Nico's POV

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Argh why must alarm clocks be so loud? I glared at it but it continued assaulting my ears so I got up. I took a quick shower and changed into a suit, Armani, of course. I got into my sleek black car (a gift from daddy dear) and drove to work.

-driving-

I took the elevator to my office, the unlucky 13th floor.

"Heyyyyy", a voice called to me. I grinned. Rachel was sitting in my squishy leather chair, her legs up on my desk. She was wearing a skirt…a really short one and long black heels.

"Hey there, beautiful." I said walking over to her and leaning on my desk, "Nice skirt."

She rolled her eyes and giggled, "Come here, you." I gladly obliged. Maybe Rachel wasn't the bright bulb in the chandelier but she was a damn good kisser. She moved so that I could sit in the chair and she sat on my lap (A/N: Sorry readers…but they ARE dating, they need to be coupley :( ). I was…ahem, occupied when I heard a cough at my door. I looked up.

It was Thalia.

Of course it would be her because the Three Fates hate me which means I always get caught up in awkward situations. I tried to detangle myself from Rachel but she had me locked in a death gripe and wouldn't let go.

"Um, Thalia honey?" Rachel asked, "This really isn't a good time. Can we talk later?"

Thalia gave Rachel one of her famous death glares, "Yeah I really don't want to be here either but sadly I have orders from higher powers to retrieve Nico for a quest."

"From Zeus?" I asked, confusedly.

She rolled her eyes and gave me a "you-are-an-imbecile" look, "No from Mr. Dare. He's calling a meeting right now…so I'd make yourself erm…presentable." Apparently referring to my loosened tie and slightly unbuttoned shirt. Then she left.

"Ugh do you have to go?" Rachel asked, pulling me closer.

"Sorry babe." I said, pushing her gently off me and fixing my tie, "He might be your dad, but he's my boss."

"Can I come?" she asked, hopefully.

"Well…this meeting seems to be work related and I know you and your dad have a deal about you not getting involved in company meetings so…" I trailed off. Rachel looked pretty pissed, "But I'll meet you for lunch?"

"OMIGODS TOTALLY!" she squealed giving me a hug, "See you later Nicky!" She kissed my cheek and left.

I made my way towards the elevator to Mr. Dare's office which was on the top floor, Floor 20. The elevator stopped on the 14th floor to reveal Alexander Green, son of Demeter.

I nodded politely but otherwise didn't say a thing. I really didn't like this guy, he was a typical Demeter kid. Whiny, wimpy, and all he really cared about was some goddamn grass. Plus he was really touchy about the Hades-Persephone-Demeter thing. I mean, give it a rest! It's been like four millennia since that happened! I've even talked to Persephone and she's said that she's grown to love Hades (cue "awing"). Plus these Demeter kids hate me because their stupid flowers die in winter. Yeah Hades is the God of Death but it's Demeter's fault the plants die! They die because she goes into a six-month depression! It's not even like I go around stomping the life outta their stupid plants. Do I look like NICO FLOWER-KILLER AND LAWNMOWER? The only Demeter kid who I've met and respect is Katie Gardner. She's really passionate about her plants but she doesn't treat me badly for being Hades's kid. Anyways my little rant is over.

The elevator stopped at the top floor and Alex got out without giving me a second glance. I snorted to myself and followed. I entered Mr. Dare's office to see Mr. Dare, Thalia, and Alex already seated. I took a seat across from Thalia and next to Mr. Dare, who was at the head of the table.

"Ah, Nico my boy! Good to see you! Taking good care of my little girl?" he asked in his booming voice.

"Yes, sir." I said politely. Thalia stifled a snort. Then only did I notice how close Alex was sitting to her. It was more than colleague close…it was I-think-you're-super-hot-and-I-want-to-date-you close. Another thing to add to my list of things I hate about him. By the way, this really had nothing to do with Thalia, I just didn't want him perving on her or something.

"Good, good. Now have you met Thalia Grace yet?" he asked me.

"Yes we've known each other for quite some time." Oh man that was awkward. Thalia was avoiding my gaze and Alex the Perv was moving ever closer to her.

"And you know Alex, as well?" he asked happily. Sadly yes, I do know Alex the Creep. Pedophile. Whatever you wanna call him.

"Yes, sir." I replied.

"Excellent! Then the three of you will have no problem traveling to Los Angeles together!" WHAT?

Thalia's POV

CRAZY MAN OFF HIS ROCKER! HE WANTED ME, NICO, AND ALEX TO TRAVEL CROSS COUNTRY…TOGETHER?

I cleared my throat, "Come again, sir?"

"You see there are many companies in California that make solar panels and they prefer to conduct operations face-to-face as opposed to over the phone or email. As head and deputy of the Green Department, I am counting on you to make sure these transactions take place." Mr. Dare seemed very pleased with himself.

"Uh, sir…why am I going?" Nico asked, "I'm not in the Green Department."

"Because I need a lawyer to travel with them to do the paperwork, work out the fineprint, and make sure the deals are written in our favor!" Ugh, he had to have a valid reason?

The phone rang and Mr. Dare picked it up. It looked like an important call and he completely ignored the three of us. I sat there awkwardly trying not to look at Nico. My ADHD mind kept drifting off…was Alex sitting closer to me or what? He and Nico seemed to have a mutual hate relationship…

…whoa they're so different…like Alex is easy going and you always know how he's feeling while Nico is more closed and mysterious. Alex looked uncomfortable in dress clothes, wearing only a dress shirt and a loosened tie while Nico was all style, wearing a very professional black suit that made him look...um...professional! That's what I was going for! I promise!

They were both good looking but Alex's face screamed "LOVE ME!" and was adorable while Nico had a darker, sexier vibe. Oh my gods. I did not just think that. I am going to blot that from my permanent memory…I blushed. Alex noticed.

"Hey Thals, why you blushing?" he teased, "Is it because I'm here?" Nico shot him a dirty look.

"I…um…" He moved closer, casually draping his arm on the shoulder of my chair. Nico looked like he wanted to throttle him.

"It's okay babe." Alex said, "I tend to have that effect on beautiful women." Oh my gods I bet my face was bright red.

"What effect?" Nico snapped, "Being incredibly irritating?" We both looked at him. Alex recovered first and continued, "It's okay Thalia if you're attracted to me, I am incredibly sexy."

WHAT? Yes he was cute. Yes he was adorable. Yes he was even kind of hot. But no, he was not a sex god, leave that to Ni – I am not going to finish that sentence. (A/N: Who else thinks there's a difference between cute/adorable and hot/sexy? I do!)

Luckily Mr. Dare saved me from answering by finished his call, "Are we all clear?" he asked.

"I'm not objecting to this trip, but this is my second day on the job. Why are you sending on a business trip without seeing how I work?" I asked, truthfully.

Mr. Dare laughed, "I like your bluntness young lady. But Nico here personally recommended you for head of the Green Department and seeing how he's turning out to be a fine young man, I took his input into consideration!" Whoa whoa whoa, back up. Nico freaking influenced me getting a job? Nico was avoiding my eyes and coloring slightly.

"I…erm…thanks Nico?" I said in shock.

"Uh…donmentionit." He mumbled.

Alex spoke for the first time, "So when are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow, preferably. You tickets have already been booked, you fly from JFK to LAX tomorrow. Hotel reservations have been made. Initially you should be there for three to four days, but that may change depending on how the negotiations go. Oh! And you'll be issued credit cards that will link you to the company's bank account but I trust you'll use them wisely?" he asked pointedly. We all nodded.

"Will Rachel be coming with us?" Nico asked politely. PLEASE SAY NO, PLEASE SAY NO.

"No." YES! "While I do understand the…erm…feelings between you and my daughter I will not send her traipsing across the country with you. I wouldn't want her to…er…lose anything." BAHAHAHAHA Nico turned bright red at that! If he means her virginity, sorry Daddy Dare! That was gone a looooong time ago! I managed to convert my storm of laughter into a choking coughing fit.

"Thalia! Are you okay?" Alex practically pounced on me, worried.

"I…haha…am…fine." I said, taking huge gasps between each word, "Don't…worry…about…me…wouldn't…don't…lose…your…" and I burst into another storm of laughter. Mr. Dare looked confused, Nico glared at me.

"You're now dismissed." Mr. Dare said.

"…bye…!" I managed.

"Good Bye sir." Nico muttered.

"Have a nice day, Mr. Dare!" Alex, the suck up said.

Bahahahaha AWKWARD MOMENT! Thank you so much for the 29 reviews for just 2 chapters! That's amazing, I can't believe how enthusiatic the response to this story has been! Review :D