The Kiss

Percy POV

I want her. Just one more inch...

Suddenly, a loud knock reverberated through the office. Annabeth yelped and pushed me away. I slouched on the couch in defeat. We were so close to kissing. Annabeth stood up quickly and brushed her hand through her hair.

Her gaze flitted to the door because the knocking didn't stop. God, dam it.

I cleared my throat.

"Um, I can get the door," I said quietly. Annabeth nodded while straightening up and walking to her desk. I mentally cursed whoever was behind the door.

Octavian was waiting outside. His knuckles were white from all the loud knocking. At least, my curses were directed at someone worthy of them. I think the distaste was evident on my face because he continued to smirk.

"What are you still doing in the office?" I asked roughly.

"This is where I work, Percy. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. I guess that you're just not that smart," Octavian commented. My hand clenched as I let him in.

"Hello, Ms. Chase, sorry to bother you at the end of the day," Octavian greeted with fake politeness.

Annabeth was already sitting at her desk. She made a show of scrolling through some documents and signing them. She seemed so unaffected by what happened. We almost kissed, and just the anticipation was overpowering. Didn't she feel it?

Or, maybe, it meant more to me than her. Sadness seeped under my skin, but I shook my limbs to clear my rampant thoughts.

"What's the issue, Octavian?" Annabeth asked firmly.

"There's no issue, ma'am. I have a message from Athena Chase, and it's directed towards you."

"Why are you getting the boss's message from her mother?" I snapped. I walked closer to Octavian, but he didn't flinch or anything.

"Athena Chase values my communications expertise. Plus, I have been a member of the company for a long time. My prior boss trusts me to deliver her messages. Do you have a problem with that, Mr. Jackson?" Octavian asked with an innocent smile.

Annabeth shook her head and asked Octavian to proceed.

I simply watched Octavian as he took a seat opposite Annabeth. I purposefully took the other seat because I didn't want to miss anything important.

"Athena Chase is ordering Olympus Architecture to attend the social event at Olympus Sails. This means that the CEO, COO, and their assistant must attend."

Even though Octavian was talking to Annabeth, his words were directed at me. Athena and Annabeht received the invites for the social, but that was a formality. Poseidon and Athena have a long-standing rivalry. They don't want to see each other. However, this was Poseidon's plan to make me go to the social with Rachel.

I gazed at Annabeth in panic, and she understood my dilemma.

"We have already denied our invitation," Annabeth answered smoothly.

"That won't do, Ms. Chase. This message comes from Athena Chase and Poseidon Olympus directly. You may not refuse. They were very clear."

Octavian smiled some more and looked at me. I knew what he was doing. If we were anywhere but here, I would be kicking the jerk's ass right now.

"Plus, for business purposes, this is necessary. After Olympus Airlines, Olympus Sails will need renovations according to the Amazonian project," Octavian continued. We all knew this information. To be honest, his logic was infallible.

Annabeth nodded in agreement. While at the office, she has to think about the company first. I couldn't ask her to do otherwise.

A part of my anger was directed at Poseidon. He was forcing me to attend an event with a person that I don't want anything to do with. I hated this situation. Another part of me was fuming at Octavian for interrupting Annabeth's and my moment.

We were so close to crossing the threshold.

"Thank you, Octavian. You may leave now," Annabeth said after a while. "The day is over, so I think that we should all go home. The workday is over."

I nodded with a heavy head. Octavian left the room only after making sure that I was following him. He even lingered at my desk as I collected my things. Because of him, I couldn't go back to Annabeth. Never have I despised someone so easily.

"You can stop puppy-guarding me, jerk," I snapped.

Octavian laughed while walking out of the elevator. He said something about enjoying the opportunity to torture me before leaving the building.

The lobby was empty, and the lights were dimmed. Our receptionist was already off work. This demonstrated how late we were today. Usually, a receptionist is always present by the time I leave. But again, it is nearing 8:30 pm.

I parked in the outside parking lot today. The yellow streetlights illuminated the lot at various intervals. There were darker and lighter pockets of space.

I quietly walked through the parking lot.

The whole day was simply awful. I was stressed out all weekend, and I had disappointed Annabeth. Just when the day was starting to turn around, Octavian interrupted it. He brought depression with him. I couldn't believe that I was stuck going to the social now. Poseidon and Athena turned it into a work obligation that I couldn't refuse.

My mind wandered to Annabeth and our almost kiss.

"SEAWEED BRAIN. PERCY. WAIT." Shouting interrupted my walk through the dark. I turned around to find Annabeth rushing towards me.

Despite wearing heels and a business dress, she moved quickly. She paused in front of me while freezing me with an intense gaze.

"Annabeth, you always park inside. Oh no, did your driver bail on you? Do you need a ride?" I asked while chuckling lightly. She didn't find it so amusing.

Annabeth glared at me like she was going to punch me. And then, she did something that surprised me even more.

She kissed me.

The shock evaporated in a second. My arms gripped her waist and shifted our bodies. The kiss deepened as I pulled her closer towards me. Firewords exploded as the sea of emotions crashed through every cell of my body.

Her hands tugged my hair as I pressed her against a nearby car. The sensations of her overpowered and intoxicated my brain and body.

"WOAH," I breathed.

"Agreed," she whispered into my mouth. Her breath teased my skin.

Her forehead rested against mine as she smiled. My arms tightened around her while I hugged her against me. All my feelings were validated, and I couldn't even make sense of the situation. All I knew is that I felt incredibly happy.

I pressed my lips against hers one more time.

***

We went back to Annabeth's home after our kiss. The kissing continued in her penthouse. One thing led to another, and here I was laying in her bed.

I watched as Annabeth slept peacefully.

The blanket covered our naked bodies, which were still intertwined with each other.

Things were so complicated right now, but at that moment, everything felt perfect. I reached forward and moved a strand of hair from her face. Annabeth had a gorgeous personality that matched her gorgeous appearance. The fact that she chose me gave me great pride. She deserved so much more considering that we were from different worlds.

However, maybe, that's what makes us work. We're so opposite of each other that we perfectly balance each other's lives. We need opposing forces to make our lives better.

"I love you, Annabeth Chase," I whispered.

I wasn't sure that I could tell her while she was awake. After all, I wasn't sure what we were in a real-world context. We weren't dating, yet we appreciated each other. Furthermore, we just slept together, and it was spectacular.

For a second, I thought that I saw Annabeth's mouth twitch into a smile.

However, it was gone as soon as I blinked. I figured the shadows in the room were messing with my vision. I meant the words I said though.

I wrapped one arm around her. My cheek pressed against her forehead as I fell asleep.

I wished that I could freeze the moment forever.

The morning came way too soon. Annabeth woke up first, and I woke up to hear her showering. I rubbed my eyes while sitting up. The curtains were still closed, but light penetrated from the sides of the windows.

I called Hestia to make sure that my siblings were okay. Hestia said that they were fine, and they didn't even notice my absence. Good for them.

"Go shower and get dressed, Seaweed Brain."

I looked up from my phone. Annabeth walked out of her bathroom with a towel wrapped around her sexy body. I couldn't help but smile.

"This is such a pleasant view to wake up to," I commented.

"I'm serious. We have to go to work."

"Can't the boss be late every once in a while?" I asked slyly. I got up and wrapped my arms around her. I stared at us in her dresser mirror.

"It's because I'm the boss that I have to be on time," she informed. She leaned her head back against my shoulder before kissing my cheek.

"Come on, I know you want to go for Round 2."

"Well, technically, it would be Round 4," Annabeth commented with a chuckle. I smirked while nuzzling her neck. Her skin was so soft, and her hair smelled of lemons.

"But, seriously, I am still your boss. If you want this to continue, you have to remember that there is a separation," Annabeth paused. She turned around and placed her hand on my chest. Her gaze pierced my entire body before meeting my eyes again. "When we're in the office, we're Mr. Jackson and Ms. Chase."

"I figured as much," I expressed.

"However, the challenge is going to be getting through the day so that we can turn back into Percy and Annabeth."

Annabeht laughed while shoving me towards the bathroom. "Go get ready. You still have to give me a ride to work because I left my car and driver at HQ."

"Yes, boss. Whatever you say," I teased.

Annabeth was waiting for me in the living room. She was dressed in a purple blouse and a gray pantsuit while I was in the same work clothes from yesterday. It's not like I have extra clothes at her house. If we were going to be dating now, I might as well have some of my stuff here.

It might be suspicious for me to be wearing the same clothes. However, I doubted that anyone (besides Silena) would notice or make anything of it.

Annabeth watched me come downstairs. She came over a fixed my tie before we got into the elevator. Did I mention that the elevator opens straight into her penthouse? Of course, you need a special key or code to get to her home.

"You're beyond rich," I murmured.

"And, you're beyond stupid," she shot back with a smile. I like that Annabeth doesn't care about money. I smiled while gently taking her hand into my own.

"So, what does all this mean for us?" I asked.

"I don't know," Annabeth replied honestly. "How about we just figure it out together? For now, our relationship can remain a secret."

"Deal. That's for the best," I agreed.

I couldn't wait to explore our relationship. I already knew that we have a great connection. I've never felt this way about anyone. She was special. The only and only. Before the elevator ride could end, I pulled her close to me. My lips slowly brushed hers.

It was a sweet kiss and the perfect way to start the day.