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Of Corporate Scandals
Chapter 23. Coffee Run
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Annabeth sighed as she balanced the cup holder full of two, steaming lattes in her hands. Yes, the sunny, Miami weather was much too hot for the beverages, but the stress of the day definitely called for coffee, 90 degrees or not. Annabeth had suggested that they just call for room service, but Percy figured calling someone to their room wasn't wise after the events of last night. So, sporting a pair of large shades and a wide-brimmed sun hat, Annabeth made the risky trek down to the unsuspecting coffee shop down the block.
She had tried to make her visit short and sweet, the events of last night leaving her stressed and on edge. Annabeth glanced over her shoulder as she briskly paced on the sidewalk back to the hotel. Maybe it was just her nerves, but it felt like she was being followed. She quickened her pace. Sure enough, behind her was a man in a hoodie trying, and failing miserably, to look inconspicuous. Annabeth groaned, looking around at her surroundings and quickly ducking into the first store on her left.
Ding! Went the little bell above the door. She found herself in a café. Maybe if she waited here for a few minutes, she could return to the hotel without any trouble.
"Hey…"
Annabeth turned to see some teenage girls sporting beachwear. She raised her eyebrow in her cold, icy, 'Can I help you' glare.
"Oh my god! Aren't you—"
"No," Annabeth said, sharply, "I'm not." She briskly turned away from the girls and made her way to the other side of the café. If she was using this shop as refuge she might as well buy something.
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Last night.
Annabeth's eyes widened as she stared at the TV screen in horror.
"What?" Percy moved to her side, alarmed by her expression. Annabeth was too shocked to move. Percy dived across their bed for the remote and turned the volume up the loudest it would go.
"Welcome to tonight's episode of Celebrity Look Out! I'm your host, Aphrodite Love," A stunning bombshell with glossy, auburn locks and a brilliant smile stared at them from the TV. "It's spring break, and we're heading down to sunny, hot Miami." Images of Miami night clubs and party beaches flashed on the screen during Aphrodite's voice over. "Tonight, we're talking about last year's Sexiest Man Alive, Percy Jackson."
Percy's stunning pictures from his previous magazine photoshoots flashed on the screen.
"New York's most eligible bachelor has spent years in the society pages, tearing through Manhattan's social scene." The screen showed paparazzi photos of teenage Percy leaving clubs and attending fancy galas.
"He made headlines when he took over as CEO of Open Seas Inc., a multi-million dollar corporation from his father last year." Aphrodite flashed her infamous smile, "We thought Percy Jackson wasn't ready to leave his past behind when he headed down to Miami, but it looks like he has. Was this a spring break bender," Aphrodite paused, "Or a romantic getaway?"
Annabeth's jaw dropped as she stared at herself on the TV: photos of Percy holding her hand as they left the airport, them swimming and surfing, and passionately making out in the sand. Annabeth cringed – national television has seen her in a bikini.
"It looks like the most notorious bachelor is taken," Aphrodite exclaimed, commenting on the pictures, "Percy Jackson has taken a mystery girl on a romantic escape to the Open Seas Resort in Miami. Whoever she is, he's certainly smitten."
Annabeth let out a groan of complete embarrassment as she buried her head into Percy's chest, too mortified to continue watching.
"Next up, we're sitting down with Tristan McLean to talk about his new film…"
Flash! Click! Snap! Flash!
"Annabeth, over here! Annabeth! Look over here!"
Annabeth was surrounded by paparazzi that had gathered outside the café. The bright flash was blinding her and she could barely hear herself think over their cameras and their attempts to yell and get her attention.
Annabeth swatted at the cameras being thrust in her face.
"Annabeth! How long have you and Percy been together? Is it true you're his assistant?"
Annabeth growled, roughly shoving past the paparazzi and their torment, trying to get away, but they continued to harass her anyway.
"Annabeth, people are saying you're a gold digger? Do you care to comment?"
She yelped as one of them got hands-y and grabbed her waist. She wrestled away.
"Annabeth! Annabeth!" She panicked as the flashes got more intense. In a last desperate attempt, she swung, years of martial arts and strength training paying off.
Crack!
"Fuck!"
She opened her eyes. She knew that voice. She saw Percy bent over in front of her clutching his nose, "Oh, my gods! Percy, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! What are you doing here?"
"Trying to save you," Percy groaned, "But it seems like you can handle yourself." Annabeth's frantic punches had also gotten a few photographers as well and the crowd dispersed, "Are you okay?" He said through a bloody nose.
"I'm fine! Are you okay?" Annabeth shrugged off her sweater, handing it to him to soak up the blood.
Percy pressed her sweater to his face, "I'm fine, let's get out of here."
Annabeth gingerly touched his arm, "Let me see." She took his hand away from his face and checked, wincing. Percy's nose was red and bruised. She lightly touched it with her index finger.
"Ow."
Percy found himself an hour later sitting atop a hospital table.
"The good thing is that it's not broken," the doctor said, after inspecting Percy's nose.
"Are you sure? I punched him pretty hard," Annabeth said.
The doctor chuckled, scribbling on her clipboard, "I'm sure, just a little bruised and cut on the bridge. I'll be right back to clean and bandage it up."
"I'm sorry," Annabeth said, rubbing his back.
"Annabeth, I'm sorry. I should've known better."
She sat down on the chair opposite the bed, "I just don't know how the found me."
"They always do."
Annabeth sighed, pondering on how the Emergency Room was the most relaxing place she'd been in awhile. Her phone, at the bottom of her bag, had been blowing up all day with texts from her friends and family back home.
It had only taken a few hours before the gossip columnists had discovered her name and had published it. 'Who is Annabeth Chase? Percy Jackson's New Girlfriend' had been the trending article on .com all day. The comments were all filled with people scorning her for being his assistant.
The doctor returned a moment later, "Time to patch you up."
Percy winced as she swabbed his nose with alcohol and began placing the bandage. "Nice job, by the way. Quite an arm you have, Annabeth."
Annabeth looked up in surprise.
"That's right, I know who you are," the doctor said, gathering her supplies. "I'm a doctor, but I still like to watch Celebrity Look Out. Also, your faces are plastered on every magazine in our meeting room."
"Wonderful."
"Speaking of which," she continued, "There is a crowd of photographers waiting outside, presumably for you two. They can't come inside, but they won't leave. I can show you out the back if that's what you need.
Percy nodded, looking at Annabeth. He could see the stress taking its toll on her, "Please, that'd be so helpful."
The doctor nodded, "Okay, Percy, keep this wound clean. You'll be fine."
"This is crazy," Annabeth mumbled, softly. It was late and she was tired. Her fire of anger for the press had left, replaced with weary and mild annoyance.
"We're leaving tonight," Percy said with defiance.
Annabeth pulled out her phone, "I'll book our plane tickets."
"No, need," Percy said.
"Why?
"You'll see."
A/N: Revised May 2022