“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 56

***Clara’s POV:***

Clara studied the man’s movement as he continued to ramble and write. Every time he would write an equation; he would pause in frustration and erase it. It was as if he were trying to figure out the right balance. As she grew closer to the board, Clara realized she’d recognized what type of medicinal equations these were.

Cancer treatments.

The man was trying to create the perfect equations for cancer treatments. Some of the patterns she actually recognized; it was the early stages of her mother’s work. Suddenly, Clara recognized who the frustrated man was at the board.

Ethan Taylor.

Without thinking, Clara blurted out what was wrong with the equation.

*“Artasium.”*

Startled, Ethan swiftly spun his head around to see Clara standing before him. His eyes darkened and his brows furrowed as he stared at her.

*‘What is she doing here?’*

Before he could ask why she was there, Ethan realized she may have figured out what was wrong with his formula.

*“What did you say?”*

Clara instantly blushed! She hadn’t meant to interfere. Holding up her hands in defense, she began to explain.

*“I’m so sorry! I wasn’t trying to be rude or interfere-”*

Ethan immediately cut her off.

*“Clara I don’t care about that! What did you just say?”*

Startled, Clara walked up to the board standing directly next to Ethan.

*“What you’re missing in your formula and why it seems as though no matter what you’ll need radiation. It’s artasium. It’s a mineral that was invented last year by the bio company Min-Bright.”*

Ethan was very familiar with Min-Bright. It was an advanced mineral and herbal bio-company. The company worked directly with the world’s global space program collecting minerals and herbs from uninhabited planets and asteroids. Many medicinal breakthroughs happened due to their research and collections.

Ethan looked at Clara in slight shock. Clearing his throat, he began to speak.

*“So, you’re saying this artasium mineral is what you added for your formula to complete the treatment?”*

Still staring at the board, Clara didn’t immediately answer. Her face scrunched up. The equation formulas Ethan was using was some of her mother’s early work. The formulas were a little outdated, her mother had perfected many of these formulas in her later years.

*“Where did you get these equations from?”*

*“Your mother.”*

Clara looked at Ethan with a puzzled expression. Letting out a light chuckle.

*“No, I know ‘where’ you got it from’. It’s just…these are pretty old. She perfected many of these equations later on.”*

*“Is that right?”*

Ethan looked at Clara with a passive smile.

*“Is that why you were able to create a cure?”*

Clara’s smile was that of someone proud.

*“Yup. I was able to expand and advance my mother’s work. Filling in the codes where she either left off or left open. Even in death I still have her with me.”*

Ethan looked at Clara with a compassionate look. He could see the love and sullen sadness in her eyes as she thought of her mother. Without realizing it, Ethan gently grabbed Clara’s hand. Startled, her eyes shot up at him.

*“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean-”*

Clara blushed.

*“That’s okay. I’m sure my face gave away more than I intended. Thank you.”*

Ethan let out a light chuckle. Turning to Clara, his face became serious. It was time he told her everything.

*“Clara, I think now is the time I explain why I’m so interested in you.”*

Clara gave Ethan an impassive expression. She’d been wondering about this since the say she learned about the gala and even before from her previous life. The question constantly burned.

*‘What exactly did Ethan Taylor need for her?’*

Ethan cleared one of the tables and pulled a chair out for Clara. As she sat down, she noticed him pulling up a food delivery site.

*“Are you hungry?”*

His question broke her train of thought.

*“I’m sorry?”*

*“Hungry…as in dinner? I’d like to start discussing some things with you and it’s already almost five o’clock.”*

*“Oh. Well, sure. Dinner would be great.”*

****************

***Ethan’s POV:***

*Ethan smiled passively. Something in his heart stirred at the thought of her eating dinner with him. Suddenly he felt nervous. ‘Would this classify as a date?’ He wondered as he began looking at takeout places. Shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts.*

*‘Get yourself together Ethan! This is a business dinner like any other time!’*

*Ethan pushed back his intruding thoughts as he handed Clara his phone. By now, Clara was rolling up her sleeve and putting her glasses on as she pulled out a stack of journals. Taking his phone, she looked at the different restaurants, finally settling on a diner that specialized in burgers.*

*“How about here?”*

*Ethan took his phone back. Puzzled, his eyebrow arched.*

*‘Burgers? Of all the places.’*

*Ethan lightly chuckled while nodding in agreement.*

*“Sure, though I’m not exactly sure what to order, I haven’t exactly had a burger and fries before.”*

*Clara’s eyes bulged. She could hardly believe it.*

*‘Who hasn’t had a burger and fries? Has his life really been this privileged?’*

*Slightly giggling, she took Ethan’s phone back and began to place the order.*

*“Well, if you trust, how about I order for the both of us.”*

*Ethan smiled and nodded his head. While Clara was placing their food order, he began pulling out more of his research.*

*While they waited for their food, Clara opened up her research journals and began discussing her recent medicinal creations with Ethan. As she explained the complex way she was able to create a possible cure for the common cold which ultimately led to her cure for cancer, Ethan couldn’t help but be amazed at this remarkable young woman.*

*For the past few years, many people praised Ethan Taylor for achieving global success with his biochemical corporation at the tender age of 23. But the truth was, Ethan never felt it was that much of an achievement. His father had already cornered the global market with NovaTech, and while Ethan never abused his father’s business connections, it was no secret who Ethan Taylor was. When he first introduced nano technology to aid and assist with major surgeries, it was only a matter of time before his company expanded globally.*

*This young woman however, she had none of the connections he had as her father was to stupid and arrogant to allow her to grow under his wing. Too scared she would outshine him. All she had was sheer determination and an immense amount of brilliance which led her to possibly being one of the most influential people he would ever know.*

*Clara looked at Ethan with a puzzled expression. His face looked as if his mind was somewhere else.*

*“Chairman Taylor? Did you hear what I just said?”*

*The sound of Clara’s question brought Ethan back to the present.*

“I’m sorry, I was thinking about something. What did you just say?”

“Oh, it’s okay. I was just saying the food is here.”

*Ethan turned around and looked at the door and then his phone. He’d just received notification the delivery person was at the door. Clara began to stand about to leave when Ethan gently grabbed her wrist.*

“I got it. Please.”

*Blushing.*

“Sure. I’ll grab some plates and napkins.”*