Chapter 17: Chapter 17

CHAPTER NINE

“SEEMS like your son found a friend in my niece, Julian.”

“Carlota,” Julian uttered. “I’m glad you made it.”

She motioned her glass.

“Congratulations to you and Josef.”

“Thank you,” he replied with a smile and glanced upstairs. “I did not recognize Clara right away. She grew up into a charming lady.”

“Is Josef dating? Clara isn’t. They would make a perfect couple if they get to know each other.”

“I don’t actually interfere with my son’s dating life. If he’s happy, I respect that.”

“Julian, you should seek for a perfect daughter-in-law. Someone who’s submissive and would not get in the way of Josef’s success. Someone who already had everything.”

“But don’t you think the kids are still young to talk about marriage? I want them to take their time. I’m sure there are a lot of things they want to accomplish.”

“I see that as an opportunity to bring them closer. I’m going to be honest. I want Josef for Clara.”

Julian stared with an amused smile.

“Well, I don’t see anything wrong with that, ” he said and drank his wine.

“What about you, Julian? Don’t you have any plans to marry again? It’s been years since Seferina died.”

For a moment, Julian’s expression turned grim at the mention of his deceased wife.

“Seferina would want that, ” he said as he stared at his glass. “But it was not easy for me to let her go. I just can’t.”

Carlota looked away as her jaw clenched. Even after years since she died, Seferina was still a tight rival. To think that she met Julian first.

She glanced at her purse when her phone vibrated. She heaved a sigh and smiled at Julian as she fished her phone.

“I’ll just take this call.”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

She went to a corner away from the guests. It was Baron calling. The nerve of this brute to call her for personal reasons.

“What is it? I’m in the middle of a party,” she said in a bored tone.

“Were you trying to hit on that widower del Mar again?” he said in a mocking tone.

Carlota rolled her eyeballs ceilingward.

“Yes, I am, insensitive jerk. If you have nothing important to say, I’m hanging up.”

“I need you tonight. Don’t be like that.”

Carlota paused and took a deep breath.

“May I just remind you that I call you when I have a job for you. You don’t call me when you want to fuck.”

Her mood was completely ruined because of Seferina. And Baron was not helpful, either.

“All right. I know my place. You do too, right?” Baron chuckled.

Carlota hissed and ended the call.

JOSEF led her to another hallway, but they stopped at the sight of a familiar man coming toward their direction.

Clara’s heart throbbed as she met Fuego’s gaze. He was wearing a black shirt under a dark coat. He got a clean haircut that made him look younger than his age. He was walking casually, his hands in the pockets of his pants.

He glanced at her hand on Josef’s arm and said nothing. She wanted to burst into tears for some weird reason.

“There you are, Uncle. I thought you already left, ” Josef said.

“I was about to, ” he replied matter-of-factly.

“I’d like you to meet Clara. Clara, this is my Uncle Fuego. He’s only five years older than me. Sometimes we are mistaken as brothers because we really look so much alike.”

“She’s beautiful.” Fuego extended his hand. “Lovely to meet you, Clara.”

Clara swallowed. When Josef looked at her, she had no choice but to accept Fuego’s hand.

Her own hand was cold and slightly trembling.

“N-nice to meet you, too,” she said.

He squeezed her hand and let go at once.

Fuego did as he was told. He pretended not to know her. It was harder than she thought. It hurt to see him again in such an awful situation.

It looked natural to Fuego, though. He must have done it with the other women who were involved with him in the past. Did Clara really think she was special?

“You look good together, ” Fuego remarked as he put his hand back in his pocket.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Josef smiled at her, but she looked away.

“I’m just giving Clara a tour. Don’t leave just yet. The night is still young.”

Fuego smiled curtly. “I’ll go talk to your dad. Have fun.” He nodded and walked past them.

Clara heaved a sigh. Suddenly, it was difficult to breathe.

“Are you all right, Clara?”

“Y-yes,” she nodded and forced a smile.

“DID JOSEF ask for your number?” Aunt Carlota asked as they headed to the parking lot.

“He did. He said he’s coming to check my coffee shop one of these days, ” Clara replied quietly. She was walking behind her aunt. She was thankful she could not see her face.

“I hope he’d come sooner.” Aunt Carlota turned to her and cupped her face. “Your first meeting was more remarkable than I imagined. I am so proud of you. You’re getting there.”

Clara only nodded.

“Why don’t you look so happy? Josef is a gorgeous, young man.”

“I know, Auntie. I’m just tired.”

“Then, get some rest. I’ll just see you tomorrow.”

“Aren’t you coming with me?”

“No. Something important came up in one of our branches. I need to go.”

Somehow, Clara felt relieved. She could not imagine talking with Aunt Carlota about Josef inside the car for the whole ride.

“Take care, Auntie.” She kissed her cheek and got inside the car.

Aunt Carlota left, and the driver turned the car on. Clara heaved a heavy sigh as she slumped on the backseat.

Just when the car began to leave the parking lot, Clara saw Fuego walking toward his big bicycle. She straightened her back and moved to the window side. She wanted to call his name, but she did not have the courage to do so.

She bit her lower lip, hurt and helpless. She was scared Fuego would only ignore her again.