FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

"Why is it that all of you have the liberty to dictate my life? Why do you all get to choose and decide for me? I'm tired of being lectured. I don't want anyone's advice or suggestions. I'm not a child, Danny," Hera said in a much calmer tone, but she sounded exasperated. Her eyes pleaded with Danny to let her be, a subtle way to tell him not to interfere. 

Danny seemed like he wanted to say something but decided against it. Pursing his lips into a thin line, he nodded. Judging by the scowl taking over his facial features, Hera could tell he didn't encourage her attitude. 

Hera moved closer to Hunter and held his hands in hers. Even though he was seething hot in anger, Hera was thankful he didn't push her away. She didn't know if she was doing the right thing by taking Noel's side or not, but she wanted to stop her boyfriend from this madness. All she wanted was a peaceful life with him but without hurting others in the process. She didn't think she was asking for too much. 

She at least deserved that much for loving him. 

"Look at him, Hunter. Look what you've done to that helpless boy. Don't you ever reflect on what you do, Hunter?" Hera asked but met with silence. It unsettled her. Whenever he refused to respond and kept everything inside, it never meant to end up in something good. Hera knew his silence was the calm before the storm. 

His stiff posture, clenched jaw indicated that Hera was trying in vain. He heard her but wasn't really listening. Her hope died, and anger resurfaced. She sighed, annoyed at his indifference. 

"It seems as if there's no ounce of humanity left in your heart," Hera couldn't help but attack. "When you get angry, you turn into a monster that frightens even me," she admitted, her voice shaking with anger. She had their fingers interlocked, and her grip tightened instinctively. The corners of Hunter's lips twitched downward, and he scoffed, which soon turned into a mocking sneer. 

"You haven't seen the real monster yet, Goddess," he whispered, only for her to hear. Hera looked down at her hands when he separated his fingers from hers and stepped back, putting distance between them. Hera lifted her gaze to meet his cold stare. "Leave before I lose my mind, Goddess. Since you're so frightened of this monster, you shouldn't be here," Hunter said in a dismissive tone. 

Gritting her teeth, Hera returned his fury. 

"I hate you so much right now, Hunter, and I hate Bianca for causing all this. That manipulative witch is never going to let us have our happy ending," Hera declared. It irked Hunter more that Hera was blaming Bianca without knowing the whole truth. "Stop being so petty, Hera," he snapped. "You don't even know the context, yet you're already targetting Bianca, blaming her for everything," he scolded, scoffing at Hera.

Hera couldn't digest the blow. As always, when it comes to Bianca, Hunter would only take her side. She was ready to curse his best friend, the insult itching on the tip of her tongue. However, before she could open her mouth, Hunter beat her to it. 

"This disgusting prick," Hunter said, pointing his finger at Noel behind her, "He molested my friend. He touched her inappropriately without her consent," Hunter revealed, hissing the words in utter fury. Hera gasped in shock, her mouth falling open. Eyes wide with disbelief, she turned to look at Noel. The said culprit was quick to deny it. He seemed offended by the accusation when he shook his head. 

"Don't believe him, Hera. It's not true. All his friends are the same, lying, sly whores," Noel spoke in his defence. Both Hunter and Danny rushed at him in two long strides and kicked him on the chest from either side. Noel groaned, doubling over in pain. Hera pushed them both away and glared at them. "Let him speak," she shouted in anger. Noel didn't waste any time in offering his justification. 

"Hera, she was sending me signals, and even you know that," Noel stated. "I didn't force her to do anything. I genuinely believed she was interested in me, but that bitch played me, Hera," he concluded. Hunter cursed and tried to punch him, but Hera blocked his way in time. "What happened, Hunter? You don't believe him?" Hera asked, already knowing the answer. She shook her head in disapproval and disappointment when he glared at her. 

Hunter was so angry he was growling like a provoked ferocious beast, his chest rising and falling with every intake of air. 

"Isn't that what she did with Nate?" Hera asked rhetorically. Hunter frowned, looking at her incredulously. "It's all just a game for her, and you always encourage her by dancing into her tune every fucking time," Hera accused, sounding devastated. 

Placing his hands on his hips, Hunter scoffed and jerked his head in disbelief. To Hera's dismay, the look in his eyes conveyed how disappointed he was. 

"Goddess, you need to go," Hunter said in a detached tone. Hera took a step closer and looked into his eyes, refusing to follow his request. 

"I said leave, Hera," Hunter yelled, making her flinch. 

"No, Hunter, you leave," Hera yelled back. "Leave Noel alone. Leave us, Hunter," she demanded. When Hunter didn't budge, she added in warning, "You're forcing me to change my mind, Hunter. Don't make me regret my decision of giving you another chance." 

Behind Hera, Noel tipped his head to the side and waved his hand, demanding Hunter's attention. The latter tore his eyes off Hera and briefly glanced at Noel only to see a wolfish smile spreading over his face. 

At that exact moment, Hunter knew it was all pre-planned. 

He wanted to bring the bastard's throat beneath his shoe and crush it until it brakes, but he couldn't do that in front of Hera. However, much to his satisfaction, Michael reached over and kicked Noel's shoulder, drawing out a cry from him. "You bastard, dare to do that again," Michael said, challenging him. Hera rushed to shield the injured boy and shoved Michael away. 

"Don't you dare touch him, Mike," Hera warned threateningly. Michael returned her glare and asked, "Or else what, baby girl? Are you going to report against us?" He was mocking her, but Hera didn't respond to him. Scoffing at him, she shifted her attention to Hunter instead. They glared at each other. However, Hera didn't utter a word because she knew Hunter could read her like a book. 

'He always does, doesn't he?'

Her eyes were threatening him. 

A nerve twitched under his jaw, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat as Hunter swallowed his anger, and Hera knew he got her message. Hunter was afraid of losing her as much as she was of losing him. 

'Don't make me regret my decision.'

Hera's words echoed in his thoughts. 

Noel seemed too pleased. An eyebrow arched up questioningly as if daring him to risk his chance. The bastard knew Hunter wouldn't want to lose Hera at any cost. 

Michael was mad at Hera. She was stupid not to see Noel's intentions. It was clear as day that he was using Hera against Hunter. 

"Leave him, Mike," Hunter said, stopping Michael before he could punch Noel's face again. Hunter anticipated his move even before Michael pulled his elbow back to strike. The latter didn't seem happy but followed his best friend's request nonetheless. Hera released the breath she was holding. 

Hunter looked at Noel and lifted his index finger at him. He didn't use words to convey the message. He didn't need to when his eyes revealed everything clear as crystal. 

Noel understood the silent warning that said he shouldn't dare to harm his girl. He never wanted to hurt or harm Hera anyway. The only one he wished to ruin was Ace Hunter. 

Hunter couldn't wait to smash and disfigure that smug face. But for now, he could only settle for a subtle warning. 

"It's your lucky day," Hunter stated. 

Hera watched while he turned his back to her without sparing a glance at her way. Stooping down, he grabbed his olive green blazer from the ground on his way. He swung it in the air once, dusting the dirt off before putting it on. 

"But not every day is Sunday," Michael said, breaking Hera's trance. Tearing her eyes off Hunter's retreating figure, Hera looked at Michael. She found him sitting on his heels as he spoke to Noel. "We fight against each other all the time, but it doesn't mean you're breaking us apart," Michael said, patting Noel's cheek. 

"Use Hera's innocence to your advantage as much as you want, but the moment you dare causing her trouble," Michael paused and leaned forward to whisper in his ear, "We'll kill you," he finished. Hera heard him too. The threat didn't surprise her, though. He only voiced out what Hunter didn't say. His words warmed her heart nevertheless. Though Michael was mad at her, he was still concerned about her safety. 

Grinning wide, he stood up and kicked Noel's foot before walking away. 

Hera noticed how he refused to look at her. 

'Didn't he just say to Noel that he is not breaking us apart?'

She didn't want her newfound bond with Michael to get ruined. 

She caught her brother shaking his head in what seemed like a disappointment. Without glancing at her once, Danny pulled Michael by his arm and left with him. Hera was wondering why Eric was still there. He was glaring at Noel, anger evident in his stance.

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