CHAPTER 20

The next few weeks, Annabeth played with Percy's heart. Sleeping with him, then breaking his heart—just like she said she would.

And she wasn't feeling any better.

She felt terrible—sick to the stomach. It was torturing him as much as it did her. But of course she would never admit that.

Annabeth walked into the meeting room. All the board members of the company turned their heads as she sat in her seat next to Reyna. Percy sat in the seat in front of her—his eyes had not left her once she had entered the room. She stole a glance at Reyna then to Percy's green eyes. Annabeth tried to keep her emotions in check as she tried to not get lost in his eyes at the same time.

Percy's tie was still loosely done from them doing it in the janitor's closet. She would never admit this to anyone, but she had wanted more than anything to stay in there with his arms wrapped protectively around her— as romantic as that could be in a closet full of mops and buckets. She wanted his warm breathe and lips pressed against the back of her neck. His words reaching her ear.

She shook off her thoughts and zoned her attention to the meeting as it started.

Jake Mason sat next to her. He didn't need to be there, but ever since she had led him on a few days ago at a brunch gathering, he was stuck to her side.

How annoying was that? But it seemed to be getting Percy pretty pissed off. His hands were clenched so hard his knuckled were white and she could see his jaw was rigid, his lips pressed firmly together as Jake's mouth came closer to her ear, whispering things way inappropriate for a business meeting.

It should have made her feel better, but it didn't. She then looked to Reyna and her remorseful feelings were gone. Her eyes narrowed.

Reyna started out, "We are gathered here to discuss the promotion of Miss Annabeth Chase to the position as CEO and for me to step down."

Annabeth's grey eyes looked straight over to green— her eyes piercing his soul.

They discussed, but Annabeth was out of it. She tried, but having Percy in front of her—in the least, distracted her.

"All in favor" Reyna asked the board.

Some disagreed, but a majority were in favor.

"Annabeth Chase." Reyna said, making Annabeth turn to face her, "You are the new president of Chase Industries. Congratulations."

Annabeth's smile didn't reach her eyes, "Thank you. I'll do my best to make this company the way my father envisioned it to be." Her eyes settled on Percy, before she looked away and walked out of the room.

She walked over to the elevator that was down the hall.

"Annabeth, wait!"

The elevator doors opened and Annabeth went in and waited calmly for the doors to shut. A blur of raven black hair and flash of green and his hands held the doors open.

Percy got in, his eyes on her as the doors closed behind him.

He reached out for her hand, but she pulled away from him—her eyes looking at him with incredulity, "Annabeth, please…tell me what's bothering you?"

"You're an idiot, Percy."

Percy's brows furrowed, "Why?"

Her chest breathed in and out audibly, "You still have a soft spot for her, don't you?"

"Annabeth, what are you talking about?" he reached over to hold both of her shoulders. She brushed his hands away, "I know about this fake relationship deal you have with her, Percy. Have you not stopped to think that she might be using you? Reyna is not the type to simply shut off her ambition with a flick of a switch. With you next to her now, she has everything—the love of her life and a guaranteed future for both her and her son." The elevator bell dinged and the doors opened to the lobby. Annabeth went up closer to his face, "Think first, before acting next time."

And with that she left him standing in the elevator.

—

Percy slammed his hands on Reyna's desk, "Are you kidding me?!"

Reyna looked at him hard in the eyes, "Fine! I admit it! I wanted you. I wanted all of you near me! I miss the way you cared for me! The way you loved me! And the only way to persuade you would have been for me to step down and use Annabeth as a reason, but still have enough power to handle company decisions. And yet... you were pining after Annabeth, still." She turned and ran her fingers through her brown hair,

"It's her." She said bitterly, "It's always been her. She had everything and I didn't! I wanted everything!" Reyna swept her arms over her desk, making things fall over with a loud crash. Angry tears came falling down her face.

Percy grabbed her collar, making her gasp in her throat, mascara smudging the area around her eyes. He pulled her towards him, "No,.." his glare was livid, "she didn't have everything. She didn't have her father's love. She didn't have anybody to love her truly. You and I stole any chance of that away from her and that is the worst thing that a person can do!" He caught his breathe,

"We ruined an already damaged girl and I will forever regret it for the rest of my life." He let go of her and slumped back.

Reyna dropped to her knees, sobbing, "I'm sorry. I started…everything. I'll…" she looked up at Percy with so much pain and sorrow, "turn myself in. For everything that I've wronged you for and for Annabeth. —…." She took one deep breathe to steady her intention, "..I'll do it."

—

Annabeth looked up when there was a knock at her door. It was Reyna. Her brows furrowed.

Why did she want?

"Hey." Reyna said.

"Hi." Annabeth said with a guarded voice, "You needed something?"

"Uh, no. I just wanted to…confess. talk."

Annabeth looked skeptical, but gestured over to the couch seat in front of her.

Reyna thanked her and took a seat, "I'll get straight to the point, Annabeth, since there's no need to delay with you."

Annabeth nodded with eyes shielded to what she might say.

"I know I'm the person you hate the most in the world and you would want nothing more than to see me destroyed."

At least she knew it…

"And rightfully so. I've deceived and betrayed so many people, I don't deserve any better." She looked up at Annabeth, her brown eyes looking into her grey ones, "But, Annabeth...Percy—everything that happened with him started with me. You have to know that."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"I told you that Percy and I knew each other from before, but I didnt tell you why he wanted to take me down so badly. It was a while ago. Seven years ago, maybe? I…I killed a man." Annabeth's eyes narrowed at that, but Reyna continued, "And Percy, who I loved more than anything, took the blame for me—for me to continue with my desire to get into the elite society I always wanted to be a part of. A murder charge, even out of defense, would ruin me and I would have gone back to the dumps I came from. But Percy changed that…"

Tears welled up in her eyes, making the brown in her eyes blurred and hazy.

"He sacrificed his medical career for me and gave five years of his life in jail… and by the time he came out, I had enveloped myself in the ecstasies that came with the high life. So, Percy, who was a warmest, sweetest man I've ever known, turned into a heartless player who threw away girls like they were nothing. All in order to get to me. And get his revenge… Then he met you and made you his final play to get to me. But then, a lot of things happened, Annabeth. You made him whole again." She let out a soft breathe, "All I'm trying to say is that everything was my fault from the start. I was going to turn myself in after this and thought you should hear it from me first."

Annabeth sat still, thoughts forming in her mind—her eyes staring hard at Reyna as if she couldn't form any words to say back.

"If that's all true, why didn't he tell me or anybody else that? He could have easily taken revenge just by using that against you."

"Percy's too loyal to break a promise he made for not telling anyone. You should know that as well, Annabeth."

Annabeth let out a rushed breathe she didn't know she was holding. Her fingers ran through her golden blonde hair, "….my God."

"I'm sorry, Annabeth. I don't know if you'll believe it, but... I truly am sorry."

And with that Reyna left her to sit, contemplating all that had been said.

Nothing excused what Percy did to her…nothing..

But—knowing he was also completely betrayed in the worst way possible—knowing he was also damaged when she met him….

She had wanted an excuse—something— to help her let go of the undesirable heartbreak she was causing for both of them. Reyna was the last person she would have thought to be the one to give it to her. But it didn't matter, the important part was that she had it.

Annabeth stood up and picked up her jacket, making her way out of the door.

Octavian waited in the car then reached out for the knife in his lap as a raven haired man walked out of the building doors. He waited until the man passed the car before getting out.

He slipped the knife in his sleeve and followed him.

—

Percy walked out of the company building and onto the street. He waited for the walking signal for him to cross.

He saw Annabeth on the other side. Her eyes blinked up to him. They were steady. He couldn't make sense of them—as always. But the usual coldness had dissipated. The pedestrian sign came blinking on.

He couldn't see anything else but her. His lips slowly turned up in a smile. Percy loved her. He did. He loved her so much. He thought he saw her eyes twinkle from seeing him smile at her. They were a couple feet away when suddenly her eyes widened at something behind him. He heard her scream his name as his reflexes kicked in and he dodged just as a man behind him attempted to stab him in the back.

He heard screams of other bystanders. He heard beeps of cars and shouts as he caught the man's knife hand and twisted it around, stabbing the man in the stomach. Percy looked into the man's face to see that it was Reyna's right hand man, Octavian. His eyes flared with anger as the man dropped to the floor. His breathing shallow and heaving.

Annabeth had come up beside him. She grabbed him by the shoulders—her grey eyes full of concern, examining him for injuries, "Are you okay?" She said breathlessly.

"I'm fine." he said. His hand reached over to cover hers that was still holding his shoulder.

Just as he turned to face the aggressor, Octavian's hand reached in his coat and pulled out a gun.

Percy saw it and shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the sound of a gun shot.

Everything seemed to go silent.

Did you know that, Percy?

What?

Her grey eyes turned to him and twinkled with happiness. Her smile was warm, like the first rays of sunshine. She reached out and touched his face with the soft pads of her fingers, brushing the hair away from his forehead.

That I missed you…a lot

I know you did...

Annabeth slumped in his arms. Percy let out a strangled, torturous cry.

"No, Annabeth, Annabeth!" He held her in his arms and held her as close as possible. Blood was dripping from her side. He hastily pressed on it, trying to put pressure to stop the bleeding. She winced. Her breathing fast paced from the shock. Cold sweat beaded his brow. His free hand went up to her face, trying to get her to stay awake.

"Help is coming! Keep awake for me, Annabeth! Stay with me!" Percy pleaded desperately, "You need to stay with me, okay? Stay awake, please."

She nodded weakly. She looked to go unconscious any second.

He couldn't let that happen. She had lost already too much blood.

Shit.

He brushed away her hair from her face. Her breathing was heavy, and getting quieter. He dreaded not hearing her pulse—her heart beat.

He dreaded it for his life.

Put pressure until help comes.

Pressure.

Tears.

Lights.

With one deep breathe, Annabeth squeezed Percy's arm.

"I forgive you... Percy…."

A/N: The next chapter is the last one. It's already uploaded so what are you waiting for click 'next'!