A/N: This idea just popped in my head and wouldn't go away. I'm still debating water I should connect this to I Always Do, because I really did like that AU. I'll still add on to my other story.

I walked through the doors of the lobby's main entrance, trailed by my assistant. "Can you tell me what I have to do today, Denise?" I asked as I pressed the button for the executive elevator.

"Sure, Mr. Jackson."

"Sweetheart, what did I tell you about calling me that?"

"You told me to call you Percy," she responded with her head down.

"And?" I raised my eyebrows as we stepped into the elevator.

"That just because you're the CEO of Trident Inc. doesn't mean you don't have a first name." I smiled and patted her on the back. "Exactly! Now, carry on." God, she could be so incompetent sometimes.

"Okay... Percy. You have lunch with Mr. Grace and his sister at 12:30." I nodded to show I was listening and she continued, "And a meeting at 4:00 with Chase Arch-"

Pressing my finger against her lips, I scowled at her. "What did I tell you?"

"We're doing business with them, you're going to have to-"

"Shhhh."

"But I-"

"Shhhhh. Answer the question."

Denise nodded her head and looked back down. "You told me never to say her name in your presence... But you do know you're going to see her today, right?"

"Isn't there another architecture firm we can go to?" I really did not want to deal with the she-devil that was their CEO.

"There is, but you can't beat Cha- that firm's quality."

The elevator opened up and I stepped into my office, overlooking Los Angeles. To be honest, I preferred New York City over LA, but I went where the business took me and ended up here. "They better build us one hell of a building if I have to put up with her." Denise's feet shuffled behind me and she appeared by my side.

"If I may ask, why do the two of you dislike each other?" Denise asked hesitantly.

I pursed my lips and pushed away the memories. "Previous complications." She folded her hands together and looked down at her feet, not pursuing the topic. She was an idiot but at least she knew when to stop talking.

"You're meeting with him today, just so you know." Piper walked next to me, holding out cups of coffee.

"Please don't remind me, Piper. I'd rather not focus on him."

"Annabeth, it happened years ago, why do you still care?"

I stopped and bit my lip. "I would be able to move on if he didn't become a complete asshole!"

"If you plan on doing business with him, you're going to have to somewhat get along." I really did hate it when she was right. "He'll be at the firm at 4:00, in case you forgot."

"How could I forget?" I said, pushing back a hair that had fallen in front of my eyes.

"Are you going to be okay?" Piper put her hand on my shoulder.

No

"Yes. Why wouldn't I be?"

"How do I look?" I asked, running my hand through my hair. Nico gave me a once over and pulled up in front of the building. "You look fine. Why are you asking?" I slouched back against the car seat, examining my hair in the rear view mirror.

"I don't even know why I'm stressing about this. It's just a meeting," I said to myself. What was wrong with me?

"Maybe because the last time you saw her didn't end so well," Nico shrugged, "but that's just what I think."

"It was a rhetorical question."

"No it wasn't."

"Yeah, it wasn't." I seriously couldn't win an argument against that guy. It's like he stared into your soul and already knew everything about you.

"Dude, just relax. Now get out of the car so I can park already." I stepped out of the car and waved as he drove away.

Let's get this over with.

After walking through the rotating doors, I was greeted by cheerful, red-haired girl. She held out her hand to me and smiled. "I'm Rachel. You must be Mr. Jackson." I lifted her hand and kissed it, grinning at her. "Please, call me Percy."

Her face turned as red as her hair and she smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles on her dress. "Of course, Percy. Let me take you to Ms. Chase's office."

Nope. I can't do this.

Despite my brain's complete shutdown, I found myself following what's-her-name to Annabeth's office.

Stop following her and run while you can, you idiot!

We stopped in front of a glass set of double doors, and there she sat on the other side behind her desk. "Here we are, Percy." That red haired girl pushed the door open, motoining for me to go in.

I walked in to the large office and turned back to her and winked. "Thanks." She blushed again and began to close the door. "No problem," she said through giggles.

"Real classy, Jackson." The sound of her voice made all the hairs on my neck stand on end. "Flirting with my secretary right in front of me? I see you haven't changed much." She nodded towards a chair in front of her desk. "Have a seat."

"I would say it's good to see you again, Annabeth, but unfortunately, it isn't."

A little uncalled for.

"The feeling's mutual, Percy. Now are we going to discuss business or are we going to argue for the next hour?"

Even though I hated her guts, I couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked. She'd matured well and looked like a civilized business woman. I on the other hand still looked like an inexperienced young adult who was in over his head.

She cleared her throat and raised her eyebrows. "Hello? Anybody in there?"

"Yeah, sorry. I zoned out for a little bit." I sat down in front of the desk and crossed my arms. "So what've you got for me, Wise Girl?"

Annabeth froze at the mention of her old nickname, then quickly regained her composure. "We read up on your requests and I came up with this." Pulling open a drawer in her desk, she brought out a folder and handed it to me. I opened the folder and studied the sketches and drawings. "Annabeth, these are amazing! You did a great job," I said, looking back up at her.

She's smiling! Say something to make her hate you!

"Thanks, Percy. If you like that design, we can come make model of it to show you something a little more concrete."

"That'd be awesome."

Was that supposed to make her hate you?

"Well, let's get to the boring part and discuss the cost of the project and all that." She began to pull out a binder when I stopped her. "How about we make the boring part a little more interesting by discussing it over dinner?"

Are you insane? Stop! Make her say no! Say you were kidding!

Annabeth laughed a little, making me feel a little... disappointed? What the hell was happening? "Are you asking me on a date, Percy?"

"No! Think of it as a meeting." Yeah, that's what it was: a meeting.

"Sure. I don't see why not," she said. "Where are we going?"

"Since I am your client, it's your job to take me places. You decide," I replied.

"I know a great restaurant down the street if you want to go right now."

"Now's a good time for me," I said, getting a little too excited.

What did you get yourself into? You know you can't do this!

"Then let's go." Annabeth smiled and walked to her office door.

We sat down at a table in the back of the restaurant. He even was nice enough to pull out my chair for me when we first walked in. Dinner went by with a few jokes here and there and embarrassing memories, mostly brought up by me. Percy was always the one to do the most stupid things.

I sighed and leaned back into my chair. "What happened to us, Percy? How did we just lose it?"

He paused and wiped his mouth. "I don't know. I guess it was just out jobs and all that got in the way."

"Right now, it feels like I'm talking to the old Percy." I reached out and held his hand. "You know, the Percy that would sing to me through the phone when I couldn't sleep. Or the Percy that came to my apartment in the middle of the night to kill a spider because no one else was home but me. You were so... nice."

For a moment, it looked like there was softness in his eyes, but it quickly left and he pulled his hand away. "Well, that Percy had to learn that being nice doesn't really get you anywhere."

"Is that why you pushed me away? Is that why pushed all your friends away?"

"Annabeth, it's not like that..."

I gave him time to explain and he didn't, so I pushed out my chair out and got up. "Meeting's over. I'll call you when the plans are finalized." He stared blankly at his plate, the sparkle in his eyes long gone, replaced by a dull haze.

"What happened to you?" I sighed and began to walk away. "Goodbye, Percy."

I let her go. I just let her get up and go. Well, it's not the first time, so I'll just have to get used to it.

I smiled halfheartedly at the waiter as I asked for the check.

Was it really worth it? Is all of this even worth it? The one friend I have is Nico and he's my cousin. The only relationship I have with Thalia and Jason is through business. And Annabeth... she doesn't even want anything to do with me, well, this me. The answer's no, but it's already too late.

Piper waved at me as I stepped into the building. I waved back weakly and rushed to the elevator, not wanting to talk to anyone. Before the elevator could close, Piper stepped in with me. "How'd your little date with Percy go?"

"Not now, Piper," I said, quietly.

"What happened?"

"He's distant as always." I closed my eyes and leaned up against the wall, feeling drained.

"He didn't look distant when you two were waking out of here." Piper nudged me on the shoulder in an effort to cheer me up.

"I caught a glimpse of the old him for a little bit and I thought I could bring him back, but he shut me out."

I felt her arm wrap around me and she rubbed my back. "I'm sorry it didn't work out, Annabeth."

"Don't be. He probably isn't."

A/N: Draaaaammmmmmaaaaaa! But anyways, feel free to tell me if I should link this to I Always Do through reviews. Hey, that rhymes!