Here is the next chapter. Yay! I am not late. :D You guys like the story, right?

'Mr. Jackson has been expecting you,' Jared said smiling at me. He was the 'lobby guy' as I called him. He was always there, no matter what the time was. It was kinda creepy but he was really sweet and always smiled at me and said hello whenever I came to Percy's place. He handed me a key. I forced a smile in his direction. It was really hard but I managed.

The elevator opened into his penthouse.

'Ah! Annabeth, there you are,' Percy said, looking at me with a smile on his face. He was wearing a grey half-sleeved T-shirt and black track pants. I couldn't believe it. How could he be so calm and composed just after he had sent me that awful email? I was near tears here and he was smiling as he had just done me a huge favor.

'What is your problem?' I asked in a low voice trying to keep my voice from trembling. What had he done? He had sent me an email which looked like a legal document saying that my father owed him and his company fifteen million dollars and it was accused him for trying to de-fame Olympian International by tampering with their contract illegally. My dad! He could never ever do anything like that!

'Nothing,' he said.

'What was all that?'

'Just something that I have against your dad. Sorry it had to be that way.'

'My dad hasn't done that has he?'

'No.'

'Then why?' I said tears filling my eyes. I saw his expression change as he looked at me. Pain? Ha! He should have thought of that. Apparently he had because as fast as it had changed, it has gone back to that nonchalant way.

'I had to.' Why was he talking in riddles here? What did he want from me? I was sick and tired of this charade.

'What do you want?' I asked as a tear left my eye. My dad couldn't scrape fifteen million. A few? Yes, he was at a senior level and was saving for retirement. A few more, maybe. But fifteen? That was too much. And that document clearly pointed at my dad, not the whole company. He was the only family I had. I couldn't loose him as well.

'You,' he said simply looking straight at me. He offered me his handkerchief. I ignored it. Another tear left my eye. It was because of me he was doing this to my dad. Because I had refused his proposal.

I had been so wrong. Grover was right. I shouldn't have taken it that lightly. I had lost.

He had won.

I felt absolutely empty. I didn't have a choice anymore. I had to choose. Me or dad? And I knew what my answer would be and Percy knew that as well. He saw the defeat in my eyes.

'It has been a long night. Go to sleep. We'll talk about this in the morning,' he said. He thought he was doing me a favor by saying that? That that would help me in any way?

'No we are talking right now,' I said taking charge of the situation. Or trying to, at least. 'Name your terms.'

'Annabeth, it doesn't have to be this way,' he said pleading me with his eyes. Those beautiful eyes, whom I hated more than ever right now.

'You started it. This is the way you chose. Get started', I said as another tear fell down on my cheek.

He clenched his jaw. A defiant look came across his face and he said-

'Fine. Move in with me.' I glared at him so he added, 'separate rooms.'

'Done.'

'A perfect image that we are in love to the outer world.'

'Except for my family and friends.'

'Done.'

'Done.'

'All formal dinners, dances, balls, anything. We will go together always. No questions asked.'

'Negotiable.'

'Fine.'

'No cheating with another man.'

Huh. He really thought I would do that? Just to get revenge on him? He didn't know me that well. Marriage is a commitment. I would never do that even if I hated him. Even if I hated him very very much.

'I know you wont. Just had to get it out', he said. Okay, so maybe he did.

'It'll have to work both ways.'

'Yes it will.'

'I will complete my studies and I will work. No matter how much or how less I'll earn compared to you. I don't care what anyone thinks of that.'

'Alright,' he said nodding.

'Children,' I said.

'However many you want,' he said. Wow that was a huge change he was doing for me cause last I checked the number was one.

'Good.'

'No divorce,' he said looking at me with an expression which clearly said caution! Troubled waters!

'Please expand.'

'Unless its a matter of something extreme. No divorce,' he added. I arched my eyebrows at him.

'Like domestic violence sort of stuff?' I asked. He nodded.

'Yes. Stuff like that. And more.'

'Alright.'

'I'll have packers and movers at your place tomorrow. You can stay the night here. Its late.'

'No I'll be fine,' I said turning away. I walked back to the elevators.

'I'll help you out. Women have heavy stuff,' his voice came from behind me.

'You would know,' I replied sarcastically, still not turning back.

'Or maybe-'

'I said I don't need you help!' I almost shouted at him as I turned to look at him. 'You've done enough already, alright? Just let me be. Leave me alone. I'll be here at dinnertime tomorrow.'

'Okay,' he said looking at me with an apprehensive expression.

I turned to go again and just as I took a step, he grabbed my elbow. Slightly, very gently.

'Annabeth, I-'

Trying to be nice, now was he?

'Don't touch me', I said, my voice trembling. I still didn't look back. He let go off me, instantly. I guess he understood he couldn't do anything to make me behave better. I stepped into the elevator, and without looking at him, I went down and walked back to hostel.

This entire time his expression hadn't changed, his voice had given away nothing. What was he even made of? How can anyone be that way?

There has to be something. Some loophole to the entire thing. No. I wasn't giving up this easily. Chiron could help me. I know he will. And lucky for me he was the perfect person for this job. I didn't cry. I didn't shed another tear for him. I wouldn't give him that satisfaction.

I missed my mom. Worse than ever. She would know what to do. She would've told me. I would still be feeling this way, but definitely wouldn't haven't been this helpless.

I made my way to my room and collapsed on top of the bed. It had been a long day. Or rather a long night. Just that little time seemed to have stretched on for an eternity.

I remembered the day I met him. One day that I might regret my whole life. I wished I had never peeked into the room then perhaps it wouldn't have been happening. I turned over and looked outside my window to the starry sky outside. It was two in the morning and sleep still hadn't come to me.

I really wanted to ask you guys something. Umm... what kind of language (cursing) is acceptable for a T-rated? I mean to what degree. Please help me out on that.

-Zenervia