A Surprised Hug

"Kids! What are you doing here?"

My heart jumps with joy seeing Aisha and Janus entering the office. They ran toward me, and we hugged each other. They joined me on the sofa and began chatting. Not that long, Luna entered the office, and Shane dropped his jaw.

Well, she knew Luna for thirteen thousand years. Her clothing hasn't changed; she is seductive and daring as usual.

Tonight, she's wearing a blue halter dress with a long cut upfront, exhibiting her long legs upon making a glamorous walk toward us. She made a grand red carpet entrance in the lobby, and I looked forward to the gossip on Monday.

Oh, well. Luna can pull off a scene like that, not me, as I live a low profile. Her style is FAB, in the fashion world terminology. And I am not the proud Priestess anymore back in the Celestial Universe. Oh, well, I am glad the kids were here.

"Aunt Luna, thank you for bringing the kids," I told my familiar. We have to do our act.

"No problem. They were happy to pick you up from work, so we drove the car to get you."

"Aw, sweet. Thank you, kids." I hugged my twin once again. 'How come I did not feel your presence?' I confronted Luna, and she winked at me.

"Mommy, we buy a take-out! But then, we met Mr. Kian at the restaurant." Aisha began sharing with me how they encountered Kian and returned to the office together.

"I learned that they would come to the office and bring you food, so I come back with them."

"How great is that! The more, the merrier!" Shane cheered.

I could see he was attempting to get Luna's attention, which Luna only snob him as usual.

"I'm here as well!"

It surprises us to see Mikael enter the office.

"I bought drinks!"

"Hey! Who permits you to come to my building?"

Shane confronts Mikael. And a childish fight begins. I sighed.

"Well, since food and drinks are here. Then let's eat! First, let us clean the table to have supper together!" I said to end a childish argument between Shane and Mikael.

Food in the middle of the table, we started a merry dinner.

It saddened me when I was stuck with work. I thought I would miss having supper with the kids. Having a car and Luna revealing herself to the human is not bad but an advantage to us.

I watch my twin. Aisha and Janus cheerily talked with Shane and Kian. While Mikael offered me drinks, Xanther was quietly eating. But sometimes, he exchanges words with Aisha as my daughter sets her attention on him.

The rest of the men, including Janus, enthusiastically talk about school, movies, and cars. Janus is exchanging ideas with Shane. Meanwhile, Aisha keeps talking with Xanther, and Kian tries to talk with Luna. I noticed Shane was kicking him under the table. However, Luna just ignored the rest and enjoyed the coleslaw and potato salad.

Well, I am delighted to share another merry dinner with the Earthen. And it intrigues me. I am noticing how Aisha is drawing close to Xanther. I gave no meaning to it, but I feel Aisha is seeking a father's attention.

Should I allow them to have this from someone?

I know it was a dream to give them a complete family. But it wasn't right that my children sought it from other people. It caused me to feel depressed somehow. Maybe it is how it feels for a single parent like me.

'Priestess, don't think overly.' Luna said to me.

'I'm sorry, Luna. My brain got muddled up once again.' I shook off this emotion. It is unnecessary with such sentiments.

"Aunt Luna, do you like garlic fried chicken?" Shane offered. In his hand is a big piece of chicken.

"I'm not your aunt!" Luna blurts out. The veins appear on her forehead.

I can't help but smile. Luna eats anything but not chicken or food close to bird meat.

'This human wishes to be a chicken! Better to grill him, and I will eat him!' Luna stresses, harboring her displeasure for Shane.

'He doesn't know. Just let him be and refuse calmly.' I advised, hoping it would help.

Luna sighed and said to Shane, "I am on my diet. I don't want to eat any fats tonight."

I smirk in silence. That was from a drama we watched while chit-chatted with Sora, who made dresses for Luna. Yes. It was Sora who made the one Luna is wearing right now. Sora surpasses any known designer in this world. Not to mention, she has been making me dress for seven thousand and six hundred years already.

"I see. I would offer nothing tonight!" Shane said and took a bite at the piece of chicken he was holding.

"Humph!" Luna turned her head to snob Shane, but she continued putting a spoon of potato salad into her mouth.

Since the first day we met Shane, Luna has been boiling her blood for him. I don't know if there is a chance they will become friends one day, but I could see nothing wrong with my boss but his pride as royalty in this Society. Like a lion, he is a proud king.

Later, after having a wonderful meal, I went to the Coffee Room on this floor. But it startled me when Xanther followed.

"Zelena?"

"Manager Jang? Do you need anything?" I asked. I made tea with leaves to help us digest our food and have a pleasant sleep tonight. Eating much meat at night and having soda will cause discomfort to the human body.

"Do the kids have trouble at their school?" He asked afterward.

It surprised me his query. I am unsure how to reply to him. Why does he ask suddenly? It confuses me why he is showing concern about my children. Or is it he was this concerned about me being a single mother? Is he giving me a hint that he is interested in becoming my children's father?

Wait? Why am I assuming this stuff? As if we have a relationship? We are not even friends, I guess.

Oh, my. It looks like Mona has been influencing me with crazy ideas from her addiction to dramas and novels. Well, I watch many dramas too to learn human ways. It affects me significantly. I meet Xanther's eyes to measure his sincerity. He seems to inquire like a friend.

"Erm, Manager Jang. I would be honest. The kids usually get teased at school because they don't have a father. But my kids are smart and mature enough for their age. How they defend me from other parents who gossip about us surprises me. I could see that they would fight for me."

I hadn't noticed my voice shaking after my chest flooded with such emotion, the reason a few drops of tears fled from my eyes. It just…

Then, all of a sudden...

My eyes widened. I did not raise my guard but swayed in the flow of our talks. I found myself inside Xanther's arms.

I honestly didn't see it coming. Now my face turned crimson red, blushing, and remain frozen on the floor.

"They are beautiful."

Xanther whispered before he let me go and he left the Coffee Room. He left me speechless and shocked. The beating of my heart raced like a rabbit during Easter Egg all of a sudden.

Did Manager Jang comfort me? I asked myself, which I could still breathe, his fragrance lingering in my clothes.

Ah, what am I doing?

Gosh!

'Priestess, the tea.'

Luna reminded me. 'Ah! I'm bringing them now!'

Shit! I'm absent-minded, and I wouldn't say I like this feeling. Besides, I'm not a teenager anymore. Only Mona, excited over office romance and fangirling, has a scene like this in actual life. Like in those novels she reads, they feed dog food and cliché.

A friendly gesture shouldn't affect me. I need to settle myself.

'Hurry. Or I'll drop someone from this floor.'

I giggled. Shane is flirting with her and asks random questions.

All right!

I brought the tea; pretend nothing happened, and I am grateful that Xanther acts the same. I prefer this. I sighed with relief.

Over tea, we had a final discussion about the land, as we agreed on.

"So, tomorrow morning, I will expect everyone."

Tomorrow, we will fly toward Ridgewood County with the kids. They were too happy to learn about it.

I am sad we need to delay looking for our new house. And I haven't trained them yet, to cultivate their energy and learn to forge it as magic or a weapon.

Anyway, as long as I see them happy. That's what matters most to me.