For the love of Aphrodite (a Percy Jackson story)

The Hamptons part 2

Percy's POV

"Can we please never leave?" I ask Ki and she chuckles. Her little brother was asleep with his head on my lap, the other two were asleep on the other couch. She sat beside me. Her mom and dad sat each at an armchair across from us.

Her mother seamed to have heard and smiled. You know that very mom smile.

"You're always welcome Percy!" She said.

"Indeed you are kid!" Benito said.

"I can't keep you here forever but I guess I'll have to do it until tomorrow! It's too late for us to go back..." she said. To be honest I couldn't be happier.

Game night was even better then I imagined and this family, this place... Her family was just like her, a lot more complex than what met the eyes. When you look at them you may think they are one of those rich families with a Hollywood perfect life but they aren't.

They are way more perfect, it's not like their shit was only together for appearances, no. They truly love and appreciate and have fun with each other. Giovanna is so family oriented and Benito is the perfect display of a fun dad. The boys are always joking and playing around and Chiara is the perfect big sister that comes up with the best game ideas, covers for the kids whenever they mess up and is everyone's best friend in the house.

"Penny for your thought..." she said smiling.

"You guys are perfect. I wish I had a family like this! I wish my mom had a family like this... I myself wasn't the easiest..." I said.

"Don't be too harsh on yourself! It's not fair. You were going through a lot. You didn't get why your mom dated that trash, you didn't understand why you were so dispersed and inattentive, if you knew, things would be different. Your mom loves you beyond words, and you love her, and you turned out the most amazing guy... isn't that enough? I think you had enough..."

"No I didn't. But I do now." I say while I dive deep into her eyes.

"Next weekend you should bring your mom Percy. I'm all up being surrounded by other amazing strong women! Your mom does sound really inspiring, and what a great boy she raised!" Giovanna said and Benito nodded.

"So there'll be a next time?" I asked.

"If you want to." Benito said.

"Thanks. Thank you all for being so nice and welcoming... Thank you Chi, for inviting me." I say as I look at her again and hold back the urge to kiss her. She nods.

Me and Benito take the boys upstairs to their rooms. I go to my designated guest bedroom and start taking my top off before realising Chiara was there.

"Hey" She said, she was bent over on the floor looking under the bed. "Oh" She said upon realising my bare chest.

"I can't put it back on..." I said. And she shook her head and turned her attention back to under the bed.

"Is there a monster or something?" I ask and she chuckles.

"Nah. A bunny." She answered. "Artie got one of the bunnies inside, as I opened his bedroom door to check if he was sleeping the bunny hopped off. Thank the gods it didn't happen when mom got him into bed, imagine tripping over the bunny..." she said serious and the started laughing "I brought you to a madhouse! Sorry about that."

"Well, I'm not really afraid of bunnies. So it's fine, I guess. You don't have to stay up over this..."

"You sure? We can get you a different room..." she said.

"It's fine. Truly" I said and smiled.

"Well. Ok. I'll just go back to my room then. Goodnight Percy!" She said and hugged me. Feeling her on my bare chest and keeping the cool was a task. Sexual tension would be easier to control, but the need to kiss her and tell her that I think I fell for her, it was impossible. I had to fight it back every time I looked at her.