Percy P.O.V
So far, I was actually really enjoying working here at Zeus Inc. As Grover said, Chris wasn't around as much, Leo was seeing as he's the youngest and doesn't have that much courses to attend too, but he's not around much. Malcolm and Beckendorf aren't around as much either, only in the evenings. So most of the time it's just me. And sometimes Annabeth. She still hasn't told me whether her 'strong' feelings for me are good or bad yet. But I really hope their good. I can kind of see why a 'no starring' rule is necessary. Annabeth must get stared at all the time with her golden blonde princess curls, and glowing tan, with those steely gray eyes to match… Urm, I mean.. I never said that! She's just.. she's just kinda pretty. Only a little, though… Not seriously beautiful or anything like that.. Anyways, let's just stop talking about Annabeth, and talk about someone totally awesome, Perseus Jackson.
At the moment I was just in the kitchen preparing Annabeth's morning Coffee that she usually takes before university. It gives me a chance to break the no staring rule. Right then Annabeth walked into the kitchen wearing a nice pair of jeans and a black long sleeved top with a scarf, with her blonde princess curls pulled up into a ponytail. She looked beautiful.. I mean… okay-ish…Cut me some slack!
"Good morning, Annabeth," I said smiling kindly.
She glanced at me, rolled her eyes, and started to drink the coffee I had prepared for her.
Diva much? "You know, the kind thing to do would be too say 'good morning'." I said rolling my eyes.
At this she looked up at me and said, "You're one to talk with the whole bipolar thing you've got going on."
I smirked. She must've still been upset that I wouldn't help her when Leo was tickling her to death. I remembered it like it was yesterday, which it was.
I walked out of the kitchen eating an apple and headed towards the living room where I found Leo tickling the life out of Annabeth, it was hilarious, it's not often that you get to see Annabeth in this sort of position. I laughed so hard I almost pissed myself.
"Don't just stand there you idiot! Help me!" Annabeth squealed out.
"I don't think I like your tone of voice Annabeth," I said with his head held in a challenging position.
"Please! I'll do anything!" She wheezed. "Just, h-help me!"
"Don't go around giving offers like that to men, I thought you were smarter than that," I said as I winked at her and walked off.
As I walked away I could hear her shouting profanities after me and cursing me to the depths of hell. But I didn't care. If I helped her it would interfere with the video Stolls were taking, they said it was part of their "Annabeth's embarrassing moments collection" and they were giving everyone copies of the collection at Christmas. I wonder if they'll allow me to get an early copy? They choose a different target every year, I just hope they don't choose me next year.
"Don't tell me you're still upset about that," I said fake pouting.
She glared at me and rolled her eyes, I chuckled. "My friend Katie is joining us for dinner today, is that okay with you?"
"Yeah, that should be fine," I said.
"Okay, cool. She's a vegetarian, just so you know," Annabeth said as she finished the last of her coffee and placed it in the sink.
"Do you guys go to the same university?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "she's studying to become an environmental lawyer."
I nodded.
After a while Annabeth asked, "Hey Percy?"
"Yeah?" I said looking at her.
"What did you hope to do with a business and culinary degree?" She asked her brow furrowing a bit.
"That's a good question," I said laughing a bit. "Well, I wanted own my own seafood restaurant that specialized in serving-"
"Blue desserts?" She asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," I chuckled nodding my head yes.
"And what happened to that dream?" She asked.
"Well, in order to make that dream happen, I need money, and I'm a bit too young to own a restaurant so in the mean time I'm going to work here as your personal chef." I said and she nodded.
"And your parents are satisfied with you being a personal chef?" She asked raising an eyebrow.
"For the time being yes." I said. I was contemplating whether or not to tell her about Poseidon being my father, but I decided against it. I know Annabeth's mother is Athena, and I know that Athena hates my father, so I'm not going to let Annabeth in on that piece of information for now.
"Well that's good." she said as she slung her bag around her shoulder. "I have to go to school, see you later," and she started to leave the room.
"Try not to be late!" I called after her and she gave me a very unlady like hand gesture.
Once Annabeth left I decided that I should give my mom a call to see how she's doing. It's been awhile since I have. I reached into my jean pocket and pulled out my phone and began to dial my mom but as I did I was interrupted by a call. The name on top of my screen read Triton. I sighed. Great, just who I wanted to hear from (note the sarcasm.) Triton is my older brother, well half brother, on the man whores side (obviously.) Triton is a few years older than me, and his mother is currently my fathers wife. It's complicated, but his mother and my father were married, then my dad left his mom to marry my mom, then left her to remarry his mom. I know, I know, ridiculous! But at least that marriage lasted.
I sighed again as I answered the phone, "hello?"
"Hey, Percy," his sickly cold voice rang out.
"I heard you just finished school, good for you," he said with false content.
"Look, let's just cut to the chase, what do you want?" I asked.
"What do I want?" He asked pretending to sound hurt. "I was just calling to tell you the good news, well good for me, bad for you."
"What news?" I asked through gritted teeth.
"Dad offered me a chance to be the manager of his new chain of seafood restaurants! Isn't that amazing! I mean, you obviously would've been more suited for it since you have a degree in the culinary arts, but," he said his voice softening a bit on the 'but', "you don't have a degree in management."
The same familiar sneer was back in his voice, and I felt like retaliating and telling him that I did have a degree in management! But I didn't want him to know that, or he might tell dad. Then somehow dad will persuade me into managing some part of his company, and I don't want anything to do with him.
"I guess you were his second choice," I said cooly to Triton.
"Second choice? What do you mean?" He asked clearly confused.
"Dad asked me to manage his chain of seafood restaurants a few days ago," I said rolling my eyes even though he couldn't see me.
"What?! No! You're lying! There's no way dad would ask you! You don't even have a degree in management!" Triton exclaimed clearly outraged.
I smirked. Getting Triton all riled up was one of my guilty pleasures. It was only because he was such a jerk and he deserved it. "And you probably don't know the first this about boiling an egg."
"I do too know how to boil an egg!" He exclaimed like a five year old.
I remained cool as a cucumber as my smirk expanded ten fold. "What temperature do you put the water on?"
"Ugh! You know what! I'm busy doing management stuff!" He huffed as he hung up.
I chuckled to myself as I went to the refrigerator to pour myself a glass of water, the phone call that I was going to make to my mom long forgotten.
Annabeth P.O.V
Finally! After a long day of learning and nearly dozing off, I am done! And I get to go home and eat Percy's amazing cooking and stare at Percy's amazing face. Yeah, he may be a jerk majority of the time (99.9% of the time). But he's still gorgeous, and there's no denying it, unless it's to his face. Never admit anything, the one and the only valuable life lessons that I've learned from the Stolls. I was currently waiting outside of the Katies environmental law class that's scheduled to end in two minutes so me could get going. Katie and I have been spending tons of time together since we learned that we both lived in the same apartment. It's been great. Katie and I hang out everyday, and since she usually invites me over for dinner, I invited her over. And, I know what you're thinking, are you really going to bring someone as innocent as Katie over to be tormented by the Stolls? Well, Connor and Travis aren't home, they said they had to work late today. Katie already knows Malcolm, because not only was she my room mate, we all used to hang out back when we were in elementary school. Katie moved to New York when we were in grade seven, and over the years we sort of lost contact, until university that is. So it's just for her to meet Chiron, Leo, Beckendorf, Percy (*insert eye roll here*), and maybe even Chris. Just not the Stolls, they'd corrupt her. Though, the main reason why I invited her over is because Malcolm practically begged me too.
Finally after what seemed like a million years, (but really was only three minutes) Katie came out of her class and I grabbed her hand to pull her out of the crowd.
"We're going to be late," I sneered at her.
"I don't control the time class ends!" she exclaimed.
"Let's just get going," I said sighing running a hand through my hair.
We rushed towards the parking lot, I unlocked my car and slipped into the driver's seat and Katie slipped into the passengers, and just like that we sped off down the road.
By the time we arrived at CHB it was 10 minutes pass dinners official start time. Katie and I rushed towards the elevator and I hit the penthouse button.
"My cousins are going to give me such a hard time for being late," I said.
"But don't you say they're always arrogant and un-polite?" Katie asked.
"Yeah, they are, but whenever it comes to me they're always on my back!" I huffed folding my arms over my chest. "Like they expect me to be perfect!" When there as far from perfect as it can get. I didn't say that last part out loud because right at that moment the elevator reached the top, but I sure as hell thought it.
Katie and I walked into the penthouse and she looked around her eyes narrowing as she did so. "Very… monochrome.." she said.
I laughed, "yeah, I know. C'mon let's get going."
I guided Katie to the dining room where my impatient family sat waiting. As soon as we entered their what've no doubt been glares and sneers turned into practiced charming smiles.
"Katie!" Malcolm exclaimed getting up to give her a hug. "Look, you finally grew a few inches!"
"It's a shame I can't say the same to you," Katie retorted.
I laughed. Yeah, Malcolm's a bit on the short side for a male, as was Katie (for a female obviously!) when Malcolm last saw her. But now she's grown to height of at least 5 feet and 6 inches. There were a courses of 'ohs!' around the table and Katie and Malcolm separated.
I looked around the table to spot Connor and Travis who were staring at Katie mouths agape. I really hope those idiots weren't already planning on hitting on her.
"What are you two doing here?!" I exclaimed outraged. They were supposed to be working late.
Connor glanced at me, but Travis' gaze didn't linger. I could see Katie trying to look anywhere but at Travis specifically, to be honest she looked kind of nervous. "They didn't need us to work late anymore," said Connor. As soon as Connor finished talking Katie tried to hide in her face in her hair.
I rolled my eyes and murmured great under my breath. "Percy, Chiron, Leo, Beckendorf, Travis and Connor, this is one of my best friends K-"
"Katie Gardner," Travis finished for me.
I looked at Katie and her face burned bright red like the strawberries she enjoyed eating. Connor smirked, and Travis quickly followed suit.
"You three know each other?!" Percy, Malcolm, Beckendorf, Leo, Chiron, and I exclaimed all at once, our mouths dropping in perfect synchronization.
"Oh yeah," Travis said getting up to sling an arm around, "Katie and I go wayyy back, don't we Katie-Flower?"
Call me crazy, but I think the blush on Katie's face grew when Travis' arm slung around her shoulder.
"Travis! Get your stupid arm off of me! And stop calling me those ridiculous names!" Katie said fighting off Travis who was now trying to go for a full hug and the blush off her face, but there was still a definite bit of red that stayed on her cheeks.
"Katie- Kat, you love my nick names and you know you do," Travis said cheekily and Katie's cheeks rapidly picked up heat.
I raised an eyebrow at Katie. "Katie-Kat?" I questioned teasingly. "If I didn't know any know any better I'd say you two were an item."
Travis and Katie's eyes both widened by a fraction as they both sprang apart. "It's not like that!" They said both their faces turning beat red.
The room filled with laughter, as I claimed my seat at Malcolm's right. At my right it's usually Percy, but today he was sitting next to Beckendorf. The two of them have grown somewhat close, he's grown close with all of my cousins and Malcolm. It's times like these that I'm happy to be the only girl, I have no competition. Yeah, I know that sounded pretty petty, but it's true!
I'd worry about Katie, because she's beautiful and single, but it looks like she and Travis have something going on, or had anyways.
Connor got up and offered her his seat next to Travis, "It's all yours, Katie."
"No thank you," Katie spat at a smirking Connor.
"No, insist." Connor said grinning so wide I was afraid his face would split in half.
Katie glared and walked over to where Connor was. Connor pulled out the chair for Katie, and Katie eyed him cautiously before proceeding to sit down, but right before she did, realization crossed her face the same time it crossed my mind. Katie abruptly stood up and crossed her arms over her chest.
"You were going to pull the chair out from underneath me weren't you," Katie asked glaring.
Connor smiled lazily, "you lost your touch, you used to be much sharper."
"That's just because I haven't been hanging around much immature people lately." Katie said as she sat down in the chair and scooted closer herself.
Travis came and sat beside her, giving Conner a clap on the back, "nice try dude."
Katie rolled her eyes.
"Sure you have," I said smirking testing something out. "Have you already forgotten about poor Kyle?"
"Who?" Travis asked his muscles tensing.
"Oh, Kyle's just this guy who had a thing for Katie, well it was more that just a thing, he was head over heals in love with her," I said twirling a lock of my hair around my finger. "Why does that bother you?"
"NO! I couldn't care less!" He replied a little too quickly.
There was a syncretic chorus of smirk around the table because on this day, this blessed day, we had discovered Travis Stoll's weakness. Possibly his only weakness. And that weakness came the form of the one and only Katherine Gardner. This was just too good.
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