A/N: Once again, THIS STORY ISN'T MINE! I can't take credit for writing this masterpiece, I just copied and pasted it from tumblr so it can reach a larger audience! The writer of this story is tumblr user storiesoftheseven . Here's the link to the master post of Falling For the Devil : post/116271170930/fftd-master-post

The weeks blurred together and before she knew it three weeks had passed. Three weeks of being happy, confused, sad, angry and lonely. Happy when she was on her regular lunch dates with Luke.

Lonely, confused and angry when it was just her and Percy, when he was being more confusing than ever. With his compliments and chatty attitude. Always trying to carry on some type of conversation with her, making an effort to actually get to know her. It confused her. Not because she thought she was in love with the asshole, but because she didn't know what his play was.

She didn't know what he was getting at.

Percy had started taking her to dinner every evening, most of the time picking her up from work himself. Sometimes one of his idiots would fetch her, but for the most part he would always be waiting on her by the curb in front of her office.

Greeting her with a kiss on the cheek or the lips. At first, it had made her mind whirl but then she realized they were in public. They had to keep up the charade in front of people.

Annabeth had also gotten into the habit of staying late. She knew that if she left at the normal time Luke would want to walk down with her. She couldn't have Luke finding out about Percy and Percy finding out about Luke.

Her life was very precarious at the moment.

Only being held together by sheer force of will.

To make matters worse she'd had several meetings with her wedding planner. Where she had to act like the doting bride to be. Percy had even come to some of these meetings, offering his input on different things. When Katie had shown Annabeth the idea board for the wedding Annabeth had been silent and thoughtful. It had been beautiful and completely to Percy's taste and his vision for the wedding.

She had signed off on the design immediately.

Katie had also stressed the importance of picking out a wedding dress. They only had two months and one week until the big day. Invitations would be going out in a couple weeks and their engagement party was happening next weekend. Katie had asked if they were doing a wedding shower but both had declined since they didn't need one.

She had offered the alternative of the engagement party, Percy took to the idea immediately. Since, it was another opportunity to show her off to a guest list of his choosing.

That was how she ended up here in one of the biggest bridal stores in all of of New York. Annabeth had picked up her party dress that morning from her favorite designer but when it came to picking out her wedding dress she needed more of a selection.

Annabeth and Thalia were sitting in a secluded section of the store with Katie typing feverishly over her iPad while they waited.

Katie had gotten them a last minute appointment with a promise of whatever they chose to be ready before Annabeth's wedding date.

It was amazing what plenty of money could do for a person.

"This is so exciting." Thalia buzzed, bouncing her legs at a rapid pace.

Annabeth chuckled, "Yeah… really exciting."

Thalia frowned, "You should be more… happy."

Annabeth quickly smiled, "I am happy… just." She paused and decided to let a little bit of the truth to seep through, "I never really imagined my wedding being this large… I always wanted something small."

"Why didn't you say anything to Percy." Thalia asked.

Annabeth shrugged, "Because he wanted something large… and he is paying for it."

"Yeah but he asked you to marry him… you should have something that you want."

Annabeth smiled and reached over to grab her friends hand, "It's fine… I'm happy… A large wedding… a small wedding- it doesn't matter… I'm marrying the person I want to marry."

She could never say, I'm marrying the person I'm in love with, it was too much of a lie. Annabeth could never pull it off without a grimace.

An attendant walked in moments later with several large white garment bags. She started unzipping them as Annabeth stood up and examined them. She noticed that all of the dresses were grand and extravagant. Most of the them had a full princess skirt and tight waist with varying degrees of crystals and bead work. They were beautiful, Annabeth had to give them that.

She tried on several of them while she and Katie discussed different things regarding the wedding- flowers, wedding cake, food tastings. There was an endless supply of things to plan for her 'perfect day.'

Thalia helped with the dresses, telling Annabeth which ones she liked and which ones she didn't. Most of them Thalia vetoed just by simply looking at Annabeth. They were all gorgeous but… none of them matched her personality.

The socialite who wanted nothing to do with her families money.

Thalia saddled up beside her after ten dresses, "Why don't we take a look around?"

Annabeth glanced hopefully at Katie, who sighed and spoke to the attendant. Thalia helped Annabeth out of the dress she was currently in. As soon as she was out of the dress they went on the showroom floor to look.

Thalia grabbed a couple, as did Annabeth. Since money wasn't an option she wasn't tethered to just one section of the store. She could explore freely.

When they made it back to the dressing room Annabeth was sure they had to have found something. She tried on all of them slowly, taking them all into consideration. Her and Thalia asking the same questions to Katie and to themselves. Would this dress go with the theme of them wedding? Is this dress Annabeth in a nutshell? Would Percy approve? That was a question Annabeth asked silently to herself.

They kept a few dresses to the side, the ones that were their favorites. Some of them for the ceremony and the others for the reception. Since the wedding was so large they had decided to keep the dress large for the ceremony and then get a more simple dress for the reception.

Annabeth stepped into a fairly simple sweetheart neckline princess cut dress. The bodice ruched satin and the skirt, a beautiful soft tulle. The dress was zipped up and Annabeth glanced at herself in the full length mirror.

She had often heard other people talk about finding the perfect dress. Like, it was an "ah ha!" moment. But for her it wasn't, really. It was more of a subtle affirmation in the way Thalia's eyes lit up and Katie leaned forward in her chair. The way Annabeth's eyes sparkled as she looked in the mirror and took in the full skirt and simple ruched bodice.

"You look beautiful," Thalia muttered.

Annabeth smiled at her best friend, "I think this is it."

Katie laughed, "Think? No, this is the one…. it's perfect," She turned toward the attendant, "We need a veil, cathedral length."

Annabeth laughed as the woman rushed from the room only to return moments later with an appeal to come out to the main showroom. Where there was a bigger mirror and more room. Annabeth complied, picking up the dress so she could walk.

When she was standing on a pedestal looking into three different mirrors, her friends standing behind her and the other patrons staring at her, the attendant placed the veil on her head. It was gorgeous and long. Lined with jewels and the exact color of the dress. Thalia gasped as the veil was straightened and then smoothed out around the train of the dress.

This was definitely the dress.

Annabeth looked at Katie, "This is it."

Katie nodded and looked at the attendant, making plans for the dress to be ready by June 13th. Thalia was snapping pictures with her camera phone as Annabeth appraised herself. She looked every bit the blushing bride.

Percy would most definitely approve of his dress.

"Annabeth," Katie said catching her attention, "What about the reception dress?"

She thought about it for a moment and chose one of the slim fit lace dresses that had a sweetheart neckline and cap sleeves. It would pass as a reception dress- it was classy but would leave something to the imagination. Something most people would do if they were having a typical marriage and honeymoon- right?

Katie smiled, "Perfect."

Once they had paid the deposits for the dress, the rest would be paid when they picked them up, they left. Annabeth was grateful since she was exhausted. They made it two steps out the door before she stopped again.

Because sitting at the curb was Percy.

Well, his car was sitting at the curb. He opened the door and stepped out making Thalia and Katie smile at Annabeth. They probably thought he was the perfect fiance.

A far cry from it.

"Hello." He greeted her with a kiss.

She returned it, "I wasn't expecting you."

He shrugged and turned to her friends, "Mind if I steal her away for dinner?"

Thalia shrugged, "I should go meet Nico, I haven't seen him in a couple days."

Annabeth smiled at her friend, "Thanks for coming with me."

Thalia laughed, "Like I would miss it." Annabeth waved as Thalia hailed a cab and drove off. Katie was gone moments later with the excuse of work.

She turned to Percy, "Are we really going to dinner?"

Percy smiled, "Yes, I've had a busy day and could use some relaxing." Annabeth nodded and got into the car, he followed.

The ride to wherever he was taking her was filled with small talk. He asked about her day, how trying on dresses was. If she had found a dress, she told him she had and asked if he wanted to know what it looked like. He shook his head, preferring to see her walk down the aisle in it, apparently.

When they sat down in a booth at a restaurant Percy favored, people stared. It wasn't everyday that you saw The Percy Jackson seeming normal. Annabeth ignored the stares and ordered her meal before focusing back on Percy.

He was watching her.

It was unnerving for Annabeth, his eyes bored into hers. Almost like they knew all of her secrets, her darkest thoughts. It scared her.

He scared her.

A moment later wine was poured into their glasses and more small talk ensued.

0-0-0-0-0

"How was your weekend?" Luke asked as they walked down the sidewalk toward their most frequented lunch spot.

Annabeth grimaced making him laugh, "That bad?"

She shrugged, "Not bad but not entirely pleasant either."

Luke laughed, "You should hangout with me one of these weekends."

Annabeth stiffened slightly but kept walking, "Maybe… if you're lucky."

Luke smiled over at her, their shoulders brushed up against one another. Annabeth felt giddy, like she was back in high school again. It was completely ridiculous, she knew that. But she couldn't stop the way she felt about Luke. The way her feelings were building each time they hung out. Annabeth knew this was one big fat mistake, that all of this was going to blow up in her face but she couldn't stop hanging out with him.

He made her feel good.

Luke made her forget about all of the bad stuff in her life, the wedding, Percy, being forced to do something she didn't want to do.

Lunch passed in a blur, like it always did. It passed too fast for both of them. Annabeth found herself trying to think of ways to see him during the weekend. Over the past few weeks the weekend had been reserved for Percy or sulking around the mansion.

Mostly sulking but sometimes Percy would surprise or she would have some wedding planning to attend to.

"Can I take you to dinner this weekend?" Luke asked when they were in the elevator.

Annabeth bit her lip, "I don't know, Luke."

Luke frowned, "Come on, Annabeth… you've been turning be down for almost a month now."

Annabeth pursed her lips, "I have not… I eat lunch with you almost everyday."

"I want to see you outside of work."

Annabeth sighed and thought about it as the elevator continued to go up. She didn't know if she could pull off a weekend visit without Percy finding out. Besides, this weekend was out of the question. It was the engagement party.

As the elevator doors opened she turned to him, "Maybe."

He grinned, "One day you'll say yes."

Annabeth laughed as they walked their separate ways but stopped when she realized she probably wouldn't get a chance to say 'yes' to Luke.

She walked into her office and was immediately assailed by the scent of fresh flowers. Her gaze floated to her desk, a large frothy arrangement sat in the center of her tabletop. She walked forward and plucked the note from it.

Won't make it to dinner tonight, I will have the kitchen prepare something for you. See you in the morning for breakfast, though. - Percy

Annabeth pursed her lips, he could have just called her or sent her a text. She didn't know what his deal was lately. She knew he wasn't trying to get into her bed or fall in love with her. Annabeth didn't know why he was making an effort at getting to know her or be nice to her when they were not going to have a normal marriage in the first place.

It angered her, well actually it pissed her off.

All of it.

All of the chatty behavior, the dinners, the gifts.

Honestly, he was probably with one of his bimbo's tonight.

The thought angered her more than it should.

She placed the note back on her desk along with her purse and jacket. Her legs moved of their own accord and after a few moments she found herself knocking on Luke's office door.

"Come in."

Annabeth opened the door and looked around to make sure no one was in his office.

"Annabeth, what's up?" He asked, leaning forward.

She sat in the chair opposite his desk, "If you really want to see me outside of work, I'm free tonight."

Luke smiled, "Really?"

Annabeth nodded, "Yes and please don't make me regret this."

Luke nodded as she got up, "I promise, you won't!"

She laughed as she opened his office door, "Meet me by the elevators at four thirty?" he asked.

"Sure." With that she walked out his door and back to her office, where the stupid flowers were. Annabeth placed them at the corner of her desk, away from her important files. She supposed they brightened up the place.

The rest of the work day flew by and before she knew it she was walking to the bathroom to freshen up. Annabeth had gotten use to carrying a few essentials with her to freshen up throughout the day. Sometimes she even brought a change of clothing, this day she only brought a change of shoes and a different jacket. Something that would change her work clothing into something more appropriate for dinner with Percy.

Except she wasn't going to dinner with Percy, she was going to dinner with Luke.

The thought sent butterflies dancing, and something else, maybe adrenaline, around stomach.

Annabeth knew this was quite possibly the dumbest idea she'd ever had but she was too far gone to let it stop her from doing it. If Percy found out about Luke, she amended that thought. When Percy found out about Luke, because he would- one day, she'd have to face the consequences.

But for now she was living in the present and taking her life one day at a time.

She finished up her regimen and made her way back to her office. People were starting to leave, greeting her as she went. She waved and went to her office to gather up the rest of her belongings. Five minutes later she was waiting for Luke by the elevators, a stupid grin plastered to her face.

"Ready?" He asked, pressing the down button.

Annabeth nodded, "Yeah, I just need to tell my driver that I'll call him when I'm ready to be picked up."

Luke scrunched his eyebrows together, "Driver?" Annabeth nodded sheepishly.

"You don't live in the city?" He asked as the elevator door opened.

Annabeth shook her head, "No."

Luke chuckled, "I'm beginning to realize I don't know that much about you."

Annabeth shrugged, "Isn't that what dinner is for?"

Luke nodded, "Yeah, it is."

The rest of the ride was spent in a somewhat awkward silence, lunch was one thing but dinner was a whole other. Dinner implied something that she was sure she wouldn't be able to give him.

When they were in the lobby she turned to him, "I'll meet you on the sidewalk."

He nodded as she walked away from him and outside the night air. It was starting to get warmer since it was April but she still needed a jacket to combat the cool breeze between the large buildings.

Annabeth walked up to the familiar hulking figure standing by her car, "Travis, since Percy isn't going to be around tonight I've made plans with some friends… going to dinner… I'll call you when I need you."

Travis eyed her for a moment but nodded after a few minutes, "I'll be ready when you need me." She smiled and turned around.

Luke was waiting for her on the crowded sidewalk a few paces away from her car. She made sure to keep some space between them since she could feel Travis' stare. When they were blocks away from her building she closed the space between them, allowing her shoulder to brush up against his.

Luke looked down at her and smiled, "So, do you want a proper date? Fancy restaurant, the works? Or something a bit more low key… maybe a greasy cheeseburger and some fries?"

Annabeth laughed, "Low key, please. I live in a world of fancy restaurants and black tie galas."

Luke shot her a look, "Really?"

Annabeth nodded, "I come from a pretty…. wealthy family." She paused and chewed on her lip for a moment, "But… I didn't really want their influence over my life so I changed my last name and separated myself from them."

Luke smiled at her, "Wow… I don't think I would have been able to do that."

Annabeth frowned, "It was hard at first, learning to do things for myself but in the end it was the best decision. I've been able to make a name for myself within the company without my family's name being attached to it."

Luke opened the door to a diner, the warm air making her shiver, "That makes a bit more sense, I've never heard you talk about your family." They found an empty booth and sat down quickly.

"I don't really talk about them at all… it's not that I don't have a relationship with them… because I do, I just don't want their name muddled with the one I've made for myself."

Luke looked at her as the waitress came over to take their drink orders. They were silent when she walked away, both of them looking at the menu. It wasn't until after they had ordered Annabeth broke the silence.

"Tell me about yourself, I don't really like talking about my life story… it seems so trivial compared to others."

Luke smiled and leaned forward on the table, "You shouldn't be afraid of your family, Annabeth… I know you don't want handouts but keeping your family at arms length because you want to make a name for yourself seems…. almost selfish in a way."

Annabeth was a little taken aback as he continued, "My father was never really involved in my life and my mother is… for a lack of a better term, crazy. I had to put her in a home a couple years ago." She felt horrible, here she was talking about how she had a perfectly good family, a family who did love her and he had no one.

She leaned forward, placing her hand over his, "I'm so sorry."

Luke smiled, "It's okay, I've learned to deal with it in my own way… I have friends that I'm very close with and I visit my mother almost every weekend." Annabeth leaned back at the waitress brought them their drink orders.

"Maybe we should keep the conversation away from family," Annabeth mused, taking a sip of her drink.

Luke laughed, "It's okay, I just don't want you to miss out on being close with your family because you don't want their charity…. I understand completely, my Dad tried to come back into my life when I was a teenager and I turned him away. I wish I would have given him a chance instead of letting the bitterness overtake me."

Annabeth mulled over this as they lapsed back into silence.

"Have you tried getting in touch with your Dad?" She asked.

Luke shook his head, "I've thought about it."

Annabeth looked at him, "Maybe you should."

Luke smiled at her and Annabeth thought her heart melted a little inside her chest. His smile, so boyish- with his blonde hair and blue eyes. He truly was beautiful in her eyes. Luke leaned in closer to her and Annabeth had never been more thankful that they were in the corner of the diner. Where no one was paying attention to them.

Annabeth leaned forward and tugged on his shirt, bringing him closer to her. Their lips meeting at the halfway point on the table. It was a small kiss, nothing sloppy or passionate but his lips were gentle. His hand settled on her wrist as the small kiss lasted a bit longer than normal but she didn't mind.

He pulled back as she did and beamed at her. She settled back into her seat as they found another topic of conversation.

0-0-0-0-0

Before Annabeth could blink it was Saturday and the day of her engagement party with Percy. They had barely spent any time together this week, mainly breakfast and that was it. For that Annabeth was thankful.

The strange guilt she had been feeling since her kiss with Luke would have weighed even more heavily on her had she been spending time with the ever confusing Percy. Saturday afternoon was spent getting ready for the party.

Katie had planned the entire thing, it was at some hotel- Annabeth had forgotten the name of it. Her only request was that it not be black tie, something more low key. She still had to wear a dress but it could be a cocktail dress.

Annabeth had opted this time to get her hair and makeup done by someone else instead of doing it herself. Percy could afford it and honestly, she didn't feel like fussing over it. When her hair was properly curled and pulled to the side of her head loosely and makeup applied in subtle pops she slipped into her simple strapless black dress.

It was knee length and had a deep sweetheart neckline. The bodice hugged her body and then flared out slightly at her waist. She paired it with a simple pair of diamond earrings and nude pumps. She glanced at her phone and then walked to the door. She was a few minutes early but she didn't feel like sulking in her room any longer.

If there was one thing Annabeth was sure of it was that sulking was bad for her mood. She didn't even understand why she was sulking in the first place. It was probably the misplaced loyalty she felt to Percy, being his fiance and all. That and the fact that she was scared to death of what he would do if he was pissed off enough.

He had scared loyalty into her and she couldn't shake it.

She walked down the corridor slowly since she had a couple minutes to spare. When she approached the front door Percy was already there, waiting on her. She had a vague flashback to her second night here, a month ago.

She couldn't believe she had been here a month already.

Percy looked at her and smiled, "Beautiful… as always."

Annabeth eyed him but smiled, "You don't look too bad yourself." He chuckled and kissed her cheek.

His suit was black and tailored to him in a delicious way but wore a black and white checked shirt with a black printed tie. It shouldn't have gone together but it did, flawlessly. It was in that moment she was sure he had a stylist. No guy could ever put something together like that and make it work.

He raised an eye at her as she spoke, "We match."

He chuckled, "That's the point, right?" Annabeth shrugged as he opened the front door and walked to the waiting car.

"I feel like we've barely seen each other this week." Annabeth stated as they drove to the hotel their party was being held in.

Percy looked at her, "I've been busy… things that needed to be taken care of, personally." Annabeth nodded and looked away from his always piercing gaze.

"Maybe tomorrow we could do brunch?" He asked, "Maybe even go into Manhattan and spend the afternoon together."

Annabeth bit her lip as she looked at him, her mouth moving before her brain could even stop it, "Why are you being nice to me? It's so confusing… you either want me to hate you and be afraid of you or like you… you're confusing me, I don't know how to act around you anymore."

Percy pursed his lips before he spoke, "Maybe… we could find a common ground."

"Common ground? I don't know what that would be." She stated.

Percy sighed and moved his whole body to face her, "Well, we are going to be married and we need to come to an understanding if you're going to help me with some aspects of my business. We have to be able to tolerate each other."

Annabeth nodded, "And you're just now coming to this assumption?"

Percy shook his head, "I didn't come up with it alone."

"Oh." Annabeth didn't understand why that statement felt like a cold dose of water being dumped on her.

Percy reached over and grabbed her hand, "And none of the girls helped me with it either."

"Okay," She pulled her hand away, "So, we're cordial when we're alone."

Percy nodded, "And maybe one day friends."

Annabeth nodded, "Maybe." If you stop being a psychotic ass who manipulates everything to get your way.

The driver dropped them off at the front of the hotel. Percy stepped out first and held out a hand for her. He laced their fingers together as they walked up the steps and through the lobby. People watching them the whole way, whispering. She ignored them and slipped her hand out of his in favor of wrapping her arm around his waist, he placed his arm around her shoulders.

They had the move perfected.

Even in her four inch heels she fit perfectly into his side. When they walked inside all of their friends and her family greeted them. They took turns talking to each person, mostly his business contacts.

The night was mostly perfect, her mother behaved herself. Not making any negative comments, Malcolm was cordial to Percy. They drank champagne and talked and then danced together when it was appropriate. When they sat down for dinner Annabeth noticed someone who looked familiar to her. He was sitting at another table across from hers.

She leaned over to Percy, "Who is that?" She pointed.

He looked over at her, "That is Hermes Castellan." Annabeth scrunched her eyebrows together, that name sounded so familiar to her.

"What does he do?" She asked.

Percy raised an eyebrow at her but answered her questions, "Owns an imports and exports company and the majority of the ports around the city." Annabeth nodded as she thought over this.

"Why?" He asked a moment later.

Annabeth bit her lip, "He looks like someone I know." Percy nodded and took a sip of his champagne. It bothered her up until they were about to leave why he looked so familiar. Then it hit her like a ton of bricks.

That was Luke's father.

Percy did business with Luke's father.

She felt sick in the weirdest way, bile rising in her throat. Hermes probably shipped things illegally for Percy. Her head was spinning as they said their goodbyes.

Did this even mean anything to her? Why would it mean something?

Other than the fact that Luke was her friend and that was his estranged father. A darker thought emerged as they sat in the car on their way back home. What if Luke had been lying? What if he was playing her for his own means? What if?

She glanced over at Percy, "Does Hermes have a son?"

Percy looked at her curiously, "Yeah… his name is Luke, he's my age."