A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for the late update. School started and I'm too afraid to type my stories, might get caught. I'm planning to be a good, cramming student this year. Wish me luck for this year and for the entrance exams. :D
If you want to help me, if you have any complains, questions, suggestions or if you just want to talk, message me. I'll reply. :D
Enjoy! :)
Chapter 11 – Cheers to Another Year!
Annabeth's POV
Luke stayed over for a couple of days and by a couple I mean only four days. Apparently, the airlines needed him to fly around the world. He told me on Monday that he was flying on Thursday. I sadly accepted the fact that he would be leaving me again and he would be gone for a couple weeks. I made sure that each day I had with him would be worthwhile. I brought him around New York City. I even got him to spend a day with Katie. He met Katie when we were still in University of Cambridge and they were good friends.
I brought Luke to new places that either I or Percy and I discovered. Like new cafés, new restaurants, new stores, and more. I even brought him bowling. Luke showered me with gifts each and every day. He would give me souvenirs from the places that he has been. Bags, clothes, knickknacks, and more. I think that this is the only way he thinks he can make up for his absence. I would just accept the gifts and thank him for it. Sadly, I can't spend the whole day with him because of my work. So I would spend my afternoons and nights with him, sometimes lunch time.
On the night before he leaves, we went out for dinner. I brought him to the restaurant that served Italian dishes. After that, we watched a Broadway show. We decided to walk home, to spend more time with each other. We were walking hand in hand.
"I'm going to miss you when you leave." I said.
"I'm going to miss you too but I promise that I will send you an e-mail every day."
"And I promise to respond even if I am busy." I smiled.
He laughed and pulled me closer so he could kiss the top of my head. I closed my eyes and cherished the moment. Tonight is the last night I'll spend with him and the next time I would see him would be in a couple weeks or probably in a month. Simply by thinking about it, I was already saddened but I sucked it up and allowed myself to have fun with him tonight.
"I'll e-mail you the places that I'll be travelling to. Feel free to tell me anything you want from that place." He said.
I frowned and said, "I might tell you to come back here."
He smiled and stole a kiss, "I love you."
I smiled, "I love you too."
When we arrived at my loft, Luke fed the dogs while I got ready for bed. I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I went to the kitchen and saw him just staring into space. I went over to him and hugged him. He hugged me back and kissed the top of my head.
"I'll really miss you." I mumbled against his chest.
I felt him chuckle, "I'll miss you more."
I smiled sadly and said, "I'll miss you the most."
He loosened his hug. I looked up at him and kissed him. We kissed for a while and I pulled away, smiling, and told him to get ready for bed. I locked up as he got ready to sleep. I'm really going to miss him. I turned off the lights and went to my room. I dove under the blanket and waited for him to join me.
A few minutes later, he lied down on the bed beside me. I looked over to him and smiled. He smiled back and kissed me. We kissed for quite some time until I was under him. I stopped kissing for a second and bit my lip. He continued kissing down my neck. I ran my hands through his hair.
"It's getting late." I whispered.
"But I won't get to do this for weeks." He said between kisses.
He went back to eagerly kissing my lips. I kissed him back for a couple more minutes. He smiled into the kiss and then kissed my forehead. He rolled back to his side of the bed and then looked at me. I looked back at him and smiled. He kissed my cheek.
"Good night, Annabeth." He whispered.
"Good night, Luke." I smiled.
He opened his arms, inviting me. I smiled wider and moved closer to him. He hugged me from behind and we snuggled. My thoughts drifted off to the first time Luke and I talked as I was starting to fall asleep.
I was in the library, looking for the ridiculous book that one of my professors was using. I was already squatting, looking at the lowest part of the bookshelf.
"Hey, uhm, do you need some help?"
I looked up and saw someone smiling at me. I slowly got up and winced in pain when my joints protested. I held on to the bookshelf and looked at him. He looked really familiar, like I saw him around the university before. He had blonde hair and blue eyes. I scrunched my eyebrows and tried to remember where I saw him.
I finally gave up and asked him, "Uhm, do I know you?"
He gave me a small, embarrassed smile, "Uh, I think you do. Your boyfriend asked us to sing for you on Valentines."
I scrunched my eyebrows and tried to remember him harder. When I finally remembered him, I smiled but covered my mouth.
I gave him an apologetic smile and said, "Yeah, I remember you. You sang that song and you were carrying a blue flower."
He gave me a confident smile and said, "Yeah, that's me."
"I can find the book all by myself and if you don't mind, I should go back to looking for it. I'll see you around."
I started to walk away when he called, "What title is that book? Because I know this library top to bottom."
I looked back at him and said, "No thanks, I bet I can find it by myself."
I walked away but he caught up with me, "Are you sure? You look like you have been looking for that book for a really long time now."
I was getting annoyed so I just gave him the title of the book. He looked bewildered for a moment then he smiled at me.
"You're taking up Law, aren't you?" He asked.
"Yes, I am." I simply said.
He led me to a different bookshelf, crouched down, and straightened up a few seconds later, holding a book. He smiled at me and asked if that was the book I was looking for. I got the book from him and it was the book I spent hours looking for. I gave him a friendly smile, thanked him, and walked away from him.
"My name is Luke by the way." He called after me.
I looked back at him, put my index finger against my lips, smiled, and continued walking away from him.
I woke up because of my alarm and quickly reached for it to turn it off. I looked back at the bed and saw Luke, still fast asleep. I smiled because he looked so peaceful. I slowly got off the bed, trying hard not to wake him up, and got ready for my morning jog. It was already Thursday and Luke has a flight today.
I brought Onion out and walked to Central Park. I jogged while Onion had his morning walk. As I jogged, I saw someone that looked familiar. I smiled to myself when I realized who it was. I jogged over to him and called him. He looked at me and smiled back. We jogged together for a couple minutes until we both got tired.
"Hey, Annabeth. I didn't know you jogged." He said.
"Well, now you know. I bet being a sports agent means that you have to do sports too." I smiled.
"Of course." Beckendorf smiled back.
We talked as we had our cool down. After that, I told him that I should get going and I was looking forward to jog with him again. I went back to my loft. I closed the door and filled Onion's water bowl.
"Annabeth?" Luke called out.
Instead of drinking water, Onion started bellowing loud and angry barks. I got him to stop a few seconds later. I prepared breakfast for Luke. He came out of the shower minutes later with a towel wrapped around his lower body. He went to the kitchen to kiss me good morning. I smiled and kissed him back with vigor. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he carried me on the counter.
"Hey, hey, I have to get ready." He chuckled a couple minutes later after I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him closer to me.
I pouted at him but let him go anyway. He gave me one last peck before getting ready. I jumped off the counter and continued to preparing his breakfast and once that I was done, I took a shower. I dried myself and wore a robe. I went to my room and on my way, I looked at Luke, wearing his uniform, and he winked at me. I blushed and hurried to my room. I wore what I usually wore when I go to work. I went back to the kitchen and drank my cup of black coffee while Luke ate his breakfast.
"How's the food?" I asked him.
"Delicious, of course." He smiled at me.
I smiled back at him and downed the remaining coffee.
"You won't eat breakfast?" He asked me before drinking his own coffee.
"Percy got a diner to bring me breakfast every day."
He nodded and finished his breakfast.
I brushed my teeth and tied my hair into a tight bun. I put on some lip balm and wore my shoes. I gave Onion and Raisin their food and waited for Luke. He came to the living room with his travelling bag. I looked at him and gave him a sad smile. He smiled sadly back at me and we shared a kiss. We went down and I just looked at him.
"I'll miss you." I said.
"I'll miss you more."
"So I'll be seeing you after a few weeks." I sadly said.
His lips were in a tight line as he nodded.
"I'll see you then."
"I love you." He said.
"I love you too."
We shared one last kiss and I left him to get a cab and go to work. I looked back at him as the cab brought me farther and farther away from him. When I could no longer see him, I sat down properly and sighed. He'll be gone once again.
I arrived at the building and I went up to the office. I greeted Drew and went in my office. I sat down on my desk and sullenly ate my breakfast.
"Miss Chase, you're first client is here." Drew said through the intercom.
"Send them in."
I greeted the clients as they entered my office. Starting from there, I worked nonstop until lunch. When it was lunch break, I decided to stay in and probably catch up on my sleep. After I cleared my table, my phone rang. I got it and answered it.
"Annabeth Chase."
"Hey, Wise Girl. I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch together."
Of course, it was none other than Percy. I have to admit, hearing his voice made me smile.
"Hey, Seaweed Brain. I don't think I feel like eating out today."
"Something doesn't sound right." He noted.
"No, I'm fine, Percy." I reassured him.
"So, you're saying no to lunch with me?"
"I didn't say that. I said I just didn't feel like it today." I defended myself and also wanting to spare his feelings.
"Well, you better feel it because I'm about to enter your office."
I looked at the door and indeed I saw Percy's face smiling at me. He lifted his arms and showed me that he had take-out with him. I hung up and went over to him. I just gave him a huge, tight hug and he gave me back a comforting hug. We stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms, for a few minutes. I released him when I was ready and then smiled at him, subconsciously thanking him for being there for me. We went in my office and had our lunch together.
"I know something is not right." He pointed out.
My lips were in a tight line before I said, "Luke left and will be back in a few weeks."
He nodded and said, "Soon enough, he'll be back."
I smiled at him and continued eating. I was happy to be with Percy again. For Luke's whole stay, I barely hung out with Percy because I was always with Luke. But since Luke left, I'm back to spending most of my time with Percy. As we ate, we talked about what we did when we weren't together. I told him all about my adventures with Luke while he talked about the people he saved. Apparently, Rachel had to fly somewhere for some wedding things a day after the exhibit.
When we were done eating, he left me with a hug and a kiss on the top of my head but without an invitation to do something tonight. That was really odd. I sat back down and disposed the remnants of our lunch. I continued working and I was probably taking in a new client every thirty minutes when I regularly take in a new client every hour.
Once the clock struck five in the afternoon, I sighed and decided to work overtime. It was around eight when I told myself that I should go home because Onion and Raisin would be waiting for me. I got the files I needed, locked up, and headed home. I tiredly waited for the elevator to reach my floor and as it opened, I trudged towards my loft. I unlocked the front door and I saw Onion perk up and look at me. He started barking happily at me as I closed the door behind me. I turned around and saw Raisin rushing in into the kitchen.
I smiled and fed them. I ate some fruits while working. I made a cup of coffee and worked on the files that I decided to bring home. I didn't even have time to change out of my work clothes. I was done around twelve in the morning. I really needed to do the extra work to cope on the work I missed.
I held my breath as I wrote a note on the last file I have. I let it out as I closed the folder. Finally, I was done. I fixed the files that were all over my table then washed my mug. I looked at my phone and I had a couple missed calls and messages from Percy. I rolled my eyes but smiled as I opened them. The first message was a birthday greeting from him. He was asking if he was the first person to greet me in the second message. And finally in the third message he greeted me again and said that he feels like he's the first one to greet me. I laughed lightly. I refilled the dogs' water bowls, locked up, and got ready for bed.
As I entered my room, I noticed that there was a box on top of my bed. I tried to recall if I left it there and who was the last one in my room. Luke. He was the last one in my room. I quickly changed into my pajamas and looked at the package. It had my name written on it. I eagerly opened it and I was just greeted by tons of pictures of Luke and me. I got all of them and looked through them. Pictures of Luke and me together. Some pictures were taken from different countries where we vacationed together; others were when we're together in college, when we were together here in New York City, and more. I smiled as I went through them and when I was done, at the bottom of the package were pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. I decided to form it right now. There were probably a thousand small pieces and once I completed it, I just smiled wider. It was a huge picture of the both of us and had "Happy Birthday, Annabeth" at the bottom. I admired it for a while but took it apart so I could put them back into the box. I put all the pictures back and stowed the package he gave me away.
I turned off the light, lied down on the bed and yet I couldn't fall asleep. I tossed and turned for a while but sleep was impossible. It was probably the coffee that was keeping me away from sleep. I tried to go to sleep again but sleeping wasn't as easy as closing your eyes. I just on the bed, staring at the ceiling, when my phone rang. Now, who on earth will be calling me at this time?
"Annabeth Chase."
"Happy birthday, Wise Girl! I hope I didn't wake you up. I just wanted to make sure that I was the first one to greet you."
I smiled. "Yeah, you're the first one to greet me. Congratulations, Seaweed Brain."
He cheered for a while and said, "Okay, I'll let you go to sleep now."
"I can spare some time. Talk to me."
"Well, I happened to save a lot of lives yesterday. I also worked on a person who had a heart disease. You know, it was kind of normal for me."
"Where are you right now?" I asked.
"I'm still at the hospital. I'm planning to pull an all-nighter."
I looked at the clock and shrugged. It was typical Percy to stay the whole night at the hospital.
"Hello? Are you still there?" He asked.
"Yeah, I am." I laughed lightly.
"You should go to sleep now. You still have a big day ahead of you. I'll let you sleep. Good night, Wise Girl."
"Good night, Seaweed Brain."
"I miss you already."
I laughed and said, "I miss you too."
I put my phone on top of the table beside my bed. The fact that it was my birthday today slowly sank in. I was no longer twenty six years old. Twenty seven years and I managed to reach this far. I got myself comfortable and surprisingly, I went to sleep the instant I closed my eyes.
"SURPRISE!"
I woke up with a start and looked around for whatever woke me up. I saw Thalia's and Nico's smiling face. They were smiling like the Cheshire cat. Their smiles had mischievous glints in them. They were on my bed, leaning towards me. It was like they had a massive consumption of coffee and sugar and it was really scaring me. I got off the bed, acted as if they weren't there, and went to the bathroom. I got ready for my usual morning jog.
"Please tell me you don't have any other surprises for me." I said as I wore my running shoes.
"Happy birthday, Annabeth!" They greeted simultaneously.
"Thanks, guys." I smiled at them.
They smiled at me and then gave me a hug. I told them that I would go jogging and it was okay if they stayed. They, of course, declined and told me that they'll be going with me. I decided to bring Onion and Raisin and make Thalia and Nico walk them. It looked like they disliked the idea but they just said yes. We all walked to Central Park. They were walking the dogs while I was off jogging. I was jogging and then I smiled as I saw Beckendorf. I went to him and we jogged together. After probably an hour or so of jogging, we stopped and walked to cool down.
"Good morning, Annabeth." He greeted me.
"Morning, Beckendorf." I smiled.
"So, I heard that it was your birthday today. Happy birthday."
"Thanks. So I'm guessing Silena told you and she has some surprise she got you to join."
"My lips are sealed."
We laughed for a while and then I told him that I should get going so I could prepare for work. I left him and went on a search for Thalia and Nico. Once I found them, I told them that we should be heading home. We left the park and walked back to my loft.
"You guys can take a bath if you guys brought some extra clothes to change into." I said before drinking water.
"Actually, we did." Thalia smugly said.
"But you get ready first." Nico said.
"No, you're the guests. You go ahead."
"No, we insist that you do." He said.
"Okay, fine." I said before downing the remaining water in my glass.
I took a shower and went directly to my room to change into my work clothes. I went to the kitchen and was surprised because the table was set and there was breakfast. I fed the dogs and gathered all my things. I drank my cup of black coffee, fixed my hair, and wore my shoes. I was ready to leave.
"Guys, I'm leaving." I called out.
"Wait!" I heard Nico call back.
He came into the living room a couple seconds later. He was wearing slacks and a dress shirt. He smiled at me and told me that I should stay and have breakfast with them. I told him that I had my own breakfast at the office, waiting for me. He told me that he called the diner not to deliver today. I gave him a straight face but joined him. We went to the kitchen and got seated. Thalia came in a few moments later. She wore a plain shirt and jeans. A perk of Thalia's job is that she can wear casual clothes and rarely wears formal clothes. Of course, except interviews. She sat down with us and we ate dinner. Soon, they brought out a small cake with a candle stuck on top. They sang Happy Birthday and I made a wish and blew the candle after their song.
"So, since it's your birthday, we got you a special something." Thalia smiled.
"Oh, you know that you didn't have to." I said.
"But we wanted to." Nico said, handing out an envelope.
I smiled, thanked him, and got the envelope. I opened it and saw that he gave me plane tickets for two to Paris. I looked up at him and gave him a disbelieving and surprised look. He just nodded and smiled at me. He told me that I also have hotel accommodations. He said that I can go anytime I want and stay as long as I want. I thanked him once again and then looked at Thalia, getting myself ready for what she has for me.
She smiled at me and gave me an envelope similar to Nico's. I opened it and she gave me plane tickets to San Francisco. I don't know how much it must've cost her because there were two roundtrip tickets from New York City to San Francisco. Same like Nico's, they had open dates so I can use the ticket and go home anytime I want. She told me that only one ticket had hotel accommodations because when she bought the first ticket, she forgot to tell the ticket clerk about it. I smiled and thanked her. I just stood up, thanked them, and gave each of them a hug.
"Wow, guys, I didn't really expect this. Thank you so much." I said.
We washed the dishes and got ready to leave. Nico drove us to our offices with his car. He brought me to my workplace first. I got out and thanked them again. I went up to my office and greeted Drew as I entered. She beamed at me and greeted me a happy birthday. I thanked her and entered my office. I just put everything on my table and immediately went to my mom's office. I knocked on the door, heard her telling me to come in, and went inside. I greeted her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She greeted me a happy birthday. I thanked her and made my way out of her office but she called me back.
"Annabeth."
"Yes, Mom?"
"Since it is your birthday, I'm giving you a day-off today." She smiled.
"No, Mom, it's fine. You don't have to give me a day-off. I can work for today, Saturday, and Sunday, if you want me to."
"You are such a workaholic." She said. "But you may go home now and come back on Monday. I expect you to use your day-off wisely."
I stared at her in disbelief but recovered a few seconds later. I thanked her, gave her a hug, and left her office. I went back a couple seconds later, telling her that I have done some work and it's on my table. She just nodded and told me to leave already. I got my things and left the office. I went back to my loft, happy for what just happened.
As I walked back to my loft, my phone buzzed. I looked at it and it was Silena asking me where I was. I replied that I was on my way home because Mom decided to give me a day-off. She messaged back an okay and a smiley face.
I got to my building and Silena and the Stoll brothers greeted me in the lobby. I smiled at them as each of them greeted me a happy birthday. I thanked them and gave them a hug.
"We have gifts for you." Silena announced.
"You didn't have to."
"Whatever, Annabeth. Deep down, we all know you want the gifts." Connor said.
The three of them laughed and Silena continued, "Anyway, I got you a spa appointment today. You can try each and every thing they offer."
"I got you a pepper spray." Connor proudly announced.
"And I got you a Taser." Travis said. "It's for your self-defence because we care about your safety." He winked at me.
I just laughed, thanked them, and gave them a hug. I love my friends and I am very lucky to have them. They left me to go to their jobs and I just went up to my loft. I changed out of my work clothes and wore a large comfortable shirt and shorts. I removed my hair from the tight bun and just got comfortable on my bed. Soon enough, I was asleep. I woke up a few hours later and saw that it was already twelve at noon. I felt well rested and good. I just lied down on the bed and I realized that I haven't seen Percy today and it irked me. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I tied my hair into a high ponytail and wore a plain shirt, denim shorts, and running shoes. I got my bag and went to the spa that Silena said.
I took a cab and told the cabbie the spa. Once I got in the spa, different scents of oils greeted me. I smiled and went to the front desk. I told the person working that Silena got me a reservation. The person smiled and asked me what treatments I wanted to get. I smiled and chose almost everything on the list.
After my treatments, I felt so good because of the massages and my nails were done. I could've stayed there for as long as I wanted but I needed to go home and check on my dogs. I called Percy but he didn't pick up. Maybe he was asleep after his all-nighter. I walked back to my building and went up to my loft. I got a spoon and my Ben and Jerry's ice cream. I just sat down on the sofa, watched TV, and just ate my ice cream. When I was halfway to finishing the ice cream, I decided to stop and put the ice cream back into the fridge. I went back to the living room and then my phone rang.
"Annabeth Chase."
"Hey, Annabeth, it's Drew. You have a package here in the office. I think you should go here."
"Okay, okay. I'm coming." I said.
I hung up and left the loft. I brought my wallet and cellphone with me. I decided to walk to the office to save money. I went up to the office and looked for Drew.
"Where's the package, Drew?" I asked her once I found her.
"It's on your table in your office." She said.
I went in the office and saw that there was a scroll there. I went over to it and picked it up. I opened it and realized it was a map, bringing me too different restaurants. Some I have never been to before. There was an envelope. I looked in the envelope and it was filled with money and a list. I looked at the list and it was a to-do list. It was telling me to go to different restaurants, order some foods, and more.
I smiled and did what the list told me. I followed the map, went to different restaurants, and ordered what was written on the list. I paid with the money in the envelope. I was halfway through the list when I realized that they were my favorites. I was already carrying a lot of take outs. I had pasta, rum balls, soufflés, risottos, pizza, burgers, nachos, ice creams, and more. The last thing listed was go home. I walked back home, my arms were filled with paper bags and really tired.
"Miss Chase, do you need help?" He asked me.
"No thanks, Karl." I smiled at me.
I went in the elevator and waited for it to reach my floor. I sighed in relief when the doors opened and then realized that I had to open my door. I was probably trying to open the door for fifteen minutes or so. When I opened it, I just wanted to dance in joy. I put all the paper bags on my dinner table and saw another scroll. I just stared at it for a few seconds and got it. It was another map but now there was a car key with it. I held the key and looked at the map. It was just outside the building. I held on to the keys and went down. I went outside the building and saw a beautiful red Ferrari Italia 458 Spyder. I stared at it and looked down at the keys. Is the car a gift from someone too?
Then everything just went black.
A/N: Thanks for reading! :)
Tell me what you think of the chapter. Write a review. It makes me smile throughout the day. So make me smile and write a review :D
Question of the Chapter: When are your birthdays? I'll greet you guys, if you want. ;)
