the biggest of thank you's to everyshadedsilver who beta read this for me.
Summary
Annabeth Chase is just a 25 year old waitress trying desperately to pay her next bill and take proper care of her 13 year old younger brother. Life for her is simple, and as much as she tries to convince her otherwise, she doesn't like it that way.
Perseus "Percy" Jackson is a prominent 27 year old businessman who will do anything to inherit what was promised to him. But getting that inheritance has proved to be a lot more difficult than he'd anticipated.
With the deadline looming over his horizon, how far is he willing to go to get what's his? How far is Annabeth willing to go to provide her brother the childhood he deserves?
An engagement contract seems a simple enough answer to their problems, but is it? And as Annabeth is drawn further and further into Percy's world, how long until she uncovers the truth behind his family's wealth?
Annabeth
"Silena, I'm leaving!" Annabeth calls over her shoulder as she unties her apron and slips the cords from her belt loops. She unties her bun and breathes a sigh of relief as the tension leaves her head. She shakes out her blonde waves.
Her boss lets out a mangled noise. "Huh? Whadjya say?"
The 25 year old rolls her eyes. She yells a little louder this time, making sure she's closer to Silena's office too. "I said I'm leaving now! My shift is over and I need to pick up Harley from school."
The sound of Silena's swivel chair squeaking as she stands reaches Annabeth's ears. She pokes her head out of her office. "Well damn, woman, I heard you. Don't know why you're screaming your lungs out."
Annabeth rolls her eyes again but even so, she has to fight the grin that's pulling on the edges of her lips. "This is the last time I'm working overtime. Just so you know." She cocks an eyebrow at her boss and tosses her apron onto a rack where it would stay all weekend (God willing).
Silena nods, her dark hair spilling over her face a little. She brushes it away while answering. "Yeah, I know. I wish I didn't have to have you work overtime, but with Piper out and everything, I just-"
The 25 year old raises a hand. Silena's words slow to a stop. Annabeth smiles understandingly. "I know, I know. Trust me, Sil, I get it." She pulls a fake piece of lint from her clothing. "I was just letting you know. And anyways, I need my evenings to be free."
Her boss snorts. "Since when?" Then, already moving on from the subject, she continues. "Anyways, I'm about to close up early. Calypso took off a while ago to visit her mother in the hospital and Pie's condition is somehow worse than it was this morning." She grabs her keys. "Do you need a ride to JMMS?"
Both of Annabeth's eyebrows lift. "And what's going to happen to Piper?"
Silena finally unties her apron and scoffs dryly. "I already called the Walking Migrain a town car. Drew is waiting for her at their apartment right now." She grabs her purse. "So do you need a ride?"
It's her pride that makes her hesitate. Annabeth has to stop and think about it. Finally, she nods along to the offer. "Okay, fine."
"Good," Silena smiles. She shrugs on her leather jacket and zips it up over her charcoal toned necktie. "I can even drop you guys off at home if it's on my way."
Annabeth folds her arms comfortably over her chest. "And if it isn't?"
"Then you bitches better take the bus."
The two of them laugh at that and Annabeth releases her arms from their snug hold against her chest. "Alright, alright. Let's just go." She glances at her phone to check the time. "School's already out for him."
Silena raises an eyebrow, slight confusion spreading over her face. "What do you mean already? It's 4:18 pm."
Annabeth shrugs. "JMMS lets out later than other schools. But to be fair, they begin a lot later too."
"Is that what Harley tells you?"
The 25 year old frowns, grabbing her keys from the hook that they hang on behind the counter. "What do you mean by that?"
"He could be regularly attending detention." Silena suggests while slinging her purse over her shoulder.
Annabeth chuckles. "Believe what you want, McBeauregard."
"I plan to, Chase," is her cheeky response.
Annabeth flicks her arm goodnaturedly and twirls her keys around her finger as she waits for Silena to close up. Aforementioned woman slams the door closed and locks it. The 25 year old leans against the graffiti splattered brick wall of the alley way and stares at her boss's shiny black sedan.
"That's a pretty nice ride," she nods in approval of it.
Silena turns. "Huh?" Then she follows Annabeth's gaze and smiles a little. "Oh, my car."
Annabeth chuckles. "What else would I be talking about?"
Her boss rolls her eyes. "Whatever. Anyways, thank you." They make their way to the car. "I got it as a birthday present my sophomore year of college."
Annabeth whistles. "Nice." She waits for the doors to unlock. "I'm still saving up to get a car of my own. I'm really close too, just a little less than two thousand left."
The older of the two hums in agreement as she digs around in her purse for something. "It's a blessing and a curse, though. The amount of money that leaves my bank account whenever my tank is empty is enough to make me cry. You only have to pay a few cents or so every time you take the bus."
The 25 year old shrugs. "That's true, but at least you never have to worry about what's happened on your seats whenever you get in your car."
"Well, in that case there's always the subway." Silena laughs and unlocks the car.
Annabeth laughs with her and pulls the passenger door open. She drops her bag onto the floor and reaches over to close it. Once inside, she breathes softly in appreciation of the leather interiors. The waitress runs her fingers over the smooth black material.
Silena can hardly hide her snicker as she watches Annabeth. "It's a lot of beauty to behold, isn't it, Chase?"
She sticks her tongue out at her in response. "Shut up."
Her boss flicks her forehead and adjusts the rearview mirror. "Yes, dear." She starts the car. "To James Monroe Middle School we go!"
"You do know where you're going, right?" Annabeth deadpans as she turns up the radio.
Silena pulls out of the alley, checking both sides of the street for incoming traffic. "Of course... just show me where to go."
Annabeth rolls her eyes and chuckles at this but gives her the directions anyways. She's just finishing up when she feels a slight vibration in her pocket. She pulls out her phone, eyebrows pinching as she stares at the screen. It's a phone call from a number that she doesn't recognize.
Her boss cuts her a quick glance, undoubtedly seeing the twisted expression on her face. "Who's that?" She asks.
The 25 year old shakes her head. "No idea."
Silena frowns. "Hm, why don't you answer it? You never know- it might be a long lost relative looking for an heir."
Annabeth almost snorts. "As if I'm going to be getting any large quantities of money anytime soon. Don't make me laugh," she continues, waiting for the call to run its course. "I don't like answering the phone when I don't know who's on the other end. I haven't applied to any jobs recently, so why would anyone have reason to call me?" She huffs and twists a few golden strands of hair between her fingers. "And those telemarketers can kiss my ass."
Her boss cackles. "You're preaching to the choir, honey."
The car falls silent for a few more minutes. Annabeth takes the time to make an attempt in soothing her headache. But that moment is cut short when her phone rings again.
She frowns at it. It's the same number from before.
"Is it the same person?" Silena cuts her a glance.
The 25 year old nods. "It is. I'll just take the call when I get home- see whatever this weirdo wants from me."
The older of the two puffs out a small breath of humor. "Well at least now you know it isn't a telemarketer."
"True." Annabeth laughs.
Before long, the pair of women are pulling into the JMMS parking lot. Annabeth exits the car and runs up to her little brother.
He jumps when she slings her arm over his shoulder. "What's up, kiddo?"
Harley maintains an unaffected facade. He shrugs. "Nothing much."
But she can see the lie right on his face. Annabeth scoffs, humor pulling on the edges of her lips. "That's a definite untruth. I know you want to ask me something, Harley."
He pauses and turns towards her. His dark coils of hair ruffle in the breeze, some curls falling over his deep brown eyes. Annabeth fights the urge to make a sad face. Despite having dark eyes, he looks so much like their mother... it's scary.
Harley folds his arms over his chest. "What are you talking about?" He demands.
The older of the two raises an eyebrow and leans against a nearby tree. "You do that thing with your eyebrows whenever you're contemplating something."
Evident embarrassment spreads over his features. "What thing?"
She points to his face, laughter bubbling in her chest. "That thing."
Harley sputters, "I do not!" His eyebrows un-furrow.
"Just ask me what you want to ask already, Harley. Silena's waiting for us in the car and I'm pretty sure she has things to do."
Her younger brother cocks his head to the side. "Silena? As in your boss, Silena? Why is she waiting for us?"
Annabeth waves off his questions. "She offered to give us a ride home so we wouldn't have to take the bus." Then her eyes narrow at him. "And don't be trying to change the subject either, Harley Benaimino Chase. I know what you're doing."
His cheeks flush at the sound of his full name. "Fine, fine, fine." He turns away from his sister and scans the crowd of students pouring from the entrance of the school. Finally, his eyes stop moving and he turns back to her. He stretches his index finger in that direction. "You see that girl over there? The one with the long dark hair tied in a ponytail?"
Annabeth follows his line of sight, and eventually her gaze falls on a girl sitting on a bench. She's sketching something, gnawing on the pencil as she studies the page. Her backpack is propped next to her foot, but all the 25 year old can really focus on are her paint splattered jeans.
Annabeth turns to grin at her brother. "And who is that?" Her voice drips with amusement.
He turns away from her, scratching at the back of his neck, showcasing his obvious discomfort. "That's my friend, Anyssa. She invited me over earlier and I wanted to run it by you first."
The waitress forces down a chuckle. "She's just a friend? Then why am I only hearing of her now? You've already told me about all your other friends, Harley Boy."
Harley scowls through his embarrassment and swats his sister's poking hand away. "Just tell me your verdict please, Anna."
"I'd rather meet her," is Annabeth's faux malicious response. Her brother protests and she drags him over to where Anyssa sits. "She's just a friend, so you should have no problem with this, right?"
Harley falls silent as soon as they approach. His friend looks up in surprise, her eyebrows lifting.
Annabeth sticks out a hand, a polite smile growing over her face. "Hello. I'm Annabeth Chase, Harley's sister."
Anyssa removes her AirPods from her ears. Her olive skin almost glows in the sunlight, complimenting her dark brown eyes. Her shock wears off soon enough and she grips Annabeth's hands in her own, flashing an evenly-toothed smile. "Hello. I'm Anyssa Valdenzia." Her gaze cuts to Harley for a moment, who's distracting himself by counting school buses and refusing to look at his friend.
But obviously he must've felt Anyssa's state because more embarrassment spreads over his face.
Annabeth has to bite back a laugh. Poor boy. "Anyways," she begins. She nudges her brother. "Harley tells me that you invited him over, right?"
The younger girl nods. "Yeah, I invited him over to do homework and possibly stay for dinner..." she trails off as her expression grows wary. "If... that's okay with you, of course."
The waitress resists a smile. "Yeah, it's fine. I had some other stuff to deal with anyways." She ignores Harley's questioning glance. "Just make sure he's home before 10:30. I'm sure he'll give you our address."
Anyssa nods, excitement dancing in her eyes. "Okay, I will. Thank you so much, Annabeth."
Annabeth shrugs. "Don't even mention it." She leans over to punch her brother in the arm. "I'll see you later, kid."
Harley gives her a half assed hug in retaliation. "Bye, Anna. See you later."
The 25 year old watches as Anyssa gathers her stuff and stands. "Let's go, Lee. I can see my brother's car from here!" Then, without waiting for a response, she grabs Harley's hand and pulls him over to a black BMW SUV.
Annabeth chuckles at that and makes her way back to Silena's car. As soon as she gets inside, her boss looks around with eyebrows reaching for the sky.
"Where's Little Chase?" She asks as she starts the car.
The waitress buckles her seatbelt before answering. "A friend invited him over for homework and dinner. I let him go... since I have errands to run and everything."
"Is that phone number considered one of them?"
Annabeth almost snorts. "Hardly."
Her boss waggles her eyebrows, then. "And is this friend of his a he or a she?"
The younger of the two bites back a smile and licks her lips. "A she. Her name is Anyssa Valdenzia."
"Ethnic," Silena waggles her eyebrows some more. "Double ooh."
Annabeth laughs a little. "Yeah, yeah."
. .
Once she's finally at home and in her apartment, Annabeth quickly strips down to her bra and underwear before slipping into a pair of boxers and a large shirt.
She fishes her phone from her purse and stares at the unknown number in her missed calls list. Who was calling her?
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. No sooner had the thought been born when her phone vibrates again, the number lighting up the screen.
The 25 year old brushes her blonde hair away from her face and chews on her lip. On the third ring, she finally accepts the call and brings the phone to her ear. "Hello?" Her voice is cautious.
"Hello, is Annabeth Chase speaking?" An aged voice fills the line. It sounds male, deep and rich and commanding attention.
She raises an eyebrow. "Who's asking, please?"
"This is Poseidon Jackson, the current Chief Operating Officer of Atlantis Consolidated. I would like to speak to Annabeth Chase."
Annabeth feels her eyes widen. "This... this is she."
She hears him slightly huff from the other end of the line. "You've proven to be quite difficult to contact, Ms. Chase."
The 25 year old manages to keep her voice balanced. "I don't usually answer calls from unknown numbers, sir."
"Smart choice." He states plainly. "And what led you to pick up the phone this time?"
"Curiosity," is all that she can say. "What is your reason for calling me, Mr. Jackson?"
He clears his throat. "It's a matter that's better suited for discussing in person. Please come down to the office building."
Annabeth glances at the clock. It's 4:56. She decides to buy herself some time to reel. "I'm available at six today, or I could come tomorrow afternoon at 2."
"Today at six will be best." Poseidon confirms. "Thank you for your time, Ms. Chase."
She begins to say, "Thank you," but the line already goes dead. Annabeth swallows thickly and moves the phone away from her ear. "Atlantis Consolidated," she mutters to herself.
The waitress tosses her phone on her bed and quickly makes the decision to take another shower and get dressed. She has barely an hour to make it over there.
She should've suggested 7.
After quickly scrubbing off all the sweat and none of the fatigue that she'd accumulated throughout the day, Annabeth dries off and heads over to her closet to pick out an outfit.
It's one of her nicer ones: a navy colored pencil skirt with an ivory blouse. Despite the fact that her achilles' tendons scream at her for it, she slips into a pair of white heels. Annabeth does nothing to her hair, deciding that the headache she has is penance enough for having it in a bun for the majority of the day.
Then, with 20 minutes to spare, the 25 year old leaves her apartment and begins walking towards Atlantis Consolidated.
But even still, her thoughts fray. What does he want from her?
.
.
Author's Note-
Okay, please don't send me death threats for butchering the characters ok?
Alot of them overlap and I know Nyssa isn't a child but it's the only way for any of this to work (without creating OCs, which is something I really don't feel like doing at all)
But anyways: thanks to all who've stuck around!
Leave a review or something or whatever
love, April!