CHAPTER FOUR
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 peacefully.
How could someone sleep and still look so gorgeous?
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 again.
“Fuego!”
Clara felt like she was wrapped in a warm blanket. It was overwhelming, and it felt 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 still was 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 on time, 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’d 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 was 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 even 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 had become. 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 will 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 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.”