After I'd made my way to Chiron's office building, I was led to a conference room by an overly zealous receptions.

Once I reached it I peered inside. The room was pristinely white and filled with a long table and uncomfortable yet familiar chairs. The white painted walls where lined with album cover posters of their successful clients—there were several of mine amongst them.

My heart pounded as I peered around the room. Chiron sat at one side of the table, an empty seat which I assumed was for me next to him.

And across from him sat some tall, well-dressed balding man who was dressed in a suit and tie. Next to that man was world-renowned actress, Annabeth Chase, the last person I had expected to see.

Chiron peered at me nervously before ushering to the empty seat next to him. "Ahh, Percy, thank you for joining us. Take a seat."

My legs felt weak as I managed to stumble over to the chair and sit down. I studied Annabeth Chase, who was currently ignoring me and peering down at the desk.

She was dressed in a tight, cream-colored sweater with a neatly pressed black blazer over it. She had several golden necklaces draped across her neck and she wore several more golden brackets and rings on her hands.

Her blonde curls were pulled back into a tight bun, but several tendrils of her hair had managed to escape. I could tell that her eyes, although they were peered down at the floor, were an intense, stormy gray. Her face seemed emotionless.

"So, I assume you both know why we arranged this meeting," the man next to her, who I assumed was her manager, said coldly. "Are we in agreement?"

I peered over at Chiron, clearly confused. He was peering straight ahead and didn't catch my glare, so he just nodded solemnly. "What? No, I have no clue what's even going on!"

Chiron was dressed like he always was, more like a college professor than a talent agent. He wore a tweed coat jacket and loafers. He sat in a wheelchair as he'd become paralyzed or something years ago, but I never really asked him about it.

Annabeth Chase's manager glared at me in disgust as if I were some rodent. "Young man, didn't your manager, ah, brief you?"

Her manger was like the opposite of Chiron. Tall, wrinkly, bald, and clean cut. He wore a neat suit and talked aggressively like he were some salesman.

"Brief me on what, exactly?" I asked as I sat up straighter in my chair. "Is this some sort of business deal, like a brand deal? Because I'm not doing one of those."

Annabeth Chase laughed from across the table, her stormy gray eyes remaining emotionless. "Isn't it obvious?"

Anger boiled in my chest as I peered back at her and her manager, who I was certain both thought I was an idiot. "What do you mean? Did your manger actually brief you or something?!"

She was wearing a cleanly pressed white pan suit that was clearly designer. She wore her blonde curls up in a tight bun and her hands, which were filled with expensive looking jewelry, were crossed on her lap.

She narrowed her eyes at me before smirking. "Well, he didn't have to, as some of us actually have half a brain."

Before I could reach over and strangle Annabeth Chase and her prissy manager, Chiron gripped my shoulder tightly, but still ignored my eye contact.

"I'm sorry, but I have no clue," I admitted.

"This is a business deal," her manager explained, speaking for her. She nodded along, her neat hair not moving a bit.

I shook my head and crossed my arms against my chest. "I already said no brand deals!"

He blinked before speaking again as if he simply couldn't deal with my stupidity. "Don't you know who you're speaking to? Annabeth Chase doesn't need brand deals. And, frankly, neither do you."

I could tell it pained him complimenting me.

I sighed as I peered at Annabeth Chase's face to try and read what was going on off her expression, but she gave me nothing. "Then....what is this?"

"An opportunity," he answered, "for some press. And some gained popularity for both of you. You see, you two are both at the top of your games. You, as a singer. And my client, as an actress."

"So you wanna collab or something?" I asked. "Unless you're a real good singer, that's not gonna happen."

"A collaboration of some sorts," he replied. "We were thinking more in the lines of a relationship between you two."

My eyes widened and my nostrils flared as I stood up angrily. "What?! No! I barely know this chick, and I—did you approve of this?!"

I pointed at Chiron, certain he had come up with the idea himself. He closed his eyes.

"Calm down, Percy," he whispered.

"Did you approve of this?" I demanded angrily.

"It would be great for your image."

"I knew it...."

The room fell silent as I sunk back down into my chair, knowing that Chiron was right. Annabeth Chase simply straightened in her own chair to spite my slouching.

"So, are we seeing eye to eye now?" her manager asked as he rifled through some papers he had in front of him.

Chiron peered at me before nodded weakly. "I think so."

The manager grinned as he started looking through the papers. "Okay, so you two will go out tomorrow night, but don't act romantic. We want some mystery first."

"Shouldn't be hard," Annabeth Chase said as she accepted a piece of paper from her manager. He pushed one towards me but I simply ignored it.

"You two will then hold hands on your next scheduled date, and go public the next, alright?" he asked. Annabeth nodded in approval. "Then we'll go on from there, alright?"

"I never said I agreed," I protested. "I know all this is just to clear up her little reputation since she assaulted that reporter."

"I did not—!" Annabeth started angrily as she nearly lunged at me, but her manger's glare was enough to keep her in line. "You're right, Percy Jackson. My reputation is tarnished, but I also have loyal fans who may become yours and start supporting your music. I'm a powerful person, so I wouldn't decline this offer if I were you."

I wanted to yell at her for assuming she was smarter than me, but I simply shrugged. "Alright, I'll play your little game."

Both her and her manager smiled. "Great, Percy Jackson, you won't regret it. Just please—"

"Under a few condition," I said. Their smiles dropped. "I get to choose the date locations, I'm allowed to see other people, and we break up in a year."

Annabeth frowned, her eyebrows furrowing. "See other people?! What if—what if the press sees you?!"

I laughed. "Chase, I haven't got paparazzi to swing at swarming me constantly like you."

She ignored my sly insult. "Well, once you're dating me you will. I guarantee that. Just....please try not to be seen with these....women you're running around with, alright?"

"Fine," I shot back, "but I'm not compromising on the other things."

Annabeth Chase nodded. "Fine then. Where should I be meeting you tomorrow for our date?"

I grinned as the perfect spot came into my head. One that would make her so uncomfortable she'd force her manger to call this thing off. "I'll see you at the Yankees game."