Bright Fire

"IS THIS a coincidence, or were you actually waiting for me?"

Clara swallowed. She did not know someone's beauty could be overwhelming.

"N-no. I'm definitely not. Are you here for your free coffee?"

"I don't drink coffee with an empty stomach." Fuego ran his fingers through his hair. "Have you had lunch yet?" "U-um." Clara's phone buzzed. A message from the rider popped up, telling her he was on his way. "No."

"I have a place in mind. Do you trust me?"

"O-of course," she breathed. "B-but wait, are you actually asking me out?"

"Yes. This is not a date, though. I'm just making it clear."

Clara laughed nervously. "Okay."

Fuego smiled. "Great. Do you still have to get your bag?"

"N-no. I'm good!"

"Good."

Clara followed him to his motorcycle.

"We're going to ride your motorcycle?" she asked anxiously.

"Have you ridden one?"

"I haven't. My aunt says it's too dangerous."

"Don't worry. You're safe with me." Fuego put his helmet back on and grabbed another helmet from the throttle. He put it on her head.

Clara froze as she stared at his face. Damn, he was very tall. She blinked when she heard something click.

"Perfect," he muttered.

He mounted his bike and turned the engine on. He made a U-turn and offered his hand as he stopped.

"Let's go. You can do it."

Clara anxiously held his hand as she helped herself behind him. Fuego tightened his grip on her, sending tiny bolts of tickling sensation through her body.

"Hold tight." Fuego effortlessly pulled her arms and wrapped them around his waist.

Clara bit her lip. She had never been this close to a man before. Her heart was pounding hard again.

CLARA looked around her in mixed disbelief and awe. Fuego did not take her to a fancy restaurant or a decent fast-food chain. Instead, she found herself sitting across him on a plastic table and chair inside a make-shift eatery. Some customers were eating noisily. The woman at the counter was constantly rumbling about how she had to increase the price of extra rice because of the oil price hike while driving the flies away with her wand. "Are you a regular here?" she asked.

"How did you know?" he said in amusement.

"The woman at the counter was smiling at you all the time."

"Don't be jealous. She's married."

Clara snorted and giggled.

"Have you been here before?" he asked.

"Mm-hmm." She nodded. "When I was younger. But when I started living with my aunt, she did not want me to be in a place like this. She's overly hygienic."

"You said you were single." A short and stocky woman appeared on their table, carrying a tray of food.

"I still am."

"You just brought a woman."

"We're still getting to know each other. That does not mean we're already dating."

Clara smiled shyly at the woman.

"Don't give him your heart. He's going to break it," the woman said jokingly.

"Aileen, go away."

Aileen laughed. Clara giggled.

Aileen put their food on the table and left. It was more than enough for two people. Clara assumed Fuego had a big appetite.

"Beef stew. It's my favorite." Clara smiled. And suddenly, she was reminded of home. Having beef stew on their table was already a luxury.

"Why do you look sad, then?" Fuego asked. He was already staring at her face.

"I miss my family."

"You can go home."

"I can't." She sighed sadly.

"Eat. You'll feel better." He pushed the plate of rice toward her.

Clara's face brightened up.

"I know."

"ARE YOU sure that's all you want?" Clara asked as she pushed his black coffee toward him, which she personally made.

"I'm not a fan of desserts. Coffee will do," he said.

They sat side by side on the stool near the door.

Clara nodded as she took a sip of her iced coffee. She glanced at his knuckle with a newly replaced band-aid.

"Did you punch someone this morning?"

Fuego choked on his coffee. He hastily put his cup down and wiped his mouth.

Clara laughed as she watched him. She grabbed a napkin and offered it to him.

"What kind of a question is that?" he said with a grimace. Fuego wiped his mouth and his shirt.

"You said you punch faces for breakfast."

"I skipped breakfast this morning." He crumpled the napkin and threw it in the trashcan beside the door.

"You're funny." Clara giggled as she propped her chin on her hand.

"And you ask silly questions."

"I hope you don't mind me asking. But what do you do for a living?"

"I race against death."

"Hmm?" Clara blinked. "Do you mean you race on your big bike?" Her eyes widened. "Are you crazy?"

"I am," he said matter-of-factly.

"Aren't you scared? You could get in an accident or the cops could catch you!"

"I haven't been caught so far."

"You can't get married. You'd make your wife a young widow."

Fuego chuckled as he stared at her.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Because you're right."

When Clara frowned, Fuego laughed.

"How young are you, Clara?" His face had turned stern this time.

"Twenty-five."

"I'm thirty-three. I want to marry a woman who makes good coffee. I don't think I could wait for you, though."

Clara stared at him.

"Don't say that. I might get married even before you do."

"WHO WAS that guy, Miss Clara? Was he a celebrity or something? He's so yummy!"

Jennifer and Agnes were gushing when Clara returned to her table. Fuego had just left, and he did not give her hopes that they would meet again sooner. Clara laughed and shook her head.

"Well, his name was Fuego, and he did not tell me his family name."

"What do you mean? He's not your boyfriend yet?" Agnes asked.

"No." Clara bit her lip. "I don't think I'm his type. That man saved my life last night from an attempted robbery. I could even be dead by now if he did not come. I'm just showing him my gratitude." Jennifer and Agnes groaned.

"But you two looked so good together," Jennifer said. "You could even pass as soulmates." Clara giggled.

"I heard soulmates don't end up with each other." She tsked. "Let's just pray he'd come sooner."

"COME HERE, my beautiful niece. I have something for you."

Aunt Carlota was smiling from ear to ear as she motioned to the empty seat across her. Clara strolled unenthusiastically toward her. She was about to leave for work, but her aunt wanted to discuss something. Her aunt wanted to have breakfast in the garden. Clara did not join her.

"I've been preparing to leave for a business trip. While I'm away, I want you to focus on this." She handed a hard envelope to her.

Clara was hesitant to accept it, but she did anyway. She opened it and pulled out a printed photo of a handsome young man, probably in his late twenties. Clara blinked. Was it because of missing Fuego that she thought this man had a resemblance to him?

"That is Josef del Mar's very recent photo. He came home from the States. Look, isn't he as handsome as his father?"

Clara forced a smile.

"Yes, Auntie."

"I have included his personal information in that envelope. Learn about his interests, his hobbies, favorite food, topics, everything. I want you to make a good impression on him during your first meeting. Remember, it is very important, Clara. You won't disappoint me, will you?" Aunt Carlota smiled sweetly. That was very unlike her aunt.

She shook her head. She put the photo back inside the envelope.

"I can't wait for the day you'll make me proud, Clara." Carlota caressed her face with her red-painted nails. "I did not raise you in vain, did I?"

Clara flinched.

"When are you leaving, Auntie?"

"Tonight. I'll be away for a week or more...depends on my transactions."

"You should take a break when you have the time, too."

"That's so sweet of my niece. By the way, you'll be late for work. Take care, okay?"

Clara nodded and stood up with the envelope in her hand. She gave Carlota a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Take care of yourself, too, Auntie. I love you."

Carlota just smiled.

Clara turned her back, a little disappointed. She had said a thousand 'I love yous' to her, but Aunt Carlota had never said the words back.

It's been two weeks since she last saw Fuego. Every day, she was hoping and waiting he'd show up in her coffee shop, but it did not happen. He did not give her hopes, but she did anyway.

She hastily threw the envelope at the backseat of her car.

She did not like what she was feeling. It was as if a part of her was missing. She missed Fuego so bad. She wondered if she ever crossed his mind, too. He was still alive, wasn't he?

CLARA lazily closed the door of her car as soon as she got out. Then she stopped dead on her tracks as she instantly recognized the man in black, standing beside his motorcycle. He had his arms folded across his chest. Her heart skipped a beat the moment Fuego smiled.

“Hi,” he greeted casually as if he was not gone for two weeks.

Clara thought she would cry the moment he spoke. She sauntered toward him.

"Is that really you?" she uttered.

"What? You forgot about me already? I'm hurt."

"W-where have you been?"

"Just somewhere far from here. Aren't you happy that I'm still alive?"

"You're an idiot." Clara felt relieved. Her heart did not feel heavy anymore.

"What happened?" Fuego cupped her face. There was a glint of concern in his eyes as if he sensed her sadness.

Clara flinched at the warmth of his touch.

"You won't believe me if I say I just missed you, right?" she said.

"Well, I do miss you, Clara."

"WHERE HAVE you been really, Fuego?" Clara asked. They sat in their usual place inside the coffee shop, and she made their coffee just like before.

He brought egg pies and pineapple pies for her. Clara could not remember the last time she was touched by someone's effort. And they both tasted so good. Clara loved the egg pie more, though.

"I'm managing a farm and a poultry business out-of-town. I got caught up with stuff, so it took me a while before-"

"When are you going back? May I come with you?"

Fuego stared at her with amusement.

"I beg your pardon, Clara."

Clara pursed her lips.

"This may sound crazy, but I want to go with you. I want to go far from here. I want to escape for a while." There was desperation in her voice.

"Escape from what?"

"From my life. Can you do that for me? If you can't, I would understand."

"Clara," Fuego caught her tiny hand and squeezed it, "is there anything you want to tell me?"

Clara blinked to fight back the tears that welled up her eyes. Fuego was not a stranger to her anymore, but she did not have the courage to tell him what she was going through.

"I'm not ready yet. I'm sorry." She looked down.

"Hey, it's okay." He held her chin and caught her eyes. "Are you sure you want to come with me?"

She nodded like a child.

"Okay. Let's make an arrangement."

Her face lit up.

"R-really?"

"Yes." Fuego planted a lingering kiss on her forehead.

Clara closed her eyes, allowing herself to savor the sensation. No man had ever kissed her before. It was overwhelming and made her wish for more.

"PLEASE, ROSA, don't ever tell Auntie that I was away. I'll be back as soon as I can," Clara implored. She had packed her bags. She had entrusted the coffee shop to Jennifer and Agnes. The only problem left was to keep her plan from her aunt's knowledge.

"You have been an obedient niece to Carlota all this time, Clara. This would be the first time for you to break the rules. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."

Clara sighed in relief and gave Rosa a hug.

"Thank you, Rosa. You're the best!"

"Promise me you'll have fun, okay?"

"I will." Clara pulled away from her.

"Take care of yourself." Rosa cupped her cheek and smiled. "Go now. The fun is out there."

Clara giggled as she walked away from her.

She met Fuego at the coffee shop, and she was surprised that he brought a pick-up truck instead.

"I thought we're going to use your motorcycle."

"With this kind of weather, I can't afford to risk your health, Clara." He took her bag and put it inside the car.

Clara could not help blushing. Fuego was all rugged and masculine, but he was one of the most thoughtful people she ever met.

"Are you good?"

"Y-yes."

"Let's go."