Hey all my fantastic readers! Thank you so much for checking out the last chapter, and also thank you to those who had been staying tuned to my profile! Anyways, I want to thank all my viewers and reviewers who had been so kind to just read a chapter at their own time; it means so much to me! Anyways, without further ado, lets get onto the story!
Annabeth POV:
Peter grabbed my wrists as I was led up towards the elevator. He grasped my arms tightly. I could feel myself tremble from the incident. I knew it. I knew that James had this sudden hatred towards my ideas. But why? Weren't my ideas good enough? Weren't they amazing? The people were nodding their heads. The people smiled and I grabbed their attentions. I had even persuaded Sabrina, who hates me to death. I, Annabeth Chase, had worked hard enough to make the presentation worthwhile. And then, all of a sudden, he rips the hard copies I had made. All that hard work. You know, sometimes being poor can weigh you down that even going to the UPS and actually begging them and paying them money to make copies was hard work. Especially when they were about to close. And right here, James was mocking me...shouting at me...saying my ideas were all a disaster...
The elevator door opened.
Peter pulled me towards a door that had an arrow pointing upwards. I looked confused as Peter opened the door. Everything was dark inside, and I shivered from the sudden darkness. I felt like the darkness swallowed me, for I didn't know where I was going. I decided to follow Peter, who was walking slowly upwards. I wanted to ask so many questions like 'where I was going' or 'why did he stand up for me'. But I couldn't utter a single world. All I was thinking about was my hard work, and how my presentation I had been look forward to demolished into some kind of crap. I hated it. I hated it to death. Then, I could feel Peter tugging at something and soon a beam of light and gush of cold air had brushed against me. I loved it. It felt so good to just feel the warmth of the summer air. I was rewarded with a refreshing breath and the beautiful light. I closed my eyes until tears fell down. Before Peter could ever see them, I quickly wiped them away.
Then, he let go.
My wrists were cold once the wind had brushed towards it. Peter's hands had been so warm that I shivered a bit. I looked at the beautiful view; the cars...traffic...everything. It felt beautiful. And to be seeing such beauty made me feel heavenly. I became calm. I saw the next building, Division B as I smiled. Same building, but bigger. It looked like a factory. But it was so well designed. The blue windows that reflected like a mirror shined as the sunlight beamed towards it. The flowers below bloomed beautifully as I could hear the sounds of machinery though I was pretty far away from the building.
It felt like magic.
I turned to Peter who was staring at me. Our eyes locked for a moment; his sea-green eyes on mine. Looking at those eyes calmed me for a moment. I guess every time I stared at him, I was angry. Then, his eyes widened and he turned away.
"S-S-Stop staring a-a-at me," he stuttered.
"What do you mean?" I asked. "Weren't you-,"
"Shut up," he said and I smiled. He's that Seaweed Brain as always.
"Peter?" I asked.
"Yeah?" he replied.
"Thank you," I said. "Thank you for...everything..."
"I was only doing that because I was being a good sport," he said. "Look. I am handsome which you obviously couldn't resist. You stared at me because of course, I am handsome..."
Peter is arrogant.
Again.
But somehow, him being arrogant didn't really seem to bother me anymore. I smiled and laughed a bit. I quickly shut my mouth, but a wave of laughter spewed upon me.
"What is so funny?" Peter asked. "At least I am not as ugly as you!"
"What did you just say?" I asked, one of my eyebrows raised.
"Look," Peter said. "No offense, but your clothes are just so tacky. Look at them. Shouldn't you at least apply lip stick? Can't you put your hair down, or at least braid it or something? You're always so classic! You're always like I am the best in just a messy pony-tail that looks as if you hadn't combed for days!"
"Well excuse me Seaweed Brain," I said. "Who's saying they have good sport?"
Peter glared playfully. "Well, at least I have the looks."
"Sure you do," I said and Percy laughed.
"Annabeth!" Walter said and then looked at Peter.
"Walter!" I said and smiled. Walter walked up to me. "Um...hi Peter."
"Hello," I said, and Walter's lips quivered. "The CEO wants to see you Annabeth."
I froze. I am probably going to get in trouble. I'm just a normal co-worker that is going against the manager.
"You too," Walter said, looking up at Peter who nodded.
"Thanks," I said and hugged Walter. "For being a good friend."
Walter was stunned but then hugged me back. I could see through my peripheral vision of Peter rolling his eyes.
"Stop showing PDA and just go," Peter said, glaring at Walter.
"We're not displaying PDA," Walter said pulling away from me. "We're just having a friendly hug. Well, what could I expect when you don't know the definition? Proves to me that you have no friends."
"HEY!" Peter said. "I have Grover and-,"
"Peter...calm down," I said and smiled at Walter. "See you later..."
"Alright," Walter said. "Looks like you guys are going to have a long talk with the CEO and James. I've never seen him this angry but seriously Annabeth, remember what I told you?"
"Right," I whispered. James hates new ideas. He's always to the basics. I should remain calm and strong. Exactly how Dad once told me...
"Come on," Peter said, and walked down the stairs. I walked down as well and he led me directly out towards a door on the far right at the far end of the wall. We saw a secretary on a desk and she smiled.
"Peter Johnson and Annabeth Chase, please go inside the Chairman's office..."
I trembled a bit, and together we stepped inside.
Percy POV:
"Annabeth Chase," Father said, walking towards her. "I've seen your idea..."
"Y-Y-Yes," Annabeth stuttered. I could see her beginning to break down into a nervous wreck.
"And I wanted you to explain to me about this blueprint," Father said.
"Um...okay," Annabeth said and grabbed the blueprint. She then held it up. "As you could see, I had looked through the blueprint..."
And while Annabeth explaining, I could see James pouting like a little kid.
I raised my eyebrows.
He glared.
I smirked.
He cracked his knuckles.
I gave him a death glare while smiling.
He looked as if he could kill me.
I shrugged.
He was about to mutter a word.
I turned away.
Predicted: he is angry.
"So that was my idea. I had read and researched about the customer we were going to provide for, and I knew that if we make the roof a blast, they would probably want more arrangement from us. I thought it quite attractive, and when I sketched it out on this blueprint, it looks perfect. As they said, the color we are going to paint the ceiling is going to be yellow, and so they'd probably like something that makes it look warm loving...and somehow I could see that the whole interior design from the blueprint is supposed to be somehow cozy. In order to make the cozy look, we should add the curves towards the edges of the window. And for the materials to sustain the roof should also be necessary, because they requested for a new roof. I believe if we prepare a mixture of minerals for example...maybe wood, bricks, iron, and even stones. Those are very strong kinds of materials that we could bunch up together. And maybe...ah! I got an idea! For our other customers, they requested a durable but very fancy wall! What if we contact the customers and ask them if we could make a brick wall to make it look nice? We could arrange the bricks..."
And while she was talking, I could see Annabeth's eyes gleaming and Father nodding his head, staring at Annabeth with such focus. I just looked at Annabeth, and how she was so determined to please her customers. She seemed to have a real dream. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe she didn't come here for money. Maybe...maybe she might've came here to find a dream. Maybe her life is hard, and the fact that she's trying her best to actually plan all this out...incredible.
I guess seeing Annabeth in this perspective doesn't look that bad.
But still. I hate her to death. I hate her so much. She could be so arrogant and a pain in the butt.
But for now...I guess I am okay dealing with her for at least a moment.
Annabeth POV:
"Interesting," the CEO said, staring at me. "It is so interesting to always see one person so caught up into architecture. I am truly amazed by your wonderful talent. I am quite intrigued by the fact that you already made adjustments to six blueprints today. I was going to discuss about the matter with Perter...I meant Peter as well as James, but you, Annabeth Chase, had made me this excited to begin construction."
I blushed.
"Your talent is extremely amazing," the CEO continued. "I really do admire your whole blueprint. And you are right. The basics that we have should be upgraded. We shouldn't stick to our secret recipe forever. Before anybody can spot the true secret, we need an upgrade."
"Exactly," I smiled. "I thought that this idea would be perfect. Because right here, the coding explains that the color is going to be bright yellow on the ceiling, and that they want a nice window perched on top so sunlight could beam through. And if not, we should add a curtain or something to block the light...I don't know...just a suggestion..."
"I like it Annabeth," the CEO said.
"Thank you," I smiled as Peter came close to me.
"So...what do we have here," Peter said, as his hand brushed against mine. I blushed as the CEO was talking to Peter.
"That's the color. We don't color code it because the coding already tells us," the CEO explained.
"I knew that," Peter said, smiling. The CEO was smiling too. Somehow, their smiles seemed so different but such the same. The CEO's smile was small but so happy that it was so pure though very sophisticated. Peter's smile was wide and his eyes gleamed and his lips just stood out. And the similarity both possessed was the purity...the smile that seemed so pure. I blushed a bit when Peter stared at me.
"Checking me-,"
"Shut up!" I said and the CEO laughed.
"Yes Peter," the CEO laughed. "She was never checking you out. Please be quiet."
Peter glared as both the CEO and I laughed.
"Chairman, is there anything I could do?" James asked. I looked away, breathing heavily as the CEO adverted his attention to him.
"Yes," the CEO said and looked at Peter and I.
"What is it Chairman?" James said.
"I want you to formally apologize to Miss. Annabeth Chase."
James froze.
"But-,"
"And I would also like to inform you that her idea will be accepted and carried onto the next level..."
"Chairman-,"
"I don't care anymore," the CEO cut off. "I would like you to formally apologize as well as know that her idea will be accepted."
"Annabeth," James said. "I am very sorry for hurting you and dejecting your idea."
I smiled softly. "It's alright."
"Now, you may leave and properly do your job," the CEO said and James scurried away. Then he smiled.
"Annabeth...do you feel much better?" he asked.
"Yes," I breathed heavily. "Thank you."
Peter smiled and smirked at the CEO. "Anything else?"
"Nothing much..." the CEO said and faced me. "Wow...I can't believe it is already the end of work time! Nice working with you Annabeth Chase," he said, sticking his hand out. I shook his hand, feeling such a proud feeling that my idea, in the end, got accepted. I am a true architect, I thought to myself. I could make a difference. I am Dad's child. I, Annabeth Chase, will make Dad happy.
"DADDY!" I shouted as Dad ran towards me. I gave him a sloppy kiss and he held me close into his arms, twirling me around.
"Came here to explore?" he asked.
"Of course," I said. "And also to help Daddy!"
"That's my girl," he said and kissed my cheeks. "Oh, guess what?"
"Yeah?" I asked and Dad smiled.
"I GOT MY PAY CHECK!" Dad said and I leaped up and down.
"Then...could we buy anything in the world?" I asked.
"Of course," Dad said. "Anything. We could buy anything with this money. I'll make your proud!"
"Annabeth...you okay?" I heard Peter say. I realized I was still shaking the CEO's hands and looked at Peter, who's eyes showed a bit concern.
"I'm fine," I said and looked at the CEO. "Thank you CEO..."
"Call me Mr. Jackson," Mr. Jackson said. I smiled and turned to Peter.
"I'll see you tomorrow," I said, smiling and bowed to Mr. Jackson. "Have a wonderful day."
"You too," he said and Peter and I walked out the door.
"What's wrong?" Peter asked.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Your eyes," he said. "They were teary eyed..."
"Look, why do you care?" I spat. Peter glared.
"I SAID I DON'T CARE A SINGLE THING ABOUT YOU!" he shouted and ran off. I ran towards him laughing as he began laughing too. Then, he realized how nice he was being to me and turned away.
"Oh come on," I said to Peter. "Don't let things get to you..."
"I'm not," Peter said. "I'm just-,"
"Being nice and thinking the world is turning upside down because of your actions," I smirked.
"NO!" Peter said and I smiled.
"Then, the elevator door opened as we both stepped inside. We pressed the floor to the lobby and for a moment everything was silent. Then the elevator door opened and more people had entered. I got squished next to Peter and finally the elevator door opened. Peter and I stepped out as well as the rest till I looked at him.
"Oh no," I said.
"What?" Peter asked.
"We have to go up again," I said.
"Why?" he asked.
"Our work bags!" I shouted and we headed towards the elevator and finally pressed the up button. We entered in as we rose up towards Floor No. 3. I finally went inside and grabbed my work bag. Peter grabbed his suitcase and finally I smiled.
"You know Peter," I said and looked at him. "I just...wanted to thank you..."
"For what?" Peter said while looking at his desk and stuffing his papers inside his suitcase.
"For standing up for me though you hate me, you know what I mean?" I asked.
"Oh, that's nothing," Peter said. "I blow up when I get frustrated."
"Of course Seaweed Brain," I said.
"Stop calling me that!" he said and I laughed.
"Whatever," I said.
"YOU'RE SUCH AN ARROGANT WISE...wait..."
"What?" I said, one of my eyebrows getting up.
"Wise Girl," he said. "Perfect nick name."
"Oh please," I said, laughing. "Just found a perfect nickname for me?"
"Yep," Peter said and I smiled.
"Well, at least my nickname is better. I'm wise. I am a Wise GIRL! And you're that Seaweed Brain..."
"Shut up," Peter said, this time smiling.
"Well...I got to go," I said and waved at Peter. "See you tomorrow!"
"Okay," Peter said, and together we walked out the door.
Wise Girl.
Huh.
That nickname doesn't sound so bad, coming out from Peter.
I soon greeted Peter good-bye and walked inside the bus. Mr. Pam smiled and gave me a friendly smile. I smiled and sat down. I looked out towards the window, thinking how lucky I was. My ideas got accepted! My ideas became a model towards AOJ Inc.! Then, I thought of the CEO. How kind is Mr. Jackson who accepted my ideas. And then his smile...gosh, why is Peter's ideas so similar? I looked out the window till something popped into my head.
"Look," Peter said. "No offense, but your clothes are just so tacky. Look at them. Shouldn't you at least apply lip stick? Can't you put your hair down, or at least braid it or something? You're always so classic! You're always like I am the best in just a messy pony-tail that looks as if you hadn't combed for days!"
Ignore ignore IGNORE!
Tacky clothes...gosh, he's making me feel so bad!
"Mr. Pam?" I asked. "Does my hair look tacky?"
"No," Mr. Pam said and looked at me concerned through the rear mirror. "Why darlin'?"
"Just asking," I said and looked out the window.
My reflection reflected towards the window as I took off my rubber band off my hair. The blonde curls fell down and landed on my shoulders as I looked at myself.
"Not bad," I whispered and smiled. "Should I..."
No. I won't change my look suddenly towards work. This is a little uncomfortable. No no no...I am not going to fall for Peter's words.
NO!
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