FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

In contrast with the glowing smile on her lips, Hera's eyes turned misty. She was too overwhelmed by her emotions. The portrait filled with genuine innocence and pure bliss one could wish for never failed to leave its strong impact on her heart. 

In the picture, Hunter's father was pointing his finger at something in the distance, and little Hunter's focus was accurately where his father was pointing his finger. His mother's head was slightly bent, and she had her attention focused on her son. Hera couldn't see her face as her thick, long hair flamed in the middle, covering it from view. But Hera could feel that she's smiling in the picture. The picture depicted their happy family perfectly. 

Hera never met Hunter's parents, nor had she seen them, not even in pictures. She had asked Hunter once, "Why don't you have any other photo of your parents?" She remembered he'd said something like this, "My parents are insanely rich, and they don't want to jeopardize their only child's safety by exposing their identity." 

No one in the school had indeed seen his parents as they never came to see him. Hunter would visit his home to meet his parents during the holidays.. Though everyone knew that his parents were filthy rich, Hunter never showed off his money. 

His part of the story sounded precisely like Hera's. But it was just that, the reason for her adopted parents' absence or secrecy was out of her knowledge. Whereas, Hunter's parents' actions were justified because they were genuinely concerned about their only son's safety. Hunter's well trained, loyal and trusted bodyguards who followed him everywhere like a shadow were the very proof of that. They would die for him without any regret and would kill anyone and everyone to keep him safe without any second thought if the need arises. 

Hera knew how much Hunter's parents loved him. They talked to him at least once in twenty-four hours without fail, no matter how busy or how far they were. Hunter never went to bed without wishing his parents Goodnight, despite the time difference between London and New York. Though Hera longed for the love and affection of a family, she never envied Hunter's happy family. Instead, she's happy for him that God had blessed him with his parents' unconditional love. 

Hunter had promised Hera that his parents would love her equally once she meets them officially as his girlfriend. Because his mother always wanted a daughter. Hera blindly believed everything because he said so. 

'Oh, God, I was so naive! How dumbly I dared to dream of a happy ending for myself.'

Shaking her head in self-pity, Hera looked at Hunter's toddler form in the big portrait. His attire matched his father's. Dressed in a white half-sleeved shirt tucked into his black jeans, feet blanketed in black zipper leather boots, he looked adorably handsome even with his back turned to her. She remembered why she'd fallen in love with him at first sight. She was hardly four when they first met, and he was the most handsome boy she'd ever seen. His beautiful eyes and charming smile had bewitched her heart, mind and soul ever since. 

Hera scoffed, finally snatching her eyes and mind off the memories and dragged her tired feet to her new room in the far corner. 

Deciding to not dwell on her hopeless thoughts anymore, Hera went to bed without wasting any more time, and she was out within a few minutes fast asleep. She didn't know how much time had passed since she slept like a rock. However, someone was cruel enough to disturb her peaceful sleep. 

Hera groaned and finally threw the quilt away.

How ironic was it that she slept so peacefully at the place which she claims to hate so much? Trying to keep her sanity in check, she blamed it on the jet lag she suffered. Before she could dwell on that thought, she heard the constant knocking on the door, which soon turned into loud pounding. 

It seemed like if she took another second more in opening the door, that impatient person would surely going to break the door. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she padded to the door lazily. Her hand wrapped around the knob and a sudden thought made her stop dead in her tracks. 

'Is it time to face the devil already?' 

Her eyes were wide awake, now every trace of sleep flown out of the window. 

'No, it can't be him. Hunter would never knock.' 

With that comforting thought, she opened the door and faced the very handsome evil spirit. "Did you die in your sleep?" A six-feet tall, male figure questioned, his deep voice filled with annoyance. Before Hera could open her mouth to reply, he answered himself. "No, you didn't, you're very much alive!" He said, eying her from top to bottom before continuing. "Thought you died or something. What took you so long to open the door?" 

Hera pulled an angry face and mock glared at him only to get crushed in a bear hug the very next second. "Missed you, Pixie. How have you been? Did you miss me?" He asked, releasing her from his tight grip. He smiled at her, and his angelic face turned into more enchanting. "Why'll I miss the cruel, ugly demon?" Hera asked, mocking disgust, but a smile made its way slowly into her lips. 

She called him ugly only to tease him since he's the exact opposite of ugly. Aqua blue eyes, short but cute straight nose, pink, full lips, lean, athletic body, everything about him was beautiful. Hera couldn't help but return his contagious smile. 

"And didn't you notice? I'm taller now. It's time you stop calling me Pixie," Hera said proudly. He pulled her hair playfully and flicked her nose. "Yet you barely reach my chest. Still not tall enough, Pixie. And you'll always be my Pixie." He laughed and brushed past her, walking into the room. 

Hera's heart skipped a beat when she noticed him carrying a box in his hand. He sat on the couch and looked up to find Hera still glued to the same spot at the door. He observed, she's nervous and had her eyes fixed on the box in his hand. She already knew what the box contained inside. It's a gift for her. She grabbed all the courage she had and finally asked him. 

"Eric," she whispered his name, and he silently arched his brows signalling her to continue. "Is he home?" Hera asked with uncertainty lacing her tone. Her brain had started to swim in the pool of questions. She wondered, why didn't Hunter come to meet her yet? What's stopping him? Why did he send his best friend to deliver the gift when he could personally do it by himself? 

'What are you plotting this time, Hunter?'