. Lonely Lullaby
Disclaimer I don't own PJO
Chapter 6: Job Interview
Annabeth's POV
I tugged on my curly ponytail nervously as I sat in the waiting room. It took two years but someone has finally given me the chance to interview for a new architecture project. I know it's leaning to the more unlikely side of the equation that I get this job. I mean I'm nineteen and everyone else in the room is in their forties and far more experienced and they'll laugh at the samples of the work I brought in, this feels pointless. Another name is called but it's not mine. I sink in my seat and look down at the black flats I'm wearing. I'm fidgeting again.
"This is the worst design I've ever seen!" I loud voice booms.
"But sir, I worked forever on this, can't you just look at a few more of these-" The man is cut off by the hurling of a wine glass at his head. Or at least what I think is a wine glass. I' the last one here and I can already see how well this interview is going to go. The man angrily walks out the door covered in a purple sticky wine. He storms out the door. I'm about to leave when they call my name. I slowly stand up and clutch the notebook with my sketches in my hand and walk in.
The man in front of me is wearing a leopard skin jogging suit and has a wine holder above his head. Nice to know if I do make this job I'll be working for a drunk lunatic.
"Now before we start," he says, "Just know I've already seen fifteen other architects today and they all had just horrible designs, and don't waste my time." He says in a serious tone and fills a glass.
"Also before we start, you're going to put that glass back because I will not be spilled on. Got it?" He rolls his eyes but puts it back.
"Okay now to start your name is?" He asks and pulls out a clip board.
"Annabeth Chase." I say.
"Your age?"
"Nineteen." He raises his eyebrows as if taken aback.
"Kind of young to be in the architecture business aren't you? What makes you want to pursue this kind of career path?" He asks and looks genuinely intrigued.
"My mother," I breathe in, "Before she died we used to talk about how she wanted me to grow up to be something great and I had told her I wanted to redesign New York. It felt like just a silly thing back then but after she had passed it felt more like a promise something I had to put to action. So throughout high school I worked as hard as I could and my first plan was to get my degree in college but that didn't exactly go as planned. After that I flew out to California to stay with my friend and I've been working on my sketches since I was about seven." He nods and motions to the folder.
I slide it across his desk and he opens it. It's obvious he keeps a poker face while looking through the sketches. We sit silently for about five or so minutes and he just looks over the pages and pages of sketches and notes I made. He gently closes the notebook and lays it on the desk. He crosses his arms and leans back in his chair just studying me for a minute or so.
"So what did you think?" I ask quietly.
"What did I think? What did I think?" He seems to ponder the thought I just gave him and I'm trying not to become impatient with all this thinking. If he wants to shoot me down I'd rather he just do it already. "I think it's something new and honestly, I think you might start going places Ms. Chase." A smile appears on my face. "I'll contact you soon with further details on the matter." I nod and we shake hands.
Percy's POV
Just talking to her made me feel so much better. I looked down at my phone in my hands. Here in New York it was pouring down again and I sat, huddled, under the bus stop. A man sat next to me and he was obviously one of great wealth. A golden pocket watch with a blue trident under the clock's hands was fastened on his wrist. He had salt and pepper black hair. When he noticed me looking at me he smiled.
"So Percy, how's it been?" He asks and I'm taken aback. If you haven't already figured it out I'm not one who's well acquainted with business men.
"Um fine, who are you?" He raises his eyebrows.
"So you really don't remember." He looks at me and then I'm putting puzzle pieces together.
"Dad?" I ask and he smiles. I'd only seen pictures of him. I guess I probably realized he might come back into my life at some point. "I thought you moved to California." I say.
"Well I did, but I decided to come visit. I haven't seen you since graduation." He says.
"Wait you were there?" I ask baffled that I can't remember.
"Yes." He almost seems a tad annoyed. "However, I believe you were a bit busy chasing after… um what was that girl's name?"
"Annabeth." I say.
"Ah yes, Annabeth Chase. Did they ever find her?" He asks.
"No." I feel it is best not to say I've gotten back into contact with her either. The cops would really be onto me then and I couldn't give them any answers. I don't even know where she is.
"What a shame, she was a nice girl." I sigh.
"Yeah what a shame," I say and run my hands through my hair.
"Well Percy, do you want a ride back to your apartment?" He asks.
"Sure but I think we've got to wait for the bus though." I say.
"Oh Percy," he chuckles, "When you're a business man, you pay for your own town car."
"Oh okay, sure." He stands up and pulls the umbrella over his head.
Annabeth's POV
How did I celebrate my getting the job? Well about five bottles of red wine later I was feeling a tad, shall we say, tipsy. I picked up the sixth bottle, pulled out the cork with my hands, and downed half the bottle. I lay on my bed and my head hit the pillow roughly as I drank a few more sips. I'm not an alcoholic on a regular basis and I've already locked my phone and my keys in a drawer so I couldn't call, text, or drive anywhere.
Luke had gone out earlier and said he'd probably be back in the morning. Goodness knows what he's up to. I turned on mu TV but even then, it was only a matter of time till I passed out.
While it was a nice way to celebrate then but now I have such a hangover it feels like someone's hitting me with a brick in the head repeatedly. I haven't puked yet though so I guess somehow my stomach's become strong. I took some Advil, brushed my teeth, and soon enough I had my clothes on and had taken a shower to get rid of the smell of liquor. I had till afternoon to be completely presentable before Luke got back. I threw the bottles into the alley trash can and hiked back upstairs where I watched the rest season 2 episode one of Glee. I cleaned the house and then I realized just how boring I actually am. I think I'm going to shut up now.
Luke's POV
I grabbed hold of the iron railing and tried to keep my head on straight. The lights at the club were giving me a headache and I had stepped outside for a moment but I had been followed by some redhead with frizzy hair and green eyes. She smiles.
"Well, well, well, Castellan, We meet again." I roll my eyes.
"Unfortunately, how's it been Rachel?" I say and rest my head on my hand.
"Oh good, I got a new boyfriend, more money to my trust fund, it's all good." I nod. "What about you? What has the brilliant Luke Castellan been up to?"
Well on that note here is the latest chapter review, follow, favorite.
Love,
KC