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Encounter

Their first encounter outside Olympus didn't happen in a breezy December afternoon under the lights of a fading orange sky.

Their first encounter outside Olympus didn't happen in a breezy December afternoon under the lights of a fading orange sky. They weren't enjoying themselves in a fancy restaurant drinking champagne. He wasn't holding her hand. And she wasn't leaning on him. Against all romantic clichés known to mankind, their first meeting after working hours happened in the wee hours of the morning. Exactly, five o'clock am, in a convenient store. He was wearing a V-neck and she—well, she still hadn't showered.

So who could blame our favorite Persephone when she decided to take her woven sweater and comfy bunny slippers outside?

It was September and it was freezing.

No one would probably be up anyway.

What were the odds of seeing someone at five freaking AM on a cold September?

Persephone went along her usual chore of gliding through the mart convinced that the hour was far too unbearable for anyone she knew to show up. Picking her usual necessities mainly in the instant noodles shelf, the young miss sighed. Maybe, if she didn't ran away from her home in Paris she wouldn't be living off in instant foods today. Her mother would've love for her to come back. The mere thought of returning though made Persephone shuddered.

There was a reason to why she fled home. The story wasn't really fantastic.

She'd rather have that one discussed in a different chapter.

Right, so she was randomly choosing between instant ramen and instant yakisoba when she started hearing footsteps from behind her.

What was the cashier's name again?

Carlos? Carl? Or was it Edwin?

Man, she was bad at names.

She didn't really paid attention to it at first. The dude was probably just checking out the accuracy of the price list.

They really have to update that by the way.

But when the footsteps came into a halt just a few paces away from her, as if the person was thinking whether to approach her or not, she couldn't help but raise a brow.

This dude should be there for a good reason.

Then again maybe it was free coupon day.

If it was, she wasn't complaining.

She turned around expecting to see a freckled teen struggling for a part-time job like her (except of course she's twenty-two) but what she saw or—errr, who she saw was not someone even close to that description.

"Persephone?"

It was Hades.

The freakin' favorite of her dad.

Alright imagine seeing a well-paid surgeon and a good friend of your father's while in your pajamas. That's kinda how it felt like. She was wearing baggy clothes, her hair was a big mess and yeah, she was wearing her bunny slippers. Maybe if he was a little more like her when it comes to his state of dress, she wouldn't be blushing from embarrassment now. That's gonna be impossible though seeing that he seems to sleep in black V-neck.

And she actually thought that he'd look at least a little more cluttered without the scrub suit.

Screw him and his perfection in dress.

"Hades, hi."

Not the best reply but so far so good. Right. How does one converse to a young woman in unsexy sleepwear? Not her problem.

"I thought I knew you."

She laughed. Well, she might as well proceed to small talk. "Out for a jog?"

If you need to know, yes, he is sweating. And no, you cannot ask Persephone more about that subject.

"I start at three." He replied with a grin.

"I didn't know you live in the neighborhood."

"Oh, I don't."

She squinted. "Staying with a female friend?"

He smirked. "Staying with a female sister."

Oh. Well that's unexpected.

"Older?"

"Same age."

"You have a twin?"

He chuckled.

"We have the same father."

Wow, now that's really something unexpected.

"Been there." She toppled down a stack of inorganic substances or as how most people call it, instant food. "I can't say, I can't relate. Anyways, you here for a water bottle or something?"

"I'm supposed to get a quick cup of coffee but it seems like they ran out." He took the grocery basket from her, his eyes never leaving its contents. "I didn't think you were a junk eater."

"I'm not. But I'm living off my own budget here and rental prices are far from going down."

"You aren't staying with Zeus?"

"Independence called for me to leave home."

He looked at her in incredulity. She stared back with slight mockery. Gray eyes clashed with two emeralds. Inquiring but never really asking. She smiled at him for absolutely no reason. He bit his lower lip before abandoning the grocery basket in store's floor. Hidden by the lines of shelved goods, it was hardly noticeable. He took her by the wrist, forcing her to follow.

"Come on, we're leaving."

"Excuse me?"

Yes, in your average chick flicks this would've been the part where the princess would just go so that prince charming could do his job. Apparently, Persephone forgot her first lessons in fairy tales and ruined the fantasy with that single expression.

"I'm not going to let my boss' daughter eat monster-filled preservatives."

"Ahhh, I see your one of those paranoid organic-eating hipsters."

"It's known as eating healthy." He tugged on her a little more forceful this time. "C'mon."

"I need to buy my groceries, Hades."

"I'll take care of it."

"And where exactly are we going?"

"I need my daily dose of caffeine and you are going with me."

"And why would I do that?"

He smiled at her. And just like the last time, it wasn't broad but it was genuine. At this point, Persephone was blushing far redder than she had been for years now. God, this is embarrassing. Imagine yourself being technically asked out by a man of jet-black hair, winter whitish skin, angular jaws and well-defined muscled forearms. You definitely do not say no. And you absolutely ask no more about it and just go.

"I hardly know the neighborhood. I need a guide. I promise you'll have your groceries this afternoon, free of charge."

Alright, this is the man who stopped Zeus' incessant pressing about your career choice. This is the man who doesn't mind seeing you in your pajamas and actually wants to go out for a coffee with you. This is the man who is, in a sense, giving you a whole week's salary by offering to pay for your groceries.

Only an idiot would think it over.

"I know a place."

Thanks for reading!

Yours truly,
Ms. Reen