Author's Note:

This is a Sally and Poseidon chapter. It will be in two parts. Many of you asked about Paul Blofis and Smelly Gabe, so to clear some things out this chapter is about the past. How the Jackson's wealth started and everything.

Be ready to squeal again! And this is AU. No monsters, Kronos, demigods and everything.

Special thanks to:

booklover484

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clashercutie101

IFoundAPickle

Ilovestories

Sanubisfan

ASenseOfImagination

Amain 4ever

Animal Charmer 11

ANGIE

perceabeth

C-Nuggets N.L

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Charmes4ever

candy0304

gingerroot15

Alexandra Nightshade

ReadrOfBooks

..94

Mickey Jackson

sooosan26

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Cao94

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Thanks everyone!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything!

Chapter 3-The Jackson Empire Part 1

It had not been an easy birth, but then for Jim and Laura Jackson, nothing had ever been easy. Jim had wanted a son, an heir who would one day be chairman of the Jackson Group. By the time the boy would be ready to take over, Jim was confident, his own name would stand alongside Ayala and Zobel, and by then the Jackson Hotel would be the largest hotel group in the world. Jim had paced up and down the corridor of St. Luke's Medical Center. He turned and retraced his steps once again, to see Dr. Rodek heading towards him.

"Congratulations, Mr. Jackson," he called.

"Thank you." said Jim eagerly.

"You have a beautiful girl." the doctor said as he reached for him.

"Thank you." repeated Jim quietly trying not to show his disappointment. He then followed the obstetrician into a little room at the other end of the corridor. Through an observation window, Jim was faced with a row of wrinkled faces. The doctor pointed to the father's first born. Unlike the others, her little fingers were curled into a tight fist. Jim had read somewhere that a child was not expected to do that for at least three weeks. He smiled proudly.

Sally's christening was something everyone present remembered. After the St. Augustine Cathedral ceremony, the guests made their way to the Jackson Hotel where Jim had taken a private room. He had invited over five hundred guests close to the couple. Jim's closest friend George Blofis, who owned several banks in the country, was made one of Sally's godparents.

Jim had wanted a second child who he hoped would be a son but when the doctor said that would be impossible because of his failing health condition, he gave up. He lavished Sally with affection and poured all his energy in building the Jackson Group. He wished he could build a hospital. He wanted to be a doctor, remember? The business grew as Sally grew.

Paul Blofis, George's eldest son, was Sally's childhood friend. They often were together in school's activities and though good, in Sally's opinion, was quite a bore. She doesn't have any choice for she knew only few men in her life.

In their teen years, everything was different. Sally was vibrant but Paul's interest was pure horses. One summer vacation, she convinced her dad to take summer job in one of the malls in the neighbourhood.

"But Sally, you can always work in one of our hotels, why take summer job in a mall?"

"Dad, I would like to learn the trade. Would you like to know what's in my mind?"

"Well…"

"Well, in the next decade, The Jackson Group will own the biggest shopping mall in the country and a chain of malls around the globe."

Jim laughed. Like any other proud father would be. He could not believe what he heard. Sally had grown smarter than he ever imagined. For any other girl her age who were concentrating on romance and crushes, she was there visioning the business in the next millennium. So, on the next day, Sally was employed as a saleslady in a candy store inside a mall.

"No, Poseidon, you're not serious," his best friend Benny Joe Thomas remarked.

"No? The Red Dragon beat us for the second time in a row. Why will another game hurt?"

He was the captain ball of the Black Stallion which could have landed them another first place in the football All Star Cup except for the two consecutive losses they suffered in the hands of their rival, the Red Dragon. Everybody expected the Black Stallion to win, but as fate had it, they were again beaten by a merely one point.

Poseidon shook his head. "Just a little push could have made the difference. No! Benny. That was not mere luck. It's simple complacency. All this popularity mania is getting in the heads of the boys thinking the gods are always on their side."

"Don't you think you need another time and take a break before another game was set? I mean to sit down and study how we can beat them this time around?"

"Man, sitting down will just break the momentum and before you know it, all their adrenalins have dropped back to zero. No! We will set the next game on Tuesday. Besides, coach and I have already agreed on the date."

Benny got hold of the water jug he was holding and made another gulp. Yes, maybe the next game will make the difference.

Before going home, Poseidon dropped at the mall to purchase the gloves he had been planning since last week. His schedule had been very tight and today after the game, he could squeeze in and drop at the store.

He strode down Levington Avenue and turned around a corner falling in with the pace of the city. He was already looking forward to the game next Tuesday. The last few months were already spent on rigid training and brainstorming and maybe his pals just needed some few days off before they set themselves on the next game. He too had to take some time off at the beach for heart warming surf. Oh, the sea! It had been a month since he had a taste of a fresh sea breeze. He missed the water and the waves. He smiled at the thought. He made his way among the crowd near the elevator when suddenly he saw a beautiful girl with long straight brown hair and sparkling blue eyes. She seemed to be in a hurry unaware of the beauty she exudes among the crowd. He swerved to the right intent on following the girl. Her back was already towards him but she glided in such a fast pace that after few minutes he lost her. "Damn," he muttered under his breath. Until this moment he could not believe love at first sight was true. He thought of it as such a ridiculous idea fitted only in women's magazines. He wondered when he would ever see the girl again. He tried to look in the other way hoping she turned along the corner but she was nowhere to be found. Finally he gave up and made his way to the store to purchase new set of gloves.

"Good morning Sally! I'm Maize."

"Hi Maize! I love the smell of this store; chocolates, mint, banana, vanilla. You name it. "

"Yeah! I love sweets. My father used to call me 'Sweet Tooth' so that's the name of the store," she giggled as she pointed upward the signage "Sweet Tooth Candy Store".

Sally let out a smile showing white pearly teeth. She was excited to learn and start her first day of doing business in a candy store.

The days went by quickly as Sally studied every inch of customers who purchased candies in the store everyday. Majority of their customers were children and mothers who carried small token for their children. She can easily connect to her customers and Maize was glad of the increased in sales. As a treat, she invited Sally and gave her free ticket and a meal at the football game of Black Stallion and Red Dragon next Tuesday.

Maize had been Sally's constant companion and confidante in the days to come. Though not aware of Sally's secret, that being a daughter of a millionaire, they shared lots of things in common. She doesn't have so much close friends in school and she was glad Maize can relate to her. Though not a football fanatic, she accepted the date next Tuesday.

"Ready girl?" smiled Maize as she picked up Sally in front of a drugstore along the skirt of the city. She was wearing faded jeans, t shirts, and a bull cap. Though quite chubby, the attire becomes her while Sally, she settled for white shirt, faded jeans, and white sneakers. She had to sneak at the back garden because she saw the car of Paul Blofis entering the main gate of their house. She doesn't want another round of horse topic.

"Ready". Both dumped themselves inside a convertible car driven by Maize.

"Cool car."

"A gift from my father." Maize said as she turned right and drove straight to the highway and down to a street going to the stadium where the football game will be held. They bought themselves drinks and chips before settling on their seats. The stadium was packed with people, a sign that lots of fans were waiting for the next rematch of Black Stallion and Red Dragon.

When the game started there were loud cheers. Drums were heard as one by one each player entered the field.

"Go! Stallions go!" shouted Maize. She was on the top of her voice and the whole stadium was reverberating with cheers. Some were shouting Dragons while others Stallions.

Sally was amazed at the outpour of energy among the crowd.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen, we are here once again for the most awaited rematch of the game of the decade."

"Yeah Stallions! You better be good or WE'RE GONNA KILL YAH!" the cheer leader of the Red Dragon shouted.

When Poseidon entered the field, there was a loud uproar, majority from the girl fans. They were stamping their feet in unison producing a loud thud. The fans were going crazy that Sally can barely hear the cheers of the group.

"Don't you think he's gorgeous?" Maize whispered.

Sally studied the tall, lean man standing at the far end corner. He was bent as he gathered with his group. The game started.

True enough the game was exciting never failing the crowd with its roller coaster score. At first, the Black Stallions were on lead but on the last round, the Red Dragons made their way. Poseidon was shaking his head and was very tense. The coach signalled for a time out. Teddy Rally was replaced by B. J. Thomas and the game resumed.

The replacement proved to be very good because after ten minutes, the Black Stallions regained their lead.

"On the stone wall boys, on the stone wall!" shouted the captain as he signalled to the boys. The Stallions changed their positions which made it hard for the Dragons to penetrate the wall. When the bell rang, the crowd cheered. Black Stallions won the game. After few seconds, confetti was falling and balloons were up in the air. The champion was announced.

Poseidon and the group were surrounded by the cheering crowd. Next, reporters drowned them. Maize stood up and dragged Sally along.

"Where are we going?"

"Come on. He's signing autographs." And took a pad from her bag and headed towards the backstage.

Poseidon after the tedious game was very tired but he continued accommodating questions from the press and signing for the fans. When he looked up, his eyes widened. The girl he saw at the mall! It took him ages that day wondering where she went and here she was making her way towards him. Suddenly his heartbeat became faster and he seemed to be at lost. His heart was leaping with joy. He waved at her and made a sign to wait for him at the entrance of the backroom.

"Oh my God, he's signalling at us to wait for him. Oh my God!" chanted Maize as they positioned themselves near the door marked "Authorized Persons Only."

Poseidon strode fast towards them feeling uncomfortable. Sally smiled at him and his heart melted.

After Poseidon signed Maize's pad, he approached Sally. Maize on the other side was also jumping with joy.

He stretched his hand.

"Hi, um…I'm Poseidon." He said.

Sally looked at his hand. She was so shy.

Poseidon noticed that Sally didn't move at all, and he noticed that his right hand was so sweaty. He smiled sheepishly and wiped the sweat out of his hand.

"Sorry. Let's try again." Poseidon said as he outstretched his hand once again.

"Hi, I'm Poseidon."

Sally smiled warmly at him and shook his hand.

"I'm Sally Jackson. Nice to meet you, Poseidon."