Percy watched her from across the room.
Gods, she was beautiful.
She probably didn't realize that half the male population at the Gala had turned their heads towards her the moment she'd stepped in. The other half were under very close watch from their wives. Percy held back a snicker.
He didn't blame them though. He hadn't been able to take his eyes off her either. He saw the graceful steps she took longside her parents. He saw the way her hands clenched around her date's arm, who happened to be her brother. He saw her whisper nervously to him as they neared the hosts. He saw her relax after her second glass of champagne. He saw how the red dress fitted her like a glove. His fingers twitched slightly around his half-filled glass.
"Hey, Percy." Grover came to a halt beside him. "Have you seen Juniper around here?"
"Hmmm?" He slowly turned his head, not taking his eyes off her. Only when his friend cleared his throat did Percy reluctantly release his gaze from her.
"Something catch your eye?" Grover sent him a crooked smirk. "Cause you've never been one to ignore me."
"Who's she?" He sent a small nod in her direction.
"Annabeth Chase." Another voice said. The two men turned. Thalia Grace sauntered towards them, with a smirk. "Evening, gentleman."
"Thals." Percy raised his glass to her. "Nice party."
"I've had better." She sighed dramatically. "But Father insisted on it. But why the question about Annabeth?"
"Percy's smitten." Grover chuckled, ignoring his friend's glare.
"I am not." He sipped his drink. "Just curious."
"Curious my arse." Thalia snorted. "I know men, Jackson. Don't try to fool me."
Percy rolled his eyes.
"But be warned. I do not tolerate shallow men who only want to get into my best friend's pants." She sent him a slight frown. Percy shrugged.
"I'm a gentleman, Thalia." He said lowly. "Can't trust your cousin?"
Thalia only stared at him, analyzing him as he continued to sip his drink. "Fine. But," She held up a finger at him, "Hurt her in any way and I swear I'll make to wish you never did."
She walked away.
"Leave it with Thalia to have triumphant exits." Grover laughed. "I'm going to find Juniper, so stay clear of trouble."
"I'm a saint, Underwood." Percy mocked frowned at him, placing a hand over his heart. "It pains me to know my best friend has so little faith in me."
Grover scoffed as he walked away.
Annabeth Chase, Percy thought as he found her again. She was seated at a table close to his parents, and saw her lean out to say something to his mother. Sally grinned and shook her head. A hello wouldn't hurt, would it?
"Percy!" Sally beamed as he approached their table. "Come meet Malcolm's little sister."
He held back a smile as he patted malcolm on the back. "How've you been, Mal?"
Annabeth snickered but covered it with a cough. Percy didn't miss the glare his collegue sent her way.
"I've been good." He said and motioned towards her with a mock glare. "That over there is my sister."
"You wound me, Malcolm." She placed a hand over her heart and laughed, before giving Percy her hand. Percy caught a glimpse of her surprise when he held it up to his lips.
"It's an honor to meet you, Miss Chase."
She laughed lightly.
"That, Malcolm," She turned back to her brother, "is how you treat a lady."
"Annabeth," Malcolm swallowed, "this is my boss, Mr. Percy Jackson."
"Nonsense, we are at a informal gathering." Percy laughed. "Me and Malcolm went to college together and after we graduated, he took over part of Chase and Sons."
"Malcolm and I." She murmured. Percy stopped.
"Excuse me?"
"Malcolm and I. You said 'me and Malcolm'." A small blush crept up her neck as Percy stared at her. "Most people say it, but it's incorrect."
She has princess curls. Percy thought as he watched the blush grow larger. It cascaded down her shoulders, resting over her breasts.
"Yes..." He nodded. "Forgive me, Malcolm and I have known each other for some time."
She nodded before looking behind him, resuming her chat with his mother. Percy ignored the twinkling glances Sally sent his way every now and then. He could almost see the gears working.
"Percy, I wanted to talk to you about that deal that-"
"Malcolm, we're at Zeus' party." Percy raised an eyebrow at him. "Relax, flirt, drink, dance, I don't care. Just keep work for tomorrow." He chuckled and patted him on the back as he passed by him. "Tomorrow will be here soon enough."
And I may never see Annabeth again.
His eyebrows furrowed as he sat at the bar, ignoring the seductive glances he received. Annabeth. Her name rolled off his tongue as he said it quietly. He liked the ring it had. And he liked the ring her laugh had. It send shivers up his spine, and made him feel things he wasn't supposed to. She was his collegue's sister. She was Athena's daughter. He was supposed to find a bratty, ill-bred girl. But no. He found a gorgeous lady, with the poise and manners that would make his Aunt Hestia proud. She was sweet, her eyes were kind and humourous. He felt like drowning in her grey storm clouds.
As he downed a last of his old fashioned, he caught sight of red dress exiting towards the balcony.
His feet were weaving through the dancing crowd towards the exit before he could register
She was leaning against the edge, staring at the lights below.
"Not a fan of dancing?"
She jumped.
"Mr. Jackson."
"It's Percy." He smiled and stopped next to her. "Me neither. I always end up stepping on someone's toes."
He heard her chuckle.
"I actually love dancing, but," she eyed the crowd warily, "this isn't really my crowd."
"What is your crowd?" He asked, glancing at her lips. Damn, why did she have to wear red lipstick? Couldn't she have chosen black, or blue, or pink, or even, he shuddered, mauve? Why red?
"Quiet, one on one." She smiled softly, before turning back to the view. "With no one to tell em whether I dance bad, or good, where I should improve, or if it's too close or too aloof."
Gods, he wanted to kiss her badly. Pull her up against him, those red lips pressed firmly against his. He wnated to run his hands through her curls, to slowly feel her back with his hands, to touch her legs-
"-seem to not like it."
He blinked. "Excuse me?"
Annabeth cocked her head to the side, staring at him. He saw the tips of her lips twitch.
"I asked why you seem to not like the party, as everyone talks about it almost all year around."
"Oh," he hoped he wasn't blushing, "family, I guess. Got to love them but still hate them, you know? I actually only come because my mother makes me."
She nodded, glancing back as they heard cheers.
"You intrigue me, Miss Chase." He said softly. "You're not like most women I meet."
He saw a glimmer of amusement flash in her eyes.
"You have no idea, Percy."
She smirked.
"Don't get carried away, I might just be your worst nightmare."
