The Morning Show: Percabeth edition

Chapter 5: Annabeth's POV

I didn't want to do this. Go to this awards ceremony. Excute my plan. But I knew I had to. I made a promise a long time ago that I would always keep fighting for my show. And this was the only way.

I was in the limousine to the awards ceremony, lost in thought. The scenery outside at least was beautiful. Tall, majestic buildings stretched far above me that illuminated the sky with color. I marveled at the engineering behind it. If I wouldn't have been a host, I would have been an architect. Now was one of the many times I wished I had chosen to been an architect instead.

Ahead of us was where the awards ceremony was being held at. I thanked my driver and tried to put a cheerful face on for the reporters. My gown was a calm peach shade sashed at the waist and I wore a hummingbird necklace with exotic colors that added to my graceful silhouette. I radiated simplicity, a woman with high honor and respect. I certainly didn't feel that way.

I quickly walked inside, ignoring the reporters' questions. I came here every year for my event, so I remembered all the brightly lit hallways and the beautiful chandeliers hanging from above. I walked over to my table, faking a smile for everyone. Leo, Grover, and Octavian were all seated along with Calypso and Juniper, Leo and Grover's wives respectively.

Calypso and Juniper both looked stunning in their gowns. Calypso had an asymmetrical white gown with sparkles that seemed to reflect off the chandeliers so she looked radiant. Her flower crown only added to her beauty along with her delightful smile. Juniper had a green wrap dress that made her sparkle throughout. Beautiful green emeralds sparkled from her earrings and only made her pop more. She was simple, but elegant, and Grover and Juniper holding hands had to make me smile.

"How's the baby?" I asked them.

Juniper smiled. She was two months pregnant and the couple was thrilled.

She replied, "well, I had a checkup the other day and the doctor says the baby's well. They're quite the kicker though."

I chuckled. "That's fantastic! I hope all goes well for you guys," I replied.

"Thank you!" Juniper was quite the lady indeed.

Octavian started at me from the other side of the table. He pointed to the stairwell on the other side of the room where no one was. I reluctantly dragged myself to the spot Octavian directed me to go.

"Stop trying to pretend nothing happened. You were lucky the critics felt lovey dovey that day," he barked, "or else you would have destroyed our company's reputation Annabeth. Do you have any idea what your stupidity could have done?"

I thought about Twitter. It was full of so called 'percabeth' memes. The network tweeted right after the interview that we were a cute couple and immediately people started to ship us.

Rage grew in me. I walked back to our table, trying not to attract attention. I hated our network for not listening to my ideas. That was it. I was done with letting these bozos handle the show. I knew what I was going to do.

The lights dimmed and a young man walked in to the stage with a golden statue. I rolled my eyes subtlety. Same award every year.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! Today we are gathered here to celebrate our industry: the news industry! It's not everyday talented people go on-"

I tuned out the speech because I saw someone walking to our table. I spun my head around the room looking for a bright red suit when I spotted him near the entrance.

I could see someone with Leo, walking towards our table. I squinted at the person alongside Leo and spotted a shiny bit of drool rolling dramatically down his cheek. I choked on my champagne, immediately earning looks from people around me. I smiled and fixed my eyes on the young man to avoid further speculation.

I couldn't let this get ahold of my plan. I couldn't afford to let my show go through anymore especially after Luke. I would have to give everyone what they wanted so that my show would be in a safe zone at least for now.

"-one of the biggest stars in the news industry is here tonight and I'm feeling particularly lucky today because I get to grant the award to her. Give it up for the dazzling rising star, Annabeth Chase!"

I walked to the stage with a huge fake smile plastered to my face. I accepted the award and shook the young man's hand.

"Thank you for the award and thank you all for being here," I began, "it's truly an honor receiving this award and I don't know what I can say to express my gratitude. The news industry is indeed growing fast with so many new people and ideas and tonight's about that. I'd like to thank the UVA for this award and everyone at The Morning Show, it's been an honor to work with such promising people. "

"It's a new era for The Morning Show and I think now's the perfect time to announce who will be sitting in the chair next to me!" Immediately people started to stir and take out their phones to aim at me.

It was now or never. I took a deep breath and announced, "The Morning Show is pleased to welcome Percy Jackson!"