at all." Clara faked a laugh. Jennifer and Agnes only stared at her, but they obviously did not buy it. "I guess you'll never really understand what letting go of someone you love meant unless it happened to you."

Jennifer and Agnes exchanged sad looks.

"It's complicated, seriously. Fuego deserved someone who could love him freely."

"That's sad. Because I really saw how much he loves you."

Clara stared at Jennifer.

"D-do you really think so?" Tears welled up from the corner of her eyes.

Because it was funny. Fuego never told her he loves her. Clara, too. She kept her feelings to herself because she was pathetic.

"I should not have brought it up. I'm so sorry, Ma'am Clara. Please don't fire me."

"It's okay. I understand that you're only concerned. How could I fire one of the most trustworthy employees in the world?" Jennifer beamed.

"T-thank you, Ma'am Clara. And you are the prettiest boss in the world."

"You are still lucky," Agnes teased.

"Just stay strong, Ma'am. If two people are meant to be, they will always find a way back in each other's arms."

"Jennifer is right. We are rooting for you, Ma'am Clara."

"Thank you." Clara smiled, and she meant it.

CLARA volunteered to wash the cups after lunch to keep herself distracted. But it only triggered her memory of the days she spent in Fuego's farm.

"I'm sure I've seen him somewhere before. He's so gorgeous!"

"Agnes, he looks just like Sir Fuego."

Clara almost dropped the cup on the sink and looked over her shoulder, her eyes wide.

Josef was already standing at the counter while Jennifer and Agnes looked lovestruck fools. She almost forgot about him because she was occupied with Fuego.

He smiled when their eyes met. Jennifer and Agnes stared at her in surprise.

"Hi. It's me," he said.

"J-Josef."

"I THOUGHT I would see you bossing around your staff. But here you are, doing the dishes and making coffee for me," Josef said as Clara put two cups of cappuccino on the table. Clara smiled awkwardly.

"I have to be very flexible, you know. Here you go."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Clara sat across him and caught a glimpse of the spot where she and Fuego used to sit. Someone was already sitting there. "I assume you were not busy since you got the time to drop by." "Even if I was busy, I would still make time. Everyone deserves a break, you know."

"You're right." Clara brought her cup to her lips.

"Is there any problem, Clara? Are you sick? You look pale to me."

Clara looked away as Josef studied her face.

"E-everybody has problems, Josef," she said as she put her cup down. "Don't worry about me. I'll be all right."

"Is that something you can't tell me?"

"I-I... I just don't want to ruin the moment."

"I understand. I can't expect you to trust me right away when we just met."

She stopped. Not in Fuego's case, though. He was wrong to think that she did not trust him. She would not give herself to him if she did not. She even fell in love with him in just a short time.

She cleared the imaginary lump in her throat. It was not the perfect time to be emotional when Josef was around.

"It's not weird to cry around a stranger, you know," Josef said as he watched her as if trying to read her emotions. "Do you want to cry?"

She shook her head at once.

"I-I don't want to. That would be very embarrassing."

"Who made you cry, Clara?"

Clara froze when Josef cupped her cheeks. It was awkward. She felt like running away. She was scared he would find the truth from her eyes.

"I'm sorry." Josef let go of her. "Do I make you feel uncomfortable?"

"Almost."

He threw his head back and laughed heartily, drawing the attention of other customers. But Josef obviously did not care. And Clara could only imagine Fuego in his place.

"I did not know you have a shallow happiness," she said.

"Well, now you know." Josef glanced at the man sitting on the other side of the shop.

Clara followed his gaze and saw that the man seemed like he was taking pictures of them. Or so she thought.

"What's the matter?" she asked.

The man stood up and walked out of the shop casually.

"Nothing. Just ignore it," Josef said.

The man was a little suspicious, but Clara decided to take it off her mind. He must have recognized Josef, and he happened to be a fan of him.

"I'm going to get you a cheesecake. I'll be right back."