I'm really really sorry for not updating for the past few months. Work has been hell, didn't have enough time to write.

I'm hoping that after this chapter I can update faster.

Thank you guys for sticking around.

Hope this chapter will make up for it.

Chapter 71

It's been a month since Percy got back from Greece. Luckily for him being sick during his vacation didn't do any harm to him. But it didn't mean that he can get away with it easily. He begged Annabeth to not tell them to them but she did anyways. So as soon as he got back he has to be fully checked by his doctor to make sure that it didn't do any harm to him. Talk about being over protective.

As soon as he was cleared by his doctor, healthy as ever, he didn't have enough time to adjust before he was thrown back to work. He got his schedule full for two months now: shows, interviews, TV guesting, recording and a lot more. Just by looking at it Percy wanted to go back to Greece again.

Percy was at Allie's office. He's currently scowling.

"Hey stop scowling. You'll get wrinkles."

Percy ignores her and he deepened his scowl. "Why do I have to go?" He whined. "You knew that I didn't like this kind of stuff."

"It's because it is needed. Do I need to remind you that over and over again." Allie said frustratingly.

"But I hate it!" He pouted. "I hate when they dress me up and tell me what to do."

Allie let out a huffed. "Why are you being so difficult again? You've done it hundred times already and yet you keep complaining. "

He crossed his arms. "Because you guys never listen."

Allie groaned. "Just suck it up. Don't be such a baby. Just do what they say. Don't complain and before you know it you're done."

"Easy for you to say." He snorted. "Did you know that this crew was the same one that makes me try hundreds of clothing just for…"

"Yeah I know." Allie cut him off. "But it's their job Percy. You can't blame them. It's their job to make you look good on the magazine."

"Hmp I always look good." He smirked.

"God you're such a child."

Percy finally laughs. "Fine. I'll stop bugging you."

Allie shook her head before finally getting back to her paper works. Minutes passed by and Percy was still sitting at the chair, smiling at times while busy texting in his phone. She's positive that it was Annabeth whom he was texting.

"Hey aren't you supposed to be leaving now?" Allie questioned.

"Nah. It's still early."

Allie checked her watch. "I think you should leave now or you'll going to be late."

Percy scowled. "You're kicking me out now? But I'm not even bothering you anymore."

"Traffic is so bad today, so it is better if you leave early."

"Fine." He finally stands up. "Later."

Allie just nod at him. She shook her head when she remembers his antics. Percy is a superstar but deep inside he still is a kid.

LINEBREAK

Nico and Percy were lounging at Percy's house when the latter got a call from Apollo.

"What's up?" Nico asks when he saw the look on Percy's face.

"I don't know really. He just sounded off. He just asked where we are and then he cut the call."

"Did he sound serious?"

"No actually he sounds frantic. Do you know something?"

Nico shook his head. "I guess we just have to wait then."

Half an hour later, Apollo arrived at Percy's place looking like he's been through a hard time.

"What happened to you?" Percy and Nico asked him at the same time.

Apollo ran his fingers in his hair frustratingly, making it even messier. He put a little bit of force to loosen his tie before he finally went to sit on one of the chair.

"I.." He started. He let out a long sigh before looking at his cousins. "Chloe and I are fighting. It's a bad one actually."

Nico and Percy looked shocked. Since the two started dating, they rarely fight and when they do it's something serious. But looking at Apollo, it looks like it is something deeper. And just the fact that they are going to get married in a month is also a surprised for them.

"Why?"

Apollo didn't answer but he buried his face in his hands. "I don't really know what's going on in my mind." His words were muffled but his cousins heard him.

Percy studied Apollo and then something hit him. "Oh gods don't tell me you're having second thoughts about the whole marriage thing?!"

"What?! No!" Apollo exclaimed but the look on his face told otherwise.

"Seriously?" Nico asked. "Your wedding is in a month Apollo."

"I know." He resigned looking so devastated.

Percy wanted to get angry at him because he love Chloe as much as he loves his cousin but something tells him that there so much more on why Apollo is acting like this.

"What's really going on Apollo?"Nico asked.

"One night, I just got back from the office and I happened to watch this one show dealing about broken homes, broken marriages and stuff like that. And then.." He breathes out a shaky laugh.

"It just hit me with like a bomb, I just found myself wondering if I'm doing the right thing? If I'm ready for all of this? If I'm ready to commit a lifetime with her?"

"You're afraid." Percy blurted out suddenly.

Apollo looked at him and Percy knows he's right.

"Yes, you're right. I'm scared, scared that I might not be the right one for her. That she's making the biggest mistake of her life marrying me."

"What are you even saying?" Nico chastised. "Do you even hear yourself? For gods sake Apollo! You guys are together for 5 years now. Chloe said yes when you ask her to marry you. If she's not sure that she wants to spend the rest of her life with you then why would she do it then?"

"Nico is right. We've seen you guys together. We've seen how you look at each other even after all these years. I know you doubt yourself because of whom you had been before you guys are together but can't you see it? You've change man. And I know, we know, that it was because of her."

"I think that what you're feeling right now is just normal." Nico stated. "I've seen my friends act like that before their wedding. Wedding jitters, that's what they called it and I think that's what you are going through right now."

"You think so?" Apollo asked helplessly. "Because I've been having bad dreams about it, me, being an awful husband to her."

"You're being too hard on yourself Apollo." Percy moved to sit beside him. "You're a changed man. It's been years. You're not the same man who used to play around."

"He's right you know." Nico agreed. "You've become a better man because of her and I know Chloe knew that. And that's why she's marrying you because she knows that you'll never going to hurt her."

Apollo let out a deep sigh. "I guess I just needed someone to remind me that. Gods it's been a hell for a few days pretending that nothing is bothering me. I don't know if Chloe notice it, but she didn't say anything and I'm thankful for that."

"Come on man. It's normal to be scared. But think about it, you're marrying the one you love." Nico stated."

"Aww that's sweet coming from you." Percy teased Nico.

"Oh shut up!"

Apollo and Percy chuckled.

"Thanks guys. I know I could count on you too. You don't know how relieved I am."

"It's nothing. We're family. You can always count on us, in good times and in bad times."

"Come on, let's get out of here. Go somewhere to eat to finally free your mind from worries. Dinner is on me." Nico stated.

"That would be a great idea. I just have to call Chloe for a second. She's probably wondering where I am, I haven't talk to her all day."

"Go ahead. We will just be right here."

Nico and Percy watched Apollo call Chloe. And they both have smile on their faces when they saw the look on Apollo's face when he heard Chole's voice. They knew that everything will be alright and they're both looking forward to their wedding day.

LINEBREAK

Athens, Greece

"Hey."Annabeth greeted her brother.

Malcolm kissed her on the cheek before he pulls a chair for her. They are currently on a café near Annabeth's work. He asked her to meet him.

"How have you been?"Annabeth asked. The last time she saw her brother was when he took care of Percy.

"I've been busy that's why I haven't been in touch with you lately."

"When did you arrive? Last time I talked to you, you were in London with Mom."

"Just last night."

"You're here for another project?" Annabeth knew that he finished his project already.

"No actually."

Annabeth frowned. "Then why are you here then? Not that I don't want you to be here."

Malcolm chuckled. "To talk to you."

"Talk to me? What so important that you have to come and talk to me personally? You could have just called."

Malcolm fidgeted. Annabeth was amused.

"Come on what is it?" She asked. "You look so nervous."

"Remember when I was at your house the last time?"

"Oh when you said that you were just visiting?" Annabeth asked. She raised an eyebrow to her brother. "There's more to it, right? I almost forgot about that."

Malcolm smiled at her. "You really have a sharp memory."

Annabeth smirked at her. "You should know by now. Besides it's suspicious. I mean why would you not call me if you wanted to visit? And when I come home you immediately left."

Malcolm laughs. "I know you'll figure out that it's odd. I wonder how Percy managed to not tell you the truth."

Annabeth smirked at him. "Well let's just say he knew how to make me forget things."

"Stop!"Malcolm said disgustingly. "I don't want to hear any of it."

Annabeth laughs. "I didn't even say anything."

"You don't need to. I just know it."

Annabeth suppressed her laughter. "Okay now let's be serious. What did you and Percy talked about? Should I be worried?"

"No. You see.." He started. "I asked him a favor for me."

"And that is?"

"I'm going to New York next month."

Annabeth scrunched her eyebrows. "Yes because you've been invited to Apollo and Chloe's wedding."

"Yes but it will be a week earlier."

"Wait I don't quite understand. What does Percy have to do with it?"

"I'm going to New York for Bianca."

Annabeth smiled. She likes Bianca for her brother. "That's good then. Does she know? "

Malcolm shook his head. "No. I'm going to surprise her and I have asked Percy's help. "

"Oh that's why. You really love her, don't you?"

"Yes. I've made a mistake letting her go once and I'm not going to do it again."

Annabeth hugs him. "I'm sure it will be worth it."

When she broke the hug, "So what do I have to do with all of these?"

Malcolm shyly smiles while he rubs the back of his neck. "I want to ask you to come with me to New York."

Annabeth was about to retaliate.

"Wait hear me out first. Percy offered me to stay in his house."

"Then that's good then. So why do I have to come? Besides Percy will take care of you and I'll be there before the wedding."

"It's just that I'm not that close to Percy and I just don't want things to be awkward."

Annabeth raise an eyebrow at him. "I'm not buying that."

Malcolm let out a deep sigh. "Fine, I'm just nervous as hell. I don't know if I'll be able to pull it off."

"What? It's not like you're going to propose?" Annabeth teased. "Wait are you?"

"Of course not!"

"Come on. I think you'll be fine."

"Please? I just need your support there. It will mean so much to me."

"But my work …"

"I'll talk to Thalia about it. Please? Besides I know that you miss Percy and you wanted to see him badly."

Annabeth chuckled. "You won't stop are you? Not until I say yes."

"You know me." He smiled knowing that he already got what he wanted.

Annabeth think for a while. It's been a while since she surprises him and this is a great opportunity and besides Malcolm is right. She does miss Percy so much.

"Fine. I'll go with you."

"Yes!" Malcolm hugs her. "Thanks sis. Should I tell him that you're coming with me? "

Annabeth shook her head. "No. I'll surprise him."

Malcolm smiled. "Okay then."

Okay done for now. I'll try to update as soon as I can.

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