"I never thought I would see you here, Mr. Davis," I said.
But I am praying no one will misinterpret seeing us chatting in the middle of the school corridor.
"It also surprised me to meet the twins."
I scanned him thoroughly. It amazes me. Even Mikael's smile changes. It was full of demure and elegance, like a Prince in those movies I watched for years to learn more about the mortals on this planet. That rebellious teenage boy seems never to exist.
"She captures another man to flirt."
"Isn't she with her husband?"
"And where did you get that information? She had no husband."
"But someone dropped her by earlier."
"We were neighbors, so I know her story! Besides, look at her. How old must she be when she gives birth to her children? I know she lied about what she said 30 years old. Could you believe her? I know she gives birth when she's 15!"
"Is that even true?"
I heard everything. They're at it again. But I won't care about them gossiping about me that all base their perceptions.
"Look at her, she found another man to flirt with, and it was the Guidance Counselor."
"And the car you see earlier must be her sugar daddy!"
"Definitely! With her pretty face, she can get wealthy men who will make her a mistress!"
"What are you talking about, old hag?"
"What did you call me?"
"Old hag," Janus answered without blinking.
"You filthy mouth, child! I expect less for a kid who grows up without a father! Your mother did not discipline you! How disrespectful!"
"We don't need a father to teach us to be respectful to people who are not worth respecting! Our mommy did not do anything wrong to you! Why are you always gossiping about her?"
"Huh! Both of you are just kids! You don't know what your mother has been doing! Hmph!"
"You are telling lies to other people!" Aisha joined in to defend their mother.
"Kids, what's going on? I told you not to pick a fight against your classmates, but why are you arguing with the elderly instead?"
"Because they were talking lies about you, mommy!"
"Even so, I told you to ignore them," I calmly told my children. I perceive in their eyes the desire to protect me.
"But it wasn't true that you have a sugar daddy or dating random men!"
It stunned me. I could see that my kids were maturer than their age. Maybe they pretend to be ten years old, but their understanding is twice that.
They now understood that people throw stones at me, judging me and questioning my life. I could not help to smile and hugging my kids.
"Honey, next time, don't fight with the elderly. That's not nice. There is nothing to get angry with when your mommy tells me how she looks young, and no one believes my age."
"Huh. She only has a pretty face! But there is nothing special about her!"
My neighbor yells at me. She tried to say it with a lower voice, but I could hear it clearly. So I remain a sweet smile on my face.
"See? My pretty face is unique." I tried to sound cute, like those K-dramas leading lady we watched during the weekend. "It would last thousands of years, and I can do nothing about it!"
"I know many people spending a fortune to be as young as I am. But, even if they swam and drank into the ocean of collagen, they wouldn't last a hundred years. But your mommy?" I wink.
"I will stay 15 years old through eternity!" I pose and show a heart using both of my hands. My kids giggle. "Eh? Didn't I do it properly? Song Hye Kyo poses like this, right?" I am talking about a famous Korean actress.
'Hah. You should tell them you are not 15 years old, but 15 thousand years old!' Luna laughed hard, rolling above the lake.
That was true. I am 15 thousand years old and have been living in this Universe that long already. Being young forever is a privilege, even a million years as a Celestial Deity.
I'm sure it would shock them to hear this, but these facts are just laughable for Earthen mortals because their life span only lasts a hundred years.
"Let's go, honey. I'll treat you out today! Since Superman saved the day, I'll buy you extra ice cream!"
"Can I have more flavors, mommy!?" Janus requested happily.
"How about a bowl of ice cream?"
"Yes!"
I beamed. My children's smiles are my happiness. This is not the first time they pointed us out because my children have no father.
"Mommy, did the Superman are you talking about? Is the one who dropped you by?"
Aisha whispered to me.
"Yes! I should have been late if the Uber driver did not drive a sports car."
"Wow! Can we ride it too?"
"Oh. Now I remember, there are only two seats in the car."
Ugh. I lied. Goddess, you shouldn't lie. But I did. Mortals made me do such a thing to keep living as an ordinary being on this planet. I wonder if this habit should keep on. I feel wrong, but maybe this is what they called white lies.
'Don't feel guilty about it. This is fun! Is that guy an Uber driver? Wahahaha!'
'Enough, Luna. It isn't very comfortable to name my boss as an Uber driver. He's kind enough to help me, and not to mention he gets hurt saving me. Besides, there is no sports car as an Uber service!'
'Hmph! But these stupid mortals deserve punishment!'
'Just remind me not to lie again. It exhausts me.'
'No. You were exhausted because half of your energy was left at Lunaria Sanctuary to seal that floating island.'
That's right. As a High Priestess, I have my sanctuary, separate from the eternal kingdoms. Before I fled from the Celestial Universe, I sealed my dwelling place.
"Let's go now, kids," I led them to the main door when I could still hear whispers.
"Look at that! She's shameful! I wonder why these kids' fathers don't take responsibility for their children. She appears pretty, but there must be something wrong about her."
'Let me out here in an instance, Priestess! And I will do the beating!'
'Don't bother, Luna. We were accustomed to this mortal's nature.'
'But I am not! You are a High Priestess in the Celestial Universe! I won't forgive these mortals accusing you! I could punish this entire planet!'
'They don't know what and where that place is. Their knowledge of the Universe is limited.'
'Humph! Okay, fine!'
Luna won't give up if I won't explain. I know she cares for me. And living on this planet is such hard work for me to fit in and have a low-profile lifestyle.
"Let's go, kids." We resume walking.
"Where are her parents? It seems they also abandoned her."
They never stop... I sighed.
"Or she probably sold to someone.''
"Or maybe her kids are illegitimate; that is why she has no husband."
"Enough! I won't allow you to keep displaying this ugly scene to the kids!"
"Mr. Davis... we are just telling the truth."
"What truth do you know about her? Miss Zelena's husband died before the twins were born! You, parents, in this society, should be a moral example for your children!"
There is firmness in Mikael's voice. It stunned me that he voices out for me.
"But what are you showing instead? Parents should be role models for their children. Not attacking another parent because you want to assume you know their story and your judgment is true. I won't tolerate this in my school. If anyone I caught gossiping about another parent within my Academy and a hundred meters away outside, I will ban you from stepping inside my Academy!"
The parents shut their mouths. The corridor is filled with students and other parents who picked up their children.
"Mr. Davis, do you know Miss Henderson?"
A parent from my kid's class has the bravery to ask.
"We were neighbors back in Finland before."
Mikael replied. He glanced at us before he turned around and left the crowded corridor.
Today's scene will only worsen my relationship with this particular group of parents. But I guess this will help those who they also attack. I am not the only one who gossip and judge.