Hey guys! I'm sorry for not being able to update the last two days because I had writer's block. As you can see in my previous story and this one, I always try to update every day, though I had a lot of gaps in this one. Unfortunately for me now, my laptop was damaged and I had to use my sister's for now. Oh well, shit does happen. Anyways, on with the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own PJO
Chapter 7
Annabeth's heels clicked as she walked down the hallways of the Athenian. She was holding two cups of coffee that she just got from the break room for Percy and herself. They were back in New York now for a meeting that was to start later from their one-week honeymoon. She smiled as she thought of Percy's surprise for her on their last day in Paris. He had brought her to the Louvre, and of course, she was thrilled about that. They were both touring the famous museum when she got an unexpected call from her mom that they were to return the next day to New York for an urgent meeting.
So now she was at work again, fulfilling the duties of being the Athenian's CEO and wearing her usual work attire: formal blouse, pencil skirt, a black blazer and a pair of 6 inch killer heels. Oh well, I guess it's not that bad, she thought as she went neared her office, at least Percy's here. She opened the door to see her husband sitting at the couch, waiting for her. He grinned and stood up.
"Hey," Percy said, his beautiful sea-green eyes twinkling as he kissed her cheek. "What's that?"
"Your tracker," Annabeth said seriously. When he raised his eyebrows, she smiled. "Coffee, obviously. So, when will the meeting start? What will it be about?"
"It starts at ten," Percy replied as he accepted the coffee. "Dad said that it's a meeting with our companies' associates. Since we're both the newest CEOs, we get to meet them."
"I didn't know that we have another alliance, except for the Trident's and the Athenian's," Annabeth said, raising an eyebrow. "Oh well." They both chatted for a while until ten o'clock arrived, and then they both stood up.
"So, who do you think we're gonna meet?" Percy asked as he opened the door for her. Annabeth shrugged.
"I don't know," she said. "I bet those associates are big time. Why would my mom and your dad team up with them if they're not?"
"Makes sense," Percy said, lifting a shoulder. He checked his watch.
"I'm just gonna go to the bathroom," he said. "We'll go inside together. Wait for me at the entrance, okay, Wise Girl?"
"Sure," Annabeth said, smiling at Percy's retreating figure. She started walking to the venue when she bumped into someone.
"Oh, sorry," she murmured.
"No, it's okay," the man she bumped into said. He turned around and Annabeth's eyes widened when she saw his face. Then she raised an eyebrow.
"Luke?" she asked. "What are you doing here?" Luke seemed surprised, too, but he was obviously happy to see her.
"Annabeth," he greeted. He looked her from top to toe. "You look good. Miss me?" Annabeth frowned and crossed her arms.
"Why would I miss you?" she asked. Luke chuckled.
"Are you still not over our break-up? Come on, Beth, it was years ago. Besides, as far as I remembered, I asked you if you wanted to start over with me again, but you refused." He steeled his gaze. "Well?"
"Well what?" Annabeth snapped.
"Wanna go out sometime? You know, grab coffee or lunch or something." Annabeth let out a laugh.
"Oh Luke," she said. "It looks like you are the one who still didn't get over our break-up."
"I know," Luke agreed, not noting her tone that suggested her desire for him to just leave her alone. "So, I'm asking you."
"Well, I'm sorry, I'm not single," Annabeth said, putting her hand on her hip. She smirked when she saw Luke's eyes narrow when he spotted the pretty silver ring on her left hand.
"You're already married?" He asked accusingly, as though she wasn't allowed to be.
"Yes," Annabeth said curtly. "Now if you please, just leave me alone." She tried to sidestep him, but he blocked her way.
"With whom?" He asked sharply. Annabeth glared at him and was about to open her mouth to answer when a voice cut her off.
"With me." They turned around to see Percy walking towards them. Annabeth smiled as Percy's arm rested on her waist. Luke frowned.
"Percy Jackson," he said, crossing his arms. "How great to see you."
"I'm afraid I can't say the same," Percy said coolly, his grip around his wife tightening protectively. "What are you doing here, anyway?"
"That is none of your business," Luke snarled. He straightened his back. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to go to." He nodded curtly to the both of them, sending Percy a glare as he walked away.
"A meeting?" Annabeth said as Percy and she proceeded to the conference room. "In the Athenian. Hmm, do you think he has the same meeting with us?"
"I hope not," Percy said. "I wouldn't want that douchebag to be someone my company has an alliance with."
"Ditto," Annabeth agreed. They soon arrived at the front of the meeting room. They exchanged glances.
"You ready?" Percy asked. Annabeth smiled and nodded, and Percy pushed the door open. The room was big. As it was part of the Athenian, the greatest architectural firm of all times, it was greatly designed. Three of the walls were made out of glass so the outside was clearly visible, and there were some strange and beautiful potted plants. On the fourth wall that wasn't made of glass, classy waterworks with stone art were suspended. On the center of the room was a large wooden table, where twelve people were seated, including Athena and Poseidon. Upon seeing the two, all of them stood up.
"Ah, here they are," Poseidon said heartily as the two of them made their way inside. "Everybody, meet the Athenian and the Trident's respective CEOs, Annabeth and Percy Jackson."
"Congratulations on your wedding, by the way," a familiar woman on the back said.
"Thanks," Percy replied, and pretty soon everyone in the room congratulated the two. After that, Percy and Annabeth sat down on the seats reserved for them. A tall and burly man stood up and cleared his throat. Annabeth recognized him as Zeus Grace, Thalia's father. He smiled at everyone and cleared his throat.
"Okay, good morning everyone," he said in a big voice that seemed to fill the whole room. "Let us start. As the speaker of the Olympians, I shall be the one to lead the meeting. But first, since we have our newest CEOs here, I will introduce first everyone." He smiled again.
"I am Zeus Grace. Speaker of the Olympians. There is no head or leader on this association, so I will just lead the meeting for now. I own New York's grandest airport, the Sky King, if you haven't heard of that before, though I highly doubt that." He pointed to a tall and lean man seated at the right side of the table.
"This," he said, grinning at the guy, "is Apollo Anderson. He owns the Sun God Pharmaceutical Industries, one of the most powerful companies in California." He gestured to the guy next to Apollo. "Ares Addison. He owns the Phantom Spear Company, whose business is about weaponry and explosives." He continued introducing everyone to Percy and Annabeth. Next to Apollo and Ares, there was Dionysus Durant, or more known as Mr. D, who owned a famous wine and liquor company. The irony was that he wasn't even allowed to drink wine because of his health. Next to Mr. D was Hephaestus Harrelson, who owned a famous hardware store that had branches all over the world. Then there was Hermes Castellan, who owned the Caduceus, a shipping company, who also happened to be the Trident's rival in business terms.
Both Percy and Annabeth frowned. Hermes Castellan. They exchanged glances. He had the same last name as Luke's.
On the other side of the table was Hera Juno, owner of a company that involves wedding planning and whatnot. Annabeth recognized her, because she was the owner of the Bridal Boutique that she went for her wedding dress. Also, it was the same company that planned Percy's and her wedding. Seated next to Hera was Annabeth's own aunt, Venus Aphrodite. No one knew what if 'Venus' was her surname, since she went by Aphrodite, because it was her first name too, after all (and she was also Athena's sister, who also didn't show her surname. Annabeth thought that it was Chase since she was married to Frederick Chase, Annabeth's father. But they were divorced). It was weird, but it had a ring on it. Anyway, she owned a company about cosmetics, and she also owned a famous clothing brand.
Next to her was Artemis, also Annabeth's aunt, who also didn't show her surname, like her sisters. She just went by Lady Artemis, just as Athena went by Ms. A and Aphrodite going by Aphrodite. Well, she owned a bureau that protected animals, and her company also had zoos all over the country. She also led an organization that protects women rights and stuff. The last one is Demeter Dale. She owned Good Leaf Industries (which Percy thought as a weird name), an agricultural company.
The old Olympians were Poseidon and Athena, since they had passed their respective companies to their own heir and heiress, Percy and Annabeth.
"Well," Zeus said, clasping his hands together. "Now that everyone is introduced, let's now start the meeting, shall we?" Everyone nodded in consent.
"As you all know, the Olympians have stayed strong for many years," Zeus began. "No other industry dared to usurp our titles. We all had good businesses with no threats for years. But now, a new company is heard of. And let me tell you that it is a big one."
"What is it? Who's the owner?" Apollo asked. Zeus nodded.
"It is called the Titan Lord Industry," he replied gravely. "I know, the name doesn't seem too good, but hey, let's not judge by the title. Anyway, the owner of the company is Kristopher Kronos-"
"Isn't he a drug dealer?" Artemis interrupted. "I've heard of him before. He smuggles drugs and unlike others, he has a very huge influence."
"Exactly, my dear," Zeus agreed. "However, the drug dealing is only a sideline. It's not his main priority. The Titan Lord Industry helps the government. Basically, it helps in the structure of buildings, airports and whatnot. It is the main sponsor of the government."
"Then if it works for the government, why does he smuggle drugs?" Ares asked.
"Because he can get away with it," Zeus replied. "The government owes Kronos so much that they can't bear to put him in jail for drugs."
"So what's the Titan Lord's threat to the Olympians?" Hera said.
"He wants to be part of us," Zeus replied, sighing. "And we refused, of course. If we let him, he would manipulate our allegiant alliance and use it for his own benefit, while taking the credit to the success as well. And now that we refused, he is threatening to take over the Olympians' throne of success."
"What's gonna happen?" Apollo inquired.
"Mostly, Kronos' targets are shipping companies," Zeus explained. "So I strongly caution the Trident and the Caduceus to be careful around Kronos. He needs shipping companies for his drug shipping, and he would surely go for big time ones."
"What if we just refuse if he offers us?" Percy asked for the first time. Zeus shook his head.
"I'm afraid that won't end just by refusing," he said. "Like I said, Kronos is cunning and manipulative. If you refuse him, he will blackmail you into accepting."
"What's his purpose for that?"
"Well, I think he has two. First, he will benefit from your company's help, as well as your company's money. The second is that if the government would really have to throw him to jail, he will include you and because the Olympians are his target and you are a part of them, you will go down and we will crumble."
"So the shipping companies are only his target?" Annabeth asked. Zeus shrugged.
"Possibly, since they are what he needed most. He knows that without one company, the whole alliance would mean nothing. But if he is really keen on destroying the whole association, he will find ways to destroy every Olympian."
"So, what do we do?" Ares asked.
"For now, we must avoid the Titan Lord and Kronos himself, and we will continue our reputation and not let him destroy us. Agreed?"
"Agreed," everyone repeated in unison. Zeus nodded.
"Meeting adjourned," he said. Everybody stood up and after exchanging small talk and good-byes, everybody went out of the room.
Yeah, so I know there isn't much Percabeth in here but I wanted this chapter to introduce the conflict. Tell me what you think of this chapter and don't forget to review!
Question: Who ships Fourtris here?
-Bluecookies19
