Chapter 28: Punishment

Annabeth

"Um…."

I have a confession: I absolutely despise raw tomatoes.

The ripe, juicy texture when it's cut into slices of symmetrical half-ovals is the stuff of nightmares. Unlike my mother, this fruit was one of her most beloved and she knew how much I hated it.

When I was young, I came to discover my intense hatred for all things raw tomatoes. It was incomprehensive for my brain, whether it was the smell, the look, or the way it tasted. Even now, the memory of my first time trying it still torment my mental reflex, and since then, no other fruit would make me gagged and threw up straight away.

However, there were exceptions.

I never had a problem with ketchup, nor with tomato sauce on pizza or pasta, provided that it wasn't filled to the brim or have huge chunks of tomatoes in it.

Before long, my mother had enough of my picky eating and try to correct me by hiding small chunks of it in my food. Of course, I wasn't that much of a fool, even as young as I was, and would always look out for any signs of those red and plump pieces of death.

The sight of it was absolutely disgusting, and even if I succeed in picking them all out of my plate, I still avoid eating anything that touched even a drop of its juice. It was that repulsive for me.

Which was why—

"You are k-kidding, r-right?"

There was no avoiding the reality before me, impossible to ignore because it captured my attention whether I wanted it or not. In essence, I was in complete disbelief at my dinner!

"Hmm?" As a matter of fact, she wasn't kidding. There was a half-sneering smile on her lips, "What's the matter, honey-bun?"

To her credit, my mom gave up after years of trying to get me to like the red, juicy fruit- it was my one sworn enemy I refused to compromise with. In fact, her resignation that her daughter would never, ever eat a raw tomato in her life quickly passed over to our chefs too. Everyone in the kitchen knew all too well how much I hate it, and they would never serve me any food with them.

It took my entire childhood, but I'd finally gotten my way. All my life, I've avoided raw tomatoes like a plague, and I rather starved than break that habit now.

But given that I didn't see this coming, I was shocked.

… Or rather, I was dumbfounded my dinner was brought out by our servants.

It wasn't that long ago; the world started moving again if I rewind the clock twenty minutes back, that's the moment when P-Percy and I w-were…

… I mean, that's when we were still stuck inside my room, the stunning view before us while we stayed underneath the starry night sky, and we a-almost… almost- Ahem!

To be honest, I still couldn't process what we almost did in my room.

Right before I could taste something I shouldn't, Owlfred abruptly came back and told us dinner was finally ready, that we didn't have to keep to our rooms anymore. His interruption was an impossible save and brought me relief, but in doing so, that really… s-special moment I was having with Percy also went poof into thin air.

Luckily, neither one of us was too bothered because the prospect of having a wonderful dinner was much more welcoming for our hungry stomachs than—

It was a lie… We were both freaking out, but putting up a pretense meant to keep our relationship from getting even trickier with each other.

Blushing and avoiding all looks with him- the same can be said for an even more awkward Percy, I led us downstairs until we've finally seat at the long dining table, waiting eagerly for what our chefs had cooked for us tonight. My mother was already seated on the other side of the table, smiling at me specifically like she's planned something devious.

During the small wait, she asked Percy about that red mark on his forehead while drawing her finger over the rim of her glass filled with red wine. That question immediately made us uncomfortable. Percy looked away and whistle to himself, narrowly avoiding a response. I hung my head down at that moment too, ignoring her completely.

"Oops. I guess that's too much for you two to handle. I see. Heheh… it's so cute seeing you two blush together." That's what my mother said only to earn a full cold glare from me.

It didn't faze her one bit.

Instead, she hummed humorously until dinner was brought out by our servants, three plates of our food placed right in front of us. It was how I found myself ranting about my disdain for tomatoes, and how I was utterly taken back and feeling nauseated already.

It was my punishment for all the headaches I've caused today, no doubt.

"T-This is just…" Speechlessness enveloped me.

Something backed up my throat as I stared at the unsavory sight of eight individual slices cut up from one giant tomato, placed in perfect order on my plate from left to right. There was nothing else.

Soon enough, they made me gag and I immediately covered my mouth.

"Wow! Someone really hates tomatoes huh?" It was Percy who said teasingly while he sat right beside me, a smirk on his lips as he picked up a fork, drooling at his own plate.

If I wasn't physically gagging at the tomatoes with all their juicy ripe insides, I would have smacked the living hell out of him. I really wish I could at least glared coldly in his direction though.

But just as I dreaded, my mom who planned this prank from the very beginning wasn't a tiny bit bothered by my disgusted reaction. She casually gestured at all our plates and said gleefully, "Well, let's eat, shall we?"

Beside me, two plates of salmon ravioli filled the living room with its sweet sense, the cooked pink salmon seasoned with herbs and spices that tingled my nose and made me drool, the pasta filling covered with a rich white sauce, the perfect chef-like presentation…

"Wait! No! This is so not fair!"

I screamed in protest only to cover my nose quickly from the overwhelming smell.

"I- I can't eat this…"

My mother didn't bother to answer me. My only reply was a sly smirk. As she dug into a spoonful of pasta with a small cut-up piece of salmon, I stared wordlessly with envy while she purposefully made to show off just how delicious it was. She smacked her lips together and hummed yummy just to get on my nerves.

"A-Aahh—" I made sounds I've never heard myself make before. Instinct soon followed, my body leaned forward in a feeble attempt to reach out for her spoon and drooled when she began to chew, a drip of white creamy sauce slip from between her lips and she giggled.

"Oops, I've almost forgotten my manners." My mother made an embarrassed smile, "But I can't help it when it's this delicious, right Percy?"

Okay, that's just cruel!

She wiped her lips with the table napkin just as Percy replied with enthusiasm, a mouthful of white sauce that he didn't bother to wipe away. His voice was trembling as he took another bite without a bit of regard for his mannerism, "This is amazing, Mrs. Chase."

Percy savored that large bite with such a satisfying, pure delightful look on his face, even I couldn't help it when an inappropriate desire consumed me: I felt the urge eat from the same plates as his, or better yet, snatch his away so I could have it all for myself.

Of course, I wasn't that hungry to follow through that unruly thought, but the pleasant smell of real food and all of his delicious looks made me lean toward him too. Much closer than I would have like, Percy made me gulp because I could almost taste it myself, my grey eyes stared longingly as he chewed each bite with eager passion. Even if he wasn't trying to mock me, I felt insanely jealous because he was having such a wonderful dinner, while I had to settle for a punishment worse than death.

"Aaahh…" I half murmured to the boy next to me too.

My mouth was half open as I kept staring with a deep hungry look, it looked as if I was waiting for him to feed me! Right at that time, Percy paused and tilted his head so he inevitably caught my gaze, a sarcastic smile moved across his lips while he watched me curiously for just a little bit. As a result, an insane blush heated up my cheeks and I had to pull away from him.

I really hate this…

Instead of feeling bad for me, Percy took another huge bite nonchalantly as if nothing happened between us. Casually enjoying his food, this time he had enough senses to wipe his mouth before giving me a wry grin, "I am sorry, Annabeth. But I really don't wanna share when it's this good."

Now I had enough!

"Gosh! You two are giant jerks!" I crossed my arms like a kid and huffed, then I plopped down on my cushioned seat without sparing another word for them.

As usual, Percy easily infected the people around him and soon I was being made fun of again. His amusement effortlessly passed over to my mom while laughers filled the living room. I was the only one steaming in embarrassment, the temperature on my cheeks growing just as red as the ripe tomatoes slices before me.

Eewk… I can't stand to look at them anymore.

"Come now, sweetie…" My mother finally decided to reveal her ultimatum, "You know I am not that mean, your dinner is already prepared in the kitchen, but only if you eat at least one slice of tomato first. It's your punishment for causing so many headaches today."

I physically gagged.

"Eww… no."

Even if I didn't refuse her offer out loud, I bet she knew my answer from the very beginning. She sighed and took on a hopeless, exasperated look which was no different from how my childhood went. Except…

"Are you really going to embarrass yourself in front of Percy like that?"

I tensed, aftershock ran all over me realizing how far she was willing to take this. It was such a dirty tactic, using my crush to force me to do something I absolutely despise… Of course, my crush smiled softly at me right away.

I grumbled.

"That's not fair." It only brought more laughers, "Muwaaa…."

Percy was looking sympathetic yet amusingly at my childishness. It's not hard to tell he liked this and where it was going. I pouted. If only I could grab a tomato slice and smack it to his face, then I'd feel much better.

Instead, I squirmed on my seat more and more, the mirth looks on their faces made me avoid all sights with them, with my plate, before I finally whined to no avail, "It's not funny."

They only laughed more much to my shivering embarrassment. Plus, if my mom and Percy could actually speak right now, I was sure they'd say differently.

"Please… you know I can't eat even one of these tomatoes."

At this point, I really shouldn't be surprised by her reply, "I guess we are at an impasse then."

My mother emptied the expressions on my face with one final smile. It was one of her firm, no-more-compromise looks, and I knew there was no way out this time. I'd have to eat at least one slice before I could have dinner. Otherwise, I'll go hungry for the rest of the night without any food.

"Aaahh!" I was ready to throw a tantrum even though I was already sixteen.

It made Percy laugh again and I wanted to glare at him, but just then, something twinkled in his green eyes and he gave me a look full of determination.

"I've got an idea." He stopped eating altogether, "Do you have any bread, Mrs. Chase?"

My mom seemed to know what's going on immediately, even when I didn't.

"Sure. The cooks will let you know where everything is." She grinned.

Percy disappeared into our kitchen without leaving me a clue. I blinked in confusion, even more so when my mom whispered something softly just around our long dining table, out of Percy's hearing range.

"You've found a very nice boy, Annabeth." A please smile moved slowly over her lips as she whispered into the rim of her wine glass, taking a small sip before putting it back down, "Keep him close."

I blushed so hard without a reply whatsoever.

Percy soon came back with ingredients galore, ranging from two slices of toast smeared with what I assumed to be mayonnaises and honey muster, a scrambled egg in a square shape, a few small pieces of lettuce, and even some turkey slices. A kitchen knife in his hand, he carefully went right beside me, the tip and the edge pointed downward like a person with common sense, except he looked rather comfortable handling the sharp blade.

"Percy?" I didn't move away.

Then he reached forward toward my plate of tomatoes and placed the knife on one, slicing it into a dozen or so thin pieces. I was in awe as I watched him handle the knife with such precision and skill, it made my eyes glued to him.

Done within two minutes, Percy somehow used the knife to lift all the thin slices without damaging any of them. He placed it with care onto the toast, spreading it over the lettuce so it wasn't just one tall stack, adding the egg and turkey in between before putting the last piece of toast on top.

Percy made a sandwich for me.

"Here." He handed me this new plate with a gleaming look filled with joy, "You could eat it now, right?"

Speechless, I couldn't formulate a word.

I couldn't see him either, or rather… I couldn't see him without a blank and misty gaze.

I couldn't move at all, my hands frozen beside my sides.

I could only stare at the way he extend both hands out, offering me an alternative from eating just a raw tomato. My eyes gravitated toward his friendly smiles. His impromptu sandwich resting on the plate and looking so delicious. Finally, something wet my cheeks. I felt it again, then again, then…

"Whoa… Wait, don't cry…" Percy almost flung his plate down on the table and ruin his sandwich for me.

Seeking to comfort me, he tried to place his hand on my arms. He succeeded, but that only made me cry much more chaotically, shedding more tears. It was as if he was about to hug me, but then thought better of it when he realized that my mom was watching us. He rubbed his hands over both my arms smoothingly.

"Hey… If you don't like the sandwich, I could always eat it myself-ff—" He tried to reassure me too, but instead, he got his breath taken away when my fist lightly punched him on his chest, "Hey! Ouch… that hurt! Why?!"

"Because you are an idiot!" I sat down and hid my face in his sandwich. I couldn't look at him, not with how I was smiling and also crying at the moment.

Percy was so befuddled, "Huh? What does that even mean?"

I didn't say anymore. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to focus on how good his sandwich tasted, nor control the massive butterflies in my stomach that made me want to kiss him on the cheek.

You dummy…

As expected, it was delicious.

The aftertaste of the tomatoes was gone as soon as it's in a sandwich form. It was such a silly thing to make a fuss about, but I just couldn't help it. Munching down the sandwich, I could enjoy the tomatoes without actually worrying about how they'll make me gag.

"You are literally impossible, Annabeth." Percy sighed in defeat.

I stuck my tongue at him and pout stubbornly.

It earned a chuckle, "All that fussing about not eating tomatoes, and now you are eating them no problem. I am dealing with a child."

The tears were either dry already or I've wiped them from my cheeks.

"Get used to it, Percy," I smirked and took another tasty bite, "Ppbbet!"

Percy picked up his fork again and sat down too, "Is Annabeth always like this?"

It was a question that sent laughers out of my mom. I passed a sidelong, disapproving glance at Percy who was enjoying himself, "Oh yes! Annabeth has always been a little kid when she doesn't get what she wants. You've got a handful dealing with my daughter, Percy."

"And you have my sympathy…" I easily figured her out with that following wry expression.

That was quite mean, but I didn't- couldn't say anything when I was chewing on my next bite.

"I am sure." He smirked.

Soon, Percy began to talk about something else with my mom while I took my time enjoying his sandwich. Every single bite filled me with a heartwarming feeling. Beside me, Percy went on about his first time having dinner with us.

"Seriously though, the salmon and ravioli are perfect, Mrs. Chase."

"Ah. It's Athena, remember?"

Percy cleared his throat, "Right. Athena… but anyway, are the people in your kitchen five stars chefs or something? This is- I don't think I can replicate this even if I tried, you know?"

Replicated this? That caught my attention.

My mother had a similar surprise look on her face when we heard what Percy said, but she recovered with a smile and dug in again.

I had a different reaction. Staring wide-eyed, my mouth automatically opened without any conscious input from me, "You can cook?!"

That surprised him. Percy was taken back suddenly. Of course, I didn't mean to startle him just as he was about to take another bite. He took a glance at me, then an abrupt playful grin moved across his lips eventually.

"Yeah, I have cook for my family many times. Why do you ask, wise girl? Is it because you can't?" He said smirking; perhaps there was a tiny possibility that Percy, the boy I couldn't help but fell in love with after a mere week, really- and I mean, REALLY loved teasing me. Otherwise, he wouldn't do it every chance he got.

A tremendous heat grew all over my body, my grey eyes burning with raging intensity.

Pushed toward disbelief, the way he called me wise girl right in front of my mother was a definite no-no as far as I was concerned. Secondly, I was still angry about the whole tomato disaster that resulted in them making fun of me. And now, his annoying tease returned.

In other words: I COULDN'T BELIEVE HIM!

A capricious storm clouded my grey eyes, yet Percy was too dense to see the massive arrow I had pointed right between his two green eyes.

"Owww! Hey! H-Hey!" It was only now when he realized.

I attacked him without mercy, "Jerk, Jerk, Jerk, Jerk…."

Our antics brought wild laughers that filled our living room with screams and shouts, yet none of us cared too much about the noise. The sudden warmth we created when I smacked Percy again and again, him trying his best to dodge my strikes, while my mother laughed endlessly at our sudden wrestle…

W-What is this feeling? Why do I feel so happy? It felt like we were suddenly a fami…

That went on even after our cooks brought out my share of salmon ravioli. It was beyond me how she would know I satisfied my mom's cruel punishment. I still hadn't finished my sandwich either.

"Wise girl? Is that like a nickname for Annabeth?" My mother asked as her blithe expression was totally gleaming at us.

We froze and all the colors left from our faces. It was all Percy's fault, but little did I know, I would come to treasure this feeling for as long as he was by my side.

AN: Thought it would be a fun side chapter to write. Can you tell I really hate tomatoes with a burning passion? For real, I can't eat a raw tomato without throwing up, but can totally eat them when it's in a sandwich. Irrational? I know… Sorry to all you tomatoes lovers out there. Till next time.

AN: Also, sorry for the huge cliffhanger last chapter. I am such a bad person. Don't worry, it's going to get resolved in the next chapter. After that, arc one of this story should be at an end. I'll do my best to keep going.