Author's Note:
Thank you so much for the reviews everyone! To my HP friends, I'm leaping with joy when I read your reviews. I Love Guinea Pig, OliverWoodFan, Santos56, WiseboyLibra, Kevin Stutler, Princesspb, Sanubisfan, Charmes4ever, Imaversatileperson,Ilovestories, Percabeth Rulez 817. You are all my inspiration. Do you know that I have already started writing a Harry/Ginny fic? I have inserted a part of Chapter 1 below. PLEASE READ A/N! Thank you!
Disclaimer: Don't own anything!
Chapter 16 - Jackson Meets Johnson
It was not easy to be brave. But at that moment, while he lied there in the hospital Paul thought of nothing else but the meeting with Sophia Johnson. Even when he closed his eyes, he could still see her face, her loneliness as she told him how empty her life had been. In spite of the beautiful face, in spite of the money he provided for her. He was finding it hard to breathe. All the apparatus attached to his body and a machine monitoring his heart. The door opened as Sally entered with Percy behind her.
"Paul, what happened?" she asked. "What happened to you and the artist? Was something wrong? Did she made you upset?" He shook his head. "No," he said almost in a whisper. Then he looked at Percy and Percy moved closer to his side.
"Percy. I want you to go to the girl. Please meet her and talk her out in getting the job. Go to her by all means. You will do it for me?" His eyes were pleading.
"Paul, this is absurd. You are here in the hospital running for your life and here you are telling me to go to this artist and offer her the job. This is ridiculous. Is it that important? You ought to rest and recover. We still have a lot to do. You will still live for the opening of the medical center." Paul Blofis smiled at Percy.
"Thank you Percy. And…and… forgive me. Tell Annabeth to forgive me too…" The words were so soft Percy could hardly hear them.
"Forgive you for what?" Percy looked confused. What is this? What is he talking about? Paul seemed to be in hallucination. Maybe it was because of the drug that the nurses shot him to ease the pain. Why does he ask for forgiveness to him and to Annabeth? It just doesn't make sense. And with that he closed his eyes. Sally pressed the buzzer and a nurse came in followed by the doctor.
It was already late evening when Percy arrived at Jackson Hotel. It had been a hectic day what with Sally not around to preside over the meeting. After meeting his clients he had a quick dinner and went out of the city for some fresh air. It was almost ten in the evening when he came home and remembered to call his mother and ask about Paul's condition.
"He is at the Intensive Care Unit right now Percy," Sally said. "His condition is critical. Have you seen the artist? You promised Paul…"
"Oh no…Not yet. Okay, I'll call her now."
He really can't understand why Paul wanted him to meet the girl personally when he could ask Annabelle to do that. He was too busy to give that artist a personal call. But with the opening of the medical center scheduled in a month time, he really needed to talk to the artist tonight. He fumbled on the number Annabelle gave him and started to dial Sophia's number.
Annabeth was already sleeping when the phone rang. She went to bed early that night for she got an early meeting with some reporters at the gallery tomorrow morning. She was very sleepy as she groped for her ringing cell phone.
"Hello," she answered in a half asleep voice.
"Hello, Miss Johnson. This is Percy Jackson."
Percy! She suddenly propped up from bed and gasped. Percy?
"Hello, Miss Johnson?"
"Yes." She tried to control her voice as she sat up in bed and hugged her pillow. It was nice to hear his voice again. It had been two years since he heard that voice. Her hands almost trembled.
"Are you in San Francisco, Mr. Jackson?" She asked trying her best to sound as calm as possible.
"Yes, I am, Miss Johnson. And I was wondering if we could meet one of these days. We have few things to discuss."
She closed her eyes not knowing what to say. She recalled her conversation with Paul Blofis. "Did he ever try to find me?" "No."
"No. Mr Jackson. We have absolutely nothing to discuss. I thought I have already made it clear to your associate." Her voice was clipped and brusque and angry for he did not even try to find her. She was trembling all over clutching her phone.
"I don't think I understand. Maybe, he forgot to relay the message. When can we meet?"
"I have already told you. We can't." Percy closed his eyes as she almost spat the words through the phone. He was really too tired to be bothered.
"All right, if that is so. For now, I'm at Jackson Hotel and if you change your mind, call."
"I won't."
"Fine."
"Goodnight, Miss Johnson."
"Goodnight, Mr. Jackson."
She was surprised at how quickly he ended the conversation. And he hadn't really sounded like Percy. He sounded worn out, as though he didn't really give a damn. Just what had exactly happened to him in the last two years? She sat for a long time after she hung up the phone.
She was still sleepy when she woke up in the morning. After her short conversation with Percy last night, she found it hard to sleep again. It was as if she had been catapulted back into the past. All she could think of was the last day they met. The bicycling, the beach, the bracelet, the accident…and then Paul Blofis as she lay bandaged in her hospital bed. It was like having a movie shown constantly before her eyes. She couldn't get away from it.
She was preparing breakfast when the phone rang. It was Kevin at the gallery.
"Good morning Sophia! Our interview will start at exactly eight. You might forget. I'm really glad with the turn of events. Sophia, you're now famous!"
She smiled. "Don't worry Kevin, I will soon be there."
She was feeling strange, absolutely not normal. If only Percy did not call last night. She sat on the chair near the table and started to take her toast. Fred was leaping and jumping at her feet but she wasn't in the mood. She was staring at her toast wondering if she should call Silena, or if there was no need for that. She felt down, the burden of two lonely years heavy on her shoulders. She was still thinking when the phone rang again and she jumped up with a start. Oh Kevin. He could have forgotten something.
"Hello." It was a soft broken word from her lips.
"Miss Johnson?" Oh it was not Kevin. It was…
She closed her eyes fighting back any emotion filling her very nerves as a sigh shook her entire body.
"I was just wondering if I could meet you today Miss Johnson. You see, I need to discuss with you…"
"For the nth time I have already said no to your proposal Mr. Jackson. I'm not interested."
"May I know why? Do you have something against us or against anybody? Have you dealt with somebody from the company that made you despised us…"
"I'm busy Mr. Jackson and I need to hurry. There's no point…"
"Well, just at least tell me honestly why you don't want to work…"
"For Hades' sake, Percy, leave me alone." She hung up the phone, her whole body shaking and trembling. The emotion is just too much. She wanted to hug him and hold his hand for comfort but Percy does not want her anymore. He had changed.
While at the other end Percy was standing still staring at his phone in total confusion. What the heck was this all about? And why had she called him Percy?
"Tell us Miss Johnson, what made you start? Did you start painting at such a young age?"
The lights blinded her as she answered one by one all questions thrown at her by the press people.
"No. It just happened. I was into designing actually studied Jewellery Designing. It was a friend who encouraged me into this and so I found out I enjoyed painting more than anything in my life."
"Well, the world had gained a lot from that change Miss Johnson. Most of your critics tell us you've got some depth in your artworks. Some sort of emotions poured in all your pieces that their hearts are touched whenever they see your paintings. You are so beautiful to be heartbroken." Sophia smiled at the word "heartbroken."
The interview lasted for thirty minutes. And when the media people had packed up, Sophia went inside the gallery office to take some rest and while sipping her coffee Kevin entered the room his face full of excitement. "I can't believe this is happening to us Sophia. After the interview, here's another client. And guess who he is. You will not believe it but the most eligible bachelor here on earth, son and heir of the Jackson Empire…" and before Sophia had time to fully understand what Kevin was saying, the door swung open and Percy entered the room. Sophia gasped, and she almost dropped the cup of steaming coffee as she stared at him. Percy was standing in front of her flesh and blood! He was very handsome in a dark blue suit, white shirt, and dark tie and he looked every bit the magnate that he was.
While Percy, was equally surprised. The gorgeous girl he saw at the airport! He smiled and stretched his hand. Sophia set down the coffee cup to take his outstretched hand.
Percy didn't know what hit him but there's something in Sophia Johnson that really bothered him. Something that stirred a memory…a girl he never forgot all these years. Her eyes! He was staring at Annabeth's eyes! But aside from that, there's nothing to resemble her and the beautiful girl in front of him. They stood there staring at each other for a moment. But it was Percy who suddenly broke the silence.
"I'm awfully glad to meet you at last, Miss Johnson. You've led us a merry chase. But then, as talented as you are, I think you have the right."
Sophia sat down on the table still feeling her knees weakening. She lost any word to say. Percy looked at her and noticed how poised she was. It hardly seemed possible that this was the girl who had answered the phone this morning, with agony in her voice, begging him to leave her alone. Maybe she had other problems, with men perhaps. Maybe, she'd been drunk the night before. You never knew with artists. But none of his thoughts showed on his face. Nor did her discomfort showed on hers.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Stutler," Percy said as he extended his hand and handed Kevin a call card. Then after a while, he said "May I get to the point Miss Johnson? Mr. Stutler? My purpose here is purely professional. Jackson Group wanted Miss Johnson's work in the buildings and main lobby of our new medical centre. All of us are wondering why a big break such as this will be rejected when any artist in her shoes will feel ecstatic and honoured."
"I don't understand," Kevin said. "You have discussed this before?" and he looked deeply at Sophia.
"Yes. One of my associates, my stepfather, and myself have already contacted Miss Johnson at her home and her answer was a firm no. I was hoping she might change her mind."
"The answer is still no."Sophia said bluntly.
"But why?" Percy's voice was already angry and impatient, hurt maybe that for the first time, somebody turned their nose at Jackson Group of Companies.
"I have my own personal reason and I expect you to respect that." Her statement was strong and it was pointed directly at Percy.
Percy stood up, felt irritated by this arrogant girl. Who did she think she was? He said his thanks politely to Kevin Stutler and to Sophia then he walked away. Kevin just stared at the closed door then looked at Sophia confused.
After Percy had gone, Sophia also started to leave.
"Sorry Kevin! I'll explain to you later," then she got her things and set off.
She walked out past the door feeling dizzy and out into the open building then to the street. To her surprise, Percy was still there and when she saw him, she started to turn around prepared to walk in the opposite direction but Percy saw her first and quickly stood in front of her blocking the way.
They stood standing there staring hard at each other, Percy angry with her stubbornness and Sophia nervous and intimidated.
"I'm sorry Mr. Jackson but I need to go. Let me pass."
"No! Not until you tell me why you don't want to work with us."
Sophia straightened up, folded her hands in front of her then held her head high."You really cannot accept defeat don't you?"
"Not from a girl like you."
"That's unreasonable and childish. You need to go and find another artist. I won't work with you. It's as simple as that."
"Will you work with someone else in the firm?"
She shook her head again and started to walk but Percy blocked her way again.
"Will you at least give it some thought?"
She did not answer and just stared at him blankly. Percy was exasperated.
"Why are you doing this? It just doesn't make any sense. Is it personal? Something you know about our firm? A bad experience you've had? Something about me?" Percy was already very angry.
"It doesn't make any difference."
"Yes, it does! Damn you, it does!" She started to move and he stopped her and held her arm fast."I have a right to know!"
"Do you?" she asked tears almost gathering her eyes. They both seemed to stand there for an eternity, and finally she softened. "All right. It's personal."
"Well, at least I know you're not crazy." Then he walked away.
Sophia was left standing on the road staring as Percy walked away from her.
R&R! I GOT GOOD NEWS! But, before that, will you please vote PP Underground River in Palawan, Philippines as one of the New 7 wonders of Nature? Here's the link (just remove spaces) h t tp: /w w w. n e w 7 w o n d e r s . c o m / v o t e -2. It will be a great help for the tourism of my country.
GOOD NEWS #1
I made Till Death Do Us Part a video! My first ever video! Please check it out on youtube (just remove the spaces) h t t p : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h ? v = 8 Y - b S 7 G a I r A if you can't wait for the ending.
GOOD NEWS #2
Here's part of Chapter 1 for the story "Waiting For Love" a Harry/Ginny fic.
PART 1 - THE DREAM
The dream disturbed my sleep on the eve of my eighteenth birthday. It was not the first time I had that dream. It had come to me periodically over my eighteen years of existence. There is something vaguely alarming about these recurring dreams because it seems certain that they have a significance which one has to discover.
When I awoke from it, I would be trembling with terror and I could never be entirely sure why. It was not exactly the dream itself, but the impression it brought of impending doom.
I would be in a room. I knew that room very well by now, for it was always the same each time I dreamed. It was an ordinary kind of room. There was a brick fireplace, on either side of which were chimney seats, a red carpet and heavy red curtains. Over the fireplace was a picture of a storm at sea. There were a few chairs and a gate-legged table. Voices came and went in the dream. Or would have a feeling that something was hidden from me; and suddenly there would come this overpowering sense of doom from which I would awake in horror.
That was all. Sometimes, the dream would not come for a year and I would forget about it; then it would return. As time passed, I would notice a little more in the room, for instance the thick cords which held back the red curtains, the rocking chair in one corner; and with these fresh details, it seemed to me that the feeling of fear crept nearer.
After I had awakened and was lying in my bed, I would ask myself what it could mean. Why should that room have become part of my life? Why should it be the same room each time? Why should I experience that creeping fear? My imagination had conjured up the room, but why should I have dreamt of it over the years? I had talked to no one of this. The whole matter seemed so foolish in the daytime, for dreams, which are so vivid to the dreamer are almost always boring when retold. But somewhere deep in my thoughts was the conviction that this dream meant something, that a strange and as yet incomprehensible force was warning me of impending danger, and that perhaps someday I should discover that.
I am Ginny Weasley and this is my story.