"Hey," Percy said with a smirk as he leaned against my desk, which had become a ritual for him to do every day before work ended, "I had fun last night."

"Hmm," I replied as I continued to read through a pamphlet full of different paint samples which sat in front of me, Thalia's words ringing through my head.

Stay professional. Stay professional until the project ends. Besides, he's seeing someone...

Percy frowned before standing up and leaning closer to me, reading the pamphlet over my shoulder. His eyebrows rose as he scanned the page. "That paint thing must be really interesting, huh?"

I nodded before exhaling sharply. Percy's face was a few mere inches from mine. "Oh, yes. Very."

He laughed smoothly before attempting for a second time to make me talk. This time he pulled away from me to talk, which I was thankful for. "Rematch soon? I mean, someone's gotta beat you!"

"R-rematch for what?" I replied, my voice strained.

Percy tousled back his hair as a sigh escaped his lips. He stood up and shook his head. "Never mind, forget about it..."

Once I had confirmed he'd turned around I peered at him and watched wistfully as he marched back to the conference room he was using as a makeshift office and began flipping through a ceiling light magazine.

Then, as on cue, the clock hit five o'clock and everyone slowly stood up from their desks, groaning and stretching as they did. All of my co-workers placed on their coats and walked out of the office, Percy following their example.

Percy's eyes caught mine one last time and he gave me a longing glared before following my co-workers out the door, causing me to sigh.

I moved slowly through the office. I was one of the last people left, so I was in no hurry. I wrapped my coast around myself and grabbed my umbrella. It had been on and off raining, which was uncharacteristic for California.

Rain poured as I trudged to my car, thankful that I remembered to bring my umbrella. Once I reached my car I closed the umbrella and sat down, unmotivated to drive home.

My mind quickly wandered to Percy, so I decided to start driving home to distract myself, which wasn't successful in the slightest.

Pushing him away like this made logical sense, especially with how close we had been becoming. But god was it hard, especially after seeing how disappointed he was.

Then my mind turned to the mysterious red headed girl I'd seen him kiss. Was it a girlfriend, a wife? He'd time me earlier he was unmarried and he didn't wear a ring, but was he lying? And would he drop her in a heartbeat if I told him about Alice?

I quickly shook these thoughts out of my head as I arrived at my apartment building. I groaned at the realization someone had stolen my parking spot and reluctantly parked at the nearest empty spot, which was several blocks away.

Once I exited my car I grabbed my umbrella and started walking. Of course my mind went back to Percy, which resulted in tears welling in my eyes.

Soon huge tears blurred my vision and eventually fell down my face. I tried my best to wipe them away and stop crying, but the tears kept coming.

Then, as I was reaching to wipe my face clear, my umbrella flew out of my hand with a gust of wind. My eyes widened as I quickly fought for it back, but there was no use. It was gone.

Great, I thought to myself as I shivered. I wrapped my arms around my body as I trudged through the rain, getting completely soaked by the time I made it to my apartment.

I opened the door with my trembling hands and tried my best to keep my crying to a minimum as I entered.

"I'm h-home!" I said with a sniffle as I made my way inside the apartment. "T-Thals, where are y-you?"

A door closed shut and Thalia rushed into the room, a look of concern growing on her face as she approached me. "What's wrong? Annabeth, are you crying?"

I wiped the tears out of my eyes and shook my head before giving Thalia a painfully obvious forced smile. "I'm n-not. I think it's j-just allergies..."

Before I could give more defenses, Thalia pulled me into a tight hug. "You're a terrible liar, Chase."

"Gee, t-thanks," I replied with a genuine laugh as we pulled apart. "I'm fine, r-really, don't worry about me. Where's Alice?"

"Asleep," Thalia answered as she led me to our kitchen table and helped me sit down. "Now, what's wrong? Do you need me to beat someone up for you?"

I shook my head as I steadied myself. Even my voice was unconvincing no matter how much I tried. "No, really, it's okay."

Thalia could clearly call my bluff, and she crossed her arms and glared at me. "Tell me."

"He's seeing someone," I burst out with a sob, unable to contain it any longer. "A p-pretty redhead! I saw them k-kiss!"

Thalia, instead of saying something like I told you so! or mocking me, stood up and in an un-Thalia fashion grabbed me and pulled me into another hug.

"It's okay," she whispered in my ear as she stroked my hair, which was very uncharacteristic for her. "You don't need him. This whole project will be done soon and then he'll finally be out of your life for good. You've raised Alice just fine on your own. She doesn't need him."

"I know," I whispered back to her with a hiccup. "I know she doesn't, but the thing is that I d-do."