Towering buildings, contemporary designs. Mid-century facades. Those were all I could see as I gazed outside of the window of the cab that was taking me into the city for a meeting. It is a meeting I am dreading, yet it is also one I sorely need to attend. With my phone in my hand, I leaned against the glass of the window and thought back to the messages I sent to someone I never thought I would contact so soon.
But there was no other choice for me, not after hearing that rumor about Percy. I still don't know how the campers at cabin 10 got that information, but they have rarely been wrong when it comes to rumors about relationships. And the latest gossip from them was just something I couldn't ignore any longer. Not after all that I've done and had planned since meeting him all those months ago.
People had been commenting on how much I have changed since that day at Sally's. How I now look more motivated, how I now have more drive. How I now look more alive. And comparing to how I was before that meeting with Percy, I agree with them. Before that, I was looking forward to nothing. Every day was just a repeat of the previous one, and the days just passed by me as if I were just a pebble on the side of the road, waiting for someone to kick me along, and I would get lost and never be found again.
And now, after that one meeting, I am inspired, motivated, and driven. A look at Percy's face made me feel more alive than I had been since the day he found out. Hearing his voice after so long woke a long-slumbering drive within me. It pushed me to move forward. The thought of him seeing me as I had been for the past 7 years made me shiver in dread and disgust. I never thought I would have fallen so low, and yet I did, and now I am scrambling to improve and better myself. Only I am doing it not for myself. Well, that's not entirely true; I do want to change for the better for myself and my future. But the biggest motivation I have for wanting that change is still Percy.
For the past months, I have been doing my best to improve myself. Doing the simplest of things, like waking up early and going for a run around camp. Offering to do chores and even helping out around the cabin instead of just moping around and just going to the places that mattered to me and Percy, places that held significance to us. Which is what I have been doing for the past years. Just living in regret and reliving the days when I still had everything that really mattered. When life was beautiful and the future was all but certain, until it wasn't, and it all came crumbling down, all because of me and my pride. It was just like my mother had warned me once. My pride will be my downfall, like many of my siblings that have come before me.
I thought I had a good handle over my hubris; I thought I would be subjected to the same fate as the others. How wrong I was. I still couldn't figure out how I let myself be overtaken by the belief that I could do all I wanted without facing the consequences. That I could keep on doing what I was doing and not get caught. How I believed that even if Percy found out the truth, he would forgive me and we would continue on being what we are. That we would stay together no matter what. That he would stay with me regardless of what I did.
Perhaps it was the belief that he would always be the constant in my life that pushed my mentality to think of him as a permanent fixture in my life. Always behind me even if I leave him behind, even if I begin to pull away, even if I go with someone else. Always with me, always waiting for me. Unable to leave and unable to live without me in his life. I overestimated my significance in his life. And I paid the price for that. I was rudely slapped by the truth that instead of him being unable to go on without me, it was me who was unable to even function as a basic human should without him by my side. That without him with me, I am almost nothing.
Which is why I am very thankful for the chance he has given me. We'll not really have a chance of getting back together, not yet anyway. But just the chance of getting close to him again, of him speaking with me again. Of his forgiving me. That alone has lit a fire within me and has pushed me more than what the others who care about me and my well-being had done. His words of disappointment weighed more to me than Chiron's or my father's. Even my mother's advice and suggestions paled in comparison to a single rebuke from Percy.
When he spoke, my whole mind and body listened. Even my heart almost stilled and took his words and the meaning behind them deeply. My very being latched onto the care he was showing me at that moment when I was most vulnerable in front of him. When I laid my heart and apologized to him, I did so with the expectation of him not accepting it and pushing me away. But what happened was so much more than what I deserved. Though Percy has yet to fully forgive me, he has at least accepted my apology. At the same time, he has also been kind, even when he didn't need to be. Once again showing me just what kind of man he is—the best kind.
His offer of assistance in my recovery was also a shock when it came. It was something that I didn't expect, and Piper and Hazel's reaction to it was something that I understood. Them not really agreeing to his decision was normal, and if you take into consideration the effects of the curse on them, then their reactions were more than justified. To be fair, even without the curse, their reactions were still the normal reactions to their fiancé offering help to the woman who hurt and betrayed him. To the woman who is planning and angling to get back with him. If I were in their situation, I would have been much harsher in my treatment of myself.
Thinking about Piper and Hazel brought about my thoughts about them being with Percy. How I felt about learning about the two of them being his fiancées. About them being in the place where I once was. They are the ones who are standing beside him, they are the ones being held by him, and they are the ones with the right to touch him, kiss him, embrace him, and so much more. Them being able to do all I wanted to do with him, all that I once was able to do to him. The envy I felt when I learned about them brought me almost to the end. Nearly pushed me to the edge of insanity; if not for the knowledge that Percy had now accepted that I was aware of his whereabouts and that he was okay with me and was even expecting me to visit, I would have probably gone off the deep end.
Fortunately, the need to meet Percy won over, and I pushed myself to make the call that changed everything for me. From that call, everything has moved for the better. And now, here I am heading over to meet with the people who can hinder the path for me in becoming closer to Percy. His women, the members of his harem, and the two closest to Percy's heart aside from his mother, Hazel and Piper. The cab turned right, and I saw in the distance the signage of the restaurant I chose to meet them in. As we got closer, I felt my heart beat harder, not from fear but from apprehension and nervousness. I knew both women held negative emotions for me; they all but declared it to me the last time we met. And I also knew how they would react to me, who had hurt Percy before. Clarisse told me how Hazel reacted to her when she learned of the harem. Sally and Malcolm also informed me of the effects being a member of the harem had on them.
Logically, I knew Hazel and Piper would never do anything to hurt her, physically at least. But it still didn't help calm her down knowing that the two of them had something that they could use to attack her mentally and emotionally. They had already done so before back at Sally's; it was only Percy's presence and Sally's reprimand that held them back somewhat. But now, it would only be the three of them in a place that none of them had been in before. Releasing a heavy sigh, I mentally prepared myself for whatever they could throw at me. At least my determination to get into the good graces of Percy was not any lower than their love for him. And I believe my love for him wouldn't lose to them. Even if I had already proven that my love wasn't enough to keep my hubris at bay in the past.
"Right! Here we are, miss!" The cab stopped right in front of the restaurant, and I handed over the payment and went out of the taxi. I stood on the sidewalk for a few seconds, gathering the courage to step in. A few people walked around me as I stood there, staring at the door of the place. After taking a deep breath, I steeled my nerves and grabbed the handle of the door and pushed it open. The sound of bells greeted me just as a voice called out from the side, welcoming me in. "Welcome! Table for two?" A cute girl greeted me in a typical waitress uniform of a white shirt and black pants with an apron over it. She was holding a few menus as she approached me with a warm smile on her face.
I returned her smile and informed her I am meeting some people here. She nodded and led me to a table at the back. I saw Hazel first as I followed the waitress to their table. Her hair was more gorgeous than I remembered it to be, and her eyes were still the same golden color, but now they were absolutely shining with love and confidence. The kind of confidence that comes from knowing your place in life, and maybe also knowing that she is loved the right way. She was also wearing a thick golden chain around her neck with a huge ruby pendant dangling between the deep neckline of her green shirt. Something Percy must have made for her, I'm sure. She had her head turned to her left, her mouth moving as she spoke to the person sitting next to her. My eyes followed the direction her head was facing, and I saw Piper, smiling back at the former praetor of New Rome.
Just like Hazel, Piper was absolutely glowing. Her beauty was intensified almost a hundredfold from how she was back then. I knew instantly that it had something to do with how loved she is feeling. It was something Selina told me when I was younger, how being loved and loving someone is reflected in the physical appearance of a child of the goddess of love. So in short, how beautiful a child of love is directly correlates to the love they are getting and feeling. Looking at her now, she must be overflowing with love for Percy, and she must be drowning in his love as well. Piper was not wearing a necklace like Hazel, though a couple of blue gems dangled from her ears, and judging from the way they shone, they must have been expensive as well. As I got to their table, they both turned to look at me, and the smiles from their faces disappeared. They studied me closely just as I lowered my eyes on the table, on their hands to be exact.
Right there in front of my eyes, their left hands were left on the table for me to see. On their ring finger sat a ring each. Both exquisite and unique, create for them and just for them. Their engagement rings were created and given to them by Percy. The one man everyone of us here loves. The one I want and the one I pushed away. After staring at the proof of their connection to him for a few minutes, I turned back to their faces to see them looking back at me. Hazel's face was neutral and almost unreadable while Piper was sneering at me. I sighed and decided to start; I was the one to call them to this meeting after all.
"It's been a while, Hazel and Piper. Thanks for coming," I said as a way of greeting, putting on a smile that is half genuine. While I am happy to see them again after years of not knowing how they were doing, I am also incredibly envious of them for their relationship with Percy. I didn't wait for their response and pulled the chair opposite them and sat down on it. I placed my arms on the table and faced the two of them, showing them none of the facade I have placed on myself for years to fool the people around me that don't know me. I let the tiredness and hopelessness that filled me up show. I let the hope that began to bloom within me surface, and I let them see the yearning I am feeling. I knew both of them could notice it, and Piper especially could feel it. I let it all out. letting my heart do the preamble for the reason I called them here.
"I have to be honest, Annabeth. I never expected you to call us any time soon," Hazel started after a minute of silence. "And I sure didn't expect you to call us for a meeting like this!" she added, her eyes staring deep in mine, trying to figure out the reason for the call I made. "I know, I know I didn't have the right, but I had no choice other than to call Percy, and I don't think it's right of me to call him for this reason," I replied, entwining my hands and looking down at them. "And that reason is?" she asked. I looked at her and steeled myself, and I blurted out what I wanted to know, what I wanted to clarify.
"I heard a rumor that Calypso started living with you guys; is that true?" I asked, my voice hopeful yet subdued. I didn't know what I wanted to hear. Did I want confirmation that, yes, Calypso is now a member of their little group? That one of the women I got jealous of in the past has now beaten me to the punch and is now living with Percy? Or did I want them to deny it and tell me that it was a baseless rumor founded in nonsense? I really didn't know, but I wanted answers; that at least was true. I waited for them to speak, looking between the two women as they in turn studied me again. It was Piper who broke the silence first this time. She scoffed and tossed her hair back over her shoulder before pinning me with a glare with her multicolored eyes. "What's it to you if it's true or not?" There was a sharp edge to her tone, and I knew I would have my work cut out for me if I was going to get their trust back. There was also a truth to her question: I have no business learning the answer to that question. I am not with Percy, nor am I even close to getting back together with him. But I still wanted to know.
"Piper, we promised to be civil with Annabeth!" Hazel said, a gentle reprimand, and Piper sat back on her seat, but her eyes still held a certain level of resentment towards me. I smiled at Hazel, thankful for her help. She shook her head at a fellow harem member and turned to me. "Piper has a point, Annabeth. Whether Calypso is living with us or not is not a concern of yours," Hazel said diplomatically, and I knew my chances of learning the truth were slipping, and so I just told them why I needed to know. "I know I have no right to ask, and I also know it's none of my business!" I started. "But I need to know; not knowing if she, one of the women I got jealous of in the past, is now living with Percy is killing me inside!" I hissed to keep my voice low. I wiped at the tears that pooled at my eyes and stared at them. "I know that it's very selfish of me to ask, after all I've done. But I am trying to be better. Not just for Percy but for my own as well," I added. "And I also know that you know that I am working to try to get back together with him," I confessed in a low voice.
"As a woman, I need to know," I almost begged. Even to myself, I could understand this need to know. All I knew is that depending on what their answer is, I might have to change the plans I already set for me and my future. We were silent for a few minutes until Hazel huffed; she then called the waitress over. "Let's order first, then we'll talk," she declared, and hope filled me once again. "This better not be your pride talking over, Annabeth." Her warning came unexpectedly, and I thought about it carefully.
The waitress came and handed them their menus; after a short while, they ordered, and the waitress left. We were silent as we all exchanged glances, waiting for one of us to start the conversation. This time, Piper took the helm and started speaking. "I still think that it's none of your business, but I'll give you the answer you're looking for!" My attention turned to Piper, my former friend, now the one most against me getting back with Percy. I know that she is only doing this due to my mistakes and the effects of the curse, but seeing her be the least bit hostile towards me hurts. Still, I couldn't blame her for how she is feeling about me; I would have felt the same if I were in her shoes. So I smiled and nodded to her, urging her to go on.
"The rumors you heard are right; Calypso has moved in with us." I felt a strange sense of peace settle over me after hearing her confirm what I was dreading. It seems it was fear making me feel tense and act out. I still don't know why I was so adamant about knowing the truth about the rumor, but at least I can be assured that it had nothing to do with pride or fear. I released the breath I was holding, and I sagged onto the table. Relief flooded my chest, and I felt uplifted, like being freed from so much stress. "You look like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders," Hazel commented, studying me closely. I nodded, my head still bowed and not looking at them. "It feels that way!" I murmured back.
My mind was clearer now that I knew for sure that Calypso had moved in and started living with them. Though I felt a little bit envious of her, the news of her success fanned the flames of determination within me. If she could do it, then surely I could as well, with effort and honesty, of course. There was still something I wanted to ask the two of them, though. I lifted my head and was about to ask when the waitress came with a tray carrying our orders. She placed our orders in front of us and stepped back, telling us to call on her if we needed anything. After a pause, I was about to ask again when Hazel spoke up first. "Let's eat first, then we'll continue our talk." There was a decisiveness in her tone that I found hard to resist. I nodded, and together, we started our meal. We were quiet for most of it, with only the tinkling of our utensils filling the air. In between bites of my meal, I would glance at the two in front of me and see them exchanging looks, meaningful looks. Looks like I know were about me. I didn't know if the curse of the harem granted them anything extra aside from the freedom and safety it afforded them; maybe it also allowed them to communicate in their minds. If so, then I'm sure they are having a very colorful discussion about me. And it also puts me at a disadvantage in this meeting. I hope that is not the case.
Maybe they've just gotten close enough to be able to communicate with nothing but a look. Something I was able to do with Percy, back then, that is. He has always been difficult to read, like the oceans. But my closeness to him still allowed me to somehow grasp what he was thinking of most of the time. Our last meeting proved that skill of mine to be ineffective now; every word and every action of his brought me surprise. Even his offer of help was something I didn't expect. Though I welcome it, I cherish it. And I don't know if I am going to take it. I want to try and be better by myself, to prove not just to him and everyone else that I could be better, but mostly to myself. I feel like if I didn't do it like that, then it wouldn't have any meaning. And without it meaning anything, then I would feel like I deserved the second chance I am asking Percy for. I owe it to myself to try to heal and change, but mostly I owe it to Percy; he deserves the best version of me, the changed version of me. If he'll have me. If not, then I would still have that new me, waiting around the corner for him to turn my way.
The meal didn't take long; soon we were done, and the waitress came and cleared our table after asking us if we wanted desserts. Knowing that ours wasn't done yet, Hazel ordered us cakes and sweets, I asked for a cup of coffee, and she left. Once it was just the three of us again, we stared at one another; with a deep breath, I asked the thing that had been on my mind after knowing that Calypso was living with us now. "Is she, Calypso, part of the harem now too?" I thought I would waver when I asked this, but to my surprise, my voice was clear and strong, though I was anything but those inside. I dreaded what the answer was; I hoped she wasn't, but I knew even if she isn't, it would be long before she is one. No woman could resist Percy's charm for long; sooner or later they all fell for him. Even if he didn't consciously try to get with them, Percy just like that, the caring and loving way Percy relates to other people naturally draws them in, and when they are in, they fall. And Calypso wouldn't resist; no, she would work towards an ending where she would be joining Percy's harem. That is her end goal, and mine too. Though I am so far behind her in that journey, I am committed to making that happen, whatever it takes.
Hazel and Piper looked at each other once again, then they turned to me before Piper answered my question. "No, she is not a member. Not yet anyway." Her words confirmed my suspicion and calmed my mind. She isn't that far off from me; she has the advantage for sure, but no, let's not think like that. Let's just be thankful that at the moment, there are still only two harem members. "Percy invited her to move in so she can see how it is to live with us." Hazel spoke up, explaining things for me to understand. "For her to see what life is for us members of the harem and for us to see how well she can relate and connect with us," she added. I nodded at the logic of her explanation. "Percy doesn't want for any conflict to arise between us, so this is like a trial run for her," Piper spoke up, adding to the discussion.
"It's something we've done as well," Hazel stated in a hurry, as if remembering suddenly. I tilted my head at her, waiting for an explanation. "I'm sure you've been told this already, but I'll say it anyway," she started, and I listened attentively; this was something I might have to go through in the future. "When I started living with Percy, I was informed of the harem." She paused, looking at me, and I gave her a nod, indicating that I was listening and knew about that particular fact. "It took a little over a year for me to become a member of the harem. And during the time I spent there, I saw Percy's way of life—his relationship with the nymphs and how he treats them." She smiled as she remembered those days; I wished I had those memories too. "The same thing happened with Piper too," she ended, and we both turned to Piper. The waitress came with our desserts before she could speak.
With our desserts placed in front of us, we resumed our talk, and Piper took a bite first before speaking. "My situation was almost the same with Hazel. I knew going in that I was going to fall for Percy, so my time before becoming a member of the harem was really a trial run to see if I could accept being a part of it," she said in one go. She drank a glass of water before continuing. "I used the time to see if I could live a life sharing my man with another woman and if I could stomach it," she added. "And one of the most important things is to see if there will be problems or conflict between Hazel and me during our time together, as well as the nymphs, of course." Piper had a smile on the last part. I was quiet after that, mulling over all that I learned; granted, those things had been relayed to me by Malcolm and Will when they got back, among other facts about Percy's way of life. But coming from those who are actually living that kind of life, those facts took on a new meaning.
I could see the logic in Percy's decision to make Calypso live with them for the time being. It is a great way to ensure harmony between all parties involved. It also gave the one wanting to join a chance to really see if this was what they wanted, along with time to change their mind if what they find is not what they imagined it would be. A firsthand account and experience of harem life without swearing themselves to it—it was a valuable gift. One that I'm sure Calypso would use to her advantage. One I wish to partake in as well.
"Percy really cares for those nymphs, huh?" I asked after a while. I had been hearing a lot about them after all. Both Hazel and Piper smiled and nodded. "Yes, he does!" Hazel agreed. "The three of them had been there for him since the start," Piper added, glaring at me at the reminder of why Percy left in the first place. I accepted the heat of her gaze head-on until she sighed and let it go. "They are the only ones who really saw how Percy was at the start," she said after she calmed down. "They took the brunt of his anger and hurt, and even though he never laid a hand on them or treated them cruelly, he didn't treat them as warmly as he does now." She finished, looking away. "It was thanks to them that Percy could be what he is today. It was their effort that made Percy open and accepting of love again," Hazel added. "So yes, he cares for them. We all do, but I think Percy actually does love them in the same way he does us." Her words made sense to me, my loving and loyal Percy. Of course he would love them back; that's just who he is.
"Let's go back to Calypso!" Hazel decided after a while. "So yes, she is with us, and she is not a member of the harem yet." She ticked the point off on her fingers. "But she is doing her best to become one, fast!" Piper added, and it made me look to her, curious about what the former Titaness is doing to achieve that. "If you're waiting for us to tell you what she is doing, then you're out of luck!" Piper sneered. "We won't do that, Annabeth. Whatever Calypso is doing is for us to know. All I can tell you is that she is doing her best to appeal to Percy, as I'm sure you would too if you were in her shoes," Hazel reasoned, and I nodded, accepting it, knowing that what she said was the truth. Not just the truth, but it was the plan all along. "All I can promise you is that, like how we are not getting in the way of what Calypso is doing, we also won't get in the way of whatever it is you plan to do." I felt my eyes widen at her declaration; it was the best I could get from them, and I knew it. I never hoped for them to help me in my quest to get back with Percy, but I hoped and prayed that they wouldn't get in my way or at least not make it harder for me.
I mean, it wouldn't have changed anything for me, not really. I would have still pushed on and would have done my best. But now that Hazel has told me that they will not be doing anything of the sort, it makes things a little bit easier. "Thank you for that, for everything." I thanked them, and I saw Hazel smile, a small smile but a real smile. "As long as it isn't going to be hurtful to Percy!" Piper reminded me, and I knew I would have my work cut out with her. She knew firsthand the hurt I caused to Percy. So I knew she was going to be the hardest to work with. But I am determined to get through to her. I will have her back as a friend, like I will be back by Percy's side. Or die trying.
The three of us finished our desserts, talking about random things like Piper's modeling gigs and the latest fashion trend for jewelry. Things I didn't care for before, but now I would need to be informed about them if I am to be a part of their life, seeing as they now live in that world. Just another thing I would like to study and familiarize myself with. I would need to think of how I could offer my help with that aspect of their life when and if I become part of their family. Hazel helps by providing the materials, and Piper models them. I wonder how I could add to that dynamic? We paid the bill, or rather I wanted to pay, but Hazel beat me to it. After paying, we stood and headed out. They had a flight to catch, and I am heading back to camp. We stood by the side of the road where a black SUV was waiting for them. No hugs were given, and no tearful goodbyes were made. But at least the meeting went well enough for me, and I had to be satisfied with that.
"Just do your best, Annabeth, and trust that the Fates have a plan for you!" Hazel said before she got in the car, and they drove off, leaving me on the sidewalk watching them as they returned to the world I so wanted to be a part of. Knowing that the man we all love would be waiting for them at their home, welcoming them with open arms and a whole lot of love. I sighed; there was no use standing around her being depressed. They were right about one thing: I had to do my best and trust in the Fates. They—those three grandmas—made it so that the two of them ended up with Percy. What to say? They wouldn't do the same for me. I squared my shoulders and turned around, walking towards a deserted alley where I could summon the grey sister's ride and head back to camp.
I have a lot to think about and a lot to plan for. But first things first, I need to call Percy and ask for a meeting, just for the two of us. I have to tell him personally what I plan to do for the time being. And I need to be the one to tell him that I am not going to be asking for his help, not because I don't want to change or that I don't need the help. It's just that I am going to go about it in my own way, and I will be accepting the help from someone else. Someone I knew he was going to approve of. Someone he once convinced me to give another chance. With lighter steps, I head back to camp and hopefully a lighter and brighter future.