"Nico di Angelo…"

"… you've broken the oath we imposed on you…"

"… what do you have to say?"

Nico stared at the Fates with a deadpanned expression on his face, Nico grimaced at the realization that he will need to find a new assistant. That would make the fifth since he took office as the CEO, or more widely known, as the Emperor of Triumvirate Holdings. The first one quit after realizing that Nico's guardian ghosts would be coming and going, she was quite skittish and afraid of ghosts. The second one could not handle Gods dropping unannounced, without having small heart attacks. The third one simply exited the office the moment Hades had sent harpies to retrieve his son for family dinner. Now the fourth one was hyperventilating in the corner of his office at Nero's Tower.

I really need to give the tower a new name, Nico thought, as he sighed and stood up. "In what way have I broken the rules? Other than overseeing the building of the cabins and temples, I have not been involved with any decision making of either Camp Half-Blood or Camp Jupiter. Outside of my duties, I've only gone to New Rome to visit Herophile and Hylla."

"You have taken in Perseus Jackson…"

"… Son of Poseidon…"

"… and one of the possible demigods of the Great Prophecy."

Nico stared at them before exclaiming in disbelief. "I have another cousin?! Is it impossible for my uncles to keep it in their pants!" Suddenly the sky broke into a torrent storm, with thunder cracking down. Nico huffed and turned towards the window, as his assistant whimpered and trembled. He really needs to get assistants with a better backbone than this. "Come on! You know I am right! Just ask Queen Juno!" That got it to stop raining, Nico did not want to know how mortals would try to explain such phenomenon. Most likely blame it on climate change. He turned back to the Fates and crossed his arms over his chest with a pout. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Perseus Jackson and his mother Sally Jackson have been taken in by Elysium Prep." Nico's assistant chimed hesitantly from his corner, whimpering as the Fates turned to him. "He was given a scholarship and his mother a job as the secretary of the principal. They are living in a two-bedroom apartment in the tower, small but cozy and comfortable. We also aided them to get rid of Miss Jackson's ex-husband. He was a horrible human and abusive, but she stayed with him to cloak Perseus' scent. It had kept him safe until now, even with being a son of the Big 3." He rushed to explain.

Nico sighed and he felt sorry for him. "Go," Nico waved him away, and he did not hesitate to run away from the office. "As I will assist Elysium Prep the upcoming semester, I made sure to stay away from any decision making from the school. The only directive I gave them was to aid as many demigod children as possible. If the faculty found and decided to liberate the Jacksons… well, that's not on me."

The Fates stared at the boy for a second, before disappearing. Nico's frown disappeared as he sat back with a smirk. His plan had worked out perfectly! He had not told a single lie, but he might have manipulated the information so that the faculty would find Perseus and Sally. He was not going to allow his family to suffer abuse simply because a mother wanted to keep his son safe. Not when he could aid them. Also, he only swore not to get involved during the quests, nothing stopped him from lending a hand outside of them.

Nico picked up his phone and called HR. "I will need a new assistant; I believe mine just exited the tower. We also need to find a new name for the building, it shall not remain Nero's Tower. I refuse."

"This one lasted longer than I had thought," Violet, a daughter of Iris, chuckled amused. "I already have another one lined up. She is an aura, her name is Mellie. She used to be Lord Aeolus' personal assistant."

"What happened?" Nico's eyebrows rose at the casual drop of a God's name. "We are not poaching a God's personal assistant, are we? That would not end up well."

"No, Lord Aeolus fires and rehires auras every week. I think that Mellie saw a chance to get out for good and took it." Violet assured her boss. That's why Nico liked her so much, she did not mind having a boss that was over a decade younger than her, and she took him seriously. "For being such a perky character, she can be quite sly when she wants to."

"Perky?" Nico grimaced at that. He was his father's son and perkiness does not survive in the Underworld. Unless you are Queen Persephone or Princess Macaria. Princess Melinoe and Prince Zagreus take after King Hades, just like Nico. Still, it was not like Nico had many options available. "Send her in, I hope this one has a backbone."

"She used to be the personal assistant of an air God, she can handle whatever you throw at her," Violet assured him. "Believe me."

Nico shuddered at the thought of working with an air God, they were so temperamental. "I believe you."

Meanwhile, many floors down, a small family of two were settling in their new home. For Percy and his mom, Sally, it wasn't just a new home; it was a fresh start, a break from the dark days with the horrid Smelly Gabe. The new apartment was a breath of fresh air, a promise of security and happiness. Their new place, a two-bedroom apartment that felt like a palace compared to their cramped living quarters from before. Two bathrooms meant no more queuing outside the door, and an open space that housed the kitchen and living room allowed for a sense of togetherness that was a stark contrast to their previous life.

Percy's bedroom, adorned in shades of blue and marine motifs, felt like an underwater haven. The walls showcased his fascination with the ocean – posters of sea creatures and underwater landscapes, a bedspread that mirrored the deep blue sea. It was a room that echoed Percy's passions, a personal retreat. As Percy roamed around, his mom was radiant, her face lit up with a genuine smile that Percy hadn't seen in a long time. The tower's security, she assured Percy, was top-notch – a comforting thought after the nightmares they'd left behind. Though, Percy sensed that there was some hidden meaning that his mom did not want to tell him… not yet at least.

The heart of the apartment, the open space, became a hub of activity. Sally, embracing the new kitchen, hummed tunes as she prepared meals, the aroma of home-cooked food filling the air. All blue food of course. Percy couldn't help but feel a warmth in his chest, a sense of home he'd missed during the turbulent days with Gabe. Sally's eyes spoke volumes about the relief and contentment that their new life brought. Percy, in return, felt a sense of gratitude bubbling within him. This tower, with its security and warmth, was more than just a residence; it was a haven, a place where they could finally breathe freely and build new memories.

However, as Percy settled into the comfort of their new home, a lingering worry cast a faint shadow over his joy. Happiness had become an unfamiliar companion, and the sudden turn of fortune had him on edge. Their luck, historically, had never been this good. The job offer for his mom, Sally, to be the secretary at a new and sophisticated school specializing in ADHD and dyslexia was a stroke of luck that felt too good to be true. The school provided a haven tailored to Percy's needs, and a scholarship for Percy, born out of his mom's employment, opened doors that seemed almost mythical compared to their previous struggles.

This unexpected opportunity acted as a lifeline, pulling them away from the clutches of Smelly Gabe and the suffocating environment of their previous apartment. Percy couldn't suppress the joy that welled up within him, finally freed from the shackles of that wretched place and the pain that Gabe inflicted on both him and his mom. Smelly Gabe, a dark chapter in their lives, was now a distant memory. The oppressive atmosphere of the old apartment was replaced by the airy expanse of their new home, yet Percy couldn't shake off the nagging worry that lingered like a storm cloud on the horizon.

The fear of the other shoe dropping loomed over Percy, a reminder of past hardships that had taught him to be cautious even in moments of celebration. The wounds inflicted by Smelly Gabe, both physical and emotional, had left scars that ran deep. Percy's elation was tempered by the haunting thought that their newfound happiness might be fleeting, that something unforeseen could shatter the fragile peace they had built. Percy's protective instincts kicked in, especially when it came to his mom. He cherished her newfound contentment but couldn't shake off the worry that the tranquility they now enjoyed might be disrupted.

Despite the lingering worry, Percy resolved to savor the present. As he navigated the uncharted waters of this unfamiliar happiness, Percy clung to the hope that perhaps, just perhaps, the other shoe might choose to remain suspended in the air, leaving their newfound haven untouched by the storms of the past.

"Mom, who is that?" Percy asked his mom.

They were having a tour through Elysium Prep in the lower levels of the tower. Percy had been doing his best to pay attention to the tour guide, he did not want to be the one to make them lose this great opportunity to turn their lives around. However, Percy's attempt to focus on the tour guide's words quickly crumbled when he laid eyes on the captivating presence that gracefully walked past their group. He was being escorted by a beautiful petite lady, with dark slowly flowing hair and brown eyes, wearing a white dress and carrying an iPad. No matter how pretty the lady was, Percy's full attention was on the boy. It was as if the world around him faded into the background, leaving only the boy in Percy's field of vision.

The boy, a vision of divine allure, held Percy's attention like a magnet. Slim and petite, there was an undeniable grace to his movements that spoke of both confidence and elegance. Percy couldn't help but marvel at the boy's well-defined physique, that he was able to notice beneath the fabric of his clothes. Shoulder-length, curly black hair framed the boy's face, creating an aura of mystery and charm. The soul-deep brown eyes, catching the dance of light, seemed to transform into a mesmerizing shade of gold, captivating Percy's gaze. Olive skin adorned the boy, and the thickness and length of the boy's eyelashes drew Percy's attention in a way he hadn't anticipated, prompting an unexpected blush to color his cheeks.

His attire, a perfect blend of sophistication and luxury, spoke volumes about a world Percy had only glimpsed from afar. Black chinos, a gold cashmere sweater, and impeccably crafted shoes—all prestigious brands that could have paid for Smelly Gabe's rent. Each detail, from the strands of the boy's hair to the designer labels he wore, created an image that surpassed the world Percy lived in. It was as if a fallen angel had descended before him, an ethereal being whose beauty transcended the mundane.

"Oh, that is Nico di Angelo," Sally smiled gently at her son, as the group moved to the next room, but Percy remained unable to look away, even when Nico was out of his field of view. It made Sally giggle at how adorable her son was acting. "He… well, his family owns thee tower and Elysium Prep. It was his idea to aid us, and all the families you met."

Percy turned to her mom stunned. A boy that could not be older than him, was the one to save them from Smelly Gabe? He met many of the families that lived on his floor, single mothers and fathers that went through hell to raise their children. He could see in the eyes of the other kids that they were like him. Kids just trying to survive in this cruel world, kids that clung to this chance that they were giving to lift themselves up in the world, but at the same time were afraid of when the other shoe was about to drop. And the one to save them all was that boy?

"He must truly be an angel," Percy whispered to himself, as Sally grabbed his hand and pulled him to rejoin the group. "Di Angelo, I think that was Italian for angel. At least, that was what Nona Salvatore from two doors down used to teach me."

"This is a really good school," Sally's smile was filled with relief and happiness, as she took in the place that will become her son's sanctuary. "By the way, I do not know much about Nico. But I do know that he will be going to school with you, though he will be one year under you. Also… I heard that the last owner of the tower was not good to kids under his care." Sally turned to her son with a gentle smile. "So, try to be friends with him. I think he will need one."

Percy's attention snapped back to his mom, eyes narrowing. He heard the stories, of course he did. The tower was filled with abused kids, the first thing they did was create a chain of communication to protect themselves and their families. They heard about the rumors of the old orphanage. They've seen the kids, how they held themselves as if they were always ready for a fight. How the older ones created a barrier to keeping the younger ones safe, how they clung to each other and did not allow anyone to be close. Not even other kids their age.

Percy and his new friends did not want to know what they had to go through to become like that. Not even him, after his time with Smelly Gabe and his many bullies at school, was that closed off. But Percy was happy for them as well, they were free from their abusers, like he was free of Smelly Gabe. They also had new parents, young couples that took them in. Though, Percy noticed something fishy about the whole situation. The new parents look very similar to the orphans they adopted. Maybe they were related somehow? Distant relatives?

It did not matter now. Not when his mom was telling him that maybe his new angel could have been abused by those monsters? Percy straightened his back, before turning to look at his mom with a seriousness and understanding, only an abused kid could manage. "Don't worry, I will be his friend and make sure no one messes with him."

Sally smiled warmly at her beautiful boy, before kissing his forehead. "Good, now let's focus on the tour. We've missed enough as it is."

Back with Nico, the poor boy's face was all red, as his new assistant Mellie fretted over him in concern. However, the only thing wrong with Nico was his hormones. They were all over the place, after he had seen the most beautiful boy Nico had ever met. Well, Jason tied with him, but it still left poor Nico breathless.

Nico's heart had done somersaults as he had watched the boy stroll past, like a figure stepped out of a dream, embodying a carefree elegance that had Nico captivated. The tan of his skin hinted at sun-kissed adventures, and his jet-black hair, slightly tousled, as if he just took a walk to the beach. But it was the sea-green eyes that held Nico captive, windows to a world of mystery and mischief. They enchanted Nico, drawing him in like a sailor lured by the irresistible call of a siren. The eyes sparkled with a hint of trouble, a smirk that spoke of a perpetual dance with mischief. The boy's smile was a mix of sarcasm and rebellion, a troublemaker's grin that hinted at a spirit unbridled by rules.

Nico found himself envisioning the boy's future – a Greek hero in the making. There was a sense of anticipation, a giddy excitement that spread across Nico's face as he imagined the boy evolving into a figure of strength and grace. his mind's eye, Nico saw the boy becoming muscular and lean. The thought elicited a giddy smile from Nico.

Then Nico realized what he was doing and whined. "Olympus! What is wrong with me?!"