The Coffee

Percy POV

"I'm scared. I don't like needles," Tyson cried. He was hyperventilating in his seat at the hospital. I tried my best to comfort him.

The nurse was waiting patiently for him. to settle.

I held Tyson's hand and made him face me. His dark eyes blistered with worry and fear as he stared into my face. I hated that this was the situation that we were in. Tyson has a big fear of needles. He didn't even like getting flu shots.

"Come on, buddy. It's going to be okay. You won't even feel it after a while," I expressed as I rubbed his arm.

"I don't want to. I'm scared."

"Hey. We all get scared sometimes, and that's okay. You have to do this. It's very important for you. I'll be right here, Tyson, holding your hand. I'm not going to let go until you're done."

Tyson nodded miserably. The nurse came over and smiled delicately. Hestia didn't come today because she was caring for Estelle. We thought that it would be better if Estelle wasn't in the hospital.

Then, the nurse washed Tyson's arm with a sterile wipe. She had a large needle, and she carefully injected it into Tyson's arm. He winced and buried his face into my chest. I clutched him tightly. The nurse quickly connected the chemo bag to the needle and then started the machine that pumps the chemicals into Tyson's body.

We spent all week explaining everything o Tyson. It must've been overwhelming, but we wanted him to know what was coming.

The symptoms of chemotherapy can be severe, and he should be prepared.

Tyson was going to get through this. I have all the faith in the world, and I was trying to be optimistic. So far, life hasn't been great for me. There had to be a limit to pain, right? Eventually, the gods would get tired of torturing me, right?

I held Tyson against my body for the rest of the chemo session.

His skin paled considerably, and he felt cold as well. My little brother was suffering, and I couldn't do anything but hold him. And, I did.

I wasn't strong enough to carry Tyson back to the car. As I mentioned, Tyson is big for his age. After the chemo session, he got sleepy. The nurse said that this was a normal reaction after the first round. He was going to be weak, sleepy, and/or nauseous.

He slept in the wheelchair as I opened the door.

I helped bis groggy self into the car. I kept a plastic bag on his lap for fear that he would get sick. He didn't say anything for the past hour. He was too tired.

I picked up some ice cream before going home.

Hestia rushed towards the door to receive us. Our small apartment made it easier for the both of us to carry Tyson towards the couch.

Estelle was playing with some dolls on the floor. She looked at Tyson with concern, so I told her that our brother is fine. Hestia sat next to Tyson and brushed his hair while he slept. It still surprised me that the little boy was snoring already.

Usually, kids don't snore that much.

"How was he, Percy?" Hestia asked gently.

"As expected. he was scared, but I managed to get him through it. This is only the first of many, and I think that he'll get used to it."

Hestia nodded. "Oh, if you need to go, I can watch them now."

"It's fine, Aunt Hestia. The company said that we can finish HR and financial stuff over the phone. I'll stay here."

I played with Stella while watching Tyson sleep. They both were my baby siblings, and my life revolved around them.

After a while, I pulled out my laptop and started editing my book again. It was finished, and I had nothing to do but edit, edit again, and again. No publisher was giving me a chance due to my lack of education and financial support), so all I could do was work on the book to make it better.

The name of my book is called 'Say Hello to The Stars'.

It's a story about a little boy with an odd appearance. He was born that way. Life is hard enough without a facial deformity making someone stand out in a crowd. The book is about how the little boy handles his life, and how others around him act.

The premise of the book is to be kind. Choose to be kind (even to those who may not look like you). The outer appearance is simply a shell to what's within the mind and the heart.

I hope that someone would give my book a chance. In my opinion, it shares a story and a message that the world needs to experience.

I desire to publish my novels.

However, right now, I was too preoccupied to pursue my dreams.

***

My first day of work was on Thursday.

I made sure to go several minutes early. Annabeth Chase had a horrible le reputation as a boss, so I was going to do whatever I can to stay in her good graces. Even if that meant that I had to wake up a little early.

I wasn't sure exactly what to do once I arrived. I took the elevator up to the top floor. Some of the cubicles were empty while others were busy.

Employees were just starting to arrive.

"Hey, Percy, right?" a gorgeous woman approached me. She had long, silky hair and a beautiful face. Honestly, someone like her didn't belong at a company.

"Yes. Percy Jackson." I shook her hand.

"My name is Selena Beauregard. I've seen you around at parties a couple of times. I'm impressed that you managed to get this job or even wanted it," she said with a smile.

Suddenly, I recognized her. She was Charles's girlfriend. I hadn't met her on a serious occasion. At most, we casually talked at parties.

"I needed the job and the money," I replied honestly.

"Well, I work as the marketing coordinator for the company. My office is towards the right," Silena explained while pointing to an office to the right.

While Ms. Chase's office is straight across the elevator behind all the cubicles. A few offices lined the right and left walls. It seemed like the more important and leadership positions stayed on this floor.

I learned a lot about the company this week. I wanted to be prepared.

"Anyway, I'll let you get back to work. The boss doesn't like it when her staff is late. If you need any help, let me know," Silena commented while touching my arm.

"Of course, thanks Silena."

I maneuvered my way through the cubicles. People greeted me with polite hellos, but there were also looks of sympathy. They were probably thinking that I'll quit after a few weeks.

That is always a possibility. Maybe, I'll quit or I'll get fired.

I set my bag down on my desk. It was positioned right outside of the boss's office since I had to be at her beck-and-call.

My hands fidgeted nervously before I knocked on Annabeth Chase's office. Hopefully, she was in a good mood. The door clicked, and I entered.

Annabeth Chase is peculiar. She always locked her office door. When someone knocks on it, she unlocked the door. Otherwise, no one was allowed to enter.

She was dressed in a gray business dress. Once again, it was tight and hugged her physique perfectly. She had straightened her hair today.

"Hello, Ms. Chase," I acknowledged.

"Mr. Jackson, the first order of business is to get me a coffee," she ordered. Her voice was strong and confident. She didn't even look up from the papers that she was signing.

"Coffee?"

"Yes, a coffee. I hope you know what coffee is," my boss commented. Her steely gaze washed over me. "I'd like a cappuccino. You can buy it downstairs or you can make it in the break room next door."

"Right. I'll do that right away," I stammered.

I had just arrived. I thought that we'd sit down and talk about the job. I hadn't expected her to already give me orders. I had to get her coffee.

I walked out of the office and towards the room next door. I was already nervous. Inside the break room, there were a few tables and a kitchen. A few colleagues were talking while making themselves some coffee.

"Hello, are you guys using the coffee machine?" I asked politely.

The group of employees turned around and stared at me. I didn't know any of them, and I didn't want to either. I was here for one job.

I knew that I should make the coffee quickly and present it to Ms. Chase.

"The boss is asking for a coffee," I said. The group immediately skirted away from the machine, and I started the cappuccino.

"If the boss doesn't get her coffee, she's extra mean," one of them spoke. "Yeah, she fired an assistant for making the wrong kind."

"Wait, really?" I asked.

"Yup. Sucks that you have this job now. You'll soon enough realize that she can be a devil in the office. I'm warning you to not mess up," another one advised.

"Um, I'll try my best," I said nervously.

I finished the coffee quickly. The cappuccino was hot and steamy. It smelled delicious (at least) under my standards. However, coffee was relative to people. Ms. Chase didn't give me proper instructions to make her version of a good coffee.

She fired an assistant for making the wrong kind.

Dam it. I stared at the cup of coffee. I knew that I shouldn't, but I instinctually added a very light layer of sugar on top. I used a toothpick to draw a poor design of a smiley face.

Starbucks employees would have drawn designs on the coffee better than me. However, I figured that this might lighten the boss's mood.

Or, she'll fire you on your first day.

I ignored the voice in my head and walked back to Ms. Chase's office. I nervously stood in front of her as she took the coffee without any response. She didn't even bother giving me a thank you. She also didn't smile once.

Annabeth Chase gazed at the smiley face on the coffee.

"Are you trying to be funny?" she snapped.

I winced while freezing in place. She took a gentle sip of the coffee. If she liked the taste, she didn't show it on her face. For a second, I thought that she hated it.

Then, she took another sip and gestured for me to take a seat.

I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. Somehow, making her a good cup of coffee seemed like the biggest test in the world.

"A little less sugar next time," she ordered.

I nodded. She didn't say anything about the design, so I was going to assume that it was okay. At least, I passed the first test.

Ms. Chase quickly explained the responsibilities of the job. I HAD to get her coffee every morning, and when she requested it. I also had to manage her business calls and organize her meetings. Furthermore, my phone always had to be on.

"I can and will call you anytime. You have to be available. I don't care if it's the middle of the night. Got it?"

"Yes. Of course, Ms. Chase."

It was weird that this job entailed an on-call situation. But again, the whole job was peculiar because of the boss. She was strict and focused.

I knew that I couldn't make any mistakes.

Her glare was so scary. Even one mistake would mean game over for me. Annabeth Chase made that very clear right off the bat.