The silence was peaceful for the first time ever since we've been stuck in the library.

After our laughter died, we silently agreed to just be in each other's presence as we took a break from Operation Escape Reality.

Since standing wasn't even an option, we decided to sit against the wall that had the biggest window. The one we attempted to jump out of. It was still baffling to know how stupid that plan sounded and yet I still agreed to it impulsively.

Hunter and I just sat there in peace and listened to each other breathe. The sound of his breathing was strangely calming and soothing. Even though it was him, I chose to take what I got. Simply because I had no other choice.

This was Hunter. The guy who broke my heart into a million pieces. I never let myself forget that. Not even for a second. Because the moment I do, I will fall for his trap yet again. But we were both stuck in this suffocating library and there was no point in arguing or ignoring each other when we can help each other.

We were not bonding or fixing our relationship. There was no relationship. We were just a boy and a girl stuck in this unfortunate situation together, trying to find a way out. That's all. That's all there is.

"What was the book you were reading earlier on?" Hunter asked, breaking the silence.

I guess the silence wasn't so peaceful for him.

"Cupid's Match. Have you read it?"

"Oh, is it the one with the real cupid and a human girl being matched and summoning the Greek Goddess to Earth or something?"

I smiled. "Yeah, that's the one."

"I've read that one. It was seriously interesting. A unique read."

I instantly grinned. "Tell me about it! It was so different from other fantasies and it was so fun to read. I freaking love Cupid! I loved how he recognized Lila as his match instantly even with Cal trying to mess with him. It's like he knew from the moment their eyes met." I smiled at that thought fondly.

"Yeah. All it takes is that one moment," said Hunter.

I shifted my gaze to him to find that he was looking at me with such intensity. The one that he used to give me while we were still together. I looked away immediately and brought my knees closer to my chest.

"I liked Cal though. He was a weirdly funny character, to be honest." He said lightening the mood.

I chuckled as I remembered how Cal was in the book. "Yeah, he was funny. Even with his 'I'm-so-cool' exterior. But when he said that he wasn't expecting Lila to be Cupid's Match, I swear I wanted to slap him right there and then."

"Why?" He frowned.

"Because he was indirectly saying that Lila wasn't up to Cupid's standard. Not everything is about the looks. Personality outweighs appearance. Period."

"When someone sees a person's beautiful personality, their appearance automatically becomes beautiful," Hunter said making me look at him.

His gaze was once again locked on me and I found myself being unable to look away. We just sat there, looking into each other's eyes, deep in our own thoughts.

Hunter cleared his throat. "The word beautiful is replaceable with whatever adjectives that describe the person, of course." He said awkwardly.

I looked away. "Right."

Then, it got immensely awkward.

Deciding to break the ice—only for the sole reason that I was unable to tolerate the awkwardness—I spoke. "How are things at Nighty Night?"

As much as I didn't want to bring up anything from the past, I had to do it. I didn't want it to be so awkward between us and I didn't want to run away either. Because then he would win again and I'm not letting that happen.

Hunter seems surprised as his jaw dropped a little. "Uh, they're good. Business is good as usual."

I nodded. "How are Ray and Rudy?"

I asked remembering how it was like to work with them.

"They're good. As usual. They miss you."

I jerked my head towards him. "They do?"

"Yeah. No one is as good at you at work." He said smiling a little.

'Wasn't I just a liability?', I wanted to reply. But I wasn't in the mood to fight. So, I didn't.

"Now you're just lying. I'm sure there are other people who can do a good job at the bookstore." I said looking at him.

"I'm not lying. No one loves the books as you do." He said with a fond smile.

I smiled as I reminisced the times, I've worked at Nighty Night. I fell in love with books and reading even more at that place. And I cared for the books more than I should have. But I couldn't help myself. I sighed as I realized how much I miss working there. How much I miss even going there. It's been a whole three months since I've stepped inside the bookstore.

"You should go to Nighty Night if you want to, you know. You shouldn't let me, or anyone stop you." He said taking me of out my thoughts.

"You're not stopping me," I said defensively.

"Stop lying to yourself, Hera. Ray and Rudy would love to see you. Emma too."

'What about you?', I wanted to ask. But I will never actually ask him that. Because I already know the answer to my own question.

"Okay," I said not wanting to talk about it anymore.

"Rudy is engaged, by the way."

"What? Are you serious?" I asked, shocked.

"Yeah" He replied with a smile.

"When? How? And is it to Madelyn?"

"Yeah. He asked her a few days ago actually. He proposed to her in the store because that's where they met. As you already know."

"Oh my God, that's super cute! I always knew Rudy and Mads were endgame. Do you still remember their ship name?" I asked with a grin.

"Yeah. Rudelyn. Still sounds like a horrible band name." He chuckled.

"Hey! I gave them that ship name. And it's a totally cool band name, admit it."

"Okay, okay. Whatever you say." He said putting his hand up in the air.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Well, I'm happy for them. Pass my congrats to them for me."

"You can do it yourself." He deadpanned.

I glared at him. "Can't you just do as I say?"

"Why should I?" He asked quite arrogantly.

"So that you can be a gentleman and help a girl out?"

"I'm not a gentleman and I will never be one."

"I can see that very clearly," I said suddenly feeling a little annoyed.

He then made a 'tsk' sound as if he was annoyed, pissing me off further. He obviously did that on purpose.

"You know what? I thought we could have a civil conversation but clearly, you just love to behave like a jerk. So, continue to be a jerk while I'll try to figure out a way out of here by myself." I stood up.

Before I could take a step, he spoke. "I was being civil. But you are the one who couldn't give a fuck about Rudy. Pass my congrats?" He scoffed. "Did you even care about him? Because if you did, you would have the courtesy to tell him yourself." He said accusingly.

"Why are you making a big deal out of this? It's just an engagement. It's not like he's getting married tomorrow, right?" I asked not getting his anger.

He suddenly looked disappointed. "Clearly, you don't care. But then again, you never cared to begin with."

"No, you don't get to do that. You don't get to look disappointed in me. I should have the right to not care about you or anyone around you. Especially after what you did." I said stepping into the danger zone.

But I wasn't planning to stay and discuss this any further. Because I didn't want to and I didn't need to. I started walking away from Hunter when his voice caught my attention, making me pause.

"If you cared enough to stay, we wouldn't have become like this."

I scoffed as I turned to burn him with my gaze. "Don't turn this on me, Hunter. You did this to us. You ruined everything."

How dare he blame me? How dare he had the damn nerve to actually say that? Fuck facing my problems. I had enough of his shit. So, I did what I do best.

I ran away.