Blind Date with Boss

Chapter 5

With newfound determination, Percy reached Annabeth's office, a small cubicle with a wooden desk sporting a single monitor, a small plant in a pot and a cup of coffee which seemed to have been freshly brewed. In front of the desk, Annabeth sat upright, typing furiously on the keyboard.

"Hey Annabeth," he greeted, causing her to jump slightly in her desk as she quickly turned her chair to face him. She frowned as she turned around but broke into a smile when she saw Percy. Her round glasses perched on her nose, failing to dull the brightness of her grey eyes. She tucked a loose strand of blonde hair back into her ponytail, her plain white shirt neatly tucked into her pants, with her suit jacket draped over the chair.

Annabeth clutched her chest, feigning a heart attack, "Jeez Percy, don't give me a heart attack!"

Percy chuckled, breaking the brief silence, "You got some time right now?"

"Uh," Annabeth glanced at her screen, her report partially completed before she put it on screen saver, "sure, anything for you Percy. What's up?"

Grabbing a chair from the cubicle next to Annabeth's, Percy at opposite her and pulled out his tablet, opening his notes app and replied, "Artemis wanted a report on Maple Beauty Corporation."

"Ah," Annabeth's eyes gleamed with realisation, "I was just writing the report for Artemis right now regarding it."

"Oh ok, how long do you think it might take?"

"Probably around a few hours? I am not sure. It will get done before I clock off today."

Percy nodded as he quickly wrote it down and requested, "Would you be able to CC me the report as well? I think Artemis wants me to basically summarise the whole pitch. I will go and stop by Silena's as well. Gotta pull Beckendorf away from her so they can get some work done."

Annabeth laughed at the last comment in response before remembering something as she asked, "That reminds me. Did you go on the blind date that Stolls begged you to go to?"

"Does everyone know about it?" Percy asked exasperated, "First Luke and now even you. Did the Stolls go and tell everyone about it?"

While he asked the question rhetorically, Annabeth's humorous expression sent dread through his body and he continued, in a horrified tone, "No- Please, tell me they didn't actually."

"Yeah... Everyone knows."

Percy groaned, running a hand through his hair, "I swear to all that's good in this world, I will not do them a favour ever again. Fucking hell!" Taking a deep breath, he composed himself, "Anyways, thanks for that Annabeth. I won't hold you for too long."

Saying that, Percy stood up from his chair, returning it to its respective place and began heading towards Silena's cubicle but not before Annabeth called out, "Percy, would you like to have dinner with me later?"

"Sorry Annabeth," Percy responded, "I have plans. Maybe later."

Annabeth looked downcast for a second before recovering and with a grin, said, "Okay, later then. Now go and get Silena and Drew's report."

Percy waved goodbye as he rushed to Silena's cubicle, dodging a few people along the way. Reaching the opposite corner of the office, he found Silena and Drew deep in discussion about their pitch to Maple Beauty Corporation.

Percy slowed his pace as he approached Silena's cubicle, not wanting to interrupt their discussion too abruptly. Silena, with her wavy black hair and bright blue eyes, was gesturing animatedly, while Drew listened, her arms crossed and her expression thoughtful.

"Hey, Silena, Drew," Percy greeted, garnering their attention.

"Percy!" Silena beamed, "Perfect timing. We were just finalizing our pitch for Maple Beauty Corporation."