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Of Corporate Scandals

Chapter 1. Introduction

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Percy's hand slammed down on the intercom button that directly connected him to the front desk in the lobby, "S-Security! Security to the twelfth floor, please!"

Rachel ripped open her black blazer, popping of the top buttons. She panted as she smashed Percy against his desk, "Come on, Percy, do you really want an audience for what I'm about to do to you?"

Several days earlier…

Ding!

The elevator doors opened up onto the twelfth floor of the Open Seas Inc. Tower and an immaculately dressed man of about twenty-two stepped out. Although his tailored black trousers and pressed white polo were obvious clues to the man's wealth, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and slightly disheveled hair lead one to see that this man was clearly good natured.

"Good morning, Mr. Jackson," A cheerful, black-haired beauty said as she spun in her swivel chair to face him. Her curled locks and make-up were perfectly styled.

Percy smiled as she handed him his iced coffee topped with whipped cream from the café downstairs (with extra caramel drizzle, of course), "'Morning, Silena." He opened the frosted-glass, double doors into his office and set down his briefcase. Not counting the endless responsibilities, being made CEO of his dad's domestic company had his perks.

Percy walked back out into the main office, "Silena?"

Silena looked up from her desk where, instead of filing the documents like she was supposed to, she was busily filing her nails, "Yes?"

He asked, "Did you finish the task I asked you to do this weekend."

She nodded, excitedly, "Yes, I did! She should be here any moment."

Percy nodded, grinning, "May I see her resume?" He was, of course, referring to the fact that his assistant, Silena Beauregard, had been promoted to being the personal secretary of Head of Engineering, Charles Beckendorf. Thus, Percy had sent Silena to find a new replacement for her.

Just then, the elevators doors opened once again and a tall red-head stepped out. She had her frizzy hair piled on her head in a somewhat messy bun. She was clad in black pencil skirt, lavender polo and a rather interesting, bold necklace.

She walked up to Silena, "Hello, I'm Rachel Dare. I'm Mr. Jackson's new assistant."

Percy looked at Silena, who was looking at him in return with a rather sheepish expression, "Silena, weren't you suppose to show me her résumé before you hired her?"

Silena dug around the messy desk before she thrust a folder at him, "Oh, right! Here."

Percy sighed. Rachel looked at the two with a slightly confused expression, "Uh, I'm in the right place, aren't I?"

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The next few days passed by, smoothly. Silena had cleared out her desk and moved to the tenth floor and Rachel had moved in. Percy was impressed. Rachel had managed to fit in well with the company, all the while keeping his paperwork free of makeup and taking a limited amount of manicures through her supposedly hour long break. (Not like his dear Silena did any of those things while she had been his assistant…cough, cough.) So far there hadn't been any major slip ups and she did her job efficiently. There had been few instances when certain appointments has been forgotten and phone messages were erased, but Percy just figured that it just took some time to adjust to the new job.

Percy sighed as he ran a hand through his already messy hair. The deal with the company on 4th Street had been scheduled to be sealed next week, but the owner, Mr. Williams, had postponed it once again. He picked up the phone on his desk and pressed intercom, "Rachel?"

"Yes, Mr. Jackson?" Rachel's voice projected through the phone.

"Do you have the Williams's proposal?" he asked.

"Yes, I'll bring it in," she replied.

A few moments later, she walked in and laid the papers on his desk.

Percy stood up and looked, "Thank y-Are you wearing lipstick?" It had only been week, but Percy had learned that Rachel was not one for makeup.

Suddenly, the innocent, hazy expression she always wore was gone, replaced by a devilish smirk, "I dunno. Why don't you find out?"

Although he was CEO of a multi-million dollar company, Percy still wasn't the brightest person in the world. He didn't realize that she was seducing him until he was pressed up against her body, "W-What are you doing?"

Rachel grinned as she popped open the buttons on his polo, "Come on, Percy. I know you want me."

He tried to get away, but she followed him. Percy's hand slammed down on the intercom button that directly connected him to the main desk to the foyer on the lobby, "S-Security!Security to the twelfth floor, please!"

Rachel ripped open her black blazer, popping of the top buttons. She panted as she smashed Percy against his desk, "Come on, Percy, do you really want an audience for what I'm about to do to you?" She laughed maniacally.

He shoved her away, "I'm your boss! Nothing else. Get off me!"

Just then two huge men walked in and pulled the red-head off of him. "You're coming with us, Ms. Dare," The one on the left said.

Percy said, breathless, smoothing down his shirt "Thanks, guys."

Rachel struggled to get out of their grip, "Let me go!" The two security guards pulled her out of the room.

Percy said, weakly, "Um, Rachel, you're fired." He then sank down in his large, leather chair and buried his face in his hands. Wow…that was really fucked up.

Silena knocked on the door to his office and walked in, "Mr. Jackson?"

Percy looked up.

Silena continued, "I just saw Butch and Frank, er, seeing Rachel out of the building…in handcuffs. What the hell just happened?

Percy sighed, "Let's just say that I'm going to need a new assistant. Do you think Beckendorf could spare you for a few days until I get a new one? I really need help on this project.

Silena nodded, "Of course! I'll get right to it. Don't worry, I won't hire a psycho this time."

Percy gulped, "Yeah, that'd be great."

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"Now if we added a second wing to the north side of the building and extended the courtyard, it would fulfill both Avery and Laren's requirements for the new building," Steven Fulton droned as he pointed his laser to the presentation on the projector.

Annabeth stumbled into Meeting Room B with a tray of teetering lattes and cappuccinos from the coffee shop down the block. She handed them out to the various corporate figures within the room. Somehow she missed the 'coffee-runner' part of one of the responsibilities on the application to the internship of Steven Fulton – New York's 27th most successful architect.

Within the six months she had been Mr. Fulton's intern, not once had she been allowed to sketch blueprints or do anything architectural, what she paying thousands of dollars to study at Columbia. Her busy work life (not including the nights where she took her college classes) had been filled with fighting with the copier, going on coffee runs, and scheduling Mr. Fulton's trips to the beauty salon.

She stole a glance at the projected image of a sketch of the new Williams Office Inc. office building. She noticed several flaws within the drawing as she mentally made revisions.

Fulton continued, "But if we expand-"

"Um, Mr. Fulton," Annabeth spoke up. She gulped as some of the wealthiest people in New York turned their heads towards her.

"What, Annabelle?" Her boss snapped.

Annabeth continued, now with full attention of the pinstripe clad corporates in the room, "Um, I was just looking at those blueprints and if you just exten-"

"That's enough from you. Go file the papers on my desk or something."

"But, Mr. Fulton, if the building has a steel struc-" Annabeth protested.

"Ms. Chase, we are having a discussion that in no way pertains to you and it's been decided that we will add a second wing-"

"Are you stupid? If you add a second wing it'll overwork the beams!" Annabeth blurted. She gasped, but it was too late to take them back.

Fulton's glare was icy, "Pack your things, Ms. Chase. Get out."

Thus ended her career as intern to the 27th most successful architect in New York.

Annabeth sighed as she adjusted the box full of her things in her arms and stepped out of the cab. She struggled to pay the driver as she balance a potted geranium under her arm. Life officially sucked ass.

She had come to New York two years ago from San Francisco ready to dive into her future as an architect. Annabeth had graduated from Riordan High School as valedictorian and it was her dream to study in Manhattan, a showcase of the world's most beautiful skyline. She had spent the last few years in California saving up for tuition. Now 22, she had been admitted to Columbia University, majoring in architecture, and had a bright internship to the Steven Fulton. She had gotten her break from working odd jobs around the city when she accepted his internship 6 months ago.

…Unfortunately, her internship had ended up being a farce and her boss, a stodgy, incompetent fool. She could barely keep up with the tuition at NYU and was drowning in student loans…and that was with her job. She had to find one fast or it would be bye-bye New York.

Only being able to afford the cab fare halfway from work to her apartment, she was forced to walk. And every day she passed Fifth Avenue. It was funny how only a block away from the run down apartments and drugstores that filled her street was the most famous, wealthiest boulevard of Manhattan. As she passed the present Open Seas Inc. Tower she saw an ad posted on the window in the front door.

"New job opening; Percy Jackson, CEO of Open Seas Inc., assistant. Needs office experience. Contact; Silena Beauregard 555-555-555 ext. 2…"

A/N: Please leave your questions, comments, and constructive criticism in a review below!