He shut his eyes, attempting to steady his breathing andpose his scattered thoughts. Meanwhile, Xavier couldn’t help but sense the thickening tension between them, not in a negative sense, but rather in a suggestive, almost lustful manner. Feelingpelled to intervene, he decisively grabbed Leo’s arm and pulled him away, breaking the spell that had begun to envelop them.


    "Let’s go, we’ve got plenty to carry over there," Xavier interjected firmly, his tone and actions betraying a hint of irritation as he swiftly ushered Leo away without waiting for a response.


    Hera snapped out of her trance as she watched Xavier pull Leo away, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She was startled by the risqué thoughts that had crossed her mind, a revtion that caught her off guard.


    <i>’What was I supposed to do? He was just so... irresistible,’</i> Hera mentally eximed, her heart still racing as embarrassment flooded her. Not only had Leo caught her ogling his physique, but he had also teased her about it, leaving her feeling utterly mortified. <i>’That was beyond embarrassing.’</i>


    <i>’But I can’t deny, he’s certainly a sight to behold,’</i> Hera admitted to herself, unable to shake off the allure of Leo’s physique and his beauty. "No wonder Athena has an eye for good-looking individuals." She cleared her throat, feeling a blush creeping up her cheeks as she realized her thoughts were drifting into indecent territory. Nervously, she rubbed the tip of her nose, attempting to calm her racing nerves.


    As soon as Leo and Xavier left, Hera found herself surrounded by the gossip-hungry aunties, bombarding her with questions. Their keen eyes hadn’t missed the subtle intery between Hera and Leo, and now they watched in silent anticipation, holding their breath so as not to disrupt the unfolding drama before their very eyes.


    They found the scene more exhrating than anything they’d witnessed on television dramas. The palpable chemistry between Leo and Hera had them on the edge of their seats, itching to squeal like excited teenagers as the two engaged in their suggestive yful antics earlier.


    "Girl, you should’ve pounced on him. Back in my day, I never let a good opportunity slip by. In the kitchen, at the dining table—you name it!" Aunt Sabby nudged Hera’s shoulder, a yful reminder that she missed a chance to snag a boyfriend, especially now that she was single and ready to mingle.


    Hera was beyond speechless because most elders would even tell her off and teach her how to act demure and have more self-respect if she even looked at a man a little seductively, but Aunt Sabby was teaching her the opposite and was not even holding back in front of the camera. She felt her face grow even hotter, especially when her mind almost instantly imagined what Aunt Sabby was describing, she imagined herself doing that to Leo.


    The olderdies couldn’t help but notice Hera’s crimson cheeks and the subtle yet not-so-subtle reactions ying out on her face. Theirughter erupted, amused by her innocent yet not-so-innocent reactions. What struck them was herck of denial or attempts to appear demure. Instead, she openly showed her embarrassment, her expression unwittingly confirming where her thoughts had wandered.


    The olderdies cackled among themselves, relishing the opportunity to tease Hera. When Leo and Xavier returned to the kitchen, bearing the game that Zen and the others had cleaned outside, Hera found herself unable to meet Leo’s gaze, too embarrassed by the recent exchange to look him in the eye.


    As Hera focused on her cooking, Leo couldn’t help but notice her flustered state, and it brought a delighted twinkle to his eyes. Seeing her react in such a way was a clear indication that he wasn’t a lost cause and that Hera held some level of attraction toward him. With this realization fueling his determination, Leo resolved to put in even more effort to win her affection. The feeling was akin to savoring sweet honey, and he couldn’t help but feel that staying in the vige had been the best decision he’d ever made. With a radiant smile, he beamed from ear to ear, filled with hope and anticipation for what the future might hold for him.


    Xavier’s lips tightened further into a thin line as he observed Leo’s radiant smile. Like Aunt Sabby and the others, he had witnessed the subtle exchange between Leo and Hera just before he intervened. It dawned on him that he had been slow to recognize Hera’s attraction to Leo, inadvertently affording Leo the opportunity to draw closer to her. The realization settled heavily on him, leaving him feeling as slow as a turtle and as dense as a pig for not grasping the situation sooner.