FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

Startled, Hera moved to her side when someone leaned over her shoulder from behind but relaxed in the next instant as the familiar scent of Hunter hit her nostrils. A hand made its way, and she saw the plate filled with something resembling a cake as Hunter placed it in front of her.

"I was asking her if she could help me with this," he said before brushing her cheek with his lips in a soft kiss.

He walked across to his chair and took his seat beside Eric, offering her a fork to cut it. The beach cafe they were at didn't serve the cake, so he asked them to prepare a simple bread sandwich filled with cheese. An enormous amount of chocolate sauce poured all over it made her smile.

Hera hesitantly made eye contact, and her heart warmed at the way he smiled at her, holding so much fondness in his eyes.

"They didn't have the candles," Hunter said. She heard everyone clap their hands, cheering for her except for Samantha. Michael held his lighter in front of her, letting the flame shimmer. "Assume this is a candle, make a wish, and blow it," he said.. Amidst all the tension Hera felt, a genuine smile brightened her face when she heard the chorus of happy birthdays.

She held the first bite for Hunter to taste, her way of offering peace. He surprised her by holding her hand in his. Hunter's large palm covered her entire fist, and he fed her the first half before eating the remaining piece from her hand.

Hera shared the sandwich cake with everyone. Even Samantha ate her share, and for once, she didn't make any fuss about it. It was the cherry on the top moment for Hera when Danny took her offered piece and ate it. She didn't fight the grin that forced its way out. Though her brother didn't wish her, his acknowledgement was enough for Hera. Something was better than nothing, after all.

She glanced up when Hunter pushed his chair back and stood up, his palm held out for her to take. She grasped it without a second thought.

"You can take off your coat," Hunter suggested. Crossing the table, Hera reached him and nodded. "But you have to walk ahead of me because I don't want you to see my dress yet," Hera said. Without any protest, he followed her command. Undoing the buttons as fast as she could, Hera took off her trench coat.

A series of whistles followed, and Hera laughed in Michael and Eric's direction. Evelyn clapped her hands to show her support. With a shy smile, Hera thanked them when they praised her beauty.

She hurried her steps to reach Hunter. His bare feet left the imprints on the shore. Placing her feet right beside his every footprint, she followed him. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I was stupid," Hera apologised in a low tone. She noticed him shaking his head, but he didn't turn around yet.

"Don't be sorry, Goddess. You weren't in the wrong, and you have all the right to question me. Besides, I deserved it for making you upset," he admitted. "I overstepped the limit, I guess. I should've known it would hurt you. I know it's not easy for you to invest your unconditional trust in me yet. I'll wait, and I promise I'll earn it back," he vowed.

Hera smiled, which broadened into a pleased grin.

"You don't think of me as immature or stupid then?" Hera asked, her tone sounding timid. She had her head lowered, eyes fixed on his footprints, focusing on matching their wide stance. She didn't notice when Hunter paused his walk and collided with his back. She held onto his arms for support.

"Oopsie, I wasn't watching," she said, sounding sheepish. She silently studied his form from behind. He had his right hand pushed inside his pants pocket while his left hand was in his front, hidden from Hera's view. "You're not immature," he said, catching her attention.

"You're possessive, and it shows just how much you value my presence, and to be honest, I feel honoured," he confessed. He heard Hera sigh in relief. "Can I look at you now?" he asked, and Hera hummed her permission.

Hunter turned around to face her, his eyes exploring her form from head to toe while Hera's eyes slid to a small bouquet of orchids in his hand.

'A bridal bouquet! Oh, I could get used to it.'

She could picture herself walking to him with a bridal bouquet in her hands every year on her birthday. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought.

"You look perfect," she heard Hunter say. His short, simple, but sweet statement filled her heart with all the sweetness in the world. Handing her the bouquet, he palmed her face with his hands and kissed her on the forehead. "But you were checking out those girls," Hera accused, pouting her lips. Hunter chuckled, pinching the tip of her nose.

"I was trying to make you jealous because you didn't want to marry me, remember?" he pointed out, pinching the tip of her nose, and Hera giggled at his displeased tone. "Didn't I say I was joking?" she asked, scowling at him.

"I was joking too, and for the record, none of the girls in the world could hold a candle to my Goddess," Hunter stated. Blushing, Hera looked down, studying the orchids in her hands.

There were eight spikes of eight different colours of orchids. Hera bit back a smile and listened with patience, focusing on his every word while his smart brain explained the significance of each colour.

Hunter taught her how a red orchid symbolised strong emotions of passion and love, and a blue one was a sign of unique beauty while pink was for gentleness and romance.

"A white orchid symbolises purity, innocence, faith and beauty. Just like you," Hunter stated. Hera chuckled while she listened. Her eyes kept wandering from his eyes to his lips and to his hand gestures and then back to his eyes and lips as he spoke with unwavering focus.

Hera learned that a purple orchid symbolised luxury and wealth while a yellow one meant happiness and joy. Orange orchid was for creativity and success and green for freshness and safety.

Lastly, Hunter's long fingers pulled a single black rose hidden between the orchids, and Hera let out a surprised laugh.

"Hey, why black, though? Do you know they signify evilness and are assigned to symbolise a dark soul like in vampires in fictions?" Hera asked, frowning at the black flower. Hunter shook his head in disagreement. "A black rose represents optimism and hope. They mostly used for declaring feelings of eternal love," he stated.

Hera nodded wordlessly, raising her eyebrows to show she was impressed, but when Hunter started to speak about the history of the black rose leading back to ancient Greece and Rome, Hera rolled her eyes and stopped him from speaking further.

"Hey, I think I've learned enough for the day. Give me a break already," she said, scowling at him. "Did you research about the flowers before picking them individually?" Hera asked rhetorically. She knew he did. "God, I never took you for a romantic sap. You're turning worse day by day," Hera said, teasing him.

"Hey," Hunter scowled at her, feeling offended. "I'm courting you and trying my best to woo you, okay," he said in his defence. Hera rolled her eyes again and shook her head.

"But I'm not used to this new cheesy romantic side of yours. I'm more familiar and content with this devil inside here," she said, poking her finger into his chest. "Rude, arrogant, scary, asshole of a devil, my very own Lucifer," Hera declared, patting her hand over his heart.

Hunter crossed his arms over his chest, head tilted to the side, glaring at her with a disapproving scowl plastered on his gorgeous face. Hera giggled and pulled him towards the water. She squealed in delight when the waves engulfed their feet, wetting their legs.

Hunter wrapped his arms around her middle. Resting her head against his chest, Hera inhaled the scent surrounding her and closed her eyes, savouring the special moment with him.

The pebbles and soggy sand beneath her feet caught her attention, and it felt so soothing. The sun peeking from behind the soft white cottony clouds winked at them. The warm sun rays hitting her face, the fresh salty air, the blue sea in front of her view, everything made her feel as if she was in her own little heaven.

A few minutes later, Hunter whispered her name, breaking the comfortable silence. Hera turned in his arms to look at him. He let go of her, and Hera waited in anticipation while he pulled something out of his pockets.

"Here's your wedding gift," Hunter said, opening the small rectangular blue box. Meanwhile, Hera's eyes went wide at the contents inside, her grin growing bigger with each second.