FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

Hunter placed his large palm over Hera's head and stroked her hair, smoothing the messy long strands. The chilly wind had ruffled her silky hair, making it frizzy. "Stop crying, Goddess. It hurts me when you're sad," he said, placing the softest kiss on her forehead. Keeping the wheel brace at his side, he sat on the ground, facing Hera. Drawing his knees up, he crossed his arms around them, with his left hand clutching his right wrist. 

Hunter's eyeballs moved back and forth as he studied her face. Hera watched him, doing the same. His purple orbs glowed, their shade turning darker under the lamps. Hera couldn't hold his gaze for long and closed her eyes, letting another set of tears roll down her cheeks. With the intensity he was staring at her, she was afraid he would tear her soul apart. 

She could still see his purple eyes behind her closed eyelids. She wondered at how pure and innocent they appeared. A while back, he was not a human but a monster. He never once flinched while he was abusing Nathan, nor did he show an ounce of guilt when Nathan cried in agony. 

Yet, Hera saw the vulnerability in Hunter's eyes when he looked at her. She knew he loved her more than his life itself, and Hera felt powerless under his warm, affectionate gaze. It wasn't fair that he could still compel her to think of him first before anything and anyone. Nathan deserved her pity, her care and attention. She shouldn't be feeling anything for Hunter at the moment. 

In those few seconds of vulnerability, Hera learned one thing for sure that Hunter not only loved her, but he was crazy for her. Hera was too. She was madly in love with him despite everything that happened between them. Hunter would die for her without any second thought, and so would Hera. However, she wasn't sure if she could take someone's life for him. 

'But Hunter would.'

Hera realised. 

Hunter would kill Nathan for sure if she didn't handle the situation sensibly. Hera had only one purpose right then, to save Nathan's life. She knew if there was anything Hunter was insecure about, it was losing her. With a determined sigh, Hera opened her eyes. Hunter was still staring at her with the same intensity. He hadn't moved from his position. 

Hera forced a smile when Hunter offered her the tissue. She wiped her face clean before taking Hunter's hands into hers. She ran her tongue over her lips to moisten them and stared at their hands while Hunter's thumbs caressed her knuckles. He was doing it absent-mindedly, eyes still fixed on her face. 

"You win, Hunter, and I lose. I'll never look at any other boy except you. I'll always love you no matter what because you're the only one for me," Hera declared, looking into her favourite purple eyes. "I promise I'll never like anyone else, let alone love them. I'm only yours forever. Please let Nathan go," she said in a softer tone, pushing the anger and hatred down her throat to the pit of her stomach. 

Hunter smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. He seemed unsure, unconvinced, and Hera was afraid he saw through her facade. He always knew when she was lying. She felt a knot of nervousness forming inside her stomach. 

"He needs medical aid immediately, Hunter. Please, let's take him to the hospital," Hera pleaded, desperation lacing her tone. Hunter brought her hand to his chest and placed it on his heart. Hera could feel his heart racing whether in excitement, fear or anger she wasn't interested in finding out. 

Hunter's smile grew as the vulnerability in his eyes vanished, replaced by the vicious glint Hera hated, and she knew when the devil from earlier returned into his dark soul. 

"But before that, tell him, Goddess, why he can never have a chance with you against me," Hunter said, encouraging her. Hera stared at him helplessly, her eyes pleading with him to let it go. Scowling, Hunter shook his head in a no. "Goddess, you said you'll do anything, remember?" He reminded her. "So do this for me. Spit on him and show him his right place," Hunter demanded in an indignant tone. 

He sounded more like a whiny child throwing tantrums, but Hera saw the predator lurking behind his innocent-looking eyes, ready to annihilate his prey. Hera couldn't risk her only chance, so taking a deep breath, she nodded. Hunter got up from the ground and pulled Hera to her feet. Hera's breath hitched in her throat when she noticed he didn't forget to pick up the wheel brace. 

One hand shoved into the warmth of the front pocket of his jeans pants Hunter flipped the tool in his other hand. Grinning wide, he kicked Nathan's uninjured arm to get his attention. The injured boy cried at the discomfort caused by the slight movement of his body. 

"My girl has something to say. Listen to her carefully, you loser," Hunter said to Nathan and then turned to focus his attention solely on Hera. 

Hera knew Nathan's self-esteem would falter after what she was about to say. It would break his heart, and he would lose his hope. But she had to do it as she had no other choice. 

'It's okay, Hera. You're doing it to save his life. Everything is going to be okay.'

Hera thought, trying to ignore the burden of guilt weighing heavy on her chest. 

"I'm sorry, Nate, but you and I can never happen. Look at you, writhing on the ground, begging for your life, so pathetic. You're not my type because I don't date cowards and losers," Hera said with a straight face and didn't miss how Nathan's face crumpled along with his pride due to her humiliating remarks. 

"Now you know what Hunter can do if someone tries to take me away from him. You don't stand a chance against him, because let's face it, you can never defeat him, Nate," Hera continued with her brutal insult. "And I'm way out of your league, so please give up on your silly crush. Find someone of your calibre and move on. I don't want to see your ugly ass ever again," Hera concluded as she said everything in one go. 

Now came the most stringent part of her act, to spit on Nathan. Hera knew Hunter wouldn't be satisfied until she did that literally. She had to complete her task, no matter how much it bothered her. 

Hera would never do that to anyone, not even to her most hated enemy. Nathan was still one of her friends, and he was paying the price for harbouring feelings for her. Hera swallowed her saliva before forcing her tongue out between her lips, and she made a loud spitting sound. Nathan squeezed his eyes shut, and tears flew out from the corners of his eyes, running down his temples. 

The sight broke her heart. She never thought she would hurt someone's emotions to this extent with her hurtful words. Heartbreak should never be this nasty or humiliating. 

"I'm sorry, Nate, but you can never hold a candle to my Hunter," Hera declared, and when she couldn't stand it anymore, she turned, hands grabbing for Hunter. She hugged him, tightening her arms around his neck and sobbed silently into his chest. Hunter wrapped his hand around her waist, holding her close until she calmed herself. She felt him pecking the side of her head. 

"Now can we take him to the hospital, please?" Hera requested, her voice barely a whisper. "You go home with the girls, and I'll send him to the hospital," Hunter responded. Hera pulled away from the hug and stared at him in distrust. She shook her head frantically, refusing to leave. 

"I promise, Hunter. I'll never see or speak to him again. Please help him," she begged. 

Hunter sighed in annoyance and dropped the tool. 

"I won't hurt him anymore. I'll take him to the doctor and see to it that he recovers, okay. Have I ever lied to you, Goddess? I assure you he'll be fine," Hunter promised. He knew Nathan wouldn't die because of a few broken bones. 

Hunter tried to make her understand how delicate the situation was, and there could be an interrogation. He didn't want Hera to get into any trouble. 

"I'll take him to the hospital in his car, and you go home in mine," Hunter decided. Hera wanted to protest but then yielded to his demand because she couldn't afford to anger him. Nathan needed immediate help. Hera held his hands and looked him in the eyes. "Promise me, you won't hurt him, and you'll help him," she urged. Hunter nodded, and Hera tried to detect any lie. 

"You know I never lie, Goddess. I mean it," Hunter said in frustration. 

"And Clara?" Hera asked Hunter. 

"Eric will take her to her place," Hunter said. 

With that agreement made, Hera glanced at Nathan and Clara one last time before getting into Hunter's car. She saw how Clara's eyes rounded in fear when Hera agreed to leave. Hera couldn't look her best friend in the eye without feeling ashamed. 

Bianca sat behind the wheel, and Hera doubted if the girl could drive the huge car, but it was the least of her worries now. Evelyn sat in the front while Samantha joined Hera in the back. The loud music in the car never stopped, and Hera was thankful for the noise. 

Hera closed her eyes and prayed for Nathan's life as Bianca drove the Range Rover away from Hunter. 

'I'm sorry, Nate.'

Hera kept chanting it in her mind.