Hera couldn’t contain her delight, giggling like a child who just received a lollipop. "Alright, I’ll bring my friends along during lunchtime, and we’ll eat at your ce. But in return, I insist on helping you cook and clean up."


    "I don’t need you to do anything; you’re my guest," the older woman insisted, crossing her arms and regarding Hera with the warmth reserved for a cherished daughter.


    "Why not? I’d feel uneasy to eat and run," Hera replied sincerely.


    "Are you showing favoritism, Hera? Why are you only going to her house and not mine?" the other older woman interjected, cing her hands on her hips in mock anger.


    "I can’t eat lunch twice though," Hera quipped, lightening the mood with a yful retort.


    "Then, how about we have a little pic? Hmm?" the old man suggested.


    Initially, the vigers were camera-shy, doing their best to avoid it. However, as they grew morefortable with Hera’s presence, they gradually forgot about its existence altogether. Engrossed in conversation with Hera, they discussed almost everything under the sun, drawn by her genuine interest and active participation in their discussions. To them, she seemed like a longtime resident of the vige, blending seamlessly into theirmunity.


    In the span of just one morning, Hera formed such a strong connection with the elders in the vige, particrly those engaged in milking the cows in the barn, that they wouldn’t allow her to work hungry. It was as if she had immediately be the beloved daughter of the vige, embraced warmly and treated as their favorite.


    When Bry came running to find Xavier and Zen, they were surprised to see Hera sofortably engaged with the vigers. They had easily secured lunch without the need to venture up the mountains. Initially, Xavier and Zen had thought they might go without lunch, having already eaten their provisions earlier to prevent spoge. They were prepared to forage in the mountains if necessary.


    Who would have thought that Hera would effortlessly secure food for the three of them? Xavier and Zen suddenly felt validated in their decision to team up with her. Not only would they avoid hunger, but they were also warmly weed and treated with kindness by the vigers.


    When Xavier and Zen arrived, Hera was already helping out cooking food while talking happily with the vigers, they decided to do an open barbeque under the shade of a big tree while four to five families joined in and brought some of their own specialties which immediately filled the table.


    Observing the cheerful atmosphere, Zen promptly joined in to assist with the preparations, seamlessly blending in with the vigers. Simrly, Xavier, though not very talkative, conveyed his willingness to help through his actions, earning the respect and appreciation of the men from the vige.


    "Are they your only teammates?" the older woman asked kindly. "By the way, just call me Aunt Sabby."


    Hera nodded with a smile, appreciating the warmth of the invitation. "Of course, Aunt Sabby. Yes, Xavier is the quieter one," she gestured towards him, "and Zen is the one with the wide smile," she added, pointing to Zen. Her casual introduction carried across to most of the vigers seated nearby.


    As the sun beat down, someone handed Hera a refreshing mix of grated melon, milk, and ice. Taking a generous sip, Hera was pleasantly surprised by the delicious blend of vors. She found it so refreshing and delightful that she couldn’t help but finish the entire cup.


    "So, which one is your boyfriend?" Aunt Sabby asked, her tone casual and open, causingughter to ripple through the group. Caught off guard by the question, Hera choked on the refreshment, feeling a pulp of melon stuck in her throat as she coughed uncontrobly.


    Aunt Sabby worriedly rubbed Hera’s back as she coughed violently, her lungs protesting from the pain. Concerned, Zen and Xavier quickly approached to check on her, but she raised her hand to stop them. "I’m alright," she managed to gasp between coughs, her voice strained but reassuring.


    "Are you sure?" Zen asked, his brows furrowed with concern as he looked at Hera. He hadn’t noticed what had transpired earlier as he was engrossed in conversation until Hera began coughing.


    "Yeah, I think the pulp went down the wrong pipe," Hera managed between coughs, epting Auntie Sabby’s offered water gratefully.


    Once assured of her well-being, Zen and Xavier resumed their tasks. However, Aunt Sabby couldn’t resist giving Hera a teasing smile, one that was hard to miss and carried a knowing look about it. Hera couldn’t help but shake her head in defeat.


    Once all the food had been prepared and the entire family of those who joined the pic arrived, they began eating and engaging in conversation. Previously, they had almost believed the stereotype that celebrities and actors were snobbish and disliked mingling with ordinary folks, especially those from the countryside. However, they were pleasantly surprised to find that the three sitting with them were incredibly humble and easy to get along with.


    Their sincere interest shines through as they eagerly listen to tales of life on the ranch, funny interesting stories about the animals, and amusing stories shared by vigers. From theedic mishaps of falling into ditches during hide and seek to the unexpected encounters with yful goats resulting inical scenarios likending headfirst into a pile of manure, Zen and Xavier’s captivation with these stories is evident.


    The vigers were keen on ensuring thefort of the three guests, generously offering them specialties from various families and presenting intriguing culinarybinations. It was surprising to note that Xavier is not being obvious with his picky eating habits, perhaps to avoid causing offense, yet he clearly showed a preference for the dishes personally cooked by Hera.


    Hence, the aunties and uncles exchanged knowing nces, wearing smiles that hinted at their understanding. They ceased offering Xavier other dishes, instead cing Hera’s cooking within closer reach for him, acknowledging his clear preference.


    As Heraughed and bantered with everyone, she graciously epted the food offered to her.


    "Hera, you have to try this," Aunt Sabby insisted, adding another barbecue to Hera’s te.


    "Aunt Sabby, I can’t. I think I’m about to burst from all the food you’ve given me," Hera chuckled, yfully patting her bulging stomach like a satisfied child signaling they’ve had enough to eat.


    Aunt Sabby burst intoughter at Hera’s yful antics, which reminded her of her own children. Then, she switched to a more maternal tone, teasing Hera like a true aunt.


    "Child, you need to eat more. Look at you, so thin! How do you expect to have lots of babies like this? You won’t even survive a night of passion with your man," Aunt Sabby joked, her teasing unfiltered. Such banter wasmon among adults like them, with no room for reservations.


    Upon hearing Aunt Sabby’s teasing words, Hera’s face flushed crimson, resembling a ripe apple. "Aunt Sabby, I don’t have a man," she admitted, her gesture apanied by an adorable blush and a pout. Aunt Sabby couldn’t resist but affectionately ruffle Hera’s hair in response to her innocence.


    "Then, how about considering my second son?" Aunt Sabby suggested with a mischievous glint in her eyes, her toneced with yful humor. "He’s hardworking and has good stamina. I’m sure he’ll serve you well if you catch my drift," she added, chuckling teasingly.