Chapter 3

Monday morning rolled around and so did the deadline for the article. Annabeth was rarely late for a deadline, but this time, she barely had a few hundred words. She was absolutely frustrated about Lacey's quotes and she couldn't work with the things she had. Annabeth had never been landed with Lacey's articles, but now she felt sorry for Mitchell, who usually got dumped with the leftovers. This was truly one of the hardest things to do.

Silena had walked out of her office (with a cup of coffee in hand, no doubt) and stood next to the hastily typing Annabeth.

"Do you have my article?" She asked. Annabeth wanted to snap, It's not your article! It's mine! I worked my ass off for this thing! But she restrained herself and tersely nodded as she finished off the last few sentences.

"Well that's great," Silena said, "Do you have the hard copy?" She asked just as Annabeth clicked print. She silently pointed to the printer across that stood on the left wall. Silena sighed and gathered up the papers.

"I'll review this and send up back an edited version." Silena left to recede back to her office. Annabeth sighed. She was sure that there were many mistakes in her copy, but it was too late for her to take it back though.

Her phone dinged and she checked her messages.

Unknown Number: Hey, Annabeth right?

Her fingers hovered over the keypad and wondered what to write. Who was this person? She first typed in an hesitant 'Hey', before quickly deleting it. She finally settled for: "Hi, who is this?"

Ignoring her question, the responder typed, "I have an request." The little bubble that indicated the other person was typing stopped. Then it popped up again with, "Are you open this Saturday?" There was a pause, "Hello?" "Hello?"

Annabeth retyped, "Who is this?"

"Oh," The responder typed, "Sorry. Percy Jackson. Remember me?"

Annabeth's heart thumped in her chest, "How did you get my number?"

She didn't remember putting her number down anywhere. The appointment was filed under Lacey's number and name.

"Through... Lacey?"

Annabeth licked her lips. She'll have to start talking to Lacey. For all she knew, Lacey could be giving her phone number to serial killers. She yelled for Lacey and she came, gasping in front of Annabeth's cubicle.

"Did you give out my phone number?" Annabeth asked.

Lacey smiled, "No, what are you talking about?" She eyed the phone in Annabeth's hand.

Annabeth repeated herself, "Did you give out my phone number?"

"No of course not. Of course... within what time frame you know? I mean, it's not like I always give out your phone number." Lacey laughed awkwardly.

"You've given out my phone number more than once?" Annabeth growled.

Lacey smiled, "Maybe?" After taking a glance at Annabeth's less-than-pleased face, she quickly amended, "I like to help people Annabeth. Okay?"

"Without telling me that you give random people my phone number?" Annabeth asked. Her phone dinged, 'Hello?' 'Are you there?'. Give me a second Mr. Jackson, Annabeth thought, I need to straighten out my friend over here.

"It's no biggie right?" Lacey nervously asked.

"No biggie! What if you gave my phone number to a killer? A murderer! You'll be the reason why I could be dead right this second."

Lacey muttered a tiny, "I'm sorry."

"Go back to work," Annabeth sighed.

'Yeah, I'm here. So what did you say about Saturday?' Annabeth typed.

'I have this formal charity ball this Saturday. I need a date. I'm wondering if you could come in?' Percy replied.

Annabeth sighed. She couldn't make it. She had another charity ball to attend, one where she'll be part of the annoying paparazzi that were snapping in front of the guest's faces. The annoying article writers to questioned everything and made things a huge deal. Sometimes she hated this job, but it gave good money, and she didn't have time to search for a new one.

'Sorry, I have something to do on Saturday.' Annabeth said. Can't you find a foreign Brazilian model? Someone who looked hot and sexy and worth your time?

'Oh, thanks anyways. If you ever need anything, tell me.'

'Thanks.'

Thanks for being patient! Here's the 3rd chapter! Sorry that there's not much happening, but I swear things will come next chapter!

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