Chapter 2 guys! Thanks :)
Chapter 2
Wednesdays were never Annabeth's favorite days, but she still liked them because it meant that the week was half over. Instead of greeting the usual co-workers in the office building, Annabeth was on the bus, on her way to Jackson Corp on the less-than lovely day. She had woken up a few minutes later than she had expected, but went through her daily morning routine with no different feelings. She dressed impeccably with a white blouse tucked into her black ruffled skirt. Her thin, white heels and large purse made her feel more sophisticated.
The bus stopped a few streets off of the large business building and Annabeth followed the stream of other fancily dressed workers down the street. She walked through the glass spinning doors of the office building and was met a bone-chilling splash of air conditioned air. Her heels click-clacked over to the front desk and she rung the bell. The receptionist didn't look up. She rung it again. And again. And again. Annabeth tapped her nails loudly on the marble counter top.
The receptionist looked up, "May you please stop that?"
"I have an appointment scheduled today," Annabeth said.
"With who? Mr. Jackson told me not to have anyone bother him between the hours of nine to twelve," She replied. Annabeth's cheeks colored. She thinks that I'm some sort of whore for Mr. Jackson, she thought angrily.
"I actually have an appointment scheduled with him around now," Annabeth snapped, "The Half-Blood Tribune."
"Name?" The receptionist asked, her long red fingernails rolled over the keys.
"Annabeth Chase,"
"Sorry, we don't have an Annabeth Chase in the system-"
"Try Lacey Flausner," Annabeth cut in, silently cursing at herself for forgetting that the appointment was most likely made under Lacey's name.
The receptionist eyed Annabeth warily, "Your good. Elevator down there and on your left. Mr. Jackson's office is on the top floor."
Annabeth nodded and briskly walked down the hallway. Behind her, she could hear the receptionist call Mr. Jackson's office in a saccharine sweet voice, "Mr. Jackson, your eleven-o'clock appointment is on her way up!"
The elevator brought her up to the 43rd floor, and the reflecting metal doors pulled open to reveal a spacious office. Mr. Jackson had a receptionist in his office too.
"Hi, I'm Bella." The receptionist shook hands with Annabeth, "I'm assuming that your... Ms. Flausner?"
"No, um, I'm actually Annabeth, Annabeth Chase. There were some minor complications and Lacey couldn't make it."
Bella nodded, "Okay, Mr. Jackson will be with you shortly Ms. Chase." With that, Bella turned around and headed to her desk. The high-end décor made Annabeth feel quite low class. Especially after Bella, with her platinum blond hair pulled back into a sleek, perfect bun, turned around and flashed the red soles of her fancy Louboutins. Her outfit must've cost hundreds just for that small blouse and pencil skirt. Annabeth crossed her legs, thinking of her shoes, which she bought for twenty-five dollars after a 70% blowout sale.
"Ms. Flausner," A deep male voice took Annabeth out of her thoughts.
"Hm?" She looked up to see deep green eyes, a strong chiseled jaw, "Oh, yes." Annabeth hastily stood and shook hands with Mr. Jackson. She couldn't help but admire the way his suit hugged his body.
"It's actually Annabeth, Annabeth Chase. Ms. Flausner couldn't make it today," Annabeth said. She couldn't really take her eyes off of his. They were so green... so dreamy.
"Ah okay. Lets go into my office?" Mr. Jackson led Annabeth to his office. It had floor to ceiling windows that showed the amazing Manhattan city.
"I assume your from The Half-Blood Tribune?" Mr. Jackson asked, sitting down on one side of the black couch in the middle of the room.
"Yes," Annabeth sat across from Percy, "I'm just here to ask you a few questions. Will it be okay if I record it?" Annabeth held up her phone. Percy nodded. Annabeth clicked the red record button and set it on the glass table.
"So Mr. Jackson-"
"-Percy, please."
"Percy, what do you do exactly at Jackson?" Annabeth asked.
"Well, I believe you know that I am the CEO of this company. Jackson is a large over-seas shipping company. We also have a large line of cruise ships and fishing companies that we own. I am proud to say that we have the world's top chain of seafood restaurants." Percy explained.
"How long have you been working on your company?"
"I first started this company when I was 20, so I think I built this company to success very quickly. I've only been working on it for about four years."
"That's really quick," Annabeth commented, "A lot of luck huh? Did you consult with Gods for all the good luck you have?" She joked. Then, realizing what she had said, snapped her mouth shut. That wasn't on her script.
He laughed, throwing his head back. Percy's eyes glittered in amusement and said, "Maybe. The Gods haven't been exactly kind to me lately."
They have been kinder to you than me. Look at your wealth and you looks. Annabeth thought, but instead, she said, "Same here, but what do you expect?"
Percy shrugged, "Maybe something better than this?" But you have everything.
"Do you love doing this?"
"I love my job, I like the people working here and what I have to do everyday. Honestly, I have the best experiences here." Percy replied.
"That's great, I wish I had a job like yours," Annabeth smiled.
"Oh, being CEO isn't that easy, you have paperwork to fill, pages to sign, have things copied and scanned and have all actions of your company checked."
"No, no, not that," She laughed, "I wish I had a job I liked."
"Well, go out and find a job that you like," Percy said.
Annabeth frowned, "It's not that easy. Not all of us have amazing, wonderful resumes."
"Make your own company than, like what I did," Percy said.
Annabeth shrugged, "Maybe. It's always an idea, but I think I'll stick to this right now. I'm just glad to have a job."
Percy Jackson nodded, "The unemployment rate of this country is skyrocketing."
Just then, there was a light knock on the door and Bella, the receptionist entered with a tray of sushi. Percy winced and let Bella set the tray on the glass table.
"Lunch, sir," Bella said and left.
The air was awkward and Annabeth didn't know what to do. Percy seemed to be just as clueless as to what they were supposed to do.
"Sushi?" Percy piped up.
"Um..." Annabeth didn't know what she should do. Would denying one be rude? Is it customary to eat lunch with the CEO? "Yea, sure."
"California roll?" Percy offered.
"Please," Annabeth took a pair of chopsticks and took a sushi and dabbed it in soy sauce.
"I'm actually not a big fan of sushi," Percy said.
"Oh? You didn't order this?" Annabeth asked. Percy just shook his head and didn't offer up a name.
"We have been fishing too much. Soon, we would have no fish at all in the sea." Percy said, "I don't even know what I have seafood restaurants. But it's all for the marketing and money."
Annabeth nodded in understanding. She could be writing an article supporting a cause when she actually hated it. It was all for the looks and for the money. Without money, she would be nowhere. She'd be no one.
She looked at her watch, "Thank you for the interview and the lunch Mr. Jackson."
"Percy. You too. Whenever you want a request or anything just call me." Percy said. He stood up, dusted off his pants and shook Annabeth's hand.
"Same to you Percy." Annabeth picked up her phone and left. She waved goodbye to Bella and went down the elevator.
Lacey was there when she arrived at work to listen to every single detail of the interview. Annabeth dutifully reported everything but the sushi part. Lacey would pounce on it if Annabeth ever told her about it. She would start daydreaming and shipping Annabeth with Percy. It would be disastrous. You'd start seeing hearts with Percy's and Annabeth's picture around.
Annabeth still remembers when Silena announced that she was dating Beckendorf and Lacey was just all over the place. Custom t-shirts and cut-out hearts were littered all over Silena's office. Every morning Lacey would bring coffee (Annabeth would force her to bring decaf) with the words Sharles written on it. Annabeth was smart enough to avoid that predicament.
"So nothing interesting happened?" Lacey asked.
Annabeth shook her head, "Nope."
Lacey looked doubtful but said a wary, "If you say so..."
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