“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 60

Clara’s POV:

Saturday had finally arrived; the day Clara would meet Maria. As finished getting dressed, she did one more check in her bookbag to make sure she had everything she needed. A few minutes later, Gloria appeared in her door.

*“Hey Clare-bear, ready to go?”*

Clara looked at her best friend with an anxious smile.

*“As ready as I’ll ever be.”*

She responded nervously, Gloria gave her a heartfelt smile. She knew her best friend was extremely nervous. That night after she got home from her lab meeting with Ethan, Gloria and Casey had just arrived from their dinner date as well. Clara filled them both in her meeting.

*“Oh, my gosh. That’s so heartbreaking.”*

Gloria’s eyes were welding up as Clara told them about his sister Maria.

*“No wonder he’s been so desperate to meet you. Do you really think you can save her?”*

Casey knew firsthand how brilliant Clara was, still, it’s always that possibility something won’t work in the world of medicine. He was concerned that if Clara failed, the Taylors would retaliate, but Clara wasn’t worried. With a gentle smile, she nodded and responded to Casey’s concerns.

*“I know why you’re worried, but it’ll be fine. Of course, there is no 100 percent guarantees in medicine, but I feel beyond conviction, I can save her.”*

*“Clara, you’re such a freaking rockstar!”*

Gloria hugged her friend tight! She was so moved by how much Clara desired to save people. Casey gave a passionate smile; he was truly proud of his little sister. Playing every bit the ‘big brother’ role, however, Casey suggested both he and Gloria go with her Saturday.

*“I’m not saying I don’t trust Taylor, I’m just saying I’ll feel better knowing you’re not by yourself.”*

That Wednesday, when Ethan called her with the details for Saturday, she’d asked if it would be okay for them to come with under the guise they would also be helping them with the trials. Ethan eagerly agreed, he wanted as many hands on this as possible if it met saving Maria. He was aware of how brilliant both Gloria and Casey were, but he was also aware of how overly protective they had been with her. He knew the main reason for them coming was to make sure she would be okay. He found himself feeling relieved that she had such good friends, but that slight feeling of jealousy crept back in.

*“That’s not a problem at all. My family is very excited to meet you.”*

*“I’m glad! I can’t wait to them as well.”*

After grabbing her bag, Clara made her way to the foyer, Ethan had just sent her a text that our ride was here.

*“Gloria, Case, our ride is here.”*

Clara called out to her friends, both making their way to the front door, Gloria beamed with excitement. Jokingly, she grabbed Clara’s hand.

*“Alright! Let’s go save your future sister-in-law!”*

Clara’s eyes nearly popped out of her. Gloria’s words had completely shocked her!

*“My what!!”*

Casey simply chuckled, he had been the first one to suspect Ethan may actually like Clara on a personal level, but he chose not to say anything.

Gloria looked at her friend with an innocent expression.

*“I’m just saying Clare-bear, I think he likes you!”*

Clara blushed nervously as the made their way to the limo waiting for them. Before getting in the car, Clara shot a death glare at both Casey and Gloria..

*“Okay listen you two cackling hens! Do not, I repeat DO NOT say anything like that once we arrive at the Taylor Estate! This is strictly about saving a cancer patient!”*

Both Gloria and Casey laughed hysterically, although Clara was mature and wise beyond her years of a typically 19-year-old, there were some areas in life that she seemed a bit clueless in. Gloria gave her friend an empathic smile.

*“No worries, we won’t say anything silly.”*

Letting out a sigh of relief, the trio got into the car.

The arrived at the Taylor Estate at 12:30pm. Clara could feel her nerves pacing. Although she was confident in her medication, she still felt nervous knowing it she would finally be able to begin trial runs. Heart started pacing rapidly as she closed her eyes and took deep breaths. Gloria could notice the nervous expression on her friend’s face. Slightly smiling, she took Clara’s hands into hers.

*“No worries Clare-bear, you’re going to be great. Plus, me and Casey will be right there with you, I promise, nothing is going to go wrong.”*

Clara’s eyes slightly watered as she looked at her friend, squeezing her hand lightly, a wave of reassurance swept through her. As they approach the front door, they were greeted by what looked to be the estate’s caretaker.

*“Welcome to the Taylor Estate, my name is Winslow, the head butler. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you all, please, allow me to escort you to the grand room, the Taylor family is most eager to meet you.”*

Clara smiled brightly, looking at both her friends as they beamed with pride, she confidently followed Winslow into the manner.

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

***Ethan’s POV:***

Both Owen and I decided to stay at the Taylor estate last night. I wanted to make sure my family was on their best behavior, a feat often hard to pull off. That night, as we all ate dinner, I decided to lay down the rules for Saturday.

*“So, you all understand right? Please don’t do any of the things you normally do that would possibly embarrass me.”*

Owen sat in silence, a huge grin on his face. After that Monday, he kept dropping sullen hints that I was in love with Clara. But that wasn’t it, of course, I admired her, who wouldn’t…but love. Every time I would protest, he would wave me off.

*“You’re just emotionally slow, you don’t understand that feeling that’s been gnawing at your pit.”*

Now as we sat at the dinner table, I realized I had five other Owens to worry about. My mother spoke first.

*“Ethan, dear, what could we possibly do to embarrass you? This is a huge deal. After everything we’ve learned about Clara Rouleau, we’re just excited to meet her.”*

My father chimed in.

*“I agree with your mother Ethan. We’re going to treat this meeting like we would any other business meeting. This is a business meeting…right”*

There was undertone of playfulness in my father’s words that suddenly began to annoy me. This! This is what I was afraid of. Suddenly, my brother Corely chimed in.

*“I gotta agree with our parents little brother, how in the world would we embarrass you in front of the woman may possibly save our little sister?”*

Elizabeth instantly jumped in, a slight grin on her face.

*“Unless of course, she’s more than that.”*

Elizabeth’s eyes darted over to Owen; it became painfully clear…he’d told my family about my possibly being in love with Clara. I slowly looked at Owen, my one and only best friend; the only judas in my life. Through gritted teeth, I began to speak.

*“What exactly did you tell my family Owen.”*

Feinging innocence, Owen’s eyes shot up. He looked at me as if I had three heads, pretending to be shocked, he began to speak.

*“Ethan, brother, what are you talking about? I merely gave the family the basics. I promise, I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.”*

I’d known Owen long enough to know when he was lying by omission. Rolling my eyes, I knew this conversation would go nowhere, for the time being, my family chose to take Owen’s words over mine. I would just have to prove on Saturday; this was merely a mutual admiration of a fellow colleague. Suddenly, Maria began to laugh.

*“I don’t know, curing cancer is one thing, but she really has captivated my brother’s heart, then she really is a miracle worker.”*

The room suddenly fell in laughter, shaking my head in complete disappointment… *‘So, they got you too Maria…traitor.’*