The Player's Proposal

24: The Final Week

Annabeth POV

It was real now.

There was one week left. My anxiety was at an all-time high. I had no problem with Percy anymore, but I didn't want to lose. I didn't want to sleep with him for the wrong reason that was this deal.

My mind was spinning just thinking about it. Percy was so serious about winning this proposal, and he was near the end of it now. I didn't know what to do. I should've tried harder to make him lose. However, as I got closer to him, I didn't have the heart to manipulate and insult him. Now, that was coming back to bite me in the ass.

Jason, Piper, Thalia, and I were going to the movies. It was Friday night, and we had nothing better to do. Besides, we wanted to see the new Spiderman movie with Tom Holland and Zendaya.

We invited Percy as well, but he declined the invitation. Personal obligations, he said suspiciously.

Whatever that meant.

"Annie, are you okay?" Thalia asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Thals. I'm just nervous about this proposal. There's only one week left, and it doesn't seem like Percy's gonna lose."

"I don't think that it'll be so bad. I mean, Percy is a gentleman."

"You've got to be kidding? This is horrible. I'm not about to sleep with someone because of a stupid contract that we made. I have more self-respect than that," I snapped. My exclamation brought Jason and Piper into the conversation.

"Jason, are you sure that he didn't break the deal and not tell us?" I asked in desperation. But, I knew the answer before he even said anything.

"Percy wouldn't lie about that. He's honest," Jason replied.

"There's still one week, Annabeth. Anything can happen in a week," Piper offered kindly. "Although if he lasted 12 weeks, then he can last one more."

"Not helping, Pipes," I gritted.

"If you want, I could talk to him, Annabeth. He's one of my best friends, so maybe, we can arrange an annulment or something," Jason suggested.

"They aren't married, Jace. Although by the way they banter, I sometimes feel like they act like an old married couple. It's so cute," Piper commented. I groaned while rubbing my face in agitation. Piper was NOT helping the situation at all.

"We could cancel the proposal. I don't know," Jason countered.

"That's admitting defeat. I'm not going to bow down to the playboy of Goode High. I'm not giving him or anyone the satisfaction," I stated.

"You're being too prideful, Annie. If you don't want to sleep with him, then this is how you have to handle the situation," Thalia affirmed.

I knew that my pride was my fatal flaw. I had a high ego that came with my intelligence. Moreover, I'm not a quitter. I fight till I succeed using the skills that I have. However, in this case, my pride was becoming my downfall.

"I don't care, Thalia. I'm not giving up and letting him win."

"Then, I don't know what to tell you," Thalia responded. "Jason, I'd suggest that you talk to Percy. Maybe, tell him that winning this proposal won't be good for anyone. Just don't mention that Annabeth said to talk to him because she didn't."

"Technically, that's also a form of coercion," Piper commented. OH MY GOD.

"PIPER, WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON?" I snapped.

Piper simply laughed while turning around in the passenger seat. Her kaleidoscope eyes narrowed on my face while she smirked.

"This is a war, Annabeth. Percy's winning right now, and he's playing a clean game. You're the one trying to get dirty and use his friends to make him lose," Piper expressed. Her high social intelligence sparkled in his eyes and her words.