It took me sometime to finish this chapter and I hope you'll enjoy it.

Thanks for the reviews on the past chapter:

TyberAurora: I get your point really. And I know some of the characters are a bit OOC and I hope you understand. It was just for the story's sake.

tniki713 : Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.

percabethforever6775 : Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.

guestx : Thank you.

Yaariyan: In due time. I'll try to update as soon as I can.

tricia22 : In due time. I'll try to update as soon as I can.

Chapter 48

Charles was standing outside of Thalia's house with a bottle of wine in his hands. How did he end up there? Well Leo called him earlier at work, informing him that they will be having a dinner at Thalia's house. He was indeed very surprised. First, he didn't expect that Thalia will be back in Patras again and second, that he was even invited to that said dinner. He thought he heard Leo wrong so he made him repeat it a couple of times till he was satisfied that indeed he was really invited. It annoyed Leo so much.

So here he was just standing outside the door hesitating to knock. Leo texted him a couple of times already, asking where he was. He was already late but he can't seem to find the courage to knock on the door. He was so nervous and he didn't know why. Maybe for instance it is because that he doesn't know who will be there. Leo didn't elaborate to him on who are going. He just made him promise that he will be there and he will not regret it.

What does he mean by that? Could it be that Silena is coming? But he shook the thought away. Why would Thalia invite him if she will be there? For all he know she is still mad at him. They never got a chance to clear things out before she left for New York to pursue her dreams in fashion designing. It crushed him big time but there's nothing he could do but to let her go. He screwed up and he just accepted it. He was still trying to move on.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing of his phone. He almost drops the bottle he was holding. He shook his head. He doesn't even know why he brought the wine in the first place. He never did it before.

He answered his phone without looking at the caller ID.

"Where the hell are you?" It was Leo. "Don't tell me you chickened out?"

"I.."

"Oh don't even start explaining. Hurry up and get your butt over here!" Leo demanded.

"If you just let me finish what I'm about to say then maybe I'm already inside the house." Charles replied sarcastically.

"What? You mean you're already outside? Then what the hell are you still doing there?"

Charles can't help but roll his eyes even if Leo can't see him. "Just open the damn door."

"Alright, alright, jeez I'm coming."

"Is that Charles?" Reyna asked who's sitting beside him.

"Yes." Leo replied grinning.

"So did you tell him?"

Leo shook his head. "It wouldn't be a surprise now if I tell him, right? Besides Connor will be filming his reaction and I'm sure it will be epic."

He gave Connor a high five, who is grinning evilly as well. Reyna just shook her head smiling. His boyfriend can be a real idiot sometimes. "Now go open the door before Charles changed his mind." She pushed Leo out of the couch.

Seconds later, Leo opened the door for Charles. Charles' back was facing the door when Leo opened it so he didn't notice him. Leo startled him.

"Do you really have to do that?" Charles snarled at him.

Leo was laughing his ass off. when he calmed down, "Still having second thoughts about this?" He asked Charles. Charles just glared at him. Leo motioned him to go inside but he saw the hesitation on Charles eyes.

"Are you sure about this? Are you sure Thalia want me here?"

"Who says I don't want you here?" Thalia suddenly appeared at the door followed by Reyna.

"H..Hey." Charles stuttered.

"I was wondering when will you going to show up." Thalia smirked. "It's good to see you Charles." She said and to Charles amazement Thalia hugged him.

He awkwardly hugged back. "You're not mad at me?"

Thalia rolled her eyes. "It's been ages Charles and besides I do now understand why you have to do it. It just took me awhile and besides our friendship is too valuable to just throw it away."

Charles smiled widely for the first time that day. "Thank you." He really meant it.

Thalia smiled back. He noticed Leo and Reyna smiling at them.

"Now come on inside. We were wondering what taking you two too long in coming back inside."

Leo just shrugged his shoulders and chuckled. Charles glared at him.

"Now come on everyone's waiting for you inside." Thalia grabs Charles' hand and leads him inside. Charles shoved the bottle of wine to Leo when he passes him. Leo just chuckled.

Reyna grabs Leo's hands, "Now come on. We don't want to miss the highlight of the night."

"You're right babe. Did I already tell you how much I love you?" He smiled sweetly at her and put his arm around her shoulders.

Reyna rolled her eyes but can't help but smile. "Hmm I think a couple of times already." She playfully replied. Leo grinned at her and kissed her cheek. Soon they followed the two inside not wanting to miss the said reunion.

"Look who I found." Thalia said once they set foot on the living room.

"Charles!" They exclaimed. There sitting on the living room are Chris, Clarisse, Travis and Connor.

"What took you so long?" Travis asked.

"Run some errands but hey I'm here now." Charles shrugged.

"Yeah right." Leo teased which earned him a glare from Charles.

Clarisse and Chris rise from their sit to give Charles a hug. Last time they saw each other was 3 months ago.

"It's good to see you. How have you been?" Clarisse asked him. He smiled at her. "I'm good nothing new actually." He replied timidly.

Leo handed the bottle of wine to Thalia before dragging his girlfriend in the couch.

"Did you bring this Charles?" Thalia asked amusedly.

Charles scratched the back of his head and nodded which earned a couple of snickers from their friends. "What?" He asked defensively.

"Nothing." Thalia replied smiling. "Just ignore them and thanks for the wine."

And then came in the unexpected, to Charles anyway. There from the kitchen Silena walks in the living room.

"Thalia where is.." She stops when she saw Charles standing in the living room besides Thalia.

The look on Charles' face was an indication that he was not expecting to see her there. Nobody told him that she will be there. She on the other hand knew that he was invited not just so sure if he was going to show up but he did.

The stunned look on Charles' face was priceless. He didn't even noticed when not far from him Connor was filming the whole scene. Their friends keep quiet. Nobody wants to interrupt. They've been waiting for this day when the two finally reunite with each other.

Charles' POV

It's been 4 months when they last saw each other. 4 months that tortured him to no end. Seeing her standing just a few feet away from me makes me want to hold her and tell her how much I miss her and that I am still so much in love with her.

She was still beautiful as I remembered, gorgeous even. Her hair was longer though but it suits her. I can tell that living in New York was good for her based from what she looks.

I tried to open my mouth to say something or greet her but I find it hard to do so. It's like I swallowed my tongue. I wasn't even aware of my surroundings anymore. I was just looking directly at her. I can tell that she was surprised to see me too. Hell I want to strangle my friends for not giving me a heads up that Silena will be here.

We just stared at each other trying to gauge each other's emotion. I gave up first. I bowed my head. My head was pounding. I wasn't ready for this. It's like the pain came flowing back at me all at the same time. I was finding it hard to breathe.

Luckily Thalia broke the awkward silence. "Silena, remember Charles." She said and even though I can't see her face I knew she was smirking.

"O..Of course, how can I forget?" Silena started. I can feel her gaze to me as she approached.

I can also feel the others staring at me. I feel like an idiot. Coward. I can name some other few but her voice brought me back to reality.

"Charles." She called softly.

I find it hard to ignore her. I was longing for that voice for Gods knows how long. I lifted my head to meet her eyes. Instantly I was lost in them.

"Silena."

"It was nice to see you. How are you?" She said and she came to hug me.

I was having a hard time processing what was happening in front of me. My body stiffened as she hugs me. It was a quick hug though.

"I..I'm fine." I answered stupidly. It was so damn awkward that I wanted the ground to swallow me. I've been wishing for this day and now it's all happening but now I suddenly choked.

The love of my life was standing in front of me and I can't even find a single word to tell her. I can also sense her nervousness just like mine. I didn't know how long we stayed like that.

Someone cleared their throat and we turn to look. It was Katie. I don't know how long she was in there.

"Umm Silena, I need you for a sec." She said smiling.

"O..Okay." Silena said. She turned to look at me like she wants to say something but instead she settles with a smile before turning back.

I watched her walks towards Katie. I saw Katie looking at me and I shot her a thankful smile, knowing that she did that for me.

"I should probably go and check with them." Thalia stated and went to go the kitchen.

I was left standing there awkwardly not knowing what to do.

Our idiot friends burst out laughing as soon as Thalia was nowhere in sight. I shot them all a death glare.

"What was that all about Beckendorf?" Clarisse asked teasingly. "You just choked." That makes them burst into another fit of laughter.

"Thank you. You are all such a good friends." I said mockingly.

Then I noticed Connor holding a camera directed at me. I mentally cursed. "You did not just.." I threatened but he cut me off.

"Oh yeah I so did." He replied high fiving Travis and Leo.

"Give me that!" I ordered making my way to him.

He stands up ready to bolt. I was about to lunge myself to him when Chris and Leo stops me.

"Calm down." Leo said chuckling. "Breath, just relax."

"Don't tell me to relax. Just give me the damn recorder. It was already embarrassing enough and now you just have to record it!"

"Oh come on dude. It's not like I'll upload it on Youtube." Connor said smirking.

"Don't you dare?!"

"Relax, of course I will not do that. What kind of a friend do you think I am?" He said feigning hurt.

I rolled my eyes and just gave up. No point on arguing. I wasn't going to win with them anyways. So I settled sitting in between Leo and Reyna just to annoy him. Of course Leo protested but I glared at him and he was wise enough not to argue.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked referring to Leo.

Leo chuckled and I punched him in the arm. "Aww man that hurts." He whined.

"You deserved it." I countered and buried my face in my hands.

I felt Leo rise from his seat beside me and them someone took his place. I peek and it was Clarisse.

LINEBREAK

Leo on the other hand settled on the seat beside Travis.

"So much drama." Travis commented smiling.

"Nah you haven't seen Percy yet. That man has it bad."

"Really? How is he? I haven't talk to him lately." Travis asked.

"He's okay. I think he's in LA now. He's been very busy." Leo explained.

"So I guess he's been asking for Annabeth?"

"Every single time that we talk, he always ask if we know anything about her yet. It's so frustrating every time." Leo said sadly.

"I thought by this time he already moved on."

"Why?" Leo asked.

"Hmm let's see he's so damn very popular and the fact that he is the heir to a multibillion company, women will probably all around him and he can have anyone he wants."

"Except he only have eyes for Annabeth." Leo pointed.

"Your right." Travis said. He thought for a moment, "Why don't we ask Thalia about her?"

"Will it do any good?"

"I don't know. At least we will know something about her that we can tell Percy."

"It's been 4 months Travis. Do you think Annabeth wants anything to do with him? She never even bothers contacting any of us. I know Percy is still trying to get a hold of her but he never got through. So do you think all the waiting that Percy is doing is going anywhere?"

Travis kept silent.

"My point exactly." Leo stated. "What if we tell him that Annabeth has already moved on, so that he can finally move on?"

"Are you serious?" Travis asked incredulously.

"Why not?"

"It's stupid." Travis pointed. "We can't lie to him about that."

"Even if it helps him to move on?"

"Leo, Percy will move on eventually. Maybe someday they will meet again if the fate decides."

"I still think it's a good idea." Leo stated.

"Try telling that to Charles and I know he will agree with me."

Leo huffed. "You are so full of yourself."

Travis raised his eyebrow at Leo. "Just leave it Leo."

"Whatever."

LINEBREAK

"Are you okay?" Clarisse asked Charles.

"I don't know really. I was not expecting this and it totally caught me off guard." He admitted.

"Sorry for not telling you." Reyna butted in. "It's just we don't know if you'll show up when you found out that she will be here."

"And I think what just happened a while ago was a good start." Clarisse offered.

"I guess so." He answered and then his phone started ringing. He reached for his phone in his pocket and saw that it was Percy. Great timing as always.

He excused himself. Leo saw him and he mouthed Percy. Leo just nodded and he proceeded to the balcony to take the call.

From his side Travis asked Leo. "Is that Percy?"

"Yup." Leo answered.

Travis narrowed his eyes on him. "Don't even think about it." He threatened.

"What are you talking about?" Leo asked innocently.

Katie approached Travis and he was distracted for a minute and that's when Leo decided to go and follow Charles on the balcony.

Leo saw Charles talking on the phone facing away from him. He approached him and gestured if he can talk to Percy for a second. Charles scrunched his eyebrows at him.

"I just need to tell him something."

Charles went back to his conversation with Percy and informs him that Leo wants to talk to him. Charles gave him the phone.

"I'll just go to the bathroom." Charles said to him before handing him the phone.

Back inside, Travis saw Charles going to the bathroom and noticed that Leo was not beside him anymore. He turned to look at the balcony and he saw Leo talking on the phone.

He mentally cursed Leo for being stubborn. He immediately excused himself from his girlfriend who is currently talking to him. Katie was baffled by Travis' action but when she saw him walking towards Leo she just ignored it.

"Leo!" Travis called.

Leo turned to look at him. "What?"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

"I'm talking to Percy. What's wrong with that?" Leo replied. Percy asked something on the other line. "It's just Travis. No, nothing is wrong."

"Hand me the phone Leo." Travis demanded.

"What's your problem?" Leo asked starting to feel annoyed.

"I'm just trying to stop you from doing something stupid."

Leo just chuckled. "Hey Perce, I'll talk to you later." He ended the call without even waiting for Percy's reply.

The phone started ringing indicating that Percy was sensing something is wrong but Leo ignored it and place the phone on the table beside him.

Travis saw it but then he ignored it also turning his full attention to Leo. "I thought we already talked about not telling Percy you're idea. Don't be so stupid."

"You just accused me of something and then now you're calling me stupid." Leo spat at him.

"I was just trying to stop you." Travis countered.

"You're not even sure that I will tell him that so don't you dare call me stupid."

"Really?" Travis said mockingly.

"Really." Leo ridiculed. "Give me some credit will you?"

"What? For being an idiot?"

"You did not just call me that!" Leo snarled.

"I just did."

Inside the house Charles noticed Leo and Travis arguing.

"Hey!" Charles called when he saw Leo pushed Travis. He rushed outside to try and break the tension between the two of them. He failed to notice that their friends are busy with something or rather to someone who just came in.

As soon as Charles approached the two, he failed to notice Leo throwing a punch at Travis. Travis dodged the punch ending it to Charles' jaw that suddenly appeared in between them.

"Damn it!" Charles cursed.

Connor and Chris runs towards them. Upon seeing that Charles was hurt, Silena runs after Connor and Chris.

"Oh gods I'm so sorry Charles. I didn't see you." Leo tried to apologize.

"Are you okay?" Travis asked as he helped him to his feet.

"What's wrong with you two?!" Charles snarled while holding his jaw.

"What the hell just happened?" Connor asked as he went to his brother side.

They were all shocked when suddenly Silena appeared beside Charles.

"Charles." She called. "Are you okay?" She touched his bruised jaw worriedly.

"I'm fine." Charles replied who forgot his awkwardness due to what happened. "Will someone explain to us what just happened?" He demanded.

Travis and Leo look at each other and they turn to look at Charles, embarrassment shown on their faces. Somehow Charles picks up what they're trying to say since Silena is with them.

"Will you guys leave us for a while?" Charles suggested.

"You sure? Are you two cool enough now?" Chris asked.

Travis and Leo nodded.

Silena squeezed Charles' shoulder before going inside. Connor and Chris followed her but not before throwing curious look at them.

When they were inside, Charles crossed his arms over his chest waiting for their explanation.

"We were just goofing around." Leo lied lamely.

"Uh huh, try again." Charles demanded. "Don't give me that crap. You just hit me in the jaw which supposedly for Travis and you're telling me you're just goofing around."

"We're very sorry. Let's just forget about it. Leo and I are okay. Right Leo?" Travis said turning to Leo who just nodded in return.

Charles shook his head. "I supposed this has something to do with Percy. I just left you talking to him. So tell me what really happened."

Leo and Travis have no choice but to tell him the truth.

"Unbelievable." Charles stated after hearing their story. "Do you two even realize that no matter what you tell Percy he will never listen to you unless he sees it in his own eyes?"

Leo scratched the back of his head. "I know it was a stupid suggestion. Honestly I wasn't even going to tell him that."

"Then why didn't you tell me?" Travis asked incredulously.

"I was trying to tell you but you're too busy accusing me which pissed me off."

"Oh right. I'm sorry. So were cool?" He asked Leo.

"Absolutely." Leo grinned and gave Travis a high five.

They noticed Charles not saying anything. They turned to look at him and he was frozen in his spot looking inside the house.

"Hey Charles. Are you okay?" Leo asked.

Instead of replying Charles pointed inside the house which the two followed. Both of their jaws fell when they saw who was inside the house.

"She's here. Annabeth is here."

Tell me what you think. Till next chapter.