V.

CHAPTER THREE

“I HOPE you won’t regret coming with me, Clara. I don’t want to get in trouble if your family looked for you.”

Clara stared at Fuego with an amused smile. They were driving for almost an hour now, and Clara felt calm as she gazed outside the window.

“This is the farthest place I’ve ever been to without my aunt, actually. I feel so,” she sighed, “free. I’ve always wanted to go home to my real family, but I can’t leave her alone. She said she’d be sad and lonely.”

“Sometimes, strangers treat you better than your own blood,” Fuego remarked as he glanced at the window.

“You’re right about that.”

“Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”

“Hmm?” Clara stared at him in surprise. “How did you know I don’t have a boyfriend?”

“You won’t be here with me now if you have one, will you? Second, you did not tell me when we first met. Why do you think I’d ask you out for lunch one time?”

Clara pressed her lips into a smile as her cheeks flushed.

“My aunt just won’t let me entertain other suitors.”

“You’re an adult now.”

“But I don’t feel like it.” Clara looked away for a moment with a frown.

“You don’t look like an adult to me, honestly.”

Clara snorted.

“Hey, breaking the rules isn’t always a crime. Sometimes, it’s fun. You should try it.” Fuego chuckled as he ran a hand through his hair.

Clara could only stop and marveled at his beauty. How was it possible that someone like him existed? She was never overwhelmed by someone’s presence before. She can watch Fuego do that forever and never get tired of it.

THEY STOPPED at the gasoline station to refuel. Clara went inside the convenience store. She was starving, and she wanted to eat something hot in this cold weather.

Aunt Carlota did not want her to eat junk foods because they were unhealthy. But since she was not around, Clara will enjoy her favorite cup of noodles and favorite chocolate drink. She also grabbed her favorite potato chips and vegetable cracklings.

Fuego joined her after parking his truck outside the store.

“What do you want to eat?” she asked.

Fuego gazed at the food items in her thin arms.

“Does your aunt know about that?” he joked.

Clara frowned.

Fuego laughed as he grabbed a cupped noodle from the rack.

“I’ll have what you have. Your treat.”

“SO, HAVE you ever gone on a date before?” Fuego asked as they sat in front of the glass wall, facing the road.

Clara paused from blowing her noodles and stared at him.

“I…” She looked past the wall. “There was one time when I was in high school. Someone gave me a rose during our school fair. He said he liked me, and he wanted me to be his girlfriend. We spent the day together, and I let him hold my hand. But I felt guilty lying to my aunt. So, the next day, I returned the rose and rejected him.”

“You call that a date?” Fuego raised an eyebrow.

“Every person has a different idea of a date,” Clara insisted, though she practically felt sorry for herself.

“Yours is the lousiest one.”

Clara could only sigh in defeat.

“This is my idea of a date,” he said.

“Hmm?” She stared at him, wide eyes.

“Eating instant noodles beside the road in a gloomy weather with a girl who does not look like her age.” Fuego brought his face a little closer, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Clara narrowed her eyes at him.

“This is your idea of a joke,” she retorted.

Fuego threw his head back, laughing.

She was supposed to hate him for making fun of her. But looking at him, looking so adorable as he laughed, she had forgiven him already.

“And don’t forget, you made me pay.”

Fuego choked.

“SO, HOW many dates have you gone into?” Clara asked as she munched at her favorite chips. They were on the road again. Light rain showers began to pour from the sky.

“Could not remember,” he replied cockily.

“Wow.” Clara tilted her head away from him. “I did not know a man with that face had struggles, too,” she said sarcastically.

Fuego laughed.

“I don’t think I’m the husband material type.” He glanced at her from the rearview mirror. “After months of dating, women were expecting I’d give them a ring and popped that life-changing question.” Clara watched him as he shook his head. “They could not wait until I’m forty, so,” he shrugged, “thanks for the memories. Good-bye.”

“That’s so cruel.”

“They would not realize it right away, but I’m actually doing them a favor.”

“If you say so.” Clara shrugged.

Fuego turned his gaze at her chips.

“Hey, I want that. Can you give me some?”

“Sure.” She motioned the bag of chips closer to him.

“I’m driving. Can you just put them in my mouth?”

Clara grabbed a few and brought them to his lips. Fuego opened his mouth, making Clara jump as he lightly bit her finger with his teeth.

“Hey!” She slapped his arm on impulse.

Fuego laughed as he chewed.

“CLARA, wake up. We’re here.”

Clara slowly opened her eyes and sat up straight. She blinked and yawned.

“Are you okay?” Fuego asked as he stroked the few strands of her hair and face.

She blinked at the warm buzzing sensation creeping through her body from the gesture. She avoided his gaze and looked outside the car.

Green grass everywhere. She saw a few horses and cows feeding on them on the other side, and on the opposite side was a cottage made mostly of glass.

Fuego got down on the car and rolled to her side. He opened the door and offered his hand.

Clara unbuckled her seatbelt and hastily took his hand as she got down. She found herself standing on a concrete pathway.

She looked behind her and saw the concrete road. Other than that, all Clara could see was green. She stared at Fuego’s amused face.

“What?” he asked.

“It’s beautiful in here,” she said and beamed like a child. She did not regret taking a chance to come with him.

“Let’s get inside to warm you up.” Fuego pulled her.

Clara halted and pulled him.

“What’s that?” She pointed at the hill next to the cottage. It was a structure made of bamboo mostly.

She could see people coming in and out of it, and there were parked cars, too.

“It’s a diner. We’ll check it out later.”

“Okay.” Clara bit her lip as he followed Fuego, their fingers still laced with each other.