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?
Perseus
.
His regret is instantaneous.
A frown twists his father's already sour expression. "A waitress?" He pauses for a moment, his gaze defocusing as he becomes lost in thought. "Is she normal?"
Perseus ignores his flaring senses as he gives a shallow nod. "I'm assuming. She seems normal to me."
Poseidon shakes his wireless computer mouse and begins typing. "And what was the name of the diner you went to this morning?"
The 27 year old narrows his eyes. "Trio's Cafe..." He pauses, his breath halting in his throat as he waits for his father to elaborate.
The older Jackson does no such thing. Instead, his icy green eyes remain focused on the bright screen in front of him. Percy watches, nearly disinterested, as his father clicks a few times before speaking.
"And what was her name again?"
His response is empty. "Annabeth."
"Last name?"
"C initial. That's all I knew from her nametag." Within his next breath, Percy felt strange, as if he's giving out sensitive information, crossing a line. Before the 27 year old can stop himself, he calls out to his father. "Why are you asking this?"
The older man doesn't answer, instead he types away for a few more seconds before turning towards his phone and dialing a number. The air between the two Jacksons is tense as the rhythmic tone of the call waiting fills the space.
A gruff voice echoes into the silence. "Hello?"
Poseidon grunts and leans forward. "Octavian. I have a quick favor to call in."
Perseus recognizes the name instantly. Augustus Octavian is his family's P.I., a man who has come to Triton's aid more times than any of them would care to admit. The Jacksons owe more to Octavian than anyone else in the world... which is why Poseidon refuses to let him go.
"When do you not have a favor to call in?" Octavian chuckles over the line before sobering quickly. "I have things to do, so make this quick, Poseidon."
For reasons unknown, the older Jackson makes no move to silence him. He just presses on. "I need to find the phone number of a woman that my son encountered today."
The ill feeling from before, the one that told Percy that he's crossing a boundary he shouldn't be, returns. He settles in his seat, his stormy eyes falling to the polished mahogany wood that comprises his father's desk.
"Do you have any other information besides her name?" Octavian asks.
Poseidon's reply is swift. "She works at a place named Trio's Cafe. It's close to downtown. That's all we know." As his sentence continues, his patience clearly wanes, leaving his sea green eyes cold as ice. "I expect to have her phone number before sunset."
The private investigator snorts, clearly amused. "It'll take me no less than an hour, tops. Always the underestimating one, aren't we, Signor Jackson?"
Percy watches his father mutter Greek expletives into the phone before, "Just get it done, Octavian." The older man then hangs up.
And now... we wait.
. .
"It's already 5:45, Perseus. Where is your waitress?" His father paces the length of his office, his gait moving in prideful stalks.
The 27 year old holds off an eye roll as he tugs on his sleeves. "I don't control her actions, Father, and I probably never will. Nor is she 'my waitress.'" Somehow his response is blank. He applauds himself for that.
Poseidon doesn't answer and continues pacing. Percy notices that his father's eyes constantly cut to the pager that sits lifelessly on his desk.
He slinks in his seat enough to release the tension in his spine, muttering a prayer in hopes that his father won't notice his slight slouch.
The older Jackson continues to pace around his office, getting more and more aggravated with each passing step. Percy is able to tell because Poseidon's footfalls steadily grow heavier and more deliberate every time they came crashing against the carpet. Before long, his father is practically stomping around the room.
In the corner of his eye, he sees a quick flash of blue light. Perseus immediately turns towards the desk to confirm his suspicions before putting a voice to his alert. "Father, your pager!"
Poseidon stops pacing (ahem, stomping) and takes three extra-long strides to get back to his desk. The aged man then slams his finger down on the 'receive call' button and speaks out gruffly. "Hello?"
While he clears his throat, his secretary's voice wafts out of the small speaker. "Mr. Jackson?" Anna calls, her tone is slightly wary.
"Yes, Ms. Lance?" His father answers, eyes twitching with anticipation.
The corner of Percy's mouth flickers up into an amused smirk. Poseidon glances over at him with a flash, his green eyes piercing. The 27 year old's emotionless expression returns and his father resumes his focus on his pager, satisfied.
Anna speaks again. "The receptionist from the lobby tells me that there's a woman here to see you, but you don't have any meetings or appointments scheduled for this time slot. Should I send her away?"
The older man's blank face matches his voice when he replies. "What's her name?"
A brief pause before, "Annabeth Chase, sir." Anna answers, her voice audibly laced with unease.
Father's eyes light up for a fracture of a second by a fraction of a degree. "Send her up, I've been waiting for her."
Percy can almost hear the secretary nodding along in the same manner of a child. "Yes, sir." Then the line goes dead.
Silence looms over the office as the pair of men wait for Annabeth to come up. Perseus turns to face the floor-to-ceiling window, identical to the one in his office. The pale blue shades of the afternoon sky melts into the bleeding sunset, painting the arches in pinks, reds, and oranges. The city skyline darkens, seemingly brightening the clouds to a sterile white with a golden ichor outline rather than a simple ashen gray without one.
Then the door opens and both of their heads snap to Anna Lance. "Annabeth Chase, sir." She says.
And then in the waitress walks, the woman of the hour.
. .
Perseus is so stunned that he can hardly breathe.
He still isn't sure what he was expecting to see. A pair of jeans dressed up with a blazer? A tight bun? Perhaps a purse?
It isn't often that he finds himself in the company of the middle class, leaving him to be strictly speculative, no matter how judgmental it appears at first glance. The tendency to study others by their outside appearance has been instilled in the 27 year old since birth.
But nonetheless, the woman that stands by the door is near unrecognizable from the waitress who had fumbled over his coffee only hours prior. Her tight, royal blue skirt accentuates the gentle curve of her shapely legs, and the white blouse that's tucked into the darkened navy fabric stands out against her olive skin and brings out her ever silver eyes.
And again, Perseus finds himself unable to tear his gaze away from the thick golden waves of what looks to be tangible sunshine that cascades down the side of her elegant neck. The argentum rings that adorn the hair only bring attention to its ethereal beauty.
Well... never let it be said that she's an ugly woman.
Poseidon hums in thin approval beneath his breath. Perseus, still struggling to breathe correctly, glances over to see his father's eyes sweep up the woman's appearance. His own eyes widen slightly as Annabeth cuts Percy a brief glance and releases a tiny smirk of her own.
Shit.
All parties are silent as they stare at each other, no one really knowing what to say. The uneasy tension that lingers in the air is palpable and thick.
Finally, his father clears his throat and glances at the silver Armani wrist watch that is identical to his own. "Thank you for not arriving late, Ms. Chase."
Annabeth nods stiffly and remains by the door.
Poseidon gestures towards the plush and currently empty armchair beside Percy's. His face and words are blank when he offers, "Please, sit down. We have much to discuss."
"Yes, sir." Annabeth agrees. She walks over to the offered chair, her gait steady and confident while doing so.
Silence resumes its role of filling the space as she sits down. Annabeth crosses her ankles and folds her hand in her lap before lifting her gaze to stare at the Roman numeral clock that's mounted on the wall behind Poseidon's desk. After several pressing moments, she clears her throat. "So, this offer you spoke to me about? May I ask what it is?"
Perseus's father slightly scoots in closer to his desk while folding his own hands on the surface of the tabletop. He sets his lips into a tight line. "Ms. Chase, before I answer your question, would you answer mine?"
As usual, his voice leaves little up for discussion. The young woman is forced to oblige. She swallows and nods. "Well... ask away, sir."
The elder Jackson doesn't miss a beat. "How do you feel about marriage?" His face remains grim as he studies her face.
Percy can see her eyebrows itching to lift in reaction. But to her credit, Annabeth manages to keep her voice evenly balanced when she answers. "It doesn't seem to be an option in the cards for me at the moment." When Poseidon doesn't press further, she hurries on to fill the silence. Annabeth pauses for a split moment before, "Personally, I don't mind it. If I'm intended to get married one day, then I believe that will happen. But... getting married is far from the top of my priorities right now. I'm content as I am."
Her words ring with the pure relief of honesty, but Perseus still wonders if she's trying to convince herself or his father.
He watches as the cold green eyes of the man in question softens for a fraction of a millisecond. Then, his stone blank stare resumes and he nods. "What about arranged marriages? What are your thoughts on those?" Poseidon ventures.
Perseus registers the gears turning in Annabeth's head as she attempts to assess the situation; as she tries to figure out why his father is asking such specific questions.
She sucks in a breath and blows it out softly through her pillowy, slightly pursed lips. Annabeth's head cocks to the side a little bit before she answers. "My thoughts on arranged marriages? That's a difficult one, seeing how I've never really thought about it. But I guess it depends on the circumstance?" As she voices her thoughts, her metallic eyes light with a certain fire that Percy can't place.
All he knows is that he's enamored.
Annabeth continues on, her gaze catching onto Poseidon's. "Do you mean historic European arranged marriages where the woman has no say in whom she is wed to and has no way out? Or are you referring to modern Middle Eastern arranged marriages where the people involved typically have a long engagement and are allowed to back out at any time prior to the wedding?"
The silence that hangs in the hair afterward forces Perseus to take in a deep breath to swallow down his rising chuckle. Poseidon, who recognizes the sound, cuts him a cold glance before turning back to Annabeth.
Said woman is fidgeting slightly in her seat, clearly embarrassed. "Sorry," she murmurs.
His father leans back as he stares at her, as if he's seeing the waitress in a new light. "Don't be. An educated woman is a useful woman."
A thoughtful look passes over her face at that, as if she isn't sure how to respond.
"But to answer your question, Ms. Chase," Poseidon resumes his former position, leaning forward. His mossy eyes are stagnant and lifeless- like a shark's. "I was thinking of one that seems to be a mix of the two examples that you presented. A marriage with a contract, that cannot be made void until both parties fulfill the contents of the document. What are your thoughts on that?"
Annabeth swallows thickly under his intense gaze. Her grey irises flicker towards Percy's swirling green eyes for a split moment before she fiddles with her hands. "I guess it isn't a problem? As long as both parties are consenting and the contract isn't in the favor of one over the other."
Amusement flashes in his father's eyes before disappearing. A pit in the young businessman's stomach swells, filled with slight amusement and an emotion that he can't place.
If only she knew what she was here for.
"So is that all, sir?" Annabeth's question is earnest as she sits up straighter. It's clear that she wants to leave as soon as possible.
Poseidon shakes his head. "I have one more question for you, Ms. Chase."
Annabeth eases back against the backrest once more and purses her lips into a tight line. "Ask away, sir." This time, her tone is flat.
"What would you do if you were to be paid to marry someone?" His father asks, honesty lacing the undertones of his words.
Percy feels his eyebrows crinkle. What is the old man insinuating? Is he going to make a contract and have Annabeth marry him (or at least get engaged) for a certain amount a cash? His thoughts run rampant.
Is that even legal?
But the 27 year old isn't sure why he even bothered to wonder about the legality of the entire situation. The Jacksons have no qualms for breaking the law. Hell, Triton has made a whole career of crime.
Annabeth's eyes widen and she clenches her fists so tightly that Perseus half expects her hands to break. The young woman's palms flush a bright shade of red as her fingernails dig into them.
Guess she's finally figured out why she was called here.
The gruffness in his father's voice hints at his growing impatience. "I'm waiting, Ms. Chase."
She clears her throat and nods, "Sorry. Um... If I were to be paid to marry someone," Annabeth's gaze slides over to Perseus for several tortuous moments before snapping back to his father. "It would depend on the person, the amount of money, and how long we would have to be married. And a contract is a must for me. I would need a document that I can read thoroughly and sign to know the type of agreement between us."
Poseidon nods, clearly thinking over her answer. Then, without warning, he stands with his hand outstretched. Annabeth hurries to get up, pushing off of the chair. Percy's father grasps her hand and purses his lips into a thin, barely noticeable line. "Well, I'm proud to say that you got the job, Ms. Chase. Thank you for your time."
Annabeth's jaw drops while Perseus clenches his own shut. His father had actually listened to him. He was to marry this woman he had just met.
This is his own fault.
"S-sir?" The young woman's voice comes out startled and unsure.
Poseidon gestures to Percy, silently ordering his son to stand up in the process, and turns back to Annabeth. "I'm off to produce that contract."
Her jaw drops even further and her eyes follow the older man the door. Just before his father grips the knob, he turns and nods in their direction. "In the meantime, I'll let you and your husband-to-be get acquainted."
Then he grasps the doorknob and disappears behind the oak door.
.
.
Author's Note-
I don't think I have much to say... other than the usual:
Leave a review or something or the other and tell me what you think!
Thanks for sticking around!
(Again, update schedule = whenever I feel like it)
love, April!