It took me a while to write this chapter, there are a lot of scenarios playing in my mind for this chapter and I hope you'll like it. Although I know some of you are expecting Annabeth's POV in this chapter but I'm sorry to disappoint you. I can't squeeze her in this one but next time she'll definitely have one.

Thank you for the reviews on the past chapter:

henrie locker : Very soon I promise.

Chicadiva75 : Thanks

tniki713 : Thanks for the review.

EpicNuby : Sorry it took me a while to update

JVKfflove : Sorry for the cliffhanger. Thanks for reading.

guestx : Thank you.

Yaariyan : Stay tuned for the next chapters. Thanks again.

tricia22 : Thank you.

guest : Hmm I'll try to squeeze that in. I just need to fill some scenes before focusing on Percy's singing.

percabeth (Guest) : Sorry it took me a while to update

Disclaimer: I do not own anything

Chapter 49

"She's here. Annabeth is here."

Charles, Leo and Travis were rather speechless from seeing Annabeth.

"When? How?"

"Hey you guys, aren't you coming inside to say hello to Annabeth?" Reyna called from inside peeking through the glass door.

"O..oh yeah but of course." Leo turned to look at Travis and Charles.

Charles seemed to be having a hard time processing the surprises he had encountered this night. Leo has to touch his arm to snap him back to reality.

"Charles, come on let's go back inside."

Charles looked at him and for a second he looks like he's about to say something but instead he just nodded to Leo. The two followed Travis inside.

Everyone was around Annabeth when they were back inside. All were static to see her. Silena and Thalia were grinning. Of course they knew that she was coming and they wanted to surprise everybody.

Leo and Charles silently approached the group. When Reyna saw them, she offered a smile gesturing them to come nearer. Once they were near enough Reyna offered her hand to Leo and pulling him to Annabeth. Leo gave her a hug.

Charles remained at the back with his hands in his pockets and looking at his shoes. He didn't know what to do. He wished that Annabeth wouldn't see him to be able to surpass the awkwardness. But of course that is impossible. When he decided to look, that's when he realized everyone was looking at him.

"Charles." Annabeth called, smiling at him.

He blinked a couple of times making sure that his eyes are not betraying him.

It was as if the scene with Silena a while ago has just been repeated when Annabeth walks towards him and gave him a hug.

"It was nice to see you." She said to him which leaves a rather speechless Charles.

Only to make it more awkward for Charles, Silena approached him and handed him an ice pack. He momentarily forgot that he had a bruise on his jaw.

"Here." She offered. He was about to get it but to make things worse for him Silena stretched her hand placing the ice pack on his jaw. He was blushing and he saw the others smirking at him.

"T..Thank you." He stuttered. Silena just smiled at him. He can't help but think that the fates must be messing with him today. It's like they planned this day to make things uncomfortable to him.

Thankfully Thalia announced that dinner is ready.

Charles sits at the far end of the table, far away from Thalia, Silena and Annabeth. He ended up sitting beside Leo.

So during dinner they mostly talked about what's been going on with their own lives from the past months. Charles chose to remain silent. He just talks when they ask him a question.

Connor, being himself asked the question that mostly most of them is avoiding.

"So." He started. "What about you three.." He gestured to Thalia, Silena and Annabeth. "Are you dating anyone yet?"

Katie decided to kick him in the shin once he blurted those words.

"Ouch!" He muttered glaring at Katie. "What was that for?!"

Katie glared back at him. "Idiot!"

Of course nobody dared to ask that question before him for the sake of Charles. Things get awkward after that. The three looked at each other. They are seemed to be amused by their friends' reactions to the question.

Silena stole a glanced at Charles and he seemed to be pretty interested in picking his food, oblivious to her stare.

No one answered Connor's question which annoyed him even more.

To break the awkward silence Chris cleared his throat earning everyone's attention. He glanced at Clarisse who is sitting next to him. He smiled at her and she smiled back with a nod which confused them.

Chris turns back his attention to them. He holds one of Clarisse hands that were resting on the table.

"We have something to tell you." He started and then looked at Clarisse once again.

"We're getting married." She announced giddily.

As soon as she announced the girls started squealing. They got up from their seats to congratulate the couple. Everyone was happy for Chris and Clarisse. The girls were looking or rather inspecting the ring that Chris gave her.

"So how come we never heard that you are proposing to Clarisse?" Katie asked glaring playfully at Chris.

Chris rubs the back of his neck smiling apologetically. "I wanted to make it simple and private." He explained. Clarisse chuckled besides him.

"His reason behind it though is that he's too nervous. He was afraid that I'll turn him down so he decided to do it with just the two of us around."

"Oh come on you don't need to tell them that." Chris pouted.

Their friends laugh at them. Clarisse pecked Chris' lips to stop him from pouting.

"Oh my gods, stop with the PDA." Thalia groaned.

"Get a room!" Connor suggested smirking which earned him a whack behind his head from Katie.

"That's the second time you hit me!" He grumbled. "Will you stop your girlfriend from hitting me?" He whined to Travis.

"That's because you're stupid." Katie pointed out. She raised her eyebrow at her boyfriend daring him to stop her. Travis just raised his hands in surrender.

"Wimp." Connor mocked at Travis. Travis just stuck his tongue at his brother.

"Hey I'd rather take all your insults than be on the bad side of my girlfriend." He smirked and hugs Katie from behind.

"Oh please, enough with the cheesiness already." Thalia whined.

Everyone laughs.

Thalia, Annabeth, Katie, Reyna and Silena remained in the kitchen to clean up the dishes. Clarisse offered her help but they turned down just because she just got engaged. Go figure.

The rest of them ended on the balcony. Charles leaned on the railings facing the view while the others chose to seat around the table. Leo and Travis came after holding bottles of beers.

Leo approached Charles and gave him a beer. "You okay?" He asked.

Charles just nodded. "I'm just surprised that's all."

"Yeah we all can see that." Connor commented from behind him.

Charles ignored Connor and took a sip from his beer.

"So are you going to tell him?" Leo asked.

"Honestly, I don't know. I've been thinking about of it all night and yet I can't still figure out if I'm supposed to tell him right away."

"I get what you mean. I've been waiting her to ask about Percy all night but I guess it still a sore part for her."

"I think you should wait for the right time to tell him." Clarisse suggested.

Charles and Leo turned to their position and faced the others.

"Why?" Leo asked.

"We still need to know what Annabeth feel towards him now. We can't just drop the news to him. For all we know once he knew that she's here, he might fly back right away."

"Then wouldn't it be better if he do that?" Travis asked.

"Maybe or not." Charles answered.

"What do you mean?" Travis asked.

"I think I'll agree with Clarisse. Right now Percy is busy with his career and he just got back on his tracks and I don't think a distraction would be good for him."

"Are you saying that Annabeth is a distraction to him?" Leo asked confused.

"No not like that." Charles defended. "What I'm trying to say is we will inform him as soon as the time is right. I know he deserves to know that Annabeth is back here again but it wouldn't change anything. He will just get distracted there."

"We will have to find out first where he stands on Annabeth." Clarisse added. "And from there we can at least tell him something."

"Well I guess you're right." Leo said.

"Oh by the way, does he know about your engagement?" Connor asked stupidly.

Clarisse rolled her eyes. "Of course not yet stupid, we just told you guys a while ago."

Connor pouted. "Why do you keep calling me stupid?"

"That's because you don't think before asking." Chris chimed in.

"What's wrong with my question? For all I know you already told him."

"How should we do that? We haven't talk to him for weeks now." Clarisse said.

"Whatever." Connor surrendered.

"Hey why don't we call him right now and tell him the news?" Leo suggested.

"Yeah I think that's a good idea." Charles second handed. "Here call him." He offered his phone.

"Is he not busy?"

"He's in LA right now." Charles stated. He glanced at his watch and it was already 10pm which means it's 12pm in LA. "Well if he's busy we can just call him back."

"Yeah, hurry up though while they are still inside." Travis suggested.

Clarisse shrugged and pressed the call button.

LINEBREAK

Percy is on his way up to his cousin's office. He felt so tired. Exhausted. He got up at 5 in the morning just to do an interview for this morning show and then after that an interview for a radio station. It was just half of the day but his energy was on low level. And add the fact that he went to bed at 2am in the morning.

He lazily pushed the button for the top floor. Once he reaches the floor, he saw Lucy. Lucy is Nico's new secretary since Allie became his Road Manager since Nico can't always be there for him.

Lucy smiled at him and told him that Nico's waiting for him inside. He said his thanks and knocks on the door before going inside.

Nico gestured him to come in. Percy lazily sat on the chair.

Nico noticed his state. "What's with the long face?" He joked.

"Ugh you tell me. Are you guys trying to kill me or something? Can you try not to make me wake up at 5 in the morning when I have a late night commitment?" Percy whined.

"Oh come on. You did worst than that way back."

Percy groaned. "What do you want to tell me personally? Why can't you just tell it on the phone? I still have my rehearsal at 3pm you know and I haven't eaten anything yet besides coffee and a bagel since this morning."

"I'm sorry to hear about that but this is important that's why you need to listen carefully."

"What?"

"But before anything else, I want you to know that this isn't my decision and I tried to object it but unfortunately it was already made official."

"What are you talking about? Will you just spill it?" Percy said tiredly.

"You're doing another duet."

Percy scrunched his eyebrows. "That's it? That's what you need to tell me? Geez Nico, you drag my ass here just for that."

Nico raised his hand motioning him to stop talking. "Not just that. Wouldn't you want to know who you are working with?"

"Who?"

Nico said tiredly. "Calypso."

Percy must have misheard him. "Pardon?"

"You're going to be working with Calypso." He repeated.

Percy straightened from his seat. "Tell me you're joking." He demanded.

Nico shook his head. "I'm sorry."

"Is this some kind of a sick joke? Because it isn't funny."

Nico let out a deep sigh. "I wish it was but it was Dad's ordered Percy. There's nothing we can do about it."

"Are you guys out of your mind?" Percy raised his voice. "You guys know what happened between us and yet you want us to work together again?!"

"I tried to explain that to Dad but he wouldn't listen. He said that you need to set aside your personal life because you guys were personally requested from the songwriter itself." Nico tried to reason out.

"The hell I care if we were requested. Find someone else to do it!"

"Percy." Nico said sternly. "Do you even know who I am referring to? He's a famous songwriter and it is an honor if he personally picks you to do his song."

"Gods I can't believe this! I can't work with her!"

"Stop raising your voice on me. It's not my fault."

"Then do something about it!"

"I told you I can't!" Nico pointed out angrily. "Think about it first. You guys both moved on so why can't you just work it out."

"It's not that simple Nico."

"Just try to understand."

"Why can't you…" He was cut off with his phone ringing. He reaches for it and saw that it was Charles who's calling him.

"Percy put the phone down were not yet down talking."

"Huh now I can't even take my phone calls now?"

"No listen.." But Percy raised his hand to stop him. He answered the phone.

"Hello."

"Percy!" His friends greeted him from the other line.

"Hey guys." He tried to sound upbeat for the sake of his friends.

"Hey Percy." It was Clarisse. He hadn't talk to her in a while.

Before he can talk again Nico interrupted him. "Percy we need to finish discussing this matter before.." But Percy cut him off.

"Can't you see I'm talking to someone? And I already told you I'm not going to do it."

Percy didn't know that he was on speaker on the other line so basically everyone can hear him including the girls who just came out from the house.

"Is it a bad timing?" Clarisse asked a little louder so that he can hear her.

They didn't notice that Thalia, Silena, Katie and Annabeth were hearing the conversation.

"No it's alright. It's just Nico. He's a pain in the ass right now."

"Damn it Percy. Will you listen to me?"

"Hey you guys alright in there?" Charles butted in.

Percy didn't reply because he went back to arguing with his cousin.

"Should we be worried?" Chris asked concerned.

Charles and Leo chuckled. "Nah they'll be fine. We've seen worst when we went to London to visit them a month ago while Percy's doing some shows there."

"Yeah you should have seen them. I thought they're going to kill each other." Charles and Nico laughs.

They momentarily forgot that Percy was still on the other line.

"What do you think they're fighting about?" Clarisse asked.

Just then they heard Percy cursing.

"You didn't even tell me beforehand that we're going to have a meeting with your Dad right now?" He spat at Nico.

"I've been trying to tell you but you wouldn't listen."

"Arghh you suck."

"Tell that to yourself." Nico spat back. "Now come on before we piss Dad for waiting."

Percy must have realized that the call has not ended yet.

"Oh gods I'm so sorry you have to hear that. Listen I need to go right now. I'll talk to you guys soon. I'm really sorry."

And then he ended the call.

"So much for telling him the news." Connor chuckled.

Clarisse noticed the girls standing a few feet away from them. Basing from their reactions, they must have heard the conversation.

"Hey." She called. "Why are you guys just standing there, come on join us here."

"How long have you been guys standing there?" Leo asked.

"Seconds ago." Thalia lied which earned him a look from the other girls.

Annabeth studied her but she shrugged it off. She's busy thinking about something.

"As much as I want to stay longer." Reyna started. "But Leo and I need to go."

"Oh right." Leo said rubbing the back of his neck. He forgot that they were driving back to Athens.

Reyna rolled her eyes on him.

"What?" He chuckled. "I was having so much fun that it slip off my mind. Sue me."

"Where are you going?" Clarisse asked.

"Oh were going to Athens. We're visiting Reyna's family." Leo explained.

"Oh great we're heading back there too." Chris said.

"That's great. So let's go then."

They said their goodbyes since the others decided to call it a night too.

Annabeth, Thalia and Silena watched their friends as they walk towards their own car.

Before going to their separate cars Leo talked to Charles first. "Hey you sure you're okay?"

Charles chuckled. "Yes I am. Stop worrying okay. We'll talk about Percy when you get back."

Leo nodded and patted Charles' back before heading towards his car where Reyna is waiting for him.

"Drive safely." Charles called to the others before he turn towards his car.

He was about to open his car when someone called him.

"Charles."

He almost dropped his keys.

"Oh sorry if I startled you." It was Silena.

"No it's okay. What can I do for you?"

"Hmm actually I was wondering if we could hang out sometime to catch things up."

"Huh.." Charles was a bit shocked. He wasn't expecting that.

"I mean if you like. It's okay if.."

"No that will be totally fine. I'd like that."

Silena smiled at him. "Great."

Charles' phone started buzzing. Silena saw it. "Go ahead answer it. I'll call you soon about the details."

"Okay." He smiled back. She said her goodbyes and turn towards the house. He watched her until she reached the door and decided to answer the call.

"Hey." He greeted.

"Hey you, so how was the dinner?" She asked.

"It's fine. I had a great time catching up with them."

"That's good to hear. So what are you doing right now?"

"Actually I'm about to get in my car and drive home." He informed her.

"Oh is that so. Drive safely then. Call me when you arrive okay?"

"I will."

He ended the call. He stared at his phone for a while looking at the caller ID and then he glanced back at the house. He let out a deep sigh and got in his car and drive home.

Back inside the house

Thalia and Annabeth were sitting at the couch when Silena entered the house.

"What was that all about?" Annabeth was smirking at Silena.

"What?" She asked innocently.

"Oh please stop playing dumb princess." Thalia teased. "So what did you tell him?"

"Nothing."

Annabeth snorted. "You're blushing when you entered the house so something must have happen."

Silena glared at them. "It's none of your business."

"Come on spill it out." Thalia insisted.

"Not until I hear what Annabeth can say about hearing Percy's voice again."

"Hey how was that related to what we were asking you?" Annabeth countered.

"I'll spill it when you answer my question." Silena stated.

"Huh if that the case, I want to know what's with Thalia's reaction during the call." Annabeth added. If they were trying to corner her then three can play this game.

"Hey don't drag me into this." Thalia whined. She mentally cursed Annabeth for being observant.

"Alright then, I will not tell you about the conversation I just had with Charles."

"Fine then." Annabeth answered. "Anyways I'm going to sleep because I'm tired." With that she left the two in the living room.

"Can you believe her?" Silena asked Thalia.

Thalia just rolled her eyes at her. "I'm going to bed too. Goodnight."

With that they left Silena all alone in the living room. "Unbelievable." She stormed off to the guest room where she will stay for the night.

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