THE SMOOTH sound of the orchestra mixed along with the chattering of people scattered in the spacious floor of Casa del Mar. The chandeliers ostentatiously hanging on the high ceiling gave the venue a golden glow.
Clara and Aunt Carlota were late. Not that it bothered her aunt. She preferred a grand entrance when given a chance. Clara saw she succeeded. Pairs of eyes, from young and old, reverted to them as they made their way through the crowd.
Clara struggled to keep up with Aunt Carlota in her red stilettos. She wore a black lace dress which her aunt picked herself.
Aunt Carlota smiled tirelessly at familiar faces. Clara could only sigh in secret.
She distracted herself by surveying the interior of the two-floor restaurant. She was impressed. It spoke of history and elegance.
She wondered if Fuego was already there. She still did not know what to say to him.
A waiter approached and offered them wine. Aunt Carlota gladly grabbed a glass, while Clara politely declined. She was not in the mood, and the crowd was overwhelming.
“Carlota,” a middle-aged man called.
“Sancho, ” Aunt Carlota replied.
“Excuse me, Auntie. I’ll just get some drinks,” Clara said and retreated.
She heaved a sigh as she desperately look for a spot she can be alone. She saw a grand piano at the bottom of the stairs. She slouched in front of the instrument.
What should I do now?
“Why so sad, beautiful lady?”
Clara jumped at the voice. She looked up, and she was met by a handsome face. Her heart skipped a bit but only to be disappointed right away. She thought it was Fuego. But instead, he looked just like him.
“A-are you talking to me?” she said.
“Who else if not to the woman who was sitting on my piano?” he said with a charismatic smile.
Her eyes widened.
“Oh, no. I-I’m sorry! I did not mean to—” Clara was about to stand up, but the man put a hand on her shoulder and pushed her gently.
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m not asking you to leave. But do you mind if I sit with you?”
“I-I…” Clara moved aside a bit to give him space. She did not want to be rude, though she was a little uncomfortable.
“This party had just begun, but I’m bored already, ” he said. “I’m Josef del Mar. You are?”
“C-Clara del Cielo.”
“What a beautiful name.”
He knew his way around women, Clara thought. Is Aunt Carlota sure that this is the man he wanted for me?
Come on, Clara. He’s just like Fuego, another part of her mind screamed. It’s not a surprise it runs in the family.
“T-thank you,” she replied.
“Are you alone?”
“I’m with my aunt.”
He chuckled.
“No, I mean, do you have a date?”
She shook her head.
Josef placed his hands on the keys.
“Do you mind?” he asked.
“G-go ahead, ” she said.
Josef smiled at her before he played soulful music on the piano. His beautiful, slender fingers danced along with the white and black keys. Clara was genuinely impressed. She had never seen someone played the piano as close as this!
Soon she began to notice that the people started to gather around them. They all looked amazed and impressed toward the young man who was serenading the night.
Josef ignored the world around him and indulged himself in a passionate performance. The more she gazed at him, the more she longed for Fuego.
When he finished playing, the room was filled with loud applause and compliments. Josef smiled at them while Clara wished she could disappear from everyone’s sight.
She met Aunt Carlota’s gaze, and she was smiling from ear to ear.
“Thank you, everyone. I hope it improved your mood. Please enjoy the rest of the evening, but drink moderately!” Josef said.
They raised their glasses before going back to business.
“It’s nice to meet you, Clara, ” he said.
Clara blinked in surprise. She really thought she had disappeared in the background.
“It’s nice to meet you, too, Josef.”
“I hope I am not bothering you.”
Well, yes, he was. But she was in his territory, and he was just trying to entertain her.
“N-no, it’s okay. I’m the one who’s supposed to say that.”
“Should I give you a tour upstairs? If you like art, I could show you some great pieces.”
That sounds fun, though.
“I would appreciate that. Thank you, ” she said quietly.
“The pleasure is mine.” Josef stood up first and offered his hand.
Clara accepted it as she left her seat. Josef put her hand in his arm as he guided her to the stairs.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“H-hmm?” She blinked as she stared into his face.
Josef laughed.
“You look cute with that expression.”
“A-ah.” Clara scratched the back of her ear. “I… I am seeing someone.”
“Then, I hope he was not a jealous one. Because I really like to be friends with you, Clara.”
She only smiled half-heartedly.
Josef gestured at the paintings on the hallway.
“Most of these paintings were centuries old. They were actually more expensive than this house. This is one of the biggest risks I took in my life. To me, this isn’t just a restaurant. I want to preserve the remaining history, so people would not forget how far we’ve come.”
“It’s not hard to tell that you were always a bright student, and you’re an old soul, ” Clara remarked with a smile.
“I’m just lucky that Dad and Grandpa were supportive of my inclination toward history and business.”
“Don’t tell me you are planning to convert haunted heritage houses and buildings into hotels, too.”
Josef, taken by complete surprise, laughed heartily.
“Sorry to disappoint you, Clara. I am.”
Clara laughed.
“My aunt owns hotels and restaurants, too,” she said.
“You must know a lot, then.”
“No, unfortunately. She said I am not yet ready to handle such responsibility. But I ran my own coffee shop. It was a tiny place in town. It’s doing fine. That’s all that matters for now.”
“I should drop by one of these days, then.”
“H-huh?” Clara uttered, looking perplexed. “I, um… aren’t you a busy person? My coffee shop is nothing compared to the ones you have been to.”
“I’m after the coffee, Clara. You can’t drink a brand name, can you?”
Clara laughed shyly.
“Well, you have a point.”