"How's my hair?" Annabeth asked as she scrutinized every single thing about her appearance. "You sure I shouldn't put it up? Should I even have hair this long? Maybe we should just cancel—"

I laughed as I pulled Annabeth into my arms. "Annabeth, you look fine. Beautiful, actually. And we're almost late, so I don't think there's time for a haircut."

Annabeth cursed as she checked the time and pulled me outside. We quickly got in a car that was taking us and watched the New York streets go by us.

"Hey, everything will be okay," I assured Annabeth as I squeezed her hand. "How scary can one lady be?"

Annabeth shrugged as she reached over and started patting down my hair. "I'm sorry about this, but I may like this whole 'just rolled out of bed' thing, but my mother will despise it. Why is it so difficult?"

"I dunno, ow, that's attached to my head, you know!" I protested as I swatted her hands away and massaged my sore head.

We arrived at some snooty, fancy French restaurant where all the waiters glared at me as if they knew I hated snail.

When Annabeth gave her name, the hostess's eyes instantly widened and she quickly guided us over to a table in the corner of the restaurant which seemed practically deserted.

There sat a tall, pale woman with tightly pulled back sleek brown hair and stormy gray eyes, practically identical to Annabeth's.

When she saw she stood up, revealing an expensive outfit and designer handbag swung from her wrist. She pulled Annabeth into a forcefully awkward hug and reluctantly shook my hand.

As we sat back down she frowned as she peered me up and down. "So, Perseus, where—"

"Oh, it's Percy, actually," I interrupted. She glared at me and Annabeth just turned red and stared at the floor.

"I'm sorry then. You can call me Athena, or Ms.Olympus would do," she snapped forcefully.

Annabeth smiled uncomfortably as a waiter approached us and we all ordered very briefly. After the waiter left, Athena turned back to me.

"So, Perseus, where are you from?" she asked, deciding to ignore my preferred nickname.

"Uh, here, New York," I answered, my throat feeling scratchy. This woman seemed as if she had that effect on people.

Athena nodded but narrowed her eyes as if that were the wrong answer. She folded her hands together. "And what's your job?"

I laughed, which caused Annabeth to tense up, so I knew it was the wrong way to respond. "Uh, I'm a singer."

"Oh, I know, but I mean your day job," she said as she peered at their menu. "Like, how do you pay the bills?"

Annabeth grimaced. "Uh, mom, Percy is a very successful singer. He has a record deal and everything. And tons of fans."

Athena simply laughed lightly without looking up. "How pleasant. And that makes you enough money?"

I peered over at Annabeth, who was holding her temple and looked as if she wanted to die right there and then. "Uh, yeah. I mean, it pays the bills."

"And what about taxes? Do you pay those?" she asked casually as she took a sip of her drink.

"I think so?" I replied, my voice shaky, nearly choking on my drink.

Athena frowned and tilted the menu down just so she could glare at me intimidatingly. "You think so?"

"I dunno, I'm bad at math," I blurted out. Annabeth nearly spat out her drink. "Wait, no, I mean yes. I pay taxes. At least I hire someone to."

"And you're healthy?" Athena asked.

What the hell is going on?!

"I think so," I responded. "I haven't died yet."

Annabeth instantly shot up. "I need to go to the bathroom!"

She practically ran out of the room as I cursed her in my mind for leaving me alone with Athena.

Athena was silent for a while before snapping the menu closed and staring at me. "Perseus, I think you know why I've been grilling you with questions all night long."

Uh...no. Not the slightest.

"Yes, I think so."

"Good, so then I think we can come to an agreement," Athena said as our food came. She ignored it and continued speaking. "You're not good enough for my daughter."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What are you talking about?"

She laughed coldly. "My daughter is, how would I put it, of quality. Not only is she beautiful and an amazing actress, she is college educated and, although she doesn't seem to use it sometimes, has a brain, as one could say."

"I know, that's one of the reasons I love her," I admitted.

"Ugh, Perseus, you're not getting it," she said as she rubbed her forehead in frustration. "My Annabeth is too good for you. You need to break things off with her. I've tried not to meddle in my daughter's personal life. Believe me, it was hard not to when she dated that blond oaf, but I can't sit by as she ruins her life."

I shook my head furiously. "What makes you think I'll ruin her life?!"

"When she's with you, you'll hold her back. You're a singer, correct? Singers go on tours, leave their partners behind, and have affairs," she spat viciously, her eyes narrowing. "Besides, you could never be enough for her. She is constantly moving, changing, adapting. You're too beneath her, too plain."

Before I could respond, Annabeth walked back over to the table, wearing a hesitant grin. We all dug into our food and remained silent the rest of the dinner.

"Well, it's been great catching up," Athena said as she shook Annabeth's hand. "I'll see you soon."

"Doubt it," Annabeth murmured as Athena left the restaurant and entered a private car of her own. "I bet it'll be years before I see her again. She's too busy running her stupid business."

Before I could tell Annabeth what happened when she was gone, she began to go on and on about how Athena was the boss of some huge industry and that's why she left the family and moved to New York.

"Hey, Annabeth?" I asked as she stopped talking. She nodded. "Can I...can I tell you something?"