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Of Corporate Scandals

Chapter 18. She Knows He Knows

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Annabeth breezed into Percy's office, brandishing a stack of papers, "Look what I got!"

"What's that, babe?"

Annabeth shot him a look, peering out the door to see if anyone overhead him. Luckly, most of the company was in a sales review so the twelfth floor was empty.

"The fliers for the Halloween party!" Annabeth waved a page, placing it in front of him.

"No way," Percy grimaced, "You're excited about that?"

"Of course I am," Annabeth perched on the end of his desk.

Percy picked up the flier, staring at the clipart pumpkins. "I forgot you're new. Our office parties suck."

"I'm not new, I've been here for almost three months," Annabeth argued, "Anyway, you're lucky I'm here because I asked Silena to plan the party this year."

Percy raised his eyebrow, remembering all of the antics Silena had admitted to pulling to get them together, "I don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing."

Annabeth rolled her eyes, "It's a good thing. Come on, you know I don't like these kinds of things, but I'm actually excited for this."

"Fine, so what are these cool, new things we're supposedly doing at this party."

Annabeth beamed, "Well. Silena was actually really happy that the party is being held on this floor because we have the biggest reception area. She's booking live music, uplighting, there's gonna be a costume contest, and someone to cater finger foods, and of course drinks…"

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"What about this one?" Silena asked, showing the magazine catalog to Charles Beckendorf.

Charlie leaned across his desk to look over his assistant (and girlfriend's) shoulder, "Do we really have to wear costumes to this? It's just an office party."

"Of course we do, love. It's a costume party."

He took the catalog from her and flipped through the pages, "And we need to be matching?"

"Why are you asking such stupid questions? Of course!"

Charlie frowned, "But won't that seem weird? Remember, babe, our co-workers can't know about us."

Silena waved our hand, "It'd be more weird if I didn't show up in a couple's costume. Besides, Percy and Annabeth are also going in matching costumes."

Charlie looked at her, "But they're secretly dating too."

"But we're the only ones that know that," she patted his shoulder, "Well, actually, Annabeth thinks I'm the only one that knows. She doesn't know that I told you. So don't mention it in front of her...Or Percy for that matter. He doesn't know that you know either."

"Seriously?"

"Nevermind that—Ooh! How about Hawkeye and Black Widow? You know my legs look amazing in leather."

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Annabeth grinned, clipping in her fake extensions, "This was a great idea."

Percy smiled, staring at their reflections in the mirror in his bedroom, "You're welcome."

Annabeth smoothed down the pink dress, "The embroidery is so detailed, it looks exactly like it did in the movie. Where did you find these costumes again?" She turned around to face him and adjusted his blue vest, "Your straps are crooked."

Percy shrugged, looking a little too nonchalant, "Just saw it while looking through the Party City catalogue." Truth was, he had had their costumes custom made and shipped from an Open Seas factory, and paid a fortune for it. He'd never admit.

Annabeth ran her hand down his chest, "Well, I love it. Who knew Party City could make costumes like this? Which one did you get it from?

Percy cleared his throat, "I, uh, went to the one in, uh, Long Island."

"I thought you ordered it."

"Yeah—yeah. I ordered it from Long Island."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow at him.

" Look at the time! We better go before we're late,"

Annabeth glanced at his alarm clock, "Right. Did you call the cab?"

Percy nodded.

"Remember the plan?"

Percy nodded, "You get out of the cab first. I'll ride it around the go into the party first, I wait at least ten minutes to go up. Then, I'll come find you and greet you like I haven't seen you since we left work earlier."

"Exactly."

Percy bent down and fixed the buckles on his brown leather boots and opened the satchel, checking that the tiara was still there.

"I still can't believe how real the tiara looks, the plastic is insane.

Percy chuckled, nervously, "Yeah. Party City's awesomet." He decided not to mention that the company didn't manufacture prop tiaras for costumes so he ordered a real sterling silver and crystal one.

"Ready to go, Rapunzel?" Percy held out his arm to her.

"Of course, Flynn Rider," Annabeth took his arm after, flipping her three-feet of blonde extensions over her shoulder.

A/N: Please leave your questions, comments, and constructive criticism in a review below!