Bright Fire

CLARA finally woke up and was greeted by the sight of Fuego squeezing himself on the couch in the corner, his arms folded across his chest. She could not help smiling as she remained lying for a few moments more, watching him sleep so How could someone sleep and still look so gorgeous?

peacefully.

But she felt pity toward him and finally got up. She saw her bag beneath the bed. She pulled out her sweater and wore it before sauntering to him gingerly.

"Fuego?" She sat beside him.

He looked more handsome up close.

"Fuego." She put a hand on his cheek lightly.

Clara gasped as he suddenly grabbed her wrist.

He brought her palm to his lips and kissed it, sending a tickling sensation to Clara's spine once again. Then, he opened his eyes. Clara's heart throbbed as his eyes met hers. "Why are you sleeping in here?" she asked.

"I'm sorry. I promised to wake you up before dinner, but I could not bring myself to. You're just too cute while you're sleeping."

"Are you trying to hit on me? I thought I'm not your type."

"Well, you're making me change my mind."

Clara frowned at him. Fuego chuckled as he got up.

Clara thought he would finally stand up, but he wrapped his arms around her instead and pulled her as he lay down again. "Fuego!"

Clara felt like she was wrapped in a warm blanket. It was overwhelming, and it felt like home once again.

"Five more minutes, please," he said in a raspy tone.

She giggled as she inhaled his scent.

"Alright."

She understood if he was still tired. It was not a joke driving for hours. And she loved being this close to him.

"SO, TELL us about yourself, Clara, and why do you think you are safe with Fuego?"

"Don't listen to him."

Clara stared at Fuego, and she could not help laughing.

They were already sitting at the long dining table. Fuego's housekeepers joined them like they were a family. Back at Aunt Carlota's mansion, Rosa would only join her for meals when her aunt was not around. "First of all, he saved my life. I own a small coffee shop back in the city, and that's where I met Fuego. If he wasn't there, I don't know what could have happened to me."

"Well, that's so Fuego. Part-time hero, full-time daredevil," Jeremy remarked jokingly.

"I thought it only existed in the movies," Emerisa said, giggling. "That's so romantic."

"Do you personally make the coffee, Clara?" Emerisa asked.

"Yes. When I'm not busy with the papers," Clara said proudly.

"Perhaps we could have a taste of your coffee."

"It's one of the best, I tell you," Fuego said.

Clara's face flushed at his remarks.

CLARA MADE coffee for everyone after dinner.

"It must be pretty exhausting for you," Fuego said as he put the mugs on the table.

He invited Clara to the lanai. The lamps on every brick pillar were lit, and fairy lights were hanging in between. To Clara, the night looked magical.

"You mean, the coffee? It's nothing. I was actually happy they liked it," Clara said with a smile.

They sat on the couch, and Clara could see the restaurant across the hill. The lights were lively, and customers still kept coming.

She grabbed her mug and took a sip.

"Children, I think you might need this." Emerisa appeared with a blanket in her hand.

"Thank you, Emerisa." Fuego took it and unfolded it on his lap.

She beamed at Clara.

"Clara, the coffee was great. Thanks again."

"The pleasure is mine, Emerisa. I could make another one for you tomorrow."

"We won't say 'no' to that," she said, giggling. "I'll retire first. We'll be very busy tomorrow, you know. As for you, you should enjoy the rest of the night." "Good night, Emerisa," they said.

"Good night."

"EMERISA is the sweetest," Clara said when she had finally left.

"I could not agree more," Fuego said and fixed the blanket on her.

"What about you?"

"I'm fine." He shrugged and took a sip of his coffee.

"Where's her husband, by the way?"

"Emerisa never married."

Clara tilted her head.

"What do you mean?"

"Jeremy did not grow up with his father. She met him when she was working as a cook in London. They were in love, but they could not get married because the man's family was against their relationship. They lived under one roof, though. Unfortunately, he died in an accident before Jeremy was born. Emerisa had to return to the Philippines to start over. She met my Mom and took her in and the rest, they say, is history."

"That's...sad." Clara stared blankly ahead. She did not know something tragic happened to Emerisa. She was as lovely as the sunshine.

"I know. Just look at how Jeremy turned out. He was the most annoying being that walked this planet."

Clara laughed, but it did not reach her eyes.

"And she never fell in love after that?"

"No. Emerisa said she did not think she could ever replace him in her heart."

"Will you tell me about your parents?"

"What do you want to know?" he asked eagerly.

"How they started. And are they still together?"

"Well," Fuego extended his arm behind her, "my parents' love story is a little dramatic. People were against their relationship because of their age gap. My father was already a widower and had a son while my mother was still in her prime. Some said she was after his money. Others said she would leave him once she met a younger man. Thirty-one years later, and they're still together."

"Wow," Clara uttered in amusement.

"My father is old now, and she was scared to leave him even for just a moment." Fuego chuckled. "I used to wonder whether I could meet a woman just like Emerisa and my mother."

"You just have to believe you will." Clara giggled.

Fuego stared at her.

"W-what?" Clara's cheeks began to feel warm once again.

He chuckled a few moments later.

"Would you mind sharing your blanket with me?"

Clara beamed.

"Come here."

CLARA woke up with her phone ringing on the nightstand. She blinked and rubbed her eyes, seeing Fuego's name on the screen. It was still five in the morning.

"Fuego," she said, trying her best not to sound sleepy at all.

"I'm sorry to wake you up. Could you come down for a moment? There's something I want to show you." He sounded excited.

Clara smiled and wondered if he got any sleep at all.

"Can you give me ten minutes? I still have to wash my face."

"Well, sure."

She did not see Fuego when she came down the stairs. She saw Emerisa instead.

"Clara, good morning!"

"Good morning, Emerisa. Have you seen Fuego?"

"He's outside. Looks like he was up to something." Emerisa laughed. "Anything you wanted for breakfast?"

"I'll take anything you make. Thank you, Emerisa!"

"No problem."

Clara strode to the door and found Fuego coming toward her. Light was beginning to spread behind him. She did not realize that Fuego in his thick sweater and bare face was all she needed. "What is it that you want to show me?"

Fuego suddenly pulled her by the hand. Clara sucked a breath as her heart throbbed.

"It's over there," he said with a boyish grin.

CLARA'S heart was racing as they stopped under a mango tree. A picnic mat was unfolded underneath it.

The view in front of her was overwhelming. The grass below looked wet and lush. The trees beneath the hill were enchanting. It once again reminded Clara of her family and her childhood. She noticed that the sun began to peek between the mountains.

Fuego wanted to show her the sunrise!

She stared at him as he pulled her to sit down.

"So, how does it feel to watch the sunrise with me for the very first time?" he asked cockily.

"You woke me up for this?"

"The view of the sunrise is best from here."

Clara chuckled.

"You always surprise me, Fuego. I'm afraid I might get used to it."

"Don't worry about it. Let's just live in the moment."

She drew a breath. He was right. It would be useless running away for a while if she would keep thinking about Aunt Carlota.

"You're right. You're such a bad influence."

Clara snuggled close to Fuego as they laugh together.

Everything felt perfect. Clara felt like her life was just beginning. And sharing this moment with Fuego, nothing mattered anymore.

CLARA closed her eyes for a moment as the warm sunlight touched her skin. At last, the rain was gone. Though it did not matter what kind of weather it was. Everything was fine as long as she was with Fuego.

"Do you want to go back to bed?" Fuego asked.

"Hmm." She shook her head. "I want to take a walk, though."

"Great idea." He stood up first and offered his hand.

Clara took it as she rose to her feet.

"Where do you want to go?" He folded the picnic mat.

Clara looked around.

"I don't know. Anywhere is fine. You can just show me around."

Fuego casually took her hand as they walked back to the house. Clara could only smile as she gazed at their hands. She had only met Fuego a couple of weeks ago, yet they were already familiar with each other. He had known about her life story already while she did not even know his last name. But for the record, none of them mattered to her. At least, for the moment.

"Sir Fuego! Sir Fuego!"

Clara turned around in surprise. A group of people appeared behind them, rushing to them with smiles on their faces. There were seven of them. Four of them were couples, and the rest are women, all middle-aged. "Oh, hey, guys," Fuego regarded with a warm smile.

"Happy Birthday!"

Clara stared at Fuego, her eyes wide. Fuego, on the other hand, scratched the back of his head and chuckled awkwardly.

"Thank you. That was unnecessary, you know," he said jokingly. "By the way, I'd like you to meet Clara. She's a special friend of mine."

Their eyes were set on Clara.

"Oh," they chorused.

"She looks lovely, Sir Fuego."

"You look good together."

"Are you tying the knot soon?"

Clara swallowed at the question as she stared at Fuego, still dumbfounded. She laughed nervously as Fuego turned to her.

"We're not talking about that yet," Fuego said. "She's still young. We'd like to take things, you know, slowly." He put his arm around her shoulder.

"Y-yeah," Clara breathed. "It's lovely to meet you all."

"We should have breakfast first before we start our tasks for today."

"That's so thoughtful of you, Sir Fuego. Thank you very much," one woman said.

"I'll make coffee for you," Clara said with a smile.

"Thank you, Ma'am Clara!"

"I'll meet you in the kitchen," Fuego said.

Clara watched them as they headed to the house first. Then, she turned to Fuego and tapped his arm.

"Why didn't you tell me that it's your birthday today?" she asked in disbelief.

"Because...well, you found out, anyway." He chuckled and scratched his eyebrow.

"I should have prepared something for you." She frowned. "Now I feel bad for being the last person to know."

"It's not your fault, Clara." He pulled her to his chest. "I already got what I need."

"Still." She glanced at his face. "Happy Birthday, Fuego." She tiptoed and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Fuego stared at her in genuine amusement. Then, he cleared his throat.

"Wow. This is the first time I've gotten a kiss from a woman who was not my mom on my birthday," he joked.

Clara bit her lip, her face turning warm.

"You are the first man I've kissed on his birthday, too," she said shyly. "Let's go and have some coffee. We can just take a walk later."

"Alright." Fuego put her arm around his waist as they walked casually.

"Who are those people to you, by the way? They seemed very fond of you."

"They work on the farm. I'll give you a tour later."

"That sounds great!"