Bright Fire
CHAPTER SIX

on made her heart flutter.

SOON the lawn was filled with long tables, sumptuous food, and happy people. They were all smiling and treating Clara like she was the most important guest. And the fact that Fuego let them think that they had a special relationship going "How was the tour this morning, Clara? Did you have fun?" Emerisa asked, smiling.

Clara went down alone after a shower. She wore a plain white V-neck shirt and jeans. Fuego, on the other hand, had to take Cocoa back to the stable.

"I like it in here, Emerisa," she said. "It feels like home."

"I hope this is the start of celebrating Fuego's birthdays with you."

Clara stared. Her face could not help flushing as the memory of the first kiss they shared back at the stream flashed her mind. Just thinking about it could already make her knees weak. It was like a dream coming true. "T-that sounds great," she said quietly.

"Clara, Clara, here!" Lanie approached them with long strides, a huge square chocolate cake in her hand. "Would you like to hold the cake while we sing a birthday song for Fuego?"

"Oh, of course!" Clara gladly took the cake. "It would be an honor." She smiled.

"How old are you, if you don't mind?"

"I'm twenty-five."

"Perfect!"

"Lanie, I don't think Fuego is a cradle snatcher," Emerisa said matter-of-factly.

"I just want to ask Clara's secret for looking young," Lanie refuted with a silly grin. Clara laughed.

"A few weeks ago, Fuego brought me pineapple and egg pies. I love them very much."

"Ha!" Lanie flipped her hair jokingly. "So, when are you getting married?"

"Lanie," Emerisa called, laughing. "They're still getting to know each other."

"Oh." Lanie brought her hands together. "I see."

"THERE HE is!" Narsing called from the crowd.

Clara instantly turned to where everyone was looking. Fuego finally appeared in his plain black shirt and ripped jeans, his hair still wet from the shower. He looked refreshing with his bare face and timid smile. Behind him was Jeremy. His eyes roamed around, and when his gaze met hers, his smile broadened as her heart fluttered once again. Clara was only distracted when they began to sing a lively birthday song.

Lanie lit the candle on the cake with a lighter and motioned her to come as other workers, each of them holding a cake, moved closer. She was a little anxious as she purposely walked behind them.

Their voices were loud and cheerful but could not overpower the sound of her pounding chest. Fuego blew each candle and mouthed a 'thank you' every single time.

Clara almost tripped when it was her turn. Her knees felt weak. She brushed it off with a nervous laugh.

"Happy Birthday, Fuego," she uttered just as the singing stopped.

"Thank you, Clara," he said with a chuckle.

"Make a wish."

"There's no need." He blew the candle and cupped her face, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Clara closed her eyes as a warm, buzzing sensation seized her. People cheered and teased them, but she was too overwhelmed to be distracted.

IT WAS already dark, and the people were still eating and partying. Fuego disappeared without telling Clara where he went. She was too late to notice it as she was chatting with Lanie and her new-found friends. "Do you mind living here when you and Fuego get married?" Lanie asked.

The question took Clara by surprise. She gazed at her company at the table, and they were all grinning, waiting for her answer.

This was something Aunt Carlota would not be happy to imagine. But her aunt's opinion aside, it was a dream come true for her a boring family life with the man she deeply loved.

She smiled shyly.

"If that's what Fuego wanted."

They teased her, and Clara was grateful to the night sky for hiding her blushing face.

"That's the best decision you'd ever make," Tonia remarked. "Right, Fuego?"

Clara jumped at the mention of Fuego's name. They all turned over their shoulders and found him standing there.

How could she miss him already when he was only gone for an hour?

"Can I borrow Clara if you don't mind?" he said.

"Go ahead. We would understand if you don't feel like giving her back," Lanie said.

"Are we going somewhere?" Clara asked.

"Yes." Fuego took her hand as she stood from the table. "See you around, guys. Have fun."

"Have fun, too!" they replied, giggling.

Clara smiled and waved as he pulled her away.

They walked to the front lawn, and Fuego's truck was already there.

"We're going back to the stream," he said as he guided her to the front seat.

"But why?"

"We're sleeping outdoors." Fuego winked, and Clara's eyes widened.

"Really?" She clapped her hands. "All right! Let's go!"

CLARA watched Fuego with awe as he set up a big tent and a campfire. She was sitting on a small log in front of the fire, hugging her knees.

His confident actions and facial expressions made her feel warm inside. It was not because of the fire. It was deep and more than physical. Watching him flexed his muscled arms and back was more than enough to send shivers down her spine. Clara knew she wanted Fuego.

"It's done," he said, shaking the imaginary dust from his hands after placing the sleeping mat and pillows inside the tent.

Clara stood up with a smile and joined him inside the tent.

"Do you like it?"

"This is lovely, Fuego," she said. Indescribable happiness filled her heart as she stared at his handsome face.

"I'm glad to hear that," he said proudly. "Is there anything else you need?"

"Just you."

"Did you just flirt with me?"

Clara was supposed to laugh, but she only swallowed when she gazed at his lips.

"Don't do something you'll regret, Clara," Fuego warned.

Maybe it was madness that pushed Clara to pull his shirt and pressed her lips against him. But then, he began to kiss her back.

CLARA buried her face on the curve of Fuego's neck as she fisted his hair and her nails bit into his flesh.

She was loud, and she was embarrassed about it. But Fuego did not seem to care as he continued to thrust, his gasps and moans ringing in her ears.

Clara moaned and whimpered as the delightful sensation of their bodies becoming one took over her. She could only wish it would never end.

Clara froze as she climaxed, taking her breath away. Fuego stopped abruptly with a groan, and poured his warm seed inside of her, his face buried on the side of her neck.

She was panting hard, still in disbelief that she gave herself to a man like Fuego but satisfied.

He moved to kiss her cheek. Clara smiled, and their lips met for a passionate kiss.

"Are you all right?" he asked softly.

"Yes. I feel great," she replied with a shy smile.

"Just so you know, I like you being loud."

Clara put a hand in her mouth and laughed.

He chuckled as he lay on his back and pulled her into his arms. Clara wrapped an arm around his waist as he pressed his lips into her forehead.

For the next moments, they lay there, not talking to each other yet contented. At least, in Clara's case.

CLARA stayed there for a few more days, falling in love with Fuego and the people surrounding him. They taught her how to make their famous pies, feed the chicken on the poultry farm and harvest eggs.

She never took riding a horse seriously, though. She preferred riding with Fuego because she loved being close to him, with or without clothes.

They drove around the city and nature and took every opportunity to make love. Clara thought that was the happiest days of her life ever since leaving her family.

"Are you really leaving tomorrow?" Fuego asked as they lay on his bed, just hugging and cuddling.

"I hate to leave, and I am not sure if I could return here sooner, but I have to." Clara smiled sadly as she pressed her cheek against his chest. "I have a business to run, remember?" And there was Aunt Carlota who knew nothing about her little escapade. She still could not tell Fuego the very reason she went with him in this paradise of a place.

"You came here wanting to escape your life even for a short while. I hope you felt better now."

"I did not just feel better. I was the happiest after staying here. I wish I could stay here forever." "Then stay."

"If things were easier, I would."

THEY BOTH woke up early the next day. Fuego went downstairs to help Emerisa prepare breakfast while Clara packed her stuff.

It felt heavy inside to leave. She felt more at home here than back at Aunt Carlota's mansion.

Clara noticed Fuego's pants on the floor. It must have fallen off from the backrest of the single sofa. She went to pick it up, and something thick dropped from the pocket. It was Fuego's wallet.

Out of curiosity, Clara opened it, and Fuego's driver's license welcomed her. She smiled. He even looked gorgeous in a black and white photo.

But what she saw next shocked her. Fuego's last name was 'del Mar.'

Her hand could not help trembling as she read his name over and over again. That explained the resemblance she noticed the first time she saw Josef del Mar's enlarged photo. She could not be mistaken. They were related.

She hastily put his wallet back in the pocket. She retreated to the bed, her body cold and trembling in tension.

CLARA did not know how to compose herself after the discovery. She did not want Fuego to suspect her. But the coincidence was insane! She slept with her prospect husband's relative!

But it was not her choice to make, though. It was Aunt Carlota's decision.

She wanted only Fuego.

Clara took a deep breath. But she jumped at the knock on the door. It opened and revealed Fuego, handsome as ever in his ruffled hair.

"Are you done packing?"

She nodded at once and forced a smile.

"Are you all right? You look pale." He closed the door and sauntered toward her.

Clara stood up and threw herself into his arms at once.

"Clara?" Fuego uttered, his tone was laced with concern. "Is there any problem?"

Clara cleared her throat. She felt like crying in an instant.

"I'm just sad that I'm leaving," she said. And it pained her that she had to lie to him, to the man who made her feel happy, to Fuego, who had been her knight-in-shining-armor since day one. Fuego chuckled as he stroked her hair.

"You know you can always change your mind."

She faked a laugh.

"M-my staff already missed me."

"I HATE to see you leave, Clara. Will you come back sooner?" Emerisa said as they stood outside the house.

"I-I hope so," she said as she fought back the silly tears that started to well up her eyes. "I'm already anxious to leave."

Emerisa laughed as she pulled Clara into her arms.

"Take care, both of you. We'll see each other soon. Let's claim it."

"Yes, of course." Clara nodded as she pressed Emerisa's back.

She pulled away and felt Fuego's arm behind her.

"Are you ready?" he asked..

"Y-yes. Good-bye, Emerisa."

"See you soon, Clara."

CLARA took a deep breath as the truck traveled down the road. She hated the fact that she had to face reality now.

"What's wrong?" Fuego asked as he glanced at her.

"Nothing." She smiled as she stared at his side profile. "Thank you for everything, Fuego. Because of you, something happened to my boring life. For a moment, I felt that my life was not bad after all." She drew a breath once again. "Are you sure nothing's wrong?" His eyebrows were scrunched.

She nodded with a smile. But her heart twinged with pain.

Why Fuego, of all people?