The Resignation

Percy POV

My heart clenched as I clutched the door handle to Annabeth's office. I had her favorite coffee in my other hand. I don't know what I was thinking. It was stupid to think that coffee would make up for my breaking up with her and quitting the job.

I stared at the frosted heart on the coffee foam. Why did I make it a heart?

I cursed at myself while retreating from Annabeth's office. I went back to the break room and used a straw to shift the heart into a flower. This was a safer bet.

After mentally preparing myself to be firm, I knocked on Annabeth's office. The door clicked within a second. Annabeth was waiting for me today.

"Hey, boss. I have your coffee this morning," I said.

Annabeth simply stared at me. She blinked twice before throwing her hands up in frustration. Her hair flowed to the side as she stood up.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Seaweed Brain? I've been texting you all weekend, and you didn't reply. What was I supposed to think?" she snapped.

"It's exactly like it looks," I replied.

"WHAT?!"

"I mean it, Annabeth." I set the coffee on her desk and faced her directly. She was standing across the desk with her arms crossed.

"On Friday, you walked back into the party while holding hands with Rachel. Please don't tell me that your father is making you get with her," Annabeth commented.

She was right on the money, which explained how intelligent she is. Furthermore, despite the situation, she wasn't doubting my loyalty. That emphasized how much she knew and understood me. Now, it was time to ruin our relationship. I wanted to tell her the truth, but I couldn't. Poseidon and Athena warned me about speaking up, and they have all the leverage. Also, there is a hidden camera in the room.

They were probably watching everything right now. At least, Octavian is.

"He's not making me do anything. This was my decision," I said while looking down. I couldn't look into her eyes. It hurt too much.

Annabeth was taken aback. "What exactly are you telling me? I don't believe anything that you're saying right now," she said angrily.

"It's the truth, Annabeth. I can't be with you anymore," I paused while scratching my arm. I felt awful. "It's not you, it's me."

"Don't give me that bullshit quotation," she snapped. Her voice rose several notches. She was close to shouting now.

I didn't expect Annabeth to take this graciously. I knew that she would be pissed off. After all, I was in love with her, and she could feel that. She mattered so much to me, yet here I was breaking up with her. I hated myself for this.

"I'm serious, Annabeth. This isn't working, okay? We have to break up. I don't like having a secret affair, so I'm breaking it off. Besides, Rachel and I have known each other for years. You can't blame me for getting back together with her," I expressed.

"You've always said that you don't like Rachel anymore," Annabeth shot back. Her eyes were raging with thundercloud storms.

I felt guilty for being the cause of them.

I stammered in my voice. I didn't know what to say. I was trying and failing at breaking things off with Annabeth because I didn't want to. Instead, I wanted to hold on to her forever. Annabeth stepped around the desk and approached me.

"Percy, what is going on with you? You can tell me," she said quietly. She rested her hand against my cheek. I instinctually leaned into her touch.

However, I was also hyperaware of a spy camera nearby.

"This isn't working," I whispered.

I regretfully pulled away from her. I distanced myself before making any mistake that I can't pull back from. In all honesty, I wanted to take back my words, grab her, and kiss her.

But, I knew that I can't do that. They have all the leverage against us. Annabeth's reputation, success, and happiness matter more.

Her life matters more than my love.

"No, Seaweed Brain. I forbid you to break things off like this. You simply sprung this without any explanation. I refuse to accept it," Annabeth affirmed.

"This isn't some business deal for you to accept or reject. This is my decision, Annabeht. I just wanted to say goodbye."

"Goodbye?"

"Yeah. This is my letter of resignation. I wanted to give it to you personally," I expressed while handing her my letter.

"Percy," Annabeht faltered. Tears swirled in her eyes.

Annabeht didn't even read the letter. She placed it on her desk and looked at me. I couldn't look away. I was frozen in her hopeless gaze. I wasn't sure how she would respond to us separating. I knew that she has deep feelings for me, and I felt awful about severing them.

"Percy, who's going to make coffee with little hearts in them? Who's going to schedule breaks into my day so that I have free time? Who's going to sneak into my office to show me love?" Annabeth paused to take a breath.

"Percy, why are you doing this to me and yourself?"

I gulped the lump in my throat. I couldn't respond, so I shook my head.

"Annabeth, I gave you my resignation. I'm not going to work here anymore, and I'm not going to see you anymore. This is goodbye," I said firmly.

I gazed at her face one last time before turning around. I slowly made my way towards the door. My stuff was already packed up in a box.

The only thing left to do is leave.

"I thought that you loved me," her voice resonated in my ears.

The emotions ravaged my mind. It took all of my willpower to not cry or turn around and return to her. I stepped out of her office without looking back. I don't think that I'd be able to face Annabeth again.

I do love you, and that's why I'm leaving you.

***

I slumped on my couch with a beer bottle. No, I am not becoming an alcoholic. I just wanted to drown my sorrows tonight. I already missed Annabeth. My heart was aching to be around her. I don't think that I could ever forget the look of sadness on her face as I handed her my resignation letter. That act solidified our dissolution.

Poseidon stopped by my apartment after I came back to my apartment after quitting my job and breaking up with Annabeth.

I hated that he smiling about the situation. He was enjoying my pain because he knew that it would aid his business agenda. I despised him so much. I despised the entire group that was responsible for me losing my love.

(Flashback)

While I glumly walked into the living room, my eyes took notice of Poseidon. He was sitting on our couch with Hestia on her loveseat. They weren't talking.

"Why are you here?" I growled. "Haven't you done enough to me?"

"I came to congratulate you on making the right decision. I'm congratulating you on your breakup. Now, the coast is clear for yours and Rachel's union."

"CONGRATULATIONS?" I seethed. "You made me give up a person whom I love. You blackmailed me to ruin the most significant relationship in my life."

I tossed my backpack on the coffee table before crossing my arms. Poseidon only smirked while standing up. Before I could react, his arms wrapped around me. If it was Hestia hugging me, I might've been comforted. I got no warmth or support from Poseidon.

I roughly shoved him away from my body.

"You don't get to do that. You're a freaking snake," I snapped.

Poseidon sighed while straightening his business suit. He picked up a folder from the table and handed it to me. It was a contract. It had details about a consummation between me and Rachel. It wasn't a marriage contract. However, it was a legal document that states that Rachel and I are in a committed relationship that will lead to marriage.

It's one of those documents that people also sign to avoid HR issues. For example, if you're dating someone in the same office, some businesses have legal ways to ensure employees don't get in trouble.

"I'm not signing this right now."

"Take your time, Perseus. It's not like you can do anything anyway. Besides, I only wanted to show you these documents," Poseidon explained. "You and Rachel will be signing these together in a week or two. Damien Dare wants this as an affirmation of our deal."

"THIS IS SICK," Hestia shouted surprisingly.

Poseidon and I both turned to my aunt. She usually never raises her voice, but today, she seemed so angry. Her eyes were red, and it seemed like flames were shooting out of them. She wanted to incinerate Poseidon. I could see as much.

"Sister-"

"No, Poseidon. I can't believe you're doing this to your son. Even if you don't consider your son, you aren't even acting like a human being towards him," Hestia exclaimed.

I nodded in agreement while handing the files back to Poseidon. I knew that Hestia's words won't have much effect on Poseidon.

I left them both to argue and sulked back to my bedroom. I collapsed on the bed and simply stared at the ceiling. I knew that I was protecting Annabeth from these vultures, but I wanted to be with her instead.

I wanted to protect, but I also wanted to be happy. Why can't I have both?

At every stage of my life, I've never managed to get both. At one point, I'm happy, but I can't protect my family. My mom and Paul died at that stage. At another point, I am protecting my family, but I'm not happy. That's what happened with Smelly Gabe.

I couldn't think about a single point in my life that had both protection and comfort as well as happiness and love.

Only in the time that I've been with Annabeth have I felt both.

"HESTIA, HE WILL ENTER THIS CONTRACT. THIS IS MY WAY OF ENSURING THAT OLYMPUS COMES OUT ON TOP. TITAN INDUSTRIES WON'T STAND A CHANCE IF OLYMPUS IS ALLIANCED WITH DARE," Poseidon's shout interrupted my thoughts.

I felt angry about everything.

So, what if your business has an extra competitor? Why is that worth ruining my life?

Tears stung my eyes, and my muscles tightened. My throat started constricting because of the rising emotions of despair.

I lay there hugging my pillow pet, Perry the panda, as my mind wandered to all the things I lost today.

(End flashback)

I brought the beer to my lips and took another sip. Tyson and Estelle were quietly playing with their toys. They seemed to have sensed my bad mood and weren't bothering me too much. I loved my siblings so much, and they are so understanding.

I put the beer bottle down and went toward the kids.

Tyson was organizing his Mythomagic cards while Estelle was simply watching and commenting on the different pictures on the character cards. The cards represent greek gods and goddesses, and Tyson loved the Hephaestus cards.

"Can I join you guys in your game?" I asked quietly.

"Of course. I need a gaming partner anyway. Unfortunately, Stella is too young to play mythomagic with me," Tyson teased.

"I'm not too young," Estelle complained like the stubborn little girl she is. She crossed her arms, and it was so cute seeing such a small person being pouty.

"You can't even understand the rules," Tyson countered.

I chuckled while picking up the cards that Tyson dealt me. The game was fun. Tyson and Estelle helped lift my mood. I can always rely on my siblings for that. Also, it was nice seeing Tyson (and Stella) so healthy. Just months ago, Tyson was so sick and in pain.

Despite their child-like joy, I still couldn't shake my despair. My mind kept thinking about my former boss, Annabeth Chase.

I love you, Annabeth. I'm so sorry.