Bright Fire
CHAPTER TWELVE

"ARE YOU going somewhere?"

Clara was heading toward the main door when she heard Aunt Carlota's voice.

She turned around in surprise.

"Auntie..." She forced a smile. "I'm going to have dinner with Josef and his grandparents tonight."

"Really?" Aunt Carlota smiled in delight. "A dinner date with Josef and his grandparents?"

"It's nothing romantic. I'm just returning the favor he did for me." Clara walked up to her aunt and kissed her cheek. "Don't you have a date tonight?" "What?" Aunt Carlota laughed. "What are you talking about, dear? I'm too old to date!"

"But..." I saw you kissing a younger guy.

"What is it?"

"I don't see anything wrong with that. Your beauty remains the same, Auntie."

"I know that." Aunt Carlota cupped her cheeks. "Go. We don't want to keep Josef waiting. Promise me you'll make a great first impression toward his grandparents." "Of course. See you later, Auntie."

When Clara's car exited the gate, she saw the man kissing her aunt the other day. He was standing outside his car again.

Clara could not help her curiosity. She got out of her car and approached the man. He stood straight at once. Clara knew he was no ordinary man. "Excuse me. Are you waiting for my aunt again?"

"I am. It looks like you have seen me before. Should I introduce myself?"

"I'd appreciate it," she said in a formal tone.

"I'm Baron. I have known Carlota for years. Don't worry. I'm not a bad guy."

"Are you dating my aunt?"

"What? Dating?" Baron chuckled. "Your aunt does not date. But let me tell you a secret. We're both single. An affair could not be avoided."

"I hope you have clean intentions toward her," Clara said firmly.

"You have nothing to worry about. I know what I'm doing."

Clara sighed. Somehow, she felt relieved. She could not sense anything dangerous with him. Her aunt should be safe.

"That's all I need to hear. Good night."

"Good night, Clara."

CLARA'S car pulled over in front of a restaurant that was still under renovation. The exterior was made of bricks. It was one and a half story tall.

She entered the glass door right away, the wind chimes tinkling in a sweet tone. She saw Josef upstairs with an elderly couple.

He turned to her direction and stood up at once. He was smiling as he climbed down the concrete steps.

"Hi, you made it."

"Am I late?" she asked anxiously.

"Nope. You're just in time. Let's go." Josef put a hand behind her back as he guided her upstairs.

"Guys, she's here!" Josef announced happily as they reached their table. "Clara, I'd like you to meet my grandparents. This is Granny Felicia, and this is Grandpa Jose. This is Clara, a very good friend." Clara swallowed the imaginary lump in her throat as her heart could not help racing. She had only imagined meeting this couple with Fuego. But things happened, and she was here with Josef, instead.

Felicia del Mar was still in her early fifties while Jose del Mar was already in his seventies. Fuego was right. She wished she could tell them how she adored their love story.

Felicia and Jose glanced at each other before they stood up.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. del Mar. It's an honor to meet you." She extended her trembling hand.

"You look so lovely, Clara. I am glad to finally meet you," Felicia said as she squeezed her hand. "Don't be nervous. It's just us."

"I'm glad to meet you, Clara. My grandson has good taste. He definitely took after me," Jose remarked when he shook her hand.

For a man who built a successful business empire, he was gentle and soft-spoken.

"And also his looks, Sir," Clara said as she glanced at Josef.

Josef smiled..

"Should we begin this dinner?" he asked.

"Oh, someone is joining us tonight, I forgot to mention," Felicia said.

The glass door opened, and they all turned. Clara's heart stopped beating for a moment seeing Fuego in his dark leather jacket. He ran a hand through his hair. Their eyes met, but it only lasted for a short moment. He looked away and smiled at Felicia.

Clara felt a piercing sensation in her heart. She looked down as Fuego joined them at the table.

"I'm glad you made it, son," Jose said.

"I miss you, guys. I really do," Fuego said.

"I don't think so," Felicia said, sounding upset.

at you. You're getting tanner every time we see each other. You'd rather spend your time under the sun

come home."

"Ma, I thought you understood?"

"Uncle, you remember Clara, right?"

Clara flinched in surprise. She lifted her gaze reluctantly and met Fuego's cold eyes once again.

"She's that girl at the party, right? How can I forget her? The news about you dating is all over the internet."

Clara drew a deep breath as she fought back the tears in the corner of her eyes.

"Since we are all here, let's have dinner," Felicia announced.

"SON, didn't you promise to introduce your girlfriend when we see each other?" Jose asked.

"You're dating?" Josef asked in amusement.

Clara gripped her utensils as she glanced at Fuego, who was sitting across her.

"Did I?" he said as he gazed at her. "She's not available at the moment, I'm afraid."

Clara looked away and focused on her food. Felicia was a great cook. She would have enjoyed the food more if only Fuego was not around.

"I heard Clara makes the best coffee. How about you make one for us after dinner?" Felicia said.

Clara stared at Felicia and then at Josef.

"D-did you tell her?" she asked in amusement.

"What?" Josef was confused for a moment.

"Josef mentioned that he dropped by your coffee shop. I presumed Clara makes great coffee. Isn't that true?" Felicia laughed as she glanced at Fuego's direction. "Of course, Granny. Do you mind, Clara?" Josef asked.

Clara shook her head.

"It would be an honor."

"Then, I'll accompany Clara to the kitchen." Felicia stood up. "Excuse us, gentlemen."

"AN EGG pie is a great partner for coffee. What do you think, Clara?" Felicia said as she retrieved a box of pie from the refrigerator.

The scent of coffee began to fill the kitchen. Clara's heart twitched as Felicia opened the box on the counter. It was the same egg pie she longed for.

"You miss this, don't you?"

Clara gaped as she stared at Felicia.

"I'm not going to lie anymore. I already knew you because of Fuego."

She was left dumb founded.

"It was crazy how he talked so much about you one second, and the next second, things had fallen apart just like that. I thought you were the one for him. Now, you're with Josef." "Josef and I are just friends, M-Ma'am," Clara said and swallowed the imaginary lump in her throat.

"How sure are you that Josef isn't going to fall for you? I bet you did not tell him about Fuego. Are you going to break Josef's heart, too? State your intention, young lady, so I can tell you I'm not going to let you do that." Clara bit her lower lip as she felt her body tremble.

"I-it's far from that, Ma'am. I'm sorry. I have a complicated life, and I could not bear to involve Fuego and Josef. I did not mean to hurt your son's feelings. If I had known that he was coming, I would have declined the invitation." "Then, you perfectly understand that Fuego and Josef do not deserve a woman who does not know what she wants. Right, Clara?"

Clara drew a breath and nodded.

"Don't get me wrong. I really like you. I would love to welcome you to our family if things were a little different. But if this will only ruin Fuego and Josef's relationship, I don't think it should go on." Clara clutched her fist as her heart squeezed in pain.

"Ma."

Clara jumped and turned at the sound of Fuego's voice. He was standing at the kitchen door, looking stern and cold.

"What's happening?"

Clara avoided his gaze.

"Nothing, son. I'm just giving Clara a piece of advice. You know how much I wanted to have a daughter, right?"

"It does not look like that to me."

Clara drew another breath and forced a smile.

"S-she's right. I'll definitely remember that Ma'am."

"I'm going to take the pie outside. You can help Clara serve the coffee if you want. She would appreciate it."

Felicia took the box and smiled at Clara before leaving.

She was supposed to sigh in relief because Felicia left, but she had to deal with Fuego this time. It looked like her world had gotten smaller.

Clara put the small cups on the counter and started pouring coffee in each of them.

"What did she tell you?"

She shook her head without throwing him a glance.

"Did she intimidate you?"

"She did not. All I heard were nice things, actually. Your mother is a great woman. I can see that."

Too bad I don't deserve to be a part of her family, she thought bitterly.

She put the cups on the tray and lifted it, but her hands were just shaky.

"I'll carry it," Fuego said.

"T-thank you."

"WILL YOU be all right, Clara? You don't mind driving alone?" Jose asked as they prepared to leave.

"Don't worry about me, Sir. I'm already used to it," Clara said politely.

"Your future husband is very lucky. See you again soon."

Clara smiled reluctantly. She was sincerely pleased to hear it from Mr. del Mar himself, but she doubted Felicia would agree.

"I-I hope so, Sir. Thank you so much."

"Call me once you get home, okay?" Josef said.

"I will. Drive safely."

Clara did not move when Josef gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"And you, Fuego, go home straight right away."

"I will, Papa." Fuego hugged Jose and kissed his cheek. That gesture was very unusual, but to Clara, it went deeper. Fuego loved and respected his parents more than anyone else in this world. "See you later, Mama." Fuego wrapped Felicia in a long, tight embrace.

When Josef's car left, Clara turned and sauntered toward her car. She could not wait to drive away from that place, from Fuego, and from everything.

But before she could even reach for the door of her car, Fuego grabbed her and hugged her from behind. Clara froze in shock.

In the next instant, she could feel her heart melting as she realized how much she missed him.

Fuego buried his face in her hair.

"W-what are you doing, Fuego?"

"I missed you. Don't you feel the same?" he whispered, his voice desperate and longing.

"L-let go, please..." she uttered, her voice barely audible.

"Come back to me, Clara."

"F-Fuego, what are you saying?" Clara tried to break free from his arms, but he would not let go.

She was making a fool of herself again. She knew Fuego's arms were the only place she ever wanted to be. And it was the same place she was not supposed to stay.

But if this will only ruin Fuego and Josef's relationship, I don't think it should go on.

Felicia's words still rang in her ears even up to that moment. She was right. She had no place in Fuego or Josef's life.

...Fuego and Josef do not deserve a woman who does not know what she wants.

"This will be the last time I'll beg," he said. "Come back to me."

"I have nothing to give you anymore, can't you see?" she spat as tears filled her eyes. "I-I will never be good enough for you or for anyone else like I was never good enough for my aunt and my family. Why did they send me away just like that? I was always a burden. I will never be enough. Not even for myself. I'm sorry, Fuego. You have so many people around you, loving you, and protecting you. You don't need me. You can live without me. But please..." Clara shut her eyes as her body trembled. "P-please don't hate me. You're the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me."