CHAPTER EIGHT
“HEY.”
Clara’s heart melted at the sound of Fuego’s gentle voice on the other line.
She just got home, feeling exhausted from the trip. After Aunt Carlota brought up about Josef del Mar over dinner, she lost her appetite, and her mood worsened. She wanted to cancel their shopping tomorrow if she could. Clara already felt sick.
But Fuego called just when she was about to retire for the night. Her spirits lifted up in an instant.
“Hey,” she replied, biting her lip.
“Did I disturb you?”
“Not at all. I was actually glad you called. I went out for dinner with my aunt, and I am so tired.” Clara took a deep breath. “How was your day?”
“Bloody.” Then, Fuego chuckled.
“What do you mean? What happened?” Clara was worried all of a sudden.
“One of the cows gave birth, and I had to be Jeremy’s assistant.”
She sighed.
“Oh, were you all right?” She was relieved it was nothing serious.
“Yup. I’m used to it.”
“I could only imagine how you looked the whole time.” Clara giggled.
“I’m glad you did not see me.” Fuego laughed.
Her heart fluttered. Now it was just her and Fuego in their own world.
“By the way, I’m going this weekend to attend Casa del Mar’s opening.”
Clara blinked in surprise.
“R-really? I’m going there, too. My aunt got an invitation.”
“Great!” he said ecstatically. “Oh, I forgot to mention to you that Julian del Mar is my half-brother.”
She laughed weakly.
“The world is smaller than we thought, Fuego. I would find out about it eventually.” And she wished she did not have to find out Fuego’s relationship with Josef. Things were already complicated from the beginning, and it only worsened.
“I can’t wait to see you there, ” he said.
Clara took a deep breath as pain crossed her heart.
“Me, too. B-but can you do me a favor, Fuego?”
“What is it?” he asked eagerly.
“C-can you pretend that we did not know each other, and we only met for the first time?” She swallowed the imaginary lump in her throat.
“What?” Fuego uttered in disbelief. “Clara, you’re kidding, right?”
“My aunt can’t know about this. She did not know what I was up to when she was away.”
“Your aunt is more controlling than I thought, Clara.”
“I-I’m sorry, Fuego.” She stared down at her lap. “I don’t want to make her mad.”
“Do you expect me to be okay with this?” he asked in a stern tone.
Clara shut her eyes tight.
“I’m sorry.”
She heard him sigh.
“I can’t do anything about it, can I?” he said afterward. “Remind me again when we see each other. I guess we should call it a night. Good-bye, Clara.”
“B-bye, Fuego.”
He hung up.
What an unpleasant way to end the day. Clara could not believe their conversation ended just like that. Fuego was clearly upset.
She would be more than proud to introduce Fuego to the world. He was a great guy, but Aunt Carlota did not seem to have an open mind about it. There was more than Josef del Mar’s name and fortune her aunt was after.
She was more than embarrassed about herself than ever. She was a grown-up woman who could not decide for herself because gratitude toward her aunt was holding her back. She was weak and easy to control. Fuego did not deserve a woman like her.
“I’M SORRY, Auntie. I am not feeling well today. I don’t think I can go shopping with you,” Clara said during breakfast.
Aunt Carlota was reading news on her tablet. She took a sip of her coffee before smiling at her.
“Is that so, my dear? Don’t worry. We can just have my personal stylist come here.” She clicked and swiped on her tablet. Then she showed an elegant black dress sold in the app. “What do you think of this dress? I’m sure this will look good on you. I noticed that you gained some weight just like I told you to do.”
No, it was not because Aunt Carlota told her so. She gained weight because she was enjoying every meal she shared with Fuego and the people of Tierra Felicia.
“That looks elegant and really expensive.” Clara smiled half-heartedly.
“I’ll choose some more, and the stylist can all bring them here later. I suggest you get lots of beauty rest. First impression is the most important.”
Clara only stared at Aunt Carlota as she focused her attention on her gadget. She had no appetite, honestly. The upcoming event this weekend was like a sentence to her.
Clara went back to her room and slumped to bed. There was no call or any messages from Fuego. Was he still upset?
She wanted to call first, but for what? To apologize again? She doubted if that would change anything.
Clara turned when someone knocked on the door. She got up enthusiastically and opened it. Aunt Carlota must have forgotten something to tell her.
But it was Rosa standing outside, holding a fresh orange juice and egg pie from Tierra Felicia.
“This might help you feel better, ” Rosa said with a smile.
Well, even the tiniest thing could remind her about Fuego. But she let Rosa in with a smile.
“Thank you, Rosa, ” she said and sat on the bed.
“Is something wrong?” the housekeeper asked as she put the food on the bedside table.
“I don’t want to go to that party, Rosa.”
“I wish I had a magic wand to make your wish come true, Clara.”
Clara laughed weakly.
“I wish you’d find the reason and the courage to break away from Carlota’s control. You deserved to be happy.” Rosa tapped her cheek. “The sooner, the better.”
Clara smiled. Rosa’s sincerity touched her.
Never once did Aunt Carlota ask her the things that could make her happy. It was always the things that would please her aunt. And still, Clara did not feel she was good enough for her.