The 20 Year Old Virgin | Herophine

Chapter 48: Going Home to Perth

Jo

I've always known Hero will go places both in his acting and modelling career, not just because he's gorgeous and insanely hot, but because of his work ethics as well. He's one of the most hard working and focused people I've encountered ever since I started working in the entertainment industry. So the news about him snagging the Ferragamo perfume campaign doesn't really come as much of a surprise. However, hearing him easily agreeing to fly to Milan today when he already agreed to come home to Perth doesn't sit quite well with me.

When he agreed to fly home with me to Perth, I already pictured all the things I've wanted to show him. I pictured him walking along the white sand beaches or hiking in the outback parts of Perth. I pictured him having dinner with my parents and Katherine and Jeremiah in my childhood home. I pictured us snuggled up on my bed.

Guess none of those are happening any time soon.

My first instinct is to throw that in his face and even throw in a tantrum but I remind myself that I don't do that anymore. That wouldn't be fair to Hero. It's his job-a job that he worked so hard to land-and I shouldn't get in the way of that, just like how I wouldn't want him to meddle with my own projects. We have our own individual careers outside After and our own lives outside our relationship.

I should be happy for him and his success, not whine and sulk in the bathroom.

With that in mind, I trudge out of his bathroom and sit on his bed as I watch him pack his things. It hasn't been more than ten minutes since we got back from his family's home and the first thing he did when we stepped into the flat was to grab his carry-on bag and started pulling out clothes from his closet. He stops what he's doing and looks at me, his eyes soft and pleading for my understanding. I know he feels bad about all of this and I am, too, but this is just too big of a deal to pass out on.

"It's fine. You can still attend the wedding in spring. It's just an engagement party, and I still haven't even told them you were coming so it's not like they'd be disappointed about you not coming with me," I assure him in a soft voice.

He sits down right next to me and takes my hand in his, caressing my palm with his thumb. "I am so sorry, love," he says, his eyes cast down to our hands clasped together.

"I told you, it's fine. You should finish up packing."

He's silent for a minutes before he lifts his eyes to meet mine. "What if I missed my flight? What if I didn't go?"

My heart flutters at the prospect but I immediately dispel that excitement cursing through me. No, that would be wrong and it would be incredibly selfish on my part if I go along with his idea. "What?! Hero, are you fucking insane? You can't do that. You'll ruin your modelling career if you don't show up to that meeting. It's Salvatore Ferragamo for Christ's sake!" I shake my head profusely, shaking off my conflicting emotions as well.

"I really do want to come with you, love," he insists. The sadness reflecting from the greens of his eyes sends a pinch straight to my heart.

"I know you do, baby. Perth will always be there, though. It's not going anywhere and like I said, there's still the actual wedding." I kiss the pout forming on his lips before pulling away when I feel him adding more pressure to the kiss. "Seriously, you're really going to miss your flight if you don't finish up," I tell him, my voice stern. He opens his mouth to say something but I beat him to it, already knowing what he's about to say. "And don't fool yourself by saying you want to miss your flight. We both know this is a huge deal for you. This will totally propel your career, Hero. Don't you fucking dare waste this opportunity!"

"Fine, fine," he literally whines but a hint of a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.

Hero finishes up packing as I take a shower and when he's all ready to leave, he insists that I don't have to take him to Heathrow, saying he doesn't trust me to get back to the flat on my own. I finally agree to stay after a few back and forth between us.