Percy POV
A few moments after our kiss, my brain started functioning again. I still felt the sting of her lips against my mouth., and I ignored it for now. I'm definitely going to pick it up later. Right now, I have to focus on my agenda.
"Annabeth, I'm going to talk to Calypso today. I think she'll be willing to help us get through this situation. Will you come with me?" I asked.
"Yes, I will."
We walked through the crowd of people together. Calypso had gone upstairs after the long hours of partying, so that's where we followed. As we climbed the stairs, the commotion drowned away. It didn't disappear, but it lessened.
Fortunately, Calypso and Leo were waiting for me as planned.
"Percy, this is a very delicate situation. You're going to be asking Calypso to betray her family business. You have to handle it carefully," AAnnabeht informed as we climbed the stairs. I nodded in agreement.
I felt weird about asking Calypso about Titan Industries' illegal affairs. It felt wrong to ask Calypso to rat out her family's secrets.
Furthermore, what if she is in cahoots with her family? What if she knows about all the illegal affairs and endorses them?
The thought of Cally being a possible bad person makes me uncomfortable. Calypso is such a nice and sweet girl. It would devastate Leo if she was in on all the illegal activities of her business. Not to mention, Leo was one of the nicest and funniest guys on the planet. He would truly be hurt if Calypso ends up being a bad person.
"Annabeth, do you think that Cally even knows about her family business? What if she doesn't know about the illegal affairs?" I asked quietly.
"That would be a good and bad thing," Annabeth replied.
She was correct, of course. I wanted Calypso to give information on Titan Industries. I wanted enough proof to stop Titan's illegal affairs. Some of Titan's companies such as Rhea enterprises are good and legitimate. However, others run by Krios or Atlas are illegal.
I only want dirt on the immoral and illicit companies.
I paused on the staircase. The music was still permeating from downstairs, but it was only background noise at this point. I tugged Annabeth against the wall gently.
"Would you give up Olympus's secrets?" I asked.
Annabeth breathed softly, but she didn't answer. We were very close to each other, and I could feel her breath rolling down my shirt.
I leaned forward and planted a kiss on her lips. I couldn't help myself.
"Despite you kissing me and how great it was," she whispered with a smile. "I wouldn't reveal my company's secrets to an outsider."
"So, Cally's a possible dead end."
She reached up and placed her hand on my cheek. This time, she kissed me, and I greatly appreciated the warmth that spread into me.
"You won't lose anything from trying, Seaweed Brain. This is for us."
I smiled before taking her hand. We made our way to the third floor. Thanks to the distance between us and the first floor, silence followed upstairs.
Leo and Calypso were waiting in an office. It had to be Hephaestus's. The walls of the office were lined with pictures and paintings of volcanoes. Leo told me once that his father loves exploring and visiting volcanoes. I guess everyone has their version of fun.
His furniture was very rustic. The desk was an old wooden table, and Leo's father uses a brownish-red leather chair. The desk was clean besides a few folders.
I'm positive that nothing important is in this office.
"Hey, Cally, thanks for meeting with me," I greeted. "Also, I hope that you're enjoying your birthday party, and sorry to interrupt like this."
Calypso smiled while giving me and Annabeth a friendly embrace.
"It's not a problem, Percy. After all, you're partly the reason why I got to know Leo, and we are so happy together. Just like you and Annabeth."
"How did you know?" Annabeth blurted out. She was so confident that our relationship was a secret from everyone. Of course, that's not true.
"Because the romance is SOOO obvious," Leo stressed.
Calypso and Leo chuckled as we took our seats. Leo and Cally took two guest seats near the desk while Annabeht and I sat on a small couch next to a world globe. The globe looked quite old, and it was obvious that Hephaestus likes aesthetic furniture.
"So, what did you want to talk about, Percy?" Calypso asked firmly. Suddenly, I felt nervous, and my throat felt too dry to speak.
"This may be an awkward conversation," Annabeth started. "We were curious about if you'd be willing to help us."
"I'm always willing to help, but what do ya'll need?"
"You guys can ask for anything. Just don't ask for my girlfriend back because I'm NOT WILLING to give her up" Leo joked. I smiled at his mischief. Of course, the ladies didn't find that funny, but I did.
Annabeth spoke confidently on my behalf. She was interested in my plan, and she has more experience with conformation. She's a boss for a reason. I listened as Annabeth explained stuff about how companies should be loyal and have good ethics. Essentially, she was building up to asking Calypso about her family business's malpractice.
"Anyway, Calypso, are you aware of the true nature of Titan Industries?" Annabeth finally asked. her voice radiated power and firmness.
Calypso's smile faded, and Leo tensed at her discomfort.
Then, Cally nodded slowly.
"Why don't you do anything about it?" I asked. "I know how good of a person you are, Cally. Don't you want to do something?"
"What can I do? They're my family, and they have all the power. I'm stuck under the name, and there's nothing that can be done."
I leaned forward to make a point. "Calypso, I know exactly what it feels like to be stuck. That's why I'm not officially with the woman I love. I know what's it's like to be attributed to a name that you don't want. However, you can't break free of that name unless you fight it."
"My novel was almost not published because I'm related to Poseidon Olympus. However, I got through it because people fought for my work. The name (your name) doesn't mean anything unless you decide to give it significance."
I paused to let Calypso digest my words. I knew that I made a positive impact on her. The thing about being a writer is that you have a way with words.
I didn't have anything else to say. Neither did Annabeth. Calypso and Leo looked at me fondly as I spoke up again.
"I'm being fully honest. I have personal motives for raising this conversation with you. Olympus is making me do something I don't want to do because of Titan's power. However, if Titan is doing illegal and harmful activities, then they don't deserve the power. You have to do something to stop the Titan empire from continuing to hurt the world."
Silence followed as the conversation settled.
Calypso's eyes were shaking while she invited Leo's comforting gesture against her hand. I decided to leave them alone to ponder the predicament.
Two things came out of our conversation:
(1) I know that Calypso is good. She doesn't like her company's affairs, and she wants to fight them. But, she doesn't know how to.
(2) I did what I have to do. I have no regrets. I'm fighting for me and Annabeth, and I'm willing to shake some controversies to be with her. She is worth it.
"You did good in there, Percy. A much longer conversation will be needed, but I believe you got through to Calypso," Annabeth whispered.
We were making our way back downstairs. I was still holding her hand.
"What do you want to do now?" I pondered tiredly. I've been so stressed recently, and it felt so good to finally relax and spend time with Annabeth.
"Let's return to the party and have fun," she smiled graciously.
I smiled back in satisfaction.
Annabeth always understands me and knows what to say. She connected with me in a way that no one ever has. She knows what I'm thinking and behaves in a way that makes me feel amazing. I told her once that I always try to make everyone feel better.
Well, Annabeth is the one who makes me feel better.
***
I slouched in the leather seats. Poseidon forced me to come to a meeting at Olympus Sails. We were sitting around a rectangular table in a large board room. Mr. Dare and Rachel were sitting on the other side of me with Octavian.
We were still waiting for Zeus and Athena. They were two other Olympians that are pushing for the Dare-Olympus union.
The board of directors at Olympus is divided. The strong business leaders wanted this merger to happen while the 'weaker' ones like Hephaestus and Aphrodite are opposed to a relationship contract. However, they don't have much power.
My arms were crossed across my chest and I refused to budge. Poseidon and Damien Dare already spent a half-hour trying to make me sign the contract.
Rachel had already signed, but I vehemently refused.
Zeus and Athena walked into the board room with a powerful aura. Athena radiated confidence and intelligence while Zeus is just arrogant.
I don't like either of them.
"Did you get his signature yet?" Zeus gruffed. His voice boomed through the room, causing Rachel to flinch and shift uncomfortably. I wasn't phased by his voice because I was used to strong personalities at this point.
"No, you did not," I said firmly. I smirked at his annoyed expressions.
"And, why haven't you signed the document? You're causing too much trouble, kid. Why can't you just listen to your father?" Athena asked.
I chuckled sarcastically.
"Nice joke. It's so funny how you all throw around the parent term when it suits you. You don't even act like parents unless you want something," I replied calmly.
"The business world is complex and behaviors follow."
I shook my head while staring at the contract in front of me. I've spent a month now refusing to sign the papers. At first, Poseidon didn't care because he thought I'd cave eventually. However, I'm strong in my commitment to Annabeth. The longer I prolong this, the greater chance that I have of stopping it.
Athena slammed a pen in front of me. The loud thud caused Rachel to yelp, but once again, I remained calm and collected.
Honestly, I'm pretty impressed with myself right now.
"Whether you like it or not, this union is happening," Zeus exclaimed. His voice resonated through the board room. However, he was wasting his voice. Poseidon and Mr. Dare already tried and failed today.
Annabeth and I don't have secrets anymore, so I'm sticking to her. We are going to be together eventually. I just have to stall long enough.
The pressure is not gonna get to me.
Fortunately, a phone call interrupted them from further exclamations. The best part was that the phone call was for me. I smirked while taking my phone out and answering right in front of them
Normally. phones would be off during business meetings. Even if they were on, people would feel apologetic about it.
I didn't. I enjoyed the situation very much.
"Hey, thanks for calling. You got me out of conversations with a bunch of narcissistic, arrogant, cocky-ass business leaders," I said loudly. Rachel failed at hiding her smile, and her father glared at both of us.
Actually, they all glared daggers into my face.
"You're welcome, Percy," Calypso laughed.
"Anyway, I called to give you my answer, and my answer is Yes. I'm willing to help you remove the BAD from Titan Industries. But, we need a plan."
"That's wonderful," I smiled. "Thanks."
I hung up the phone before taking the golden pen that Athena set down. They all stared at me with intrigue. I clicked the pen and scribbled a drawing of a fish on the contract.
Flames fumed in their eyes, and anger radiated around me. I took pleasure in their frustration. They deserve it.
With a final smirk, I walked out and left them behind.