Wow, you guys are incredible. I got like 9 reviews on the last chapter. NINE! That's so many! Keep em coming please!
Anyways, as always… R&R
I do not own most of the character, nor most of the plot. I merely adapted it.
CHAPTER 17
"Are you okay, Annabeth?" Piper asked as her sister entered the apartment, "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Annabeth flung her purse onto the counter, and marched into the living room area where Piper was seated in front of the TV.
"There's something I need to tell you," she said rather candidly.
Piper blinked her eyes, and then slowly grabbed the remote to mute the TV.
"Uh, okay. What's up?"
Annabeth told her about what happened on her last couple days on Long Island, about how Perseus Jackson came to visit her twice, and how during the second time, he asked her out, and about the argument that followed. She left out the details of their argument regarding Mr. Jackson's involvement in Jason and Piper's relationship, or lack thereof. With the new information she now had, she didn't feel it proper to throw him under the bus like that just yet.
"Okay, first off," Piper stood up from the couch, obviously irritated about something, "Why didn't you tell me all this as soon as you got home from the trip? Why wait until now?"
Annabeth didn't exactly have a good excuse for that, as the truth was, she didn't find it very important, and she didn't wish to share such an uncomfortable detail, even with Piper. Annabeth expressed these reasons to her sister.
"I'm going to overlook those horrible excuses only because we have more important things to discuss… like, Perseus Jackson asked you out?!"
Annabeth just nodded.
"But why?" Piper asked as she waved her hands animatedly, "All this time he's been nothing but a cold, forbidding man, and you mean to tell me that he's had a crush on you this whole time?"
"If it's any consolation," Annabeth replied, "I highly doubt he'll feel very kindly about me for much longer."
"Quite possibly," her sister said, chuckling a little bit, "After all, nothing hurts a man's feelings more than rejection by the opposite sex."
The blonde sister shuffled on her feet; her hands clasped behind her back.
"You don't blame me for saying no, do you?"
Piper gave her sister an incredulous stare, "Blame you? Why on earth would I blame you?"
"Because," Annabeth said sheepishly, "There's more to it than you think. You might want to sit down for this."
As the two sisters sat on the couch, Annabeth told Piper about Mr. Jackson's account of Luke Castellan, how they had grown up together, and how Luke had rejected the company position, and then, after taking his friend's money, also seduced his friend's sister. Once again, she left out the part about Jason and Piper, telling only of the account of Luke.
"I-I don't believe it," Piper said in a stunned voice, "It cannot be possible."
Annabeth actually laughed a little bit, "Well this is a great start. If you don't believe me, no one will."
"I'm sorry, it's just… I find it very hard to process all this. Luke seemed to be such an amiable guy, and Mr. Jackson appeared to be the exact opposite."
"Yes, well," Annabeth shrugged with her eyebrows, "We were all deceived it would seem."
"Poor Mr. Jackson," Piper said in a regretful tone, before quickly adding, "Poor Dr. Castellan, he was so promising, especially for you, Annabeth."
"Oh, don't remind me of what he was to me!" Annabeth cried, as she was flooded with the memories of her foolishness.
"I'm sorry, it still just doesn't seem possible for Luke to do such a thing, but at the same time, it seems even more unlikely that Mr. Jackson would fabricate such a story, involving his own sister in that way no less. Perhaps there has been some mistake- "
Oh, no!" Annabeth interrupted, because it was just like her sister to refuse to believe such an awful thing could have been done in the world, to try to justify both men, and make no one out to be in the wrong. "Piper, you cannot have it both ways. You cannot make them both good men, not when it comes to circumstances such as these. I'm afraid that in this situation, there can only be one redeemable man, and I'm inclined to believe that that man… is Perseus Jackson, however hard that may be for me to say."
"It is unsettling to be sure," Piper replied, "To have to think so differently about each man. But I feel very deeply for Mr. Jackson now, knowing what I know. To have the knowledge of Dr. Castellan that he had, and to have to watch as Luke wormed his way into all our hearts so easily, it must have tortured him. How he must have felt seeing you with Luke for the first time at the park."
If Piper was intending to make her sister feel more shame than she already did, she was doing a good job, though Annabeth knew it was not on purpose.
"So, how do you feel now?" Piper asked, adjusting her legs on the couch.
"What do you mean?" Annabeth replied.
"Like, how do you feel about Mr. Jackson? Do you still hate him? Do you regret rejecting him?"
Annabeth was silent for moment, as she pondered these questions.
"I don't regret rejecting him. Despite what Luke did to him, it doesn't change the fact that Mr. Jackson still acted like a conceited jerk for most of the time I've known him. But… I don't hate him, I think."
Piper nodded, seemingly satisfied by her answer, before adding "And Luke?"
"I would be perfectly content with not seeing him again," was all Annabeth could say on that matter.
Her sister's face visibly paled at this reply, and Annabeth noticed that Piper had gained a sudden interest in the floor.
"Piper… what's that look for?"
The brunette girl met her sister's gaze.
"You know it's Drew's birthday party tomorrow, right?"
Annabeth's eyes widened, and her face also blanched, as Piper continued speaking.
"I saw the guest list… Luke is invited."
…..
The Chase house was in a frenzy, as the family raced to prepare for the upcoming party that evening. Annabeth had reluctantly made her way over straight from work, and so she was still dressed in her business attire, consisting of a dark grey blouse, and a professional looking pencil skirt. Piper was there as well, helping set up, and as Annabeth watched her sister, she tried to figure out the state of Piper's spirits.
In short, Piper was not happy. From what Annabeth could tell, her sister still had a soft spot for Jason Grace, and had failed to eradicate her feelings for him completely. Annabeth longed to tell her how Jason had never wanted to abandon her, but that would only make it harder for her sister to move on, and she still didn't wish to expose Mr. Jackson like that.
Aphrodite was just as upset about the whole ordeal surrounding Mr. Grace as well, as she was constantly expositing to Annabeth about how badly she felt for Piper.
"Can you believe it, my dear? It's been nearly a month since Mr. Grace left my daughter out to dry, and she is still shaken up about it. I don't blame her either, it was a very unfortunate thing indeed, I daresay I will never recover from it myself. BUT I have determined to never speak of it, or of him, again."
Annabeth knew her stepmother's resolution would probably only last for about an hour, or until the guests started arriving for the party at least.
The guests started arriving as scheduled, and Annabeth found herself busy making sure everyone knew where the drinks and snacks where located, or where to place their presents for the birthday girl. Speaking of the birthday girl, Drew was floating around the house like a beauty pageant contestant, mingling and giggling with all of her girlfriends, and flirting with all of the young gentlemen who had also received an invitation.
Annabeth tried to distract herself from the inevitable, but she couldn't help glancing towards the door frequently, as she waited for his arrival. Their confrontation was unavoidable, as Luke was undoubtedly still under the impression that he was going to ask Annabeth out, and that she was going to say yes. If there was any way to avoid what would for sure be an awkward clash, Annabeth would have gone with it. But alas, it seemed there was no other way, and what little hope Annabeth had that Luke would be busy with work and not show, was ultimately killed when she heard her youngest stepsister shriek his name.
"Luke!", which was followed shortly by a "Travis!" and "Connor!"
Annabeth forced herself not to turn around, as she continued to place more plastic cups and paper plates on the table in front of her. She knew it would only be a matter of time before he approached her, and Annabeth was going to have to prepare herself for the encounter.
It took him longer than she expected, she would give him that. In true Luke Castellan fashion, she watched him make his rounds about the room, greeting people with his charming, debonair smile. He greeted her family, laughing as Aphrodite gave him a welcoming hug, and Mr. Chase shook his hand pleasantly. The only person who didn't seem to be completely taken with his charm was Piper, whom Luke greeted with an expected return of formality, but he found none. Piper knew he was just making a show of being chummy with her family, and offered him nothing more than a handshake, and a dull "Hello." She was still polite to him though, as he tried to make a little conversation; she could never not be polite to anyone really, it just wasn't in her DNA to be cold and rude.
When Luke finished talking to her sister, he finally made his way over to Annabeth. His timing was impeccable, as she had just been in the process of refilling the ice bowl in the corner of the room, so now Luke had her cornered, and there was no escape.
"I must say," his voice caused Annabeth to turn around, "I always wondered how you dressed for work. I can't say I'm disappointed, or that I'm not a fan."
A few days ago, Annabeth would have blushed at such words from him, but now, she had to restrain herself from wrinkling her nose in disgust.
"Hello to you too," she replied, straightening herself as she did so. Out of the corner of her eye, Annabeth could see Piper watching them, her sister's eyes narrowed and disconcerting.
"How was your week on Long Island?" Luke asked with genuine interest.
"It was… jarring, to say the least." Annabeth's tone was flat, empty of any interest or emotion. Unlike Piper, she did have an unpolite bone in her body.
"Indeed? I can't say I'm that surprised; meeting Lady Hera can have such an impact on people, and not in a good way."
"Yeah, she's quite a character."
Luke nodded his agreement, "And how did you find Perseus' future bride, Miss Olympia?"
"You speak as if you are sure of their becoming engaged at some point?"
"I was under the impression that they were, or at least soon they would be. Is this not the case?"
Annabeth shrugged her shoulders, "I cannot say, but from what I was told, and from what I observed, Mr. Jackson has little interest in Lady Hera's daughter."
Luke's face changed considerably at her words, especially when he realized what she was implying; that she had seen Mr. Jackson during her stay on Long Island.
"You saw him?"
"I did, and I also met a friend of his. Tell me, do you know Grover Underwood at all?"
The man in front of her shifted uncomfortably, before regaining his composure.
"I know him somewhat. Mr. Underwood is a pleasant fellow to be sure, quite unlike his friend."
Annabeth tried to hide the fact that she was smirking a little inside herself.
"Indeed… although, I find that Mr. Jackson actually isn't as bad as some people make him out to be."
The look on the doctor's face did not get past Annabeth.
"Is that so?" Luke said, his voice betraying his surprise, "Do tell me how. Has he improved his manners, or regarded others with an air of civility for once? Or has he actually gained some necessary qualities befitting a virtuous man?"
The irony of it all threatened to make Annabeth come undone, but she held it together.
"Has he become a virtuous man; I would say not. He is still the same person as he always was, I believe."
Luke seemed to be satisfied with this answer, and he did not respond for a moment. But Annabeth saw the softening look on his face, and the way his finger tapped nervously on the side of his leg. She knew what was coming next.
"So, Annabeth," Luke began, "Remember what I said at the Katie's birthday party?"
The blonde woman nodded in affirmation.
"Well, this is me, asking you if you would like to- "
He was interrupted by a scream of joy, as Drew had begun opening her presents. They both turned to see the birthday girl jumping up and down, holding what looked like a ticket of some sort, while she hugged Travis and Connor Stoll simultaneously.
Luke turned back to face her, and was about to start talking again, but Annabeth stopped him before he could.
"You know," She said nonchalantly, "I actually got to have a decent conversation with Mr. Jackson, and I learned a couple very interesting details."
The blonde man was taken aback by her interruption, but his eyes narrowed when Annabeth told of having spoken with his rival.
"Oh yeah? And what details might those be?"
Annabeth was not keen on playing her cards so immediately, as no doubt Luke would jump to defend himself, and come up with some other sob story or lie to contradict Mr. Jackson's tale. She was in no mind to indulge him on such an opportunity.
"Let's just say that while Mr. Jackson is still not very improved in his manners, I think I understand him a bit more, having come to know him better… personally."
Her words had their intended effect, as Dr. Castellan took on a look of realization. He knew that she knew something, but not exactly what, or how much.
"May I ask, what exactly did Perseus tell you regarding our past? It's obvious to me that he said something as to change your mind towards him? Or maybe even towards myself?"
There it was… the test. The test to see if Annabeth was still of the same mind she had been before she had gone to Long Island. She knew Luke was trying to see if it was still worth pursuing this endeavor, or if it was a lost cause. And she was inclined to answer him.
"He said a lot of things, which indeed did change my mind. Or I guess I should say, it opened my mind up to how mistaken I had been… on multiple accounts."
Luke was stunned to say the least, and he struggled to maintain an air of cheerfulness. Annabeth could see in her peripheral, that Piper was smirking into her cup, as the girl could obviously get the basic gist of what was going down. Dr. Castellan seemed to be about to reply, but Drew suddenly appeared at his side, and grabbed his arm.
"Luke! Come here, you have to see what your cousins just gave me!"
As the man began to be dragged away, he turned to give Annabeth one last look.
"I'll see you around, Miss Chase."
"Possibly, Dr. Castellan… possibly."
As Luke was dragged off by her stepsister, Annabeth grabbed her cup of the table behind her, and took a slow sip of her punch.
Yes, go, she thought to herself, I hope to never see you again.
Don't worry, this won't be the last we see of Luke. I'm sure you guys are extremely worried we won't get to see him anymore… lol