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Of Corporate Scandals

Chapter 19. Halloween

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Ding!

The elevator glided open on the twelfth floor and revealed a party in full swing as Percy stepped out. "Wow," he muttered to himself, "Silena really outdid herself."

He truly was impressed. The entire office had been transformed into the likes of a night club. The fluorescent lighting was forgotten over the strobe and disco lights strung around the ceiling. The desks had been shoved aside to make room for a DJ table and a dance floor. The reception area's leather chairs and potted plants had been replaced with a table full of booze and party food.

Percy could hardly recognize his co-workers in their flamboyant costumes. Was that sales team dressed up as cowgirls? The looked fantastic compared to last year's lowkey affair of pin the head on the jack-o-lantern and grocery store cookies while the doormen handed out candy in the lobby to trick-or-treaters. Percy noticed employees from different departments — like the mailroom workers — that he rarely saw day-to-day. The party had been hyped up so much that it seemed like the entire building was there.

His gaze was drawn to the beverage table where Annabeth, looking radiant and beautiful in her purple dress, was talking animatedly to Silena and Mary-Sue. He smiled to himself, delighted that she looked so happy. He knew he wasn't the only one who noticed the improvement in Annabeth's mood the past few weeks, and he liked to think he had something to do with it. He just hoped no one else noticed.

Yes, their forbidden romance had to remain a secret, but it was worth it. If defying his own company's rules — and by extension, defying his father — meant happiness, Percy would gladly do it again.

At twenty-five, it was somewhat embarrassing that this was his first real relationship. It had only been a few weeks, but Percy's last "girlfriend" had been in high school.

He loved not waking up alone, and he loved waking up to Annabeth. Yes, it was a massive risk to date, but she was more important than that. Things were finally settling down for Percy — in a good way.

With the Atlas contract signed, Poseidon was finally easing up on Percy and he was able to weed Calypso out of his life.

Percy made his way across the dance floor to his girlfriend. He stopped a few times to greet his co-workers and talk with some nervous interns who were uncomfortable mingling with their superiors. He received many compliments about his Flynn Rider get-ups and pictures had already been uploaded to several social networking sites by the time he was half-way across the office.

"Percy!" A mess of green and fiery orange dodged into Percy's view. She threw her arms around his neck.

"Calypso?" Percy disentangled himself from her grasp, "Shouldn't you be on your way back to San Francisco?" He'd hoped the signed Atlas contract meant she'd be on a plane back to Weight of the World Headquarters in San Francisco.

Calypso grinned, showing off her professionally-whitened smile, "Surprise! My uncle spoke to your father, and I'll be interning here since I've just loved hanging around the city so much," She picked a piece of invisibile lint off of his shoulder, "Don't worry, Percy, I won't let our personal relationship get in the way."

Percy blinked, too shocked to say much else besides silently curse his father. He took in her costume; a tight, green corse, lime thigh-highs, and bold, green eye makeup. Her usual glossy, auburn locks were replaced by wild, frizzy, ginger curls. "Poison Ivy?"

Calypso beamed, "How'd you guess? And you're…Aladdin? How cute."

Percy said, "Flynn Rider, actually." Her pleasant attitude was throwing him off, she was usually — forgive his language — such a bitch.

"Wanna dance? Or maybe you could grab me a drink?"

Percy cut her off, "Actually, I need to go meet someone."

"That's fine. I'll catch you later!" She called after him as he walked away towards the edge of the party.

As soon as Percy was out of her sight, Calypso's fake smile slid off her face like a snake slithering to the ground. She crossed her gloved arms, watching that stupid Annabeth by the punch bowl. Calypso shot icy daggers into the blonde's back as she stared from the middle of the dance floor.

As Manhattan's most eligible bachelor, Percy ended up on the cover of every tabloid and the topic of every gossip show that pointed a camera at him. Models were signed by agencies, socialites were given brand deals just by being photographed on his arm in this city — exactly what she needed.

She clenched her fist, glaring at the wretch who'd ruined her plan. Calypso had thrown every obstacle, pulled in every favor, blackmailed everyone she could at her uncle's company to stop the contract with Open Seas from being signed in order to spend more time in New York with Percy. She thought that with enough time (and enough flirting) Percy would fall for her.

Some would call her conniving, manipulative, but she was just a woman who took what — and who — she wanted. But Percy did not bend to her will. Instead, he'd fallen for his secretary. Calypso wanted to gag at the cliché. Everyone at Open Seas was stupid for not noticing them, but she could see right through them.

He couldn't get rid of her that fast. Uncle Atlas had been thrilled when she'd suggested interning at Open Sea, and that dimwit Poseidon did whatever her uncle asked because of their fortune. She'd "intern" at Open Seas until a paparazzi slapped her page six as Percy Jackson's girlfriend. Bagging him would be enough social credit, she'd be able to get into any club, any party with just one call. The only thing in her way was Annabeth Chase.

She needed to be eliminated.

"Calypso, hey!"

She flipped her hair, rolling her eyes to see Gary from IT walking towards her, holding a plate of nachos. Oh, and he was dressed as Batman, of course. "Hello," She muttered.

"Poison Ivy, eh?" He grinned, pointing between her and his dark night costume.

Calypso nodded, staring at him in disgust, "Uh huh."

"That's a really great wig. It looks really good," Gary continued to munch on his nacho, "Nothing like the synthetic stuff they usually use. It's really hard to find a wig with the right red color Poison Ivy and the color is great. Did you get it at comic con?

Calypso flipped her hair, already strutting away from him, "Oh, it's not a wig."

"Percy, you look fabulous! You're the hottest Flynn Rider I've ever seen," Silena practically squealed as he approached her and Annabeth at the beverage table. Silena looked amazing in a full body, leather suit decked with a weapons belt.

"Thanks," Percy said, restraining himself from putting a hand on Annabeth's waist, "You look great Silena. A spy?"

Silena put her hands on her hips indignantly, "Black Widow, come on!"

"Isn't she a redhead?"

Silena flipped her glossy black locks, "Even I can't pull off being a ginger."

Annabeth smiled at her friend, "I think your costume is great, Silena."

"You're so sweet, but you guys are adorable. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, to die for."

"Thanks," Annabeth lowered her voice, "Do you think anyone will talk because we're matching?"

Percy put an arm around her shoulder, "Relax. This is normal. Silena and Beckendorf are matching too."

Annabeth bit her lip, "I guess so." She glanced around the party, seeing if anyone noticed Percy's arm around her.

Silena grabbed her arm and examined the fabrico on her sleeve dress, "Is this real satin?"

"Probably not. Percy just ordered this from Party City—"

"Oh my gods, it is! I was wondering what that huge bill on your expense report was, Percy. You custom ordered it from our factory, "Silena poked and prodded at Percy's vest.

Percy's eyes widened, "Uh, no that's not—"

"What are you talking about?" Annabeth looked from Silena to Percy.

"He got these custom made! I knew they were much too nice for on the rack, I should've done that too," Silena smoothed Percy's vest.

"You said these were from the costume store?"

"They are!"

"From Party City."

Silena scoffed, "Yeah, if Party City sold $1,500 hand-dyed satin gowns."

Percy shoved Silena's hands off of him, "Not helping, Sil. Why don't you go find Beckendorf?"

"I told you I don't want you spending tons of money on me," Annabeth pulled Percy to the side as Silena left them.

Percy argued, "Not just for you. I wanted this costume too."

Annabeth tugged his lapel, "You wanted to be a Disney prince wearing a vest?"

"I want to win the costume contest by any means necessary."

"I can't accept this!"

"Why not? I just wanted to make you happy. It's nothing."

"$1,500 is not nothing, Percy. That's my rent."

"I didn't mean it like that," Percy reached for her hand, but Annabeth pulled away.

"People are watching," Annabeth looked away, "Actually, we should probably split up for a while, before people start to talk." She walked away.

Percy found her later, surrounded by a group of interns. All of the girls were fawning over her costume and complimenting Annabeth's dress and wig. He chuckled as they took selfies with her and gushed over the dress.

After watching her suffer for a few more moments, Annabeth caught his eye. Her expression read 'Help me.' He approached, ready to rescue her, "Good evening, ladies. Enjoying the party?"

A chorus of "Mr. Jackson!" erupted from the ladies as they squealed over their matching costumes.

"Actually, I need Miss Chase's assistance for a few moments. Please excuse us."

He took her arm and stole her away from the crowd into an empty hallway, away from the party. He smirked at her.

"What?" Annabeth said, crossing her arms and looking at him.

"You were enjoying that."

"Enjoying what?"

"The attention."

She raised her eyebrow at him.

"Okay, look, I'm sorry that I bought these."

"And lied."

"And lied about it."

Percy brushed a piece of blonde hair behind her ear and pressed his lips against her forehead, "I just wanted to get you something nice. Not some cheap shit from Party City."

"I know. And thank you. I'm just, I'm just not used to this." Annabeth wrapped her arms snugly around his waist, "Now the most expensive piece of clothing I own is a princess costume."

He pulled away, staring at her intently. She could see a smirk tugging at his lips.

"What are you thinking?'

"This party is getting kind of lame," he grinned, mischievously. "Maybe we should go have our own party."

"Silena would kill you if she heard that."

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Annabeth giggled as Percy fumbled with the light switch as they stumbled into the empty, dark room, "Percy!"

He flicked the lights on, revealing the copier room, "What?"

"Nothing," Annabeth winding her arms around his neck, breathless, "Just keep the lights off."

Percy groped the wall, slamming the lights off, searching for Annabeth's lips. This was one of the things he would never, ever get tired off. He could kiss Annabeth all day, every day.

"Mm, Percy wait," She pulled away from him.

"What?"

"The door," Annabeth slipped out of his arms and shut the door, "No lock."

Percy stared after her like a puppy after a bone.

Annabeth looked at him, hand on her hip, "What?"

"What?"

"You're looking at me weird."

"Nothing," Percy breathed, looking away as he ran his hands through his hair, "Just, gods, you're sexy."

Annabeth laughed, glad that the room was dark and he couldn't see her blush, "Get over here."

Percy took her in his arms, hands roving up her body. He kissed up her neck.

"You can't rip this dress remember," Annabeth murmured, tilting his chin up to kiss her.

He slid his hands around her thighs and lifted her up onto the copier.

"Percy!"

Percy didn't respond, kissing her once more and hiking the layered skirts of her dress. Her hands wound in his hair. "I need to have you," his voice gruff in her ear.

"Wait!" Annabeth whispered, pulling away abruptly.

He growled, "Come on, 'Beth. I'm dying here.".

She pressed a finger against his lips, "Shh. I think I hear something."

Percy mumbled against her hand, "It's probably nothing, just let me—"

"Hush. Listen."

He could hear it now.

"Someone's at the door!" Annabeth whispered. She slid off the copier and stepped away from Percy.

The door slammed open and Calypso stood in the doorway. She flicked the switch on, "What's going on in here?"

Percy cleared his throat, blinking against the lights, "Calypso?"

"There you are, Mr. Jackson! Hazel is looking for you and I said I'd find you. What are you doing here?" Her gaze slid over Annabeth, "With her?"

"Uh, the copier's broken?"

Annabeth stepped in front of Percy and stood in front of Calypso with her arms crossed, "Mr. Jackson and I were talking privately about plans for our upcoming projects. Not that it's any of your business anymore." She turned to Percy, "Let's resume this somewhere else, shall we, Mr. Jackson?"

Percy followed as Annabeth stalked out of the copier room.

"Gods, that was hot."

Annabeth sighed, rolling her eyes, "She makes me so angry. I want to—"

Percy cut her off, "Back to my place?"

"Definitely."

A/N: (Revised May 2022) Where was I going with this? What is the plot?