Hey guys! I'm back! So... I couldn't wait to write this chapter... Okay.. I beware you at first.. It could be a little gruesome.. Okay, no It won't... So just sit back and enjoy this excruciatingly suspenseful (i hope) chapter! Happy Reading!

Her first thought: Find a dagger and cut him to pieces before he could do anything. She forced herself to be calm. She had read several stories where frantic efforts to do something would result in something worse to happen. But, her fear wouldn't give way. She wanted to run, run back to her room where she could just dissolve in another book forgetting about all her bad memories: her step mother, Percy, Luke. Especially Luke. After that conversation she had heard, she didn't even want to be around him. Just looking at him made her shiver.

But Annabeth was not one who would just cower down instead of facing her fears. So, she steeled her nerves and spoke in what she thought was cold brave voice."What do you want Luke?"

Luke just smirked."I'd have thought you'd guess. But it's clear you haven't."

Annabeth knitted her eyebrows in confusion."Speak clearly, Luke. And mind what you say to me."

Luke's smile faded but he retained his cool expression."Well, I'm lucky to be early. You haven't thought about it." What is he talking about? 'It'? "So, let me explain. I want you to be my girlfriend."

At first, Annabeth just stared at him blankly as if she hadn't registered the sentence in her head. Now, she began to laugh, laugh at such a hilarious idea that would have never come to her head. A laugh that wiped out Luke's smile. At last when she had regained her temperament, she sighed. Then, she set her face in the most 'disgusted and scorn' expression, saying,"Really, Luke. You act as if we've been in love all the time. When we have not."

Luke's face showed contempt but he managed to say,"Annabeth, we have not been in love, as you have rightly said. But this is not the question of love." It is of revenge, Annabeth completed the statement in her mind.

"Well, actually, it is a question of love. Do you know how?" Annabeth's heart rate increased. She didn't say anything in fear that her voice would give away her true emotions. Unfortunately for her, Luke took the silence as confusion. He put his arm around Annabeth, who retaliated by trying to push it back, but his vice like grip held. Don't panic. Don't panic. Annabeth took deep breath to calm herself, but couldn't help trying to struggle in his grip. "Leave. Me." she said aloud in the most sure voice she could manage, but her voice shook slightly, giving her away.

Luke assumed the most calm and reassuring voice."Hey, hey. Just relax. I'm not going to hurt you." Yeah, right, thought Annabeth. She realised that there was no point in struggling, so she just gave up trying to.

Luke smiled."Good girl. Now, I'm going to make you an offer. Take it or break it. But listen to the consequences to either of them carefully and then decide. Okay, Annie?" She didn't reply, busy as she was trying to put all the hatred she had for him in her expression. "Okay. So, as I was saying. The offer. Be my girlfriend. Result if you say no. I will continue troubling you much more than before. But more than you someone else will be bearing the consequences too. Thalia." Annabeth gasped. If Thalia was included in this agreement, there was no way she could say no. After all that had happened to Thalia, Annabeth couldn't bear to see Thalia hurt by him any more.

Enjoying her expression of fear, Luke continued. "Consequence if you say yes. I will keep you happy and away from Percy so he can't hurt you. And I won't hurt any of your friends, including Thalia. Choice is yours."

Annabeth was in tears. If she chose one she would be hurting herself and Thalia. If she chose two she would have to stay away from Percy which was almost worse. But more than that, she realised that being with Luke would hurt her much more than Thalia had been hurt by being with him. She would be damaged beyond repair, perhaps.

For once in her whole life, Annabeth couldn't think of what to do. Could she be so selfless and ruin her life by accepting Luke or let Thalia, her best friend, ruin hers because of a decision Annabeth made? No, she couldn't do it. She couldn't let Thalai have another experience with Luke. it would break her.

But.. what if she got help? That idea seemed to lift up her spirits. But unfortunately only for a brief time. Luke began to speak again, still relishing her sorrowful and scared face. "And don't even think of going for help. I've already arranged for that, Annie."

Anger suddenly took place of the hopelessness and despair within her. She retorted fiercely,"Do you think I'm a fool Luke? Do you really think I would believe you? What you're doing is emotional blackmail and I'm not going to give in to it!"

Luke gave an amused smile. "Really? Hmm.. Guess I couldn't convince our Wise Girl over here."

"Do not call me that!"

"Well, listen Annie. I don't think you are a fool and that's why i bought evidence to prove what I have said." Annabeth's expression must have given away some surprise so Luke said,"I see you're surprised. It's very likely that you would doubt me so now I'm going to show you."

He stood up holding Annabeth's hand and forcing her to get up too. She tugged at his hand but in vain and Luke led her still gripping her by the hand to some place a little far off where Thalia was standing.

What Annabeth saw was so strange that she forgot to struggle against Luke. Thalia, Thalia Grace, her Thalia, was talking to a guy she had never seen before. Thalia NEVER talked to strangers whatsoever temptation she was given. She had trained herself in doing that. then how in the world was she so casually talking to that guy?!

Luke noticed Annabeth's expression and with a smug smile, told her,"That guy she's talking to? He's one of my friends. Make one wrong move, the call goes to him and then.." He whistles. "Everything's over."

Annabeth was in shock. This could not be happening. This shouldn't be happening! Why was her life so miserable? Why couldn't she just stay happy even for a day?! Now, crying, she couldn't bear to face Luke. She just couldn't. In an upset state of mind like this she can't take any decisions. But will Luke let her take the decision later? Or will he make her do it now?

As if in answer to her question, Luke asserted,"Hey, Annie. Just in case you're wondering. I will give you time to think over this. So, don't worry. You have exactly two days to answer my question." He took a look at his watch. It showed him the time as 9 o'clock. "9pm day after tomorrow. I want the answer ready."

He smiled. "And to help you a little bit with you decision, look over there." He pointed to the dance floor where some couples were dancing. And in the middle of them was Percy kissing Rachel. "Choose wisely, Wise Girl."

And Luke left a heart-broken Annabeth to cope with all of the day's shocks.

Muhahaha! I feel soo WICKEd! ;D Anyways... I apologize for if you felt all that was unnecessary or if I made you guys to teary-eyes or gave you a heart attack in the middle or the end of it. Tbh I felt a heart attack coming over me too.. But I couldn't help myself! And I'm sorry for so much of the Perachel in the previous chapter. But believe me.. I couldn't have been more hurt or mad when they kissed even tho I MYSELF wrote... and basically I'm sooooooooooo sorry! but I love ya guys... Hugs and kisses ;D