Bernard’s phone buzzed before he could finish his coffee. He excused himself, but not before beckoning Christopher. “Walk me out. I seem to have forgotten where I parked.”
Christopher was confused. Didn’t Bernard just park the car himself? How would he know where it is?
But Bernard’s tone left no room for argument, and Christopher reluctantly complied.
They didn’t walk far before Christopher spotted the Maserati parked by the roadside. He suddenly understood Bernard’s intention. It wasn’t about finding the car; it was about separating him from Hera.
“You have feelings for Hera, don’t you?” Bernard’s voice cut through the air.
Christopher hesitated, unsure how to articulate his feelings for Hera. He had never been in love before, and the intensity of his emotions was both exciting and confusing.
He was undeniably drawn to her intelligence, her quiet strength, and her ethereal beauty. His father’s not-so-subtle hints about a future together with Hera only fueled his internal conflict.
“You care deeply for Hera but sense it’s not reciprocated,” Bernard said.
Christopher’s heart ached with the truth of Bernard’s words.
Bernard asked, “Want to know why?”
Christopher nodded eagerly, desperate for any insight that could bridge the gap between them. If only matters of the heart were as easily solved as a mathematical equation.
“She’s into slash fiction,” Bernard declared.
“Slash fiction?” Christopher furrowed his brows in confusion.
Bernard clarified, “Yeah. She’s into stories and fantasies about romantic relationships between men.”
Christopher’s eyes widened in disbelief. Hera, his aloof idol, was a fan of such things? The revelation shattered his preconceived notions about her.
Christopher was familiar with the
concept of Boys’ Love or BL. Back when he was friends with Zyler, girls often gossiped about them, which made him uncomfortable. The idea of being shipped with another guy was both perplexing and repulsive to him.
“Think back to when you and Hera were closest,” Bernard prompted.
A memory flashed in Christopher’s mind. Hera had been most attentive during the time he and Zyler were inseparable. Since their friendship dissolved, so did his interactions with Hera.
Could she really be interested in that sort of thing?
“She even mistook me for being into men at one point,” Bernard added with a sly grin.
Christopher’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Seriously?”
“You’re welcome to ask her yourself,” Bernard replied, enjoying Christopher’s bewildered expression.
Despite his skepticism, Christopher couldn’t deny that Hera treated Bernard differently. Perhaps there was truth to Bernard’s claim.
Could it be that a misunderstanding about Bernard’s preferences had brought them closer?
Bernard said with a touch of camaraderie “We’re both vying for her affection, Christopher. But for Aaron’s sake, I can only offer you this friendly advice. As for winning Hera’s heart, that’s entirely
you.”
With a knowing smirk, Bernard climbed into his Maserati and drove off. A final thought echoed in his mind, “Hera is mine, and not just anyone can have her.”
Christopher watched the sleek car
disappear and felt a newfound
determination rising within him. If Bernard was willing to go to such lengths for Hera, then perhaps he should reconsider his own approach.
Could embracing Boy’s Love be the key to unlocking Hera’s heart?