FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

When Samantha left, Hunter read the gossip column once again. Adelaide, Samantha, Clara and Hera, out of all the four names linked to him, only one mattered to Hunter. He understood what Samantha was trying to point out. She wanted to show him Hera's budding closeness to Clara. 

Hunter realised what Hera said about Samantha was right. He couldn't afford to trust her anymore and risk losing Hera. Clearly, she was trying to create misunderstandings between them by posting those pictures using his phone yesterday and now by showing this gossip news to him. 

It didn't surprise him that Hera was rekindling her friendship with Clara. He had noticed how the other girl lingered around Hera these days. Be it Samantha, or Clara, or that new girl, all turned out to be vicious snakes in Hunter's eyes. None of them was trustworthy. 

Hunter took out his pen from the breast pocket of his uniform jacket and wrote "Fuck off" on the gossip column as his response before he signed his name under it.. 

He checked his wristwatch and noted he still had time to visit Hera before going to the assembly. 

He whipped his phone out once again. Opening his Instagram app, he changed the settings from private account to public, making his profile visible to everyone. He knew his face value and his popularity as the school's heartthrob. Within seconds, the number of his followers blew up as so many people kept following his account. 

Going through his picture gallery, he selected one of his favourite photos. It was something very personal and dear to him, one of his favourite memories. It wasn't for the public to show off, yet he decided to reveal it to the world to see. 

It was a picture of Hera kissing his cheek during their first official date at the resort. It was their first picture when Hera decided to include him in the frame after clicking random pictures of everything around them. 

The sweetest and the prettiest girlfriend ever. Isn't her boyfriend lucky?

Hunter wrote the caption under the picture, adding a few heart emoticons next to it. 

He didn't need to announce his break-up with his pretend girlfriend anymore. After this Instagram post, everyone would automatically learn Samantha was no longer with him. The whole school would discover that Hera and Hunter were dating, and Hera was now officially his girlfriend. 

As expected, it didn't take more than a few seconds for the likes and comments to pour in. Some said they make a beautiful pair, while some commented how gorgeous Hunter's girlfriend looked. Some envied them that they had each other. Some complained that they would never get a chance to be his girlfriend or her boyfriend. 

Smiling in satisfaction, Hunter chose one more picture from his favourite collection.

It was a picture of him with Hera in his arms, surrounded by his dogs, a precious memory from the night when they stayed at his grandmother's old place after his date with his Goddess. 

He uploaded the picture with another lovely caption.

Life with the love of my life, she makes everything around beautiful. 

He didn't bother to check the comments and replies after that because he knew it would serve the purpose. He decided to keep the account public for another ten minutes before he made it private again. Pocketing his phone, he walked away. 

Hera was almost ready. She only had to tie her hair into a ponytail. Collecting her hair into her left hand, Hera rummaged through her desk drawer with her free hand, searching for the hair tie. She glanced behind her when someone pushed the door open. Leaning on the doorframe, Hunter winked at her before grinning. 

Hera scowled at him in greeting. "I thought I said I don't want to see you any sooner," she complained. Her scowl transformed into a pleased grin as soon as she noticed the paper bag in his hand. "You brought me a gift?" she asked excitedly. Hunter walked inside, kicking the door behind him. He placed the said gift on her bed and pulled the chair to sit. He watched while Hera hurriedly tied her hair into a tight ponytail. 

"It looks a bit longer now. Did it grow an inch or two?" Hunter asked, touching the tip of her hair when Hera sat on her bed. The latter rolled her eyes. "Doesn't your genius brain know that hair grows about half-inch per month on average?" Hera asked, her tone teasing him. Hunter scowled, unimpressed by the taunt. "If your hair is healthy and gets all the right supplements, then it grows faster," Hunter stated in his know-it-all tone. 

Ignoring him, Hera peeked into the paper bag and grinned from ear to ear. "You were late. So I brought you breakfast," Hunter said, helping her with taking out the contents inside the bag. Hera opened the plastic containers to reveal toasted cheese sandwiches, cheesy scalloped potatoes, and cookie dough cheesecake. 

Delighted at the gesture, Hera leapt to her feet and hugged Hunter, whispering her thanks in his ear. She was about to kiss his mouth when Hunter leaned back, avoiding the collision of their lips. Slapping at his chest, Hera pouted in disappointment. "I didn't get to see you in a towel, and you won't get to kiss me. Fair game," Hunter said, shrugging his shoulders. 

Hera stared incredulously. 

Ignoring her disappointed pout, Hunter pointed at the food, ordering her to eat. Fluttering her lashes, she looked at him expectantly. When it didn't work, she glared at her boyfriend. "Sulking and pouting will only waste more of your time, and you'll be late for the assembly, resulting in your inevitable detention," Hunter stated matter-of-factly. 

"Asshole," Hera muttered, going back to her bed. Still glaring daggers at him, she picked up the plastic fork and the container with the cheesecake. Inside, she found the messenger note neatly placed at the side. She took it out carefully, not messing it with the sticky substance inside and read it in her mind. 

Beloved Goddess,

Since you complained about me not gifting you enough sweets these days, here it is.

Please accept my apology gift. 

I'm sorry for keeping you away from the much-needed sugar rush for so long. (P.S. Note the sarcasm.) 

Hera bit her lip to hide her smile but knew it was a wasted attempt. A grin spread across her lips, replacing the sulky frown on her face. 

She lifted her lashes to look at him, only to find him already staring at her. Love poured out from both his affectionate eyes and his fond smile. Hera sighed as she felt warm and contented. 

Suddenly a thought crossed Hera's mind, and she immediately decided to bring it into action. Taking a huge bite out of her sandwich, she forcefully shoved a piece of potato into Hunter's mouth. Placing the container on the table, she brought her hairbrush from the dresser. Hunter whined in protest while Hera brushed his hair. She swatted his hands away when he tried to stop her. 

Groaning, he dropped his shoulders in defeat and let her do whatever she wanted. Hera managed to gather his hair from the front to the back of his head and secured it with a black thin rubber band, tying his hair into a half ponytail. Hunter silently stared as she searched for her black scarf in her drawer. She tied it around his head, using it as a bandana. 

Hera stood back to survey her handiwork. Her eyebrows shot up while her lips tugged downwards, impressed. Hera nodded in approval and giggled before pulling him to the mirror. "You look so hot," she stated. "Don't you dare take it off," she warned when he tried. Her boyfriend didn't dare disobey and nodded his silent agreement. 

"I always wonder why we look alike," Hera said out loud. "You know, with our same square jaw, nose, lips, and smile resembling and now with the same hairstyle, we almost look like siblings," Hera said, seeming astonished. Hunter scowled in displeasure, a grimace spreading over his handsome face. He held her arms with his hands and moved her away from his face. 

Hera followed as he walked back to her bed and retrieved the container from the table. Before Hera could say something, he shoved a forkful of cheesecake into her open mouth. "Don't open your mouth to spout nonsense. Now shove the food down your throat without wasting time," he scolded. Hera lowered her lashes, blushing as it reminded her of their earlier conversation through text messages. 

"Did your little brain forget what I told you years ago on your fifth birthday?" Hunter asked but continued without waiting for her answer. "We're made for each other. We share everything similar, including our last name, because we are husband and wife, and we're not siblings," he declared, his face contorting in disgust at the last word as if it coated his tongue with something acidic. 

Rolling her eyes at his overreaction, Hera discarded the plastic fork and started eating with her hand, nodding her head now and then, letting him know that she was listening. 

Hunter's expression seemed thoughtful before he asked his question. "Have I told you about the psychology behind the couples who look alike?"

Hera frowned at his question, searching her brain for the answer. However, Hunter spoke before she could reply. "It's likely a subconscious process, but people naturally gravitate toward people who are familiar, even if they're not explicitly aware of it," he started explaining everything in detail. His passion for learning new things every day never ceased to amaze her. 

'Is there anything he doesn't know about?' 

Hera wondered.

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