Goddess Kiss

Chapter 4.1

And that change, I think, started ever since Athena showed up in my bedroom, followed by Aphrodite in my bathroom, and now... another goddess was sitting in my patient consultation chair.

"Hestia?" I asked, disbelief mingling with awe.

"The goddess of the hearth? What are you doing here? You're not going to tell me you're here to give me a cooking lesson, are you?"

She smiled, a gentle, warm smile radiating peace and serenity.

A woman of simple grace, her features delicate and kind, she wore a long, flowing gown, and her rich dark brown hair was pulled back in a loose braid.
She had a calming presence, like a warm fire on a cold night.

"I've come to offer you a gift, Louise," she said, her voice a soft, soothing melody.
"A symbol of hope and prosperity."

She held out a branch of flowers, a simple sprig with five leaves. "These are for you, Louise. They represent a bountiful life, a good harvest, and peace in your home."

"Flowers?" I asked, brow furrowing.
"I mean, they're nice, but... what am I supposed to do with them? Are these like a get-well-soon bouquet for my heart? Because I'm pretty sure my heart needs more than five leaves to feel better."

"Keep them close, Louise," she replied, her smile unwavering.
"They will bring you good fortune and protect you from harm."

"Sounds like a good luck charm," I muttered to myself, scratching my chin.
"My mom loves collecting anting-anting. She'd probably think this is a real treasure. Maybe I can get her to make me a cheese-flavored amulet out of it."

Hestia chuckled, a soft, melodic sound.
"Your mother has a good heart, Louise. She understands the power of these things."

I shrugged, feeling a little overwhelmed by the sudden influx of goddesses in my life.

"So, this is what, my 'divine intervention' package?" I asked, trying to inject a bit of humor into the situation.

"A goddess of wisdom, a goddess of love, and now a goddess of home and hearth? What's next? A goddess of cheese? Because I'm pretty sure I could use a little divine guidance in the cheese department."

Hestia laughed, a warm, genuine sound that filled the room with a sense of comfort.

"You're a funny one, Louise," she said, her eyes twinkling.
"But I think you're going to need all the help you can get."

"Help with what?" I asked, my voice a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"What's going on? Is there a divine intervention sale going on? Because I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who needs a little help right now"

"You're in the middle of something big, Louise," Hestia said, her gaze unwavering. "Something that will change the world."

"I'm just a doctor," I said, my voice a tired sigh.
"I'm just trying to save lives. And maybe make a few cheese-related discoveries along the way."

"And you're doing a good job," Hestia said, her smile softening. "But you're also meant to do more than that, Louise. You're meant to bring balance to the world, to restore harmony. And maybe, just maybe, find a cheese that can cure all ills."

"Balance? Harmony?" I asked, mind reeling.
"I'm just a guy who loves cheese and tries to keep his patients alive. How am I supposed to do that? I'm not even sure I can keep my own life balanced. I'm pretty sure I'm about to be declared 'officially crazy' by every doctor in Athens."

"You'll find your way, Louise," Hestia said, her voice a gentle whisper.
"Trust your instincts, follow your heart, and never forget the importance of home and family. And cheese, of course, never forget the cheese."

With a final smile, Hestia vanished, leaving me alone in my office, the sprig of flowers clutched in my hand.

I looked at them, a simple gift from a goddess, a symbol of hope and prosperity.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" I muttered to myself, feeling a mix of bewilderment and a strange sense of excitement. "Maybe I should just put it in my Pandora box. It'll be a good luck charm for my next cheese-tasting adventure."

As I looked at the delicate flowers, a sense of calm washed over me. It was as if Hestia's presence had brought peace to my chaotic world.

"Maybe I'm not so crazy after all," I whispered, voice a mix of relief and hope.
"Maybe I'm just a doctor about to embark on a journey he never expected. And maybe, just maybe, it'll involve a lot of cheese."

I trudged into my bedroom, the sprig of flowers from Hestia clutched tightly in my hand.
It felt like a strange talisman, a reminder of the bizarre events of the past few days.
I tossed my bag onto the floor, my body aching from the long hours in the operating room.

As I turned toward my bedroom, I saw her.

Athena.

She was perched on the edge of my bed, silver eyes fixed on me, expression unreadable.

"Athena," I said, voice a mixture of surprise and resignation.
"What are you doing here? And why are you looking at me like I've just committed a crime?"

"Do not step foot in the Parthenon," she said, voice cool and steady. A hint of urgency laced her words, clear indication of the danger she perceived.

"Seriously?" I asked, brow furrowing.
"I just came from there last month. I was my patient's personal tour guide. I even helped her climb to the top. I'm pretty sure I've seen every nook and cranny of that place."

"It's not about your familiarity with the place, Louise," she said, gaze unwavering.
"It's about the dangers that lurk within."

"Dangers?" I scoffed, voiced a mix of skepticism and annoyance. "You mean, like, tourists who can't read the signs? Or pigeons dropping their bombs on unsuspecting visitors? I've seen it all, Athena. The Parthenon is not exactly a hotbed of danger."

"You don't understand, Louise," she said, voice warning.
A hint of frustration flickered in her silver eyes, frustration born from the knowledge that I wasn't taking her seriously.

"I'm a doctor, Athena. My destiny is to save lives. I don't have time for loitering around ancient ruins."

"You have been warned. Do not step foot in the Parthenon," she said, voice a chilling whisper. A hint of sadness lingered in her tone.

With a final, chilling glance, Athena vanished into thin air, leaving me standing alone in my bedroom, the sprig of flowers clutched in my hand.

"What is she talking about?" I muttered, mind racing.
"Is she serious? The Parthenon? I mean, I'm not exactly a fan of ancient ruins, but I'm not going to let some goddess scare me off."

I tossed myself onto the bed, body aching from the long hours in the operating room.
I needed to rest, to recharge.
I had a busy week ahead, and I had to be ready for anything.

"My birthday is next week," I whispered, a small smile playing on my lips.
"Mama is coming home for my birthday. I have to be free by then. No ancient ruins, no goddesses-just my mama, my cheese, and a good night's sleep."

I closed my eyes, trying to shut out thoughts of Athena and her warnings.