A/N: Hi guys and girls! Surprised? Well, I thought I'll lessen your anxiety and update faster. I don't have much to say so I'll just answer some of your reviews. :D

creamoe:I'm a fan of Linkin Park, which is why I'll be using some of their songs and they just fit perfectly to the story. Anyway, thank you for reading my story. :D

Pug1998:And I would love to read those 'good ones'. Mind posting them? :D

Percabeth lover 28:Well, what to say? I'm glad you like Reyna. Most readers might not like her because she replaced Annabeth. And it's a relief to know that you guys actually feel what the characters are feeling, which means I'm doing a good job. Keep reading! :D

myfabulousity:I'm not going to spoil you. :D

captaindauntless:Really? Can you video it so I can see? Kidding. Anyway, it's very flattering to know that my story is being appreciated that way. As for the 'cruel twist of fate,' it's going to happen in Chapter (add my favorite number and you'll know) What is it? You'll find out if you follow me on Twitter. I'll post my username later. :D

GeekyFreekForever:Thank you. (I will never get tired of saying that.) And I will publish my works someday. I'm hoping you guys will read it. :D

ThisIsYourSong17:I'm a fan of Boyce Avenue. Their original songs are just perfect. Those help me overcome my writer's block most of the time. :D

IMPORTANT; PLEASE READ:Okay, so I recently joined Twitter (go ahead, laugh. I'm kind of busy and had no time to keep track of my social life online, but I thought it would be a nice way to keep in touch with you guys, so I created an account.) If you want sneak peeks of the upcoming chapters, want your questions answered, just follow me: drakehayward11. just search for me. :D

DON'T JUST READ, LEAVE A REVIEW!

NEVER LET ME GO

Chapter 8: LET ME LOVE YOU

REYNA

People come and go. There are others who will just pass by while others will make a difference in your life. And I happen to come across someone who made permanent changes in me. Multiple someones, actually.

I had been in New York for a few months, working as an executive secretary for the president of this publishing house that is based in the city. Hylla was against it. She said that she needed help in managing her resort but I told her I needed to spend time on my own and figure things out without her looking over my shoulder every second. Don't ask why I chose New York. I just thought that the pace of life in the city would be a challenge for me and it's something I wanted to experience.

Little did I know that finding myself wasn't the only thing that I would accomplish in New York; I also found the person who'd complete me and my life. Well, there were two of them, actually.

I just came from work and was planning on having a cup of my favorite java mocha chip in this coffee shop when I literally run into a guy. (Now when I look back into it, our meeting sounded very movie-ish. I honestly thought that those kinds of meetings only happened in television until it happened to me.) I bumped into him and fell back on the pavement, skinning my elbow.

"Shit, I'm sorry," the guy said, kneeling and extending a hand to me. I looked up at him to punch his face but immediately stopped myself. I was met with a gorgeous pair of sea-green eyes. His eyes seemed to be reaching deep into you, making you feel trapped and yet, safe, at the same time. "Here, let me help," he said, grabbing me by the arms and pulling me up like I weighed no more than a puppy. He then saw the wound on my elbow. "Crap," he cursed. "Crap, I'm sorry for that."

"No," I found myself saying. "No. It's okay."

He looked up at me and met my eyes. "No, it's not." He took out his hanky from his pocket and wrapped it around my wound. "There, that should do for the mean time. Will you come with me?"

"What? Why? Where?"

He chuckled. "We need to clean that to avoid infection," he explained. "Come on, there's a drug store just around the corner."

I didn't know why I went with him. I knew that probably wasn't very smart of me but there's something in that guy that was very easy to trust. He led me to this store just a few buildings away. We went inside and he bought antiseptic, cotton balls and bandaids.

"You don't have to do this," I said as he paid for the items.

"Oh, I do," he said, smiling. "It's my fault you're wounded so it's my obligation to treat you." He picked up the paper bag and gestured for me to follow him. He walked back to the coffee shop, got in, went to a table at the corner and pulled out a chair for me. "Please, sit down," he said.

I sat in front of him. The guy opened the bag and took out his purchases. He then held out his hand at me, smiling. "Here, let me," he said. I extended my arm and he took hold of it. He removed his hanky and carefully dabbed the cotton ball soaked in antiseptic on my wound. His eyebrows were scrunched up in concentration as he cleaned my elbow – I couldn't help but think how cute it looked.

I shook my head to clear the thoughts running in my head. I wasn't accustomed to those kinds of feelings. I was used to doing things my own way, not needing anyone – that's the effect of having you almost raise yourself on your own; you're not used to feeling that you need someone to complete you. Sitting there with that guy, however, I felt like somehow, he was one of those rare people who could make me feel incomplete, and thereby making me feel like I need them.

The guy applied a bandaid on the wound and tapped my hand. "There, that should keep the infection away," he said, lifting his head and looking away nervously when he met my eyes. He cleared his throat, wringing his hand. I wondered what that meant.

"Thanks," I said, checking the covered area. The silence that followed was awkward. I didn't know why but I felt like I had to keep a conversation going, or at least try to. "I'm Reyna, by the way. Reyna Rivera."

He chuckled. "And look at us, sitting here together and I haven't even introduced myself to you." He wiped his hands on his jeans and extended one across the table to me. "Perseus Jackson, but you can call me Percy if you want."

I accepted his hand. "Perseus, huh?" I asked. "Unique name."

Percy groaned. "Please. I've had enough teasing during my childhood because of my name. Don't add to it, if you don't mind."

I laughed. "That's not what I meant. I meant that it's unique, kind of like you." Okay, where did that come from?

Percy raised his eyebrows. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

I cleared my throat, looking away. "I-I don't know. It just sort of slipped out." I met his gaze and I found myself staring into his sea green eyes. I held my ground and kept looking at him. His eyes, I found, weren't shallow like most guys' are; they had depth, like he had seen more than what he should. Judging from his appearance, I assumed he was around early twenties, but his eyes said otherwise.

Percy grinned at me. "Why are you smiling?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Nothing. I just noticed how, uh, beautiful you are."

I shook my head. "Just like every other guy, Perseus. Using flattery to get what he wants."

"What? No! I'm telling the truth," he protested. "Besides, it's not like I'm going around bumping into girls, giving them wounds, and then treating them just so I can flatter them and then they'll go out with me. After the last one, I'm not so anxious to be in another relationship."

"After the last one?"

"It's not something I tell random people, especially girls," he said, shrugging, "just in case you assume I'm only saying it so you'll feel sorry for me."

I backpedaled. "I didn't mean it that way, Percy. I just – "

"I get it," he said. "You're guarded. Don't worry. I understand why. You kind of remind me of someone."

"Someone special?"

"Just someone I used to know. No big deal," he shrugged. The way he said it, though, made it perfectly clear that it was a big deal. "Look, I really am sorry for the accident. I didn't mean to bump into you. I just have a lot on my mind."

"It's okay, really," I said. Had this happened with someone else, I would've kicked that guy between the legs. Except that there was something in Percy that I couldn't seem to get mad about. "And now that you mentioned having a lot on mind, I need to go. I have somewhere else I need to be."

"Oh."

I smiled at him. "You sound disappointed." I took a pen out of my bag, grabbed a tissue and scribbled my number onto it. I don't go around giving my number with guys who bumped into me, but for the very first time in a long time, I felt like I wanted to keep this conversation going, and judging from Percy's expression, he did, too. "Maybe we'll see each other again," I said, leaving him behind after handing the tissue.

Nine hours later I received a call from Percy. I was writing down a report that was due the next day when my phone rang. I picked it up, thinking that it was Hylla checking up on me. But the number was unregistered. I pressed answer. "Hello?" I asked.

"Hey," he said from the other line. "This is Percy. Remember me? The guy who introduced you to the pavement and gave you a wound?"

I straightened on my chair. "Why are you calling?"

"Um, you gave me your number, remember?"

"I know. I meant why are you calling me?"

"I just, well, I'm just wondering if maybe you want to, you know, have dinner with me tomorrow?" he asked. I was caught off guard. I'd been asked by a couple of guys before but I always turned them down. I wasn't exactly the kind who goes out with random people, but it's different with Percy. It was like I already knew him. "I understand if you don't want to. I mean, we just met so – "

"No," I said, cutting him off. "I was just thinking. And about your invitation . . . okay, let me see. I don't think I have anything going on tomorrow night and I think I can use some night out."

"So . . .?"

"So, yes. Let's go have some dinner together."

"Really? Cool! Where should we meet?"

"Let's just meet at the coffee shop, okay? Around 8. Don't be late. I hate waiting, got it?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay."

I ended the call and stared at the wall of my ceiling. This was my first ever date. I'd never gone out with a guy before. I never even had a boyfriend. I didn't even think that I would have one, considering that I was so used in living on my own. (Hylla and I lived in the same house, but she was mostly at work so I had the house to myself most of the time.) I was feeling anxious about it. Were there even dos and donts when it came to dating? (Listen to me, I don't even sound like myself.)

Why was I even nervous?

I arrived at the coffee shop ten minutes to eight. I always preferred to arrive earlier. I don't like it when someone waits for me but I also hate it when I wait. I assumed that I would be arriving first but I was surprised when I saw Percy standing near the entrance, holding a bouquet of flowers.

He smiled when he saw me. "Hey," he greeted. "You look . . . perfect."

"There you are again, using flattery," I said.

"Why don't you just accept my compliments? They're real," he said. He handed me the bouquet. "Anyway, I got you this. I'm not sure if you'll like it. It's been quite some time since I dated."

I accepted the bouquet. "Thank you." I had no idea what else to do so I copied what I saw as a child in romantic movies. I took a sniff of the roses. I saw Percy raising his eyebrows at me. I straightened myself. "Where are we going?"

Percy smiled. "Come on. There's this restaurant I know not far from here. I think you'll love it," he said, offering me his arm. I smirked and hooked my arms through his and he led me to his car.

Twenty minutes later found us in this seafood restaurant I didn't even know existed somewhere along Central Park. It's called Oceanus and looked cozy. Percy chose a table at the corner, one with partitions, thereby giving us a bit of privacy. The guy even pulled my chair for me. He had his orders prepared and didn't need to look at the menu the waitress was handing him.

"Are you a regular here?" I asked.

"I always come here with my cousins," he answered. "We do our bonding times here."

"Oh. That's cool."

"So," he said after a moment, clasping his hand in front of him. "Are you originally from here in New York?"

"No," I answered. "I'm originally from California. I lived there with my older sister and mother. My sister, Hylla, she owned and a spa and I helped her, saving money for myself. It's kind of my thing; I don't like having people help me." Percy shook his head, smiling. "What?"

"Nothing. You just really remind me of someone."

"The someone you used to know?"

"Yeah. Tell you what, we'll talk about that some other time. Let's just focus on you and me tonight."

"Some other time, huh? Wow. You're pretty confident, mister. What makes you sure that I will go out on another date with you?" I asked.

"I'm not sure, but I'm hoping you will," he said. He took a deep breath. "You know, I don't really do this kind of thing anymore but – I don't know – something happened yesterday when I bumped into you. I can't exactly explain it, but I knew I'll find out what it is."

I shook my head. "Do you really talk like this?"

"No," he answered. "Just around beautiful woman." I raised my eyebrows. "That's not flattery, Reyna. I'm telling you the truth." I gave a shrug. "Good. No, you're accepting my compliments." Percy took in a shaky breath and looked me in the eyes. "There's something I need to tell you, Reyna. I don't want to keep this a secret and if we're going to be . . . you know, I want you to know about this. Okay, here it is: I'm twenty-two – "

"Shocking," I said, teasing him.

Percy rolled his eyes. "I'm twenty-two and I have a five year-old son."

I stared at him. "Wait, are my ears deceiving me or did you just say you have a five year-old son?" Percy nodded. "So you were, what, seventeen when he was born? Is he living with you?"

"Yes. I'm raising Noah on my own."

"Why, where's his mother?" I could tell by Percy's reaction that it was a sore subject to discuss with him. Then something clicked at the back of my mind. "Wait, the someone you used to know, is she your son's mother?" Percy didn't answer but it was pretty evident with the look on his eyes. "What – what happened?"

Our order arrived. Percy looked gratefully at our waitress, obviously relieved not to discuss whatever it was with me. But he officially got me curious. I wanted to know him better. Like I assumed, he was different. Special, even. Unlike most teenagers, he didn't run away from his responsibility. Yes, he made a mistake before but he faced it. It's rare to encounter people like that nowadays.

We ate, with both of us making small talks. I told Percy about my sister, Hylla, and how she's one of the reasons why I was the way I was.

"I don't think there's something wrong with that," he said. "You practically raised yourself so it's to be expected to have that kind of notion that you don't need anybody, but trust me – you do."

"And that somebody is you, Mr. Jackson?" I asked, smiling.

Percy grinned. "Who knows?"

We finished eating after that. While I was dabbing my lips with the table napkin, I told Percy, "If you don't mind, I would love it to meet your son." Percy looked up, surprise. "Well, you officially caught my attention, Jackson. You're different. Your son is a proof of that, and the way you raise him. I would like to meet Noah."

"Wow," Percy said. "I thought you would be freaked out when you find out I'm a father."

"Lucky you, I like children." I checked my watch. "So, lets' go to your house. What do you say?"

Half an hour later, I watched as a blonde boy jumped onto Percy and gave him a huge hug, laughing. "Daddy, I beat Uncle Nico!" he yelled.

Percy laughed. "I knew you will beat him," he said, kissing his son's head.

A guy with messy dark hair and pale skin came into view. "That little monkey bankrupted me," he said, smiling. He then saw me and raised his eyebrows at Percy. Percy shrugged. "Well, I need to get going. Bye, little monkey," he said to Noah.

He giggled. "Bye, Uncle Nico. Bring more chocolates next time!"

"My cousin," Percy said when Nico left. "Our fathers are brothers."

I saw Noah tugging at the edge of Percy's shirt, looking at me. "Daddy, who is she?"

Percy looked nervous when he answered. "Noah, this is Reyna. She's a friend of mine."

Noah nodded and ran to where I was standing. "Hello," he said cheerily. "My name is Aedan Noah but you can call me Noah." He extended a hand to me.

I couldn't help but laugh. The kid seemed to know how to properly introduce himself to others. Percy gave me a shrug. "What can I say, he's a complete gentle . . . um, gentleboy. Must've taken after his father."

Noah stuck a tongue at him. He then turned to me. "Would you like to see my room? Daddy let me decorate it!"

"I would love that," I said. Noah took my hand and dragged me upstairs, to where his room was. There a lot of photographs of him, together with Percy. Then there were others with a woman who I assumed was Percy's mother. The room obviously held a lot of beautiful memories. Noah was talking animatedly about his favorite TV shows, cartoon characters, someone from their neighborhood named Anthony who was his playmate. Percy was standing by the doorway, smiling apologetically at me.

"Noah, it's past your bedtime," he said.

Noah pouted. "Come on, Daddy; we're still talking. Thirty minutes more, please?" he said, batting his eyelashes.

Percy chuckled. "Sorry, mister. You have school tomorrow. Besides, Reyna and I still have some things we need to talk about."

Noah sighed. "Okay." He looked at me. "You'll visit me again, won't you?"

I placed a hand on his head. "Of course. I would love to hear more of your stories."

He beamed. "Okay. Good night, Reyna." He went to his father, pulled him down and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Good night, Daddy."

"Goodnight, buddy," he said. Percy motioned for me to stand up. I did and went to the door.

We watched as Noah settled on the bed and threw his blanket over him. He then turned over and said, "I want pancakes tomorrow, Daddy."

"Okay," Percy said, smiling. He switched off the lights and we went down to the living room. I sat on the couch while Percy went to the kitchen. He returned with two cans of soda on his hands. He gave me a smile. "I don't have any beer. I happen to be living with a five year-old."

"I don't mind," I said.

"So, what do you think?"

"Of Noah?"

"Yeah."

"He's great. I think I love him already."

"What about me?"

I laughed. "Oh, Jackson. This is only our first date. You still have a lot of work."

"Does that mean there's going to be a second?"

I shrugged as an answer.

After that, Percy and I regularly saw each other. I met him further. He may have claimed that he was okay, but it was pretty obvious that he was struggling. Not with raising Noah, but with his life. He told me about Annabeth, his first love and Noah's mother. At first I thought that guys like that have ceased to exist, but I found out they were very much alive in him.

Percy is the kind of person who loves unconditionally, always putting forth what the people he cares about need ahead of himself. It was sad when I found out what Annabeth did, leaving them like that. It, however, solidified my earlier observation that Percy was guarded. He was having trouble welcoming people into his life. That made me feel ridiculously elated, that he was willing to put down his defenses to know me.

On our sixth date, we kissed and officially became a couple. I could see hesitation in his eyes, so I said, "Listen, I know that you're scared. After what Annabeth did to you, you're afraid that everyone will just do the same and leave you. But I won't do that, okay? I'm new to this kind of thing of I may hurt you somewhere along the road, but leaving you will be the last thing I'll do. We only know each other for almost two months but you've made me feel things I wasn't even aware exist. I'm determined to hang on to it. I will never hurt you, Perce."

He chuckled. "It's weird that you're the one saying this thing to me. Usually, it's the guy who makes such promises."

"You don't need to promise me anything. I know who you are. I know you will never do that."

Percy exhaled and held my face between his hands. "You may not need to hear it, but I need to say it." He looked me in the eyes. "I will hurt myself but not you. Knowing you has made me realize that there's so much I'm missing. You reawakened me, Rey. You gave me a second chance at love. You didn't leave when you found out what I went through. You stayed and helped me get over it. And I want you to know that I will never do what Annabeth did to me to you."

"I know, Perce. I know," I said as I kissed him again.

"RR?"

I looked up and saw Noah standing behind me. I'd been sitting on the shore since my conversation with Percy and Noah's voice broke my reverie. Somehow, Percy's reluctance to help Annabeth brought back the beginning of our relationship. "What is it, Noah?" I asked.

"I'm tired," he said. "Grandma told me she's going to talk to Grandpa so I looked for you."

I smiled at him. "Come here."

Noah went to me and settled himself on my lap, his face at the crook of my neck. One of the things I like about Percy was Noah. He was a sweetheart. To be near him is to love him. I knew that it's not going to be difficult for me to be his Mom. I wasn't his mother, but I would be his Mom.

"Good night, RR," he mumbled.

I smiled. "Good night, Noah." In seconds, he was asleep.

I was about to stand up and take him to our room when Percy spoke behind me. "Should I be jealous that my son took my place?" he said. I looked up and saw him watching us with a smile on his lips. "Hey," he said, bending down and giving me a kiss. "You two look perfect."

"No," I said. Percy frowned. "Put your arm around us." He did. "Now we look perfect." Percy chuckled. "How's Annabeth?"

"Asleep," he answered. "Don't worry about her, she's tough; she's going to be okay." He kissed the side of my head. "I want to thank you, Rey. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest."

"You should've listened to me from the beginning ," I told him.

"Why are you so anxious to have me fix things with Annabeth anyway? If I'm another guy, I would be extremely worried."

"Don't be ridiculous, Perce. I'm not some other girl who gets jealous of her girlfriend's ex. Besides, there will always be a connection between you and Annabeth and I can't change that. I can see how much distancing yourself from her is tearing you apart and that's something I don't like."

"You're willing to put up with this for me? You love me that much?"

"Are you asking to die, Jackson?"

Percy laughed. "Why is it that you always give me that answer?"

"Because the last thing we need is to inflate that exploding ego of yours."

"Right," he said, giving me yet another kiss.

"Don't you two look cozy," said a voice behind us. Percy and I both turned around. Standing behind us was a tall guy with brown hair and hazel eyes. "So cozy that it burns my eyes."

Percy stood up. "Who do you think you are to talk that way?"

The guy's nostrils flared. "Oh, you don't know me? That's just great, Jackson." He cracked his knuckles. I stood up and backed away. If I wasn't carrying Noah on my arms, I would've kicked him between the legs. Then let me introduce myself. My name is Josiah Hudson, Annabeth's boyfriend."

He then lunged at Percy.

[Next - Chapter 9: 21 GUNS]