The story is building up right now. You gotta connect the dots and stuff for the mainstream hardcore drama which is to come in the next chapters. And people please review instead of PM. Its not like I don't do PM. Its just that all suggestions and stuff for one particular story would be there in one place. It will be easier especially if they are suggestions and stuff. Though I am open to PMs as well if it is relating to twists and turns. :)

Thanks for the reviews and the feedbacks.

And the mother deal? I did that on purpose :D

Be good and review :)

When I came back home. Dad cornered me immediately.

'How did it go?'

'It was fine. Like always. We talked. Ate and drank and shrieked in my ears'. I knew what he was asking but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of course.

'Annabeth...'

'What', I said as I tried to avoid meeting his eye and tried to avoid smiling as I started up the stairs. But then I did stop and looked at him. He looked pale and tired. He had been the only constant in my life. He was always there for me. Well not always. But at least he tried to be and I appreciated it a lot.

My mom was my best friend but she died when I was thirteen and left both of us devastated. She had lung cancer. I remember dad always used to tell her not to take so much of stress but she over-worked herself and resorted to cigarettes a lot. She wouldn't take any help from anyone. She had the starting of lung cancer when I turned eleven. That's when she stopped. But it wasn't cancer that killed her. It was the serious bout of pneumonia that took her life.

I remember as I clung to my dad and wept for days. Hours into the night at times. But he had never shed a tear in front of me. Always been brave enough for both of us. Or for my sake at least.

'Nothing happened. He just invited Rachel and me to a party'

'That's great Annabeth!'

'Dad. Don't try playing matchmaker, please'

'No honey, its not that. He is our client and he has been well... very... ah how to put it? Particular', he said nodding towards me now that he found the word he stressed on it, 'about everything. This is the biggest contract of my career and anyway I am going to be kicked out in a few years'

I rolled my eyes at him. 'Da-ad! Retired!'

'Same thing baby girl, same thing', he said with a smile.

This was really important to him and I knew it. It was his dream job and he wanted to retire with success, satisfaction and with a great legacy to leave behind for us youngsters. He had done a lot throughout the years but this was his Grand Finale. Percy seemed nice anyway so I guess this was a win-win situation.

The next morning, he called. It was an unknown number and I knew it could be just him. With butterflies in my stomach and my heart in my mouth I talked to him. He was polite and formal with no hint of anything else. Rachel was the happiest I had ever seen her in my entire life though my ears got a serious work-out when she came to my house in the next three minutes even though she lived about fifteen away.

We went to the party. Rachel and I. It was fun. I met this really sweet friend of his, Grover. He was really nice and Percy seemed to be attached to him. I didn't see anyone else with whom he looked this comfortable with.

I hardly got to talk to him mostly. Percy was mostly surrounded by girls (including Rachel so I had to pretend not to know her).

'So how do you know Percy?', asked Grover. It seemed we had talked about everything else in such a short duration and I felt as if I have known him since ages.

'Oh I don't. I mean not that well. We just met two days ago.'

'Wait. So you mean he invited you personally?'

Okay. Well couldn't he? I thought but didn't say it out loud. I didn't want to be rude to Grover.

'Yeah, is that a bad thing?' I asked.

He looked confused. 'No. Its just that he has never-'

'Hey', I looked around to the sound of that voice. He looked absolutely gorgeous in a plain white shirt, a black jacket and blue jeans. Simple but hot. His hair was messed up in that delicious way like I had seen the day we met and his eyes seemed to shine when he looked at me.

'Hi', I said. 'Nice party'

He looked around as if registering the sight for the first time shrugged. 'Thanks, I guess. I'd rather prefer- You know what never mind. I see you've met Grover?' He said shooting his eyebrows up at Grover. Grover on the other hand glared at him and left us alone mumbling something about getting a drink.

'Yeah. He is a great guy',I said smiling. I thought about asking him about his friendship with Grover but decided against it. He noticed my hesitation.

'Tell me', he urged and when I met his eyes, he smiled.

'Ummm... You don't seem very comfortable with all these people'

His eyes flashed a little but he just shrugged and said, 'Yeah'.

So I let it out in one go, 'Stuck up idiots who like you because you are rich and hot?'

He looked at me. Now there was definitely steel in those eyes. 'Yes, Annabeth'. He said looking away his jaw clenched.

'Hey', I said and I touched his sleeve and turned him to face me. 'I didn't mean it that way'.

'Yeah I know. And don't think I said it in a bad tone to you. People don't talk to me that way so I guess I can sometimes sound a little off-handish'

I nodded. I did understand. And I got it when dad said that he was particular about how things are run. Smooth and according to him, that is. He smiled.

'I keep that kind of demeanor around me. It helps a lot. In the corporate world as well as... well... you know with those girls'

That's all we talked that day. Cause well his fan club came rushing out after him on their mention in our conversation it seemed. Think of the devil and the devil appears. Sorry, devils. I gritted my teeth but excused him. After that all the days which followed. I spent a lot of time with him. Like twice a week or so, few hours at a stretch. It was never like a date. In fact we never even touched we just talked. Him about his work, me about my college and friends. One thing he strayed clear off was his personal life. I tried to prod a few times but he wouldn't open up.

Rachel and I went back to New York. After a week or so he arrived as well. First on a business trip, then he was continuously to and fro from here and the rest of... well... the world. Grover was also working here with Alex the Lion and Marty the Zebra as I liked to tease him. The Animal Lover. So Percy was more than okay with New York. He could work from anywhere as a proper office was not a problem. He had like a posh penthouse here already. And we mostly hung out there only. Public places were a big no-no. And Rachel and I were in hostel while Grover stayed with the zoo staff residence. So we didn't exactly have a lot of options.

Four bedroom-ed (I wondered what they were for). One was for him to sleep in. (Obviously). The other was his office. He'd need one for all the video calls. (Yeah he was pretty busy). The rest were for visitors. (Good for the visitors). An elegant kitchen. Well stocked. (I never saw him cook. I wondered where all the food went?)

He pointed out that I babble after every sentence he spoke and I stuck my tongue out to him.

'I will kiss you if you hold that out any longer', he said pointing at my face. So I put it back inside.

'Is the idea that horrifying?' He had asked with a knowing smile. Of course not I thought. 'Your charms don't work on me', I replied.

'So you HAVE noticed my charms?' He asked with mischief in his eyes and I smirk on his face. So I punched him lightly on his arm. He pretended it hurt and rubbed his arm and looked hurt so I kissed his cheek.

'Happy?'

'For now', he had replied with a smile.

'What is THAT supposed to mean?'

'Nothing', he had said, turning away smiling.

He had girls over but never a girlfriend. He never seemed interested in them much and mostly asked them to shut up and that too not very nicely when they opened their mouths to talk but when they opened it for something else I wondered how he reacted? I was not exactly jealous. Let me make my intentions very clear. He was a friend to me. Sure he was hot and everything but he wasn't what I wanted in my guy and I was very particular about that.

Another thing about him was that people with whom he worked with were simply TERRIFIED of him. No one crossed his path. No one dared to defy him in any way. He was a hard to please man. Though just a mere twenty three, he was treated like a God. Respected, worshiped and feared. He gave that look of steel to others and they shut up instantly. And I don't blame them for behaving that way. You really didn't want to get him angry.

Except for these two. There was just one other guy in my life. Luke Castellan. He was a CA with a local company. He was doing well. We had met when I joined college and he was leaving it. He knew I wasn't comfortable enough with him THAT way or rather not that sure about our relationship to start dating him so he never exactly openly told me about his feelings for me though I had a fair idea of them.

He was out right jealous of Percy and he admitted it to me on my face. (Why not Grover? I had asked. Oh c'mon! I know you much better than that, Bethie). I hated that nickname. Like not adore it inside but look to hate it on the face. I simply hated it and it irritated the hell out of me when he called me that. So I did tell him my feelings for Percy. Which were like next to almost none.

We had known each other almost four months now. Percy and I, I mean. That's when the proposal came. That's when my life went for a roller coaster ride and I was left with everything yet nothing.

Like I said have patience. I am building it right now. So review. :)

And I am starting a fanfic on Nico di Angelo's girl. Didn't want to pair him up with an already present character like Thalia or Rachel or anyone else so I made one up. She is human but is of special interest to the Gods. Though I still haven't thought of a name yet. Suggest something? Hope you like it.

-Zenervia