Chapter 15: The Flirt and The Desperate
A bit of this idea came from "J'aime lire" and "morbidbookworm" props to them!
Disclaimer: Okay… yes… I'M SORRY HADES! I NEVER CALLED YOU WITH A OILY HEAD! THAT WAS PURELY RICK RIORDANS FAULT!
Annabeth's POV:
Within a couple minutes we were standing inside the elevator of the architectural firm. True I've been trying to get him to spill about whatever he was hiding… one because I want to know… and two because I seriously need to know!
We both stood in the elevators nervously, well… mostly it's me who's nervous… Percy was just staring off into space. Right then I couldn't help but notice that he actually does look cute (when he's not being annoying that is...), but then there's always this sad aura around him. Also considering that Michelle have always said there's this Ms. Dare looking for him and now finding out he use to date Rachel Dare… my curiosity is just rising more and more. I couldn't believe all that happened today… I pretty much stalked his past, and I'll bet that he's growing more and more suspicious of me. I'm actually surprised that in these two months he didn't get suspicious or anything. Then now we have this tension around us, for me I'm afraid to talk because I didn't want to see his anger flare again, all these times that I've hanged out with him, I've never seen him so mad before… immature, yes… but never angry.
"So… what exactly did you find out about me… besides you know about me being the so called terrorist?" Percy asked his face a bit worried.
I hesitated, "That you were an extraordinary swimmer?" I said wisely going for the easiest answer.
"I'm guessing you're wondering why I didn't actually continue on with swimming?" He questioned as his sea-green eyes bore over my face.
For the first time in my life, this Percy Jackson made me at lost for word…sure I was wondering about his extraordinary swimming career but I was more interested in the terrorist what-not. However, I'd rather know something than nothing, "There was no information about any particular injury… just that you rejected the invitation to the Olympic swim meet." I said honestly remembering what Emily told me.
He sighed, "Well how do I say this exactly without sounding like a weirdo…?" He scratched his head nervously, "I was… pissed at everyone telling me what to do with my life. Everything was about swimming, I mean I used to enjoy it, then everything got serious as I got discovered on races. To be honest… I hate it… the pressure I mean. First my dad… well our dad… was pressuring me to make big money then bring some fame to his company, and to be honest I felt like a pawn to his little doorway to fame." Percy paused as if not sure to continue or not.
I could understand him, he didn't like being obeying… the two months that I've known him… he was mostly rude to many high status people. Then again… all my life all I wanted was to make my mom proud… not my dad… not my stepmom… just my dead mom. Unlike him however… I've never felt like a pawn to anyone, I just felt caged up in a place, never being able to live outside of that cage until I ran away from home. "Then why are you working here?"
"Maybe it's because it's the only thing keeping my mind off stuff… well… including the fact that I need a stable job."
"Then doesn't that make you feel like a pawn to… our dad?" I asked him a bit lost of where he was going with this conversation.
He laughed softly, "I'm sounding like one hell of a hypocrite now huh?" He asked bitterly. "Let's just say that maybe my dad wasn't much of a jerk that I thought he was… I'm not saying he's not a jerk… because he is." Percy looked up at the numbers that seems to be going up to the 10th floor pretty slowly. "Also added to the fact that I don't want to have everyone planning out my life for me… they forced me to go to swim meet when I don't want too. Including the fact that I have a pretty strict schedule, like no partying, only a specific amount of food…I might even say that I hated swimming for a while." He chuckled. "I don't even know why I'm working at the company… maybe it's just my loyalty to my family… but sure as hell I'm not going back down swimmer path where there's only egoist jerks and commanding sponsors."
I stayed silent listening to him… because to be honest this was actually the first time I was getting to know him, other than the common first grade questions.
Percy stared at the floor, "To be honest, I don't even know what I want to do with my life… sure I graduated college and all that already… but I don't know what I want to do in life. The ocean fascinated me, and I'm thinking of taking classes to research as a marine biologist… but I don't know…"
I wasn't able to understand what he meant, I mean… all my life, I've been trying to live up to my mom's expectation. To become successful in life, to become someone who builds something permanent, just like an architect. But here… there's Percy saying that he doesn't know what to do with his life, a guy that has pretty much everything, the money to pursue in anything he wants, added to the capabilities of great things. I guess this is what they mean when they say potential is wasted, "You have to perfect life… what else is there to wish for?" I said after a while.
"How about an actual life?" He asked sarcastically.
"You have a pretty good life if you ask me…" I remarked.
"You don't know the half of it…" He mumbled.
"Well for one you have a rather great sister." I told with a smirk.
"Yes… it's rather one to die for I might add" Percy said sarcastically but I could tell he had a smile hidden between his lips.
"I love you to big brother." I said in an annoying childish voice as Percy cringed at the squeakiness.
"Don't ever do that again." Percy winced as the elevator doors open. "Come on," We made our way towards the lady at the front desk. "Excuse me?"
"May I help you?" The lady asked.
"I'm looking for…" Percy paused fumbling with his coat pockets until he brought out a paper card, "This architect."
The lady grabbed the card and punched a couple number into the office phone, "Hello sir? There's a guest here to see you by the name of…" The woman look at Percy.
"Percy Jackson," Percy told her.
"Percy Jackson… yes sir, I'll send him to your room." The woman hung up and look up at us. "Just go straight in, it's the room straight down, you can't miss it."
We nodded and Percy led us into the hallway passing a couple offices of a few workers who gave us a few glances before continuing with their work. Finally we reached the end of the hall where there was an opened door leading into a rather messy room. We were met with a sign that said 'Head Engineering Architect'. Percy was about to knock when we suddenly heard a voice inside.
"Aye, aye, no! I understand! Si! Completely understand senora! No no! No disrespect intended! Aye, yo creo que no! Sorry not trying to confuse you, I just don't think that'll work. Sorry ma'am I got another line in waiting, can I call you back later? Si, si! Aye mi cabeza! No no! Sorry I didn't-" The talking stopped abruptly. "You're kidding…? AYE! Lo siento! Nosotros es muy ocupado y cansado. No, no…si, manana? Gracias! It's my pleasure! Adios!"
"Tanto trabajar! I'm in need for some food! Tengo hambre!' The guy screamed from inside as both Percy and I stood awkwardly outside.
"Hello?" Percy said politely as he knocked on the door.
The guy nearly jumped out of his chair as he heard Percy's voice. "Woah! Scared me there for a second bro?' The guy looked at Percy for a moment before regaining his composure. "Perseus Jackson I'm guessing?" He asked standing up and holding out his hand.
"It's just Percy." Percy corrected the overly-hyper guy.
"Lo siento, Percy, I got it," The guy grinned.
Percy nodded as the guy continued, "Hola! Me llamo Leo Valdez! Mucho gusto hermano! Heard a lot about you on the news!" the architect grinned.
"Well it's nice to finally meet you." Percy greeted shaking the guy's hand.
"Igualmente" The guy said back, I haven't taken Spanish in high school or anything but I'm pretty sure the language he was speaking was for sure Spanish of some sort. "Si I'm guessing you've received my draft on your aquarium construction?"
Leo… the name sounds familiar somewhat but I couldn't pin my finger on where I had heard that name before. I look at the guy, he was a rather average height guy with curly hair and a trace of a Hispanic origin. His face was scarred as if he's been scarred by fire or been in intense heat. His hands strummed along the table as if he couldn't keep them still. The grin on his face was intact though as his eyes shined with happiness. Oddly enough, he was not wearing anything formal, just a striped shirt and a good clean pair of pants. Around his room was some rather ingenious inventions, especially robots and airplanes. His room was filled with all kind of invention none of which are very organized in any particular order.
"And who's the pretty chica?" Leo asked gesturing towards me as the two guys finished some conversation that seem to have happened as I zoned off.
"Annabeth Chase." I held out my hand and he held it almost reluctant to let it go.
Percy cleared his throat, clearly disturbed by the scene, "Anyways… this is my sister and we're here to talk business."
Leo flashed a grin towards me as he stood up to pull out a chair. "Take a seat milady,"
I hesitated a bit before sitting down, "Thank you,"
"It's my honor senorita," Leo winked before turning to Percy, "Por favor take a seat mi amigos, and excuse my appearance, I'm not a big fan of suits. Welcome to Festus Architectural Firm by the way. So a famous guy and a beautiful chica coming to my office today, must be a lucky day for me." Leo grinned. "Would you guys like some coffee or soda?"
"Sodas for both of us, I think Percy had enough coffee this morning…" I mumbled.
"You guys cool with ?" Leo asked as he nodded towards his assistance at the door.
"Yeah that's okay," Percy stated before reaching into his briefcase to pull out a folder. "So back to business…"Percy began.
"Si, So you've received my draft right? I'm cool with making some changes if it doesn't fit your style." Leo offered as he took a look at Percy's note. "I see… interesting, but it will take at least a year for this to be completed, at most dos anos…" He held up two fingers," and well depending on how fast we're able to build it. I can get the designs to you in two weeks and you can take a look over it before we finalized the details." Leo added as he flipped through the page.
"So you can actually perform all these changes made to the designs?" I asked clearly surprised. I mean, I have already studied the design, and to actually install the amount of water pressure in each pipe, then considering the overall construction of the aquarium, it's actually almost an impossible job to do.
"Yes ma'am, going to take a lot of work, but it's manageable!" Leo said happily.
Percy nodded then continued to describe each function of each exhibit as Leo strum his finger along the sides of his desk listening to every word. I sat as a translator for Percy just in case he wasn't able to understand some of the complication of the structure design. Let's just say as we were discussing the plans and structure design, Leo did something that completely pissed me off (like flirting with me to an annoying level) so I practically snapped and made sure to teach him to fear me. Finally around an hour later we finished discussing the plans.
"I really appreciate you stopping over my office today." Leo grinned. "Gracias" Leo shook Percy's hand and turned to me fear etched on his face. "I shall hope we never have to meet again… cause you scare me…" Leo said honestly.
"Good I was hoping you feel that way." I smiled back .
"Well I'll be looking forward for your call," Percy said professionally before exiting the office.
Percy's POV:
Now that I'm done with talking to the engineering architect, I felt another burden lifted off my shoulder. Obviously I was itching to punch the guy's face as he flirted with my sister… probably my protective nature coming in play there… however Annabeth took care of that for me as she quickly threw a pencil right at one of Leo's model scaring the poor guy out of his wits.
I almost laughed just seeing Annabeth's annoyed expression and added to the scared face on the poor guy as Annabeth said, "Wink at me one more time and this pencil will be the last thing you see." Luckily for the poor guy, he stopped with all the winking and proceeded back to concentrating on the project.
At that moment I felt the most relaxed I have ever felt in a long time, we've just got a good qualified architect at an affordable profit and price.
"You seem rather happy." Annabeth remarked as we walked out of the elevator into the bottom floor.
"What's not to be happy about? I got first class seat in seeing you rage, and got a pretty good deal on the construction!" I grinned happily.
"Wow… you find happiness in one of the weirdest things ever…" Annabeth murmured.
"Nah, anyone would've thought it was funny with the way your face looked, seriously though… if you hadn't scared that guy… I would've strangled him for flirting with my little sister." I smiled warmly down at her.
Annabeth blushed a bit before regaining her posture, "Hmm… I never gave you the right to strangle people that are flirting with me."
"You don't have to," I grinned, "It's my job to make sure guys don't flirt with you."
"Relax Percy, I'm pretty sure you just don't want to lose me-" Annabeth began before she was interrupted by a shout from the side.
"What are you talking about? I can't go in? That is my work in there though!" A girl's voice hollered from near the front desk.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but we cannot grant access without some kind of verification." A male's voice said professionally. I tried to get a glimpse at the person but the security guy was covering me from view.
"I have to get in there or I'll be late for my presentation!" The girl's voice screeched again.
"I'm sorry, I have specific instructions to not let anyone pass, unless you have the verification of some sort." The guy repeated himself.
"Just let me see the guy in charge of this event! He'll understand! Just let me see Leo Valdez, I need to get in there." the girl said desperately.
"Mr. Valdez is not to be disturbed at this moment." The security guard said.
"Please, I need to go in, my whole career depends on this!" The girl begged.
Annabeth turned around to take a look, "She seems like she really needs to get in there." Annabeth remarked with sympathy.
"Just ignore it," I told her pushing her by the shoulder as she resisted.
"Let's go over." Annabeth said. "Maybe we could help her out. We can get her to talk to the architect guy,"
I look down at Annabeth, "Come on, let's go… it's not our problem."
"Just help them would you?" Annabeth look up at me with a begging expression.
I look at her a bit weird out, "Are all Californian this friendly?" I said without thinking.
Annabeth shot me a glare before walking over. I sighed, 'This is what I get for walking around with an overly sympathetic sister…' I mean it's not like I'm unfriendly or anything… but as a New Yorker… I see these type of things everyday, wannabe workers wanting to be something in the world and lying to get there. I guess Annabeth haven't learned about this concept yet… I sighed, 'Californians…they seriously never witness the lying world like here.'
I hesitated a bit before walking over to help the "so called desperate girl". I found Annabeth standing in front of the security guy. Grinning to myself, I walked over and casually draped an arm over her shoulders like I usually do. She flinched a bit before continuing what she was saying, "Perhaps you can tell Mr. Valdez that Annabeth Chase is down here, the girl he just had a meeting with. I'm part of the company that came this morning, I'm sure Mr. Valdez would understand."
The security guard sigh before going back to his desk, punching in some numbers into the office phone.
"So who's this?" I asked looking directly down at my sister.
"Apparently there's a little exhibit here, and she lost her papers to get into the exhibit." Annabeth motioned towards the girl holding a stack of boxes that were covering her face. The girl stick her hand out for a wave before rebalancing to fix her papers. I didn't bother to look at her face as I rested my arms on Annabeth knowing that she won't push it off because I usually just rest my arms on her shoulders.
The girl seem to struggle under the weight, "Thanks for helping me out by the way, I appreciate it a lot!" The girl said as a couple of papers fell onto the floor.
Annabeth nudged me and I glared at my sister before offering my help, "Hey you need any help with that?" I asked. "You seem to be struggling quite a bit."
"I'm good," The girl managed. Just then Annabeth shifted her shoulders to try to slide my arms off. I turned towards my sister as the girl put down her boxes.
"What? Trying to run now?" I smirked, looking down at a struggling Annabeth.
"No trying to introduce myself to the girl." Annabeth replied finally pushing my arms off her shoulders. "Annabeth Chase by the way and this doofus here is Percy Jackson."
I glared at Annabeth before finally taking a look at the girl's face. In her hands she held an art painting, while her green eyes were in shock as Annabeth said that. I took a look at her hair, her red hair…. My redheaded nightmare…
"Percy?" My nightmare looked at me then at Annabeth… then at my arms being draped over her shoulders.
"You guys know each other?" Annabeth asked completely clueless, and I have to admit… if it was another situation I would probably be cracking up at her expression.
I gritted my teeth, trying to say something but my mouth betrayed me.
"I'm Rachel," Rachel held out her hand to Annabeth, her eyes still looking at me. "Are you guys….? Is that…?" Rachel stopped her eyes studying me with complete sadness. I had no idea why I did this, but I quickly released my arm from Annabeth as Rachel studied us.
Thankfully the security guard came back just in time for us to avoid the awkward silence, "Mr. Valdez have confirmed your information, if you would however show me a verification of your driver's license," Rachel nodded and took out her driver's license to give the security guard a good look before putting it away.
My ex-girlfriend turned towards Annabeth with a grateful smile on her face, "Thanks for all this, I'm so clumsy," Rachel laughed weakly before looking up at me. "Percy… do you…." She stopped as if not sure what to say.
I had no idea why I did this… maybe because I don't want Rachel to follow me around… maybe because I don't want anymore relationship between us. But before she could say anything I quickly grab hold of my sister's hand and said, "We're dating, Annabeth is my girlfriend," I told her before I could stop myself.
Annabeth flinched and struggled to get release from my grip but I held tight. "What are you-?"
"Now you see why I've been trying to avoid you, I already have a girlfriend that I love very much." I told her with an emotionless face, but inside I was in serious pain… emotional pain.
Rachel look back and forth between us, as Annabeth studied me with intense eyes. The two girls look at me… one with a confused expression, the other with a sad expression. "I-I see…" Rachel managed. "Well… I'm happy for you guys, I'm really sorry for disturbing you all this time." Rachel said picking up her bags. "Thanks again for helping me get in there."
"But-" Annabeth began just as Rachel walked away.
"Don't worry… I'm sure Percy will explain it to you… well thanks again for helping me." Rachel said with on last sorrowful look at our intertwined hands before walking away.
I quickly pulled my sister out of the company doors before she starts shooting questions at me, but before I was halfway to my car she starts bombarding me with questions, "What was that?" She finally managed to stop me as she took her hand out of my grip. "Last I checked I was your sister… not your girlfriend…" She stated obviously angry but confused.
"It's nothing… I just didn't want to have girls flirting with me." I lied half-heartily
"Oh sure, like there are any girls that would be willing to flirt with you," Annabeth said sarcastically.
"You'd be surprise," I manage a weak smile.
"I'm not joking Percy," Annabeth stated, then suddenly her eyes went wide as if realizing something, "Wait… your girlfriend was a past artist… she was going to an exhibit… Rachel… Dare?" Annabeth asked finally clicking everything together.
I stayed silent, and Annabeth took that as a yes.
"You've got to be kidding me…." Annabeth murmured as she just stared at her hands.
I leaned against my car as Annabeth studied me. "Surprise?" I joked weakly.
Annabeth took a deep breath as if trying to calm herself down, despite her being the younger sister… I have to admit… I'm a bit scared at the moment. "How does saying that I'm your girlfriend even help?" Annabeth exploded.
Okay… not exactly what I expected. To be honest, I half-expected her to just go along with the plan because she sympathizes me… but then again… this is Annabeth we're talking about. "Look you probably won't ever have to face her again anyways… it's no big deal…" I trailed off. "Trust me… we don't look like siblings anyways, you can totally pass for my girlfriend." I assured her.
However Annabeth look more scared rather than reassured as I said that. "How about we make a deal?" Annabeth began with a gleam in her eyes as the fear faded away.
I hesitated, "What kind of deal…?" I asked cautiously.
"Since you're my lovely brother I'll make it easy on you… I will keep my mouth shut about the fact that I'm actually your sister… and you tell me the reason behind your terrorist actions." Annabeth smirked.
I wanted to punch myself… well because I was even stupid enough to even try to use my sister as a pretend girlfriend… and two… now she was able to blackmail me. "How about I just treat you to a little drink?" I offered desperately not wanting to tell her anything at all.
"How about no?" She shot back.
"Look I seriously can't tell you…" I begin. "It's classified information, I tell something and the next thing I know I'm in the witness protection program." I scared her. Okay… this was partly true… the part about classified information and all that… but rather than the witness program I'd probably be lying down in my own grave if I was to spill out anything.
Annabeth studied me for a while, "Fine… but one condition… "
Okay… so this is not as bad of a cliffhanger right? Well aside from that… I have nothing against Californian… (since I'm one myself haha) Thanks again for all the nice reviews and jokes, I have to say I laughed at all of them so thank you very much :D As for the Spanish.. I guess I should provide a translation huh? Don't mind my horrible grammar or what-not… I'm still just learning in Spanish 1 :D Anyways… READ AND REVIEW!
So… who read the first chapter of Mark of Athena! I was so happy when it was in Annabeth's POV!
yo creo que no- I think not
Lo siento! Nosotros es muy ocupado y cansado.-I'm sorry! We are very busy and tired.
Tanto trabajar- So much work
Tengo hambre- I am hungry
Me llamo Leo Valdez! Mucho gusto hermano- My name is Leo Valdez! Pleased to meet you brother!
Igualmente- Likewise
Song: Desperate- David Archuleta When I was younger… I love his songs so much :D
Agent Astro Zombie