FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

It was hard to believe that Bianca wanted to help resolve their issues. Nonetheless, her wise words were influential, and Hera appreciated the effort. Feeling small in the other girl's presence, Hera awkwardly nodded in acknowledgement. 

Hera might have acted childish, but she knew she wasn't wrong either. Hunter thought it was silly of her to give him the silent treatment to punish him, but it was the only way he would heed her demand. However, she couldn't deny what Bianca said was also correct. 

Yet, Hera couldn't stop herself from taunting her. Guess, as it was said, old habits die hard? 

"Did you also give your best friend the same advice?" Hera asked, sounding unimpressed. It was certain Bianca would take sides because Hunter was her best friend. "Because I'm not the only one who needs to be more sensible or mature. What was that another big word?" Hera seemed thoughtful before adding, "Oh, yes, and to show nobility." 

Hera could tell from the glare directed at her that Bianca didn't appreciate her taunting, arrogant tone. 

"God, I don't understand why Ace is so in love with you. You're impossible," Bianca said, throwing her hands up in frustration. "And unlike you, Samantha loves him unconditionally, embracing all his flaws and faults," she pointed out. Hera's eyebrows arched up, eyes widening in pretend surprise. 

"Hmm, here it comes," Hera said, with a shake of her head. "You and fixing the problem between Hunter and me? Ah, I knew it was too good to be true," Hera said, but there was no malice in her voice. She was only taunting Bianca. "Still rooting for your two best friends to end up together, I see," Hera said accusingly. 

"Yes, I still stand by what I said that you don't deserve Ace," Bianca snarled, scowling in displeasure. It irked Hera that Bianca didn't deny her accusation. Hera rolled her eyes and ignored the jab, pretending it didn't affect her. "Huh, as if it matters," Hera muttered under her breath, "neither Hunter nor I need your approval, Bianca." She declared. 

Bianca went quiet after that, and when Hera looked at her, the former was already staring at her, searching for something on Hera's face or perhaps assessing Hera's statement. When Bianca spoke again, Hera felt the harshness in the former's tone. "You said you loved him enough to take him back even after he cheated," Bianca repeated Hera's words, reminding her of what she had said to Michael earlier. 

Hera peered at the other girl in curiosity, wondering where her argument would lead them. 

"Hera, I'm not defending Ace just because he's my best friend. I know it's hard to digest cheating or betrayal, but nobody forced you to forgive him, right?" Bianca questioned, but it sounded more like a statement. "You forgave him and let him back into your heart with your own will and wish because you too believed he truly regretted his mistakes and deserved that second chance," she stated the obvious. 

Hera appeared thoughtful as she analysed what Bianca had said. None of it was wrong. She couldn't argue or disagree when Bianca said it would be unfair of her if she had ever doubted Hunter's love for her. He wanted her back so bad that he would've done anything to earn her forgiveness. Even Hera knew Hunter wouldn't picture his life without her. He loved her that much. 

"He wasn't asking for a charity when he asked for that second chance. So don't go around taunting him as if you've done him a favour by taking him back," Bianca said. Hera's shoulders slumped in defeat as Bianca made her feel guilty. It reminded her of all the times when she took advantage of Hunter's weakness and threatened him with a breakup. 

"If you honestly love him and want to keep him, then consider my advice. Move on from the past and start afresh," Bianca said. Hera appreciated the wise advice and was grateful until Bianca added something to her sentence as an afterthought to conclude. "Or maybe, you should leave him if you can't love him enough to make him happy," she asserted. 

As soon as those words left Bianca's mouth, Hera's heart filled with rage and burned through her eyes. Balling her palms into fists, Hera glared at Bianca, channelling all her outrage at the girl. "You couldn't hide your true intention at last," Hera spat accusingly. She no longer looked playful or teasing. Hera's furious eyes held so much hostility that Bianca would've been burned to death by now if looks could kill. 

"How dare you?" Hera forced the words through her gritted teeth. "You've no right to say that. Don't be so judgemental, Bianca. You know nothing about what Hunter and I have. You wouldn't understand our relationship and what we feel for each other," Hera couldn't stop herself from raising her voice. 

When Hera and Hunter met for the first time, Hera didn't even know the meaning of love, let alone falling in love. Yet, she knew from the moment she saw him that he was hers. Bianca watched in stunned silence and listened with keen interest when Hera spoke about her relationship with Hunter. 

"It's not easy to let go of your first love, Bianca. He was my childhood crush, my hero, and my soulmate. I only had him and learned to love him through the pain and loneliness I suffered. He's my best friend, my lover and my life. I can't leave him, Bianca, no matter what, I wouldn't trade him for the world," Hera admitted determinedly without any hesitation. 

Bianca saw the passion in the other girl's eyes, how they lit up with pride while talking about Hunter. She had always thought that Hera was immature and stupid and her best friend deserved someone better, but now seeing the rage in Hera's eyes, Bianca could tell how serious she was about her love. She never knew the depth of Hera's love for Hunter. 

"Even if I want to leave him, Hunter would never let it happen. You may disagree all you want, Bianca, but we're each other's lifeline. He's my possession, my treasure, my everything. Don't ever dare to tell me to leave him and insult my love for him," Hera looked into Bianca's eyes, daring her to oppose. Her tone of voice carried the same sincerity her eyes held. 

At this point, Hera felt exhausted. She was tired of explaining her relationship, proving herself worthy, and defending her love for Hunter to everyone. 

It was no one's business but hers and Hunter's. She may be immature and act impulsively, giving into manipulation. Sometimes she would get influenced by jealousy or ego, but she knew Hunter would understand her just fine, at least enough to prove that her opinion matters to him. He always could tell what Hera felt when they fought over their disagreements. 

Bianca's lips twitched in a tiny smile, but she bit her lip to hold it back. Hera's outburst gave her the assurance she needed that Hera loved Hunter as much as he did her. 

"Next time when you open your bitchy mouth to talk about me leaving Hunter, think twice because I'll rip your tongue out," Hera swore threateningly, and her tone suggested she meant what she said. "You and your friends are all prodigies that know everything, so I'm sure you've heard about not judging the book by its cover. You don't know me enough to judge me, Bianca," Hera stated bitingly. 

Bianca smirked, her brow lifting in appreciation. She nodded her agreement as a pleased smile grew on her lips. 

"Since you claim to love Ace so much, you managed to impress me. So, as a favour, I want to warn you about something, Piggy," Bianca said. Hera scowled in disapproval as Bianca went back to the insulting nickname. "People around you are scheming to tear you and Ace apart, be it your best friend Clara or that asshole Noel and it includes Samantha too," she said, surprising Hera by adding Samantha to the list. 

'God, why is everyone so dead set on driving us apart?'

Biting her lower lip in curiosity, Hera looked at Bianca, and the arch to her eyebrows conveyed she would want to know more. "Don't look so surprised, Piggy. Sam is one of my best friends, but I would never hurt Ace intentionally," Bianca admitted, her voice filled with assurance. Hera was shocked when Bianca revealed Samantha's plan without an ounce of hesitation. 

Samantha had asked her to help split Hera and Hunter apart, and Bianca had agreed because she didn't want to disappoint or hurt Samantha's feelings and make her feel betrayed by her best friend. However, she would never harm Hunter for anyone's sake. 

Bianca had caught Samantha speaking to Noel twice, and on both times, they seemed suspicious enough for her to question Samantha's intention. Without any indecisiveness, her best friend had revealed that Noel agreed to help with her plan because he liked Hera. Bianca couldn't help but think that Samantha had a part in what happened with Evelyn. However, she had denied any hand in Evelyn's incident when Bianca asked her. 

They were all best friends, and Samantha wouldn't stoop so low and hurt Evelyn in that awful way, right? Bianca wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt one last time. But she knew Samantha would do anything to separate Hera from Hunter. It was clear Bianca wouldn't be able to trust Samantha blindly anymore. 

"Ace is very dear to me, Piggy. So, pay attention and don't get influenced by backstabbers.. If you hurt him again, I'll gladly assist Samantha in her plan," Bianca promised, a threat underlining her tone.

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