Chapter 8: Seaside Manor
Annabeth
There was a slight breeze blowing at my cheeks. Tossing and turning, something wet was licking all over my hand. It went up to my arm, leaving a slimy trail. Loud sniffs here and there, someone was definitely beside me while I- Wait? What was I doing before? What am I doing now?
"Hum…W-woof…" A high pitch whine sounded off from my left.
A bit rough as something brush over my arm, I felt a coarse paw crawling at me and finally I figured it out. As my brain powered on, I reached out aimlessly and somehow was able to find the culprit. His fur was soft and fluffy.
"Leo…" I grumbled.
With my right hand, I pat his head while doing my best to ruffle his soft golden hair into a purposeful mess. It didn't turn out to what I was expecting, but regardless….
"Aa-ahhh… how did I get here?"
Feeling strange as I got my senses back, I recalled little by little most of what I've missed since falling asleep on the limo. It took a while, but finally I was able to open my eyes to a dimly lit room. Of course, Leo was the first one to greet me as he waited patiently by my bed this time around.
I smiled, "Hey buddy,"
He threw his head forward and made a half-bark in response. I nodded tiredly, "Okay-okay… I am getting up so don't jump up this time, okay?"
He understood because he waited for me unlike the morning I had with him today. I heard the soft thumping sound of his tail hitting the carpet.
"Mmm!" A loud yawn escaped me.
I swung both my legs over the edge and sat up, stretching my arms above me. Right away, I realized I was still in my school uniform. The sudden stretch made my blouse impossibly tighten over my arms and chest, so I stopped and relaxed my tensed shoulder.
From behind me, I heard the faint distant waves washing up our sandy beach. It really helped settled down my groggy head as I turned and look out toward the horizon. It was night time already, the dark sky illuminated by the silver half-moon and shiny stars shone gently through the windows leading to the terrace, the cool and breezy feeling blend slowly into the warm candlelit room of mine, creating this otherworldly calmness inside me. Nights like this never failed to captivate my attention as I let out a soft sigh while taking in the moment a little longer.
"Mmm…" I rubbed my forehead then my eyes, "I wonder what time is it?"
Out of nowhere, I heard another voice, "It's almost dinner time, sleepy head."
The reply was so sudden it should have startled me, but I would have recognized her voice anytime. It made me smile to hear my best friend once again.
I turned toward the door to my room, "Thalia!"
Smiling, I was finally back at the Chase manor. Currently in my huge room on the top floor, I was somehow back in my bed since falling asleep on the limo. My queen bed was stack against the back wall and lined along the middle of the room. A bit overkill if you asked me, but there were a bunch of fancy decorative pillows and cushions around me. None of it wasn't my idea though, except for the huge owl plushy that I brought when I was a little kid.
On the other side of the room were many drawers for all the things I could ever need. Next to it was a huge flat screen which sat between two tall bookshelves, filled with an assortment of my favorite books among other stuff, and right beside that setup was the hallway leading to my walk-in closet and the bathroom behind it. Facing the terrace was my study desk where all my works were neatly stacked. It was just as I left it the last time I was here.
"Annabeth…" My best friend smiled as she said my full name before folding her arms, "I guess you are really tired from school, huh?"
I smiled back at her comment.
Standing by my doorway was a girl with short black hair, electric blue eyes, and a really athletic build all over. You could tell she work out a lot because her muscles were lean and toned like she could kill you with just one punch, but in no way did her physique diminish her feminine side. Looking beautiful while dressed in her regular home clothes- plus a white cooking apron drape over her shoulders, the girl's name was Thalia Grace, and she was my other best friend beside Piper Mclean. Older than me by a big margin, Thalia was like a bigger sister even if we weren't related by blood.
"Mmm." I stretched my arms behind my back, "How are you, Thals? It's been so long."
Thalia rolled her eyes, "Meh… why do you even ask? It's the same all the time. But you obviously had been through a lot today, huh? Is that why you are so tired?"
Shaking my head because I didn't know why I was so sleepy since the limo ride either, I let her know with an absentminded shrug, "Who knows…"
"Oh. Well, anyway," Thalia gestured and pointed toward the left side of my room, "Welcome back big sleepy Owl Head. Now please get change out of your uniform already, dinner is almost done. Plus, your mom wanted to speak with you so I'd get ready sooner than later."
Still overtaken by the long nap, I waved weakly at her stern reminder. Barely able to stand up too, I stood for only a second before taking a wobble to the side. I grumbled at that. It was hard to stay balanced and steady, but I managed to head for my closet, of course, not before I turned around and asked Thalia with an all smiley tease, "Wanna help me out? I am still so sleepy."
Thalia immediately made a face at my impossible joke, "You are such an Owl head… Stop playing around and get change already, princess…"
Her sharp reply brought a pout to my face, but I let go and tumble inside my closet all the same. Unlike Alfred who was our real butler, Thalia was only a college student- though she was at least four years older than me- who had been helping out at my mom's manor since the start of my middle school years.
Living around here and not too far away either, it was her way of making a living while supporting herself and her little brother. They were a close family from what I could gather, and even though I never knew her full story to an extent- who her parents were and where she actually lived around here, I knew enough to realize that she was a supportive person and someone you could trust and rely on.
That's why we've become best friends too. Like Piper who had been with me throughout high school, Thalia had been looking after me like a big sister since I was growing out of my teenage phase. It was her who took care of all my problems and worries when I had them, reassuring me when I felt upset or angry. In many ways, Thalia also helped a lot during those torturous freshmen phase too, and it wasn't only Piper who helped me out of that depressive hell.
Since then, Thalia had graduated from high school a few years back and now attended college somewhere around here full time. But because of the long road trip between her college campus, her home somewhere around here, and her workplace in our mansion; it would honestly be impossible if she didn't already have a car, Thalia understandably asked my mom if she could stay here in the annex buildings over by the east side of our mansion. It was a bunch of housing for the others who worked here for us full time as well.
I would have imagined my mother saying no, but it turned out to be the opposite. Just like me, she had a soft spot for Thalia, which was why she now spent most of her nights here too, living in her own comfy and spacious apartment with her brother. I guess you could say she really is a butler in that sense, though I never considered her like that except for being my best friend / older sister.
"Come down when you are ready, Annabeth," Thalia called out before leaving my room. I also heard Leo's tag jingling as he followed along with her. However, it was her last mumble around the corner that brought me a chuckle, "I swear to God, Jason… You better be done with the dishes already."
Placing a smile on my face, I guessed some things just never changed between siblings. They still argued like always, I see… I could hear Thalia walking off now, leaving me alone with a towel drape over my arm and an elegant marble-tiled bathroom in front of me.
I sighed happily, more than ready to relax from a foggy head.
-Line Break-
"So, how's your first day back?"
There was more food than I could have possibly imagine, it seemed like the cooks splurge a bit on the groceries for tonight and decided to make it a full course meal. For only two, nonetheless. However, my stomach had been growling constantly since I took the shower so I probably could eat everything on the mahogany long table. So long as I take my time, I was sure my tummy could handle it.
Screw it! I rather have a stomach ache later on… After all, it was my favorite parmesan pasta dish severed with salads and crispy bread. There were soups and a lot of extra on the side too, precisely why it's a lot for just me and my mom.
"Annabeth? H-Hello? You listening?"
"Huh?" I have been unintentionally ignoring her opposite of the table, but the food smell so good it just couldn't be helped. I dug in quickly, loving how delicious it tasted. It was exactly the way I loved it.
My mom sighed, "I was just asking you how was your day… Did something happen in school?"
"Oh." Right afterward, I suddenly had a small mental breakdown, "Wait? What?!"
It was such a normal question from an overprotective mother to her daughter, but I choked up on the question nevertheless, albeit for a completely different reason. The nagging memories of today flooded my head with images and a face with onyx messy hair. His name rolled at the tip of my tongue for a bit. I made a face, then as soon as the thought of him came up, I chewed on my bottom lip and stopped it dead on its track. I only realized I was overreacting to her simple question when her face tensed as she stared into my soul with her inquisitive grey eyes.
"No! Why do you ask? No… absolutely nothing happened, you know…" I avoided her gaze as I put up with such a lame recovery.
Already in her casual sleep nightgown as she sat opposite of me, there was a brief moment of silence between us after my abrupt reaction. Not long after, my mom's burning gaze morphed into an unexpected expression. She smiled knowingly at me, and my first natural reaction was to hide my eyes further away from her and hoped to God that time would bury the awkwardness I created. Still, even I could hear the nervousness in my stuttering voice, to the point where I wouldn't believe myself for the obvious black lie either.
"I see…" She said with a sarcastic tone dripping with amusement.
Surely, her reaction prompted me to blush like mad while I quickly used the pasta in front of me as a distraction. I thought I would break her off from having this conversation, but I wasn't that lucky. Perceptive as always, my mom figured me instantly and the knowing smile she gave me hinted at it all the way. I sighed, cursing this gift that ran in the family.
"P-Please don't say it…" I pleaded and looked down at my plate, "It's not that big of a deal anyway."
"Hum…" She made a soft murmuring sound. It felt somewhat like a small giggle between an 'I know you are hiding something' snicker. It infuriated me right away and I made a frowning face at her.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, Annabeth…" She finally said.
My mom took a bite of the pasta afterward.
Filled with worry but in a wildly different sense, I went numb and was shocked by her brief and simple response after all that, "Umm… I thought you are going to bothering me about it? No?"
My mom smirked, "Hey! I am trying to be nice. Plus, it's not like I need you to tell me everything about your love life."
"….!" I had a wordless reaction.
Right away, I choked again. The parmesan pasta getting stuck in my throat and blocking my airway. My face turned completely red all over, though I was pretty sure it was for another reason and not because of myself being suffocated with the food halfway down to my stomach.
"Of course, I would like to hear it though…"
On the verge of laughers, I threw a bunch of color curses at her for teasing me; mentally speaking anyways. I wasn't brave enough to actually let out those words at my mom. Sure, she was an annoying pain in the butt sometimes, but she was still my mother who I respected too much to do that to her.
"T-Thanks for making me choke…" I managed to say after some water.
My mom laughed at me for almost dying from suffocation, and just like that my pleasant and enjoyable dinner time was replaced with an embarrassing disaster far worse than anything I've experienced.
Barely able to keep her at bay, I was lucky when I finished all the food on the table in a surprisingly short amount of time. I was definitely full to the brim where I could feel my belly bloated at least a few centimeters out. Regardless, I waved for the waitress by the kitchen, and she came over right away to clean up the table which worked really well to prevent my mom from probing me for more information about today.
"Mmm." She drew her fingers over her glass filled with red wine while smiling at me with an insatiable thirsty of curiosity. Her insistence to find out what happened today made me real uncomfortable. As much as I was used to her meddling nature, I really hope she won't ask anymore. Taking the initiative to switch topics as soon as the waitress left with the dishes, I chuckled nervously, "So, how was your day?"
She smiled knowingly like she was expecting this sudden change.
"It's good. I finally got that contract I've been working so hard on, so yeah… I am fine, dear."
I nodded awkwardly but found it impossible to ask more, "Cool,"
There was a reason why I couldn't keep the conversation going. That's because there were a lot of things I didn't know about my mom's architectural company- to be honest, I didn't even know the name of her company nor where she actually go to work, and it wasn't like I didn't want to know either, but my mom was very secretive about anything related to her work, even with me. I only knew what she told me from before, and whenever I decide to dig further she would pause me and tell me that it's not something I should be concerned with. I had no idea why she would keep her work in such secrecy, but over time I've just gotten used to it. I trust her well enough to know there were things in our lives that I didn't need to know, or maybe wasn't ready to know.
Out of nowhere, she brought our topic of conversation back to me with no effort whatsoever.
"Look, Annabeth…" My mom paused only to speak in a different and heavier tone than before.
Whenever she used my full name like that, I knew whatever she was going to say next must be a least semi-serious, or else she wouldn't have looked pensively at me like she was trying her best to build her words up. It's obvious to me what she wanted to say already, and I knew she was doing her best to not sound off offensive.
"I am sorry for teasing you like that about today…" There was a hint of a smile before it faded, "But you know I am going to worry about you after what happened with Luke, so I guess what I'm trying to say is that… I just want you to be careful."
I didn't respond.
"I am not objecting to you meeting someone else who you think is special to you. In fact, I wanted you to go out and have fun with whoever it is that you want to spend your time with." My mom had a solemn expression on afterward, "I just don't want to see you get hurt like that again."
Showing her genuine concern for me, I was able to relax a bit even though what she said would have no doubt triggered me in some ways or another. I hated being reminded of the fact that I made the worse mistake I could ever have in my life, but the way my mom handled her words made it hurt a lot less. Of course, the time that I got to heal from those wounds definitely help lessen its impact too.
"I know. Thanks." I finally offered back.
Able to share an understanding with her on this difficult subject, she smiled back genuinely with a joyous relief on her soft expression, "Good. Now that's out of the way, wanna watch a movie together?"
I found my smile again, "I'll pick the movie…"
-Line Break-
"Not again." Another complaint from my mother sitting beside me.
It's already been two and a half hours since dinner- it was around 8 when we finished, yet as I sat on the couch, I couldn't find or remember a single instance where I was bored of the TV screen or ready to get to bed like I probably should be doing.
"Stay a little longer…" I pleaded, "It's getting to the good part."
"You said that like ten minutes ago!" She reminded me.
I laughed, "Come on, what happened to the 'I love to watch another documentary'... hype that you had since we start?"
"Sweetie… I love you, but I can't go watch two three-hour-long documentaries back to back." She sighed in absolute defeat. I could even hear it in her voice, "How about we go take a walk outside? It's nice out tonight…"
Reminiscing on the view I had back in my bedroom; the breezy green field behind our manor and the sandy beach that followed behind it, I found it impossible to resist her offer. It was an opportunity to relax after today too, so I jumped at the chance.
"Owlfred, can you turn off the TV for me?"
It didn't take a few seconds before a virtual ball of blue light materialized in front of us. Trillions of dots began to vibrate in the sphere, oscillating in seemingly random speed as Owlfred replied, "Sure. Enjoy your walk, princess."
"I will. Thanks, Owlfred."
My mom was already off the couch and leaving for the sliding door that led to the back of our mansion and the green field that followed, "Hey! Maybe we should invite Leo…"
I loved that idea right away.
"Leo! Where are you?" I shouted into the living room, "Come on, boy… we're gonna for a walk!"
Instantaneously, his loud bark sounded from somewhere in the hallway. I heard his paw hitting the hardwood floor as he scrambled like crazy to get over here.
"Woof!" Leo soon appeared around the corner with a crazy turning drift, his huge paws almost slipped over the tiles but he found his balance effortlessly again, "W-Woof… Woof!"
I ruffled his golden hair, "Come on, you goof. Let's go…"
As soon as the sliding door open, Leo bolted out with a running start and zoomed all over the nicely trimmed grass field. I could see how happy he was when his tongue was halfway out of his long mouth as he sprinted all over the place, chasing a squirrel here and there.
We followed along with our silly dog, and at the same time my mom and I were cracking up at how much fun he seemed to be having with himself.
"Hmm!" She stretched her arms, "It's so nice out, right sweetie?"
I nodded and followed her lead down the white sandy pathway. Meanwhile, I kept my eyes up in the stars and moon above us, "Yeah, you could barely see any clouds tonight."
"And the wind feels too good... I almost wanted to sleep out here tonight."
I shook my head as a familiar memory came up. In a way, my mom was a bit impulsive when she set her mind on something, which was why I sternly reminded her of the lesson from last time, "Remember what happened last time, you got really sick because of it…"
And before she could reply, I added to quench her desire right away, "And don't say you rather be sick than miss such a comfortable night outside."
I knew I was being a bit cheeky, but it couldn't be helped because convincing my mom otherwise with logic and reasoning was a real tough ordeal. I knew that from experiences.
"Plus, don't you remember how you were moaning and complaining every other second after you got sick and have to stay in bed?"
I paused and looked at her with a wry smile, "I certainly did…"
I couldn't distinguish whether my mom just grumbled or chuckled, "Okay, dear… Don't have to go into too many details… I got it, smarty pants."
Though I was pretty sure she mumbled out that last part under her breath so I couldn't hear it. Luckily, I heard the nickname she called me, not that it made me feel any better though.
Needless to say, I whined at her unprovoked name-calling habit, "Don't call me that… I am just trying to be nice so you won't get sick tomorrow."
It was the same phrase she used to tease me back at dinner, and after quipping back at her I felt so much better. Of course, my mother turned and shot me a sarcastic smile. I mimic her with the same expression.
"When did you get so cheeky?" My mother asked.
I chuckled, "Don't blame me… Everything I am, I got it all from you."
I didn't blame her either when she cracked up genuinely. Seeing her laughing with tears of joy, I couldn't stop myself from joining her. It all ended though when I felt a strong pressure in my nose. Soon, I sneezed when an unusually strong windy breeze blew over the field. A wild shiver was brought over my body, I felt my skins crawling as I sneezed again.
"Look who is all talk in the end…" Her smile widened.
I sneezed for the third time and rubbed my nose.
"Go back inside, sweetie..." She said reassuringly, "I want to stay out here for a little longer."
I nodded and left her by the middle of the field, "Okay. Good night, mom."
She turned away and stared at the thing we were walking toward, "Good night, Annabeth."
I didn't realize that we have been outside for a while now and somehow ended up in the middle of our courtyard. A rectangular square with four pathways leading toward the middle, our huge and impressive fountain sat under the night sky and lit up by soft LED blue lights.
A central pillar with different sculptures carved into its side; two marble statues on the top where one was holding a trident and the other one holding a spear with an owl on its shoulder, water overflowing from the statues hands which created three small streams that trickled onto the other three round platforms below, each one larger in diameter, clear water overflowed down to the next with a beautiful circular waterfall until it went back to the bottom. It was a stunning view, especially at night time. Even I wished to stay and take in its breathtaking sight a little longer.
"Ah-Choo!"
Nope. I don't want to get sick…. With that thought in mind, I hurriedly slipped back inside and made my way back to my room. On the way, I saw Thalia and her little brother; he was about the same age as me, walking down a different hallway. I caught their attention right away, though the boy with sandy short blond hair quickly averted his eyes from me. As always, he looked irritated- even a bit resentful whenever he saw me. His name was Jason Grace, and he wasn't my favorite person in the world either. But that's another story for another time. We were both going down the opposite side on the second-floor hallways; my room was on the third, but of course, I couldn't leave until I said good night with my best friend.
"Thalia!" I almost screamed and waved her over.
I saw her smirked. She then turned to her brother and whispered something which Jason nodded and left on his own. I watched as Thalia widen her smile at me before strolling over. As for the boy who seemed more than happy about this turn of events, Jason slipped away and disappeared into the dim candlelit hallway like his body just got enveloped by the darkness.
I ignored it entirely.
"Hey, princess…" She came over and finally gave me a friendly hug since I've been back from the city. I returned it right away, "Wanna have another girl talk tonight?"
Way more eager for it than I supposed I should be, I grabbed her hand and pull her along and up the stairs with me, "Yup! I actually do want to tell you something about today…"
"Hmm, I wonder what it might be…"
Not even trying to hide her subtle and suggestive gaze, there was such an obvious hint to Thalia's amusing tone, accompanied with a knowing smirk that I knew something must have tipped her off already. I had an inkling as to what- or rather, who in fact that might have been.
"No way! A-Alfred told you?"
Surely, I didn't think Alfred was eavesdropping on my embarrassing conversation with Piper. Even more so, I couldn't even begin to imagine that he was one of those people who would tattle stories about others, especially when it came to me. It was almost an unspoken rule between us.
Thalia could only smile and I even heard her chuckled when I unknowingly blush out of nowhere.
"Oh my gosh, he did…" I grumbled and looked away, "Damn, I need to have a talk with him now."
We've finally reached my room. The soft evening breeze was still blowing through the beautiful, flower-decorated terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the gentle wind slipping pass the slightly open folding / sliding transparent glass panels, the sheer white curtains flowing softly into my room.
"Don't blame Alfred too much, princess. I've overheard your talk with your mom at dinner too, so it wasn't too hard to figure out." She smirked.
I grumbled and threw my face into a pillow.
She laughed in response, "Well, he must be a real nice boy if he's got you all blushing and acting like this already."
I shot up and gazed into her blue eyes with a soft warning, "Shut it, Thals, I just— Gosh, you wanna hear it or not? Because I am not going to talk if you keep teasing me."
Her hands were up in a surrender pose, "Okay-okay… spill the beans, Owl Head."
For the rest of the night, Thalia kept herself entertained by lying on my bed with a lazy pose, a bag of snacks on her hands. Meanwhile, I retold the story of my first time meeting Percy- the accidents and coincidences that filled so much of my eventful day. Once again, my other best friend could only nod as I reveal everything, but I wasn't looking for any reactions nor judgments so it worked out. Instead, I let myself focused on working the current design on my huge tablet, sitting at my study desk and occasionally staring into the starry night sky out in the distance.
Somewhere along, I was getting sleepier and must have fallen asleep halfway through what I wanted to say. I couldn't remember what happened after I told Thalia the name of the boy who caused me so much trouble.
His name is Percy…
