Deja Vu Battle | 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝟑 (Part 1) ✅

26.

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Estella remained unmoved, her smile unwavering as she continued to chat with Caesar, ignoring the outburst from Katniss. The room fell into another uneasy silence, the tension palpable. "Answer me!" Katniss's voice echoed, her frustration evident. The crew, including Aries, stared at the screen, awaiting the next development.

With a sigh, Estella turned her gaze back to Caesar. "I'm sorry, Caesar. It looks like you're being replaced by the girl on fire," she said with a playful laugh. Caesar, caught between confusion and concern, hesitantly joined in the laughter, his demeanor reflecting his uncertainty about the unfolding situation.

Turning her attention to the camera, Estella finally made direct eye contact with Aries. His breath caught in his throat, captivated by her gaze. "Perhaps there's someone else who could handle the questioning? Katniss, I don't think you're suited for this."

Before Katniss could respond, Gale and Finnick restrained her, preventing her from further disrupting the broadcast. Everyone watched as President Alma took the floor, her gaze sweeping over the room before she addressed Estella.

"Are you going to ignore your district fighting for—"

Estella's giggle interrupted her, her demeanor nonchalant. "They aren't the only ones fighting."

The room fell into silence once more, Alma's irritation growing. Estella was not adhering to the expected image, her demeanor contrary to what everyone anticipated. Alma's patience wore thin, and a scoff, followed by a chuckle from Aries, drew attention to him. He found the entire situation amusing, his expression unchanged as he continued to watch Estella through the large screen.

"You're family is here. You do know that?" Alma's voice held a mix of challenge and curiosity.

Estella's eyes widened slightly from her usual soft smile, but the genuine reaction was fleeting. "Should I be thanking you here?" she replied, her tone dripping with irony.

Alma's smile faltered as she struggled to maintain her composure. The broadcast had taken an unexpected turn, and the true nature of Estella's intentions remained unclear. The room's atmosphere was charged with tension and intrigue, each participant on edge as they waited to see how the confrontation would unfold.

Estella's was dominating this interview. Aries smirked, leaning down to Beetee since he was the closest: "My Stella: 1. Old Hag: 0" Beetee shook his head but couldn't help but smile at his comment.

President Alma, increasingly frustrated, tried to regain control. "Estella, we need to address the current crisis. Your presence here is unexpected and doesn't help the situation." Unfazed by Alma's tone, Estella leaned back with a composed smile. "I'm happy to discuss the crisis, but it's clear that the real issue is how things are being represented."

Her response was subtly confrontational, causing Alma's expression to harden. "This isn't a game, Estella. This is a serious matter."

Before Estella could respond further, the broadcast suddenly switched to a new feed, showcasing recent rebel actions and Capitol responses. Beetee had followed Alma's cue, displaying footage of explosions and casualties. Estella remained stoic, her eyes unblinking as she watched the scenes unfold. The shift in footage did little to alleviate the rising tension.

In the studio, Caesar Flickerman, visibly unsettled, attempted to steer the conversation back to normalcy. "Well, Estella, it seems we're facing some technical issues. Perhaps you could share your thoughts on—"

Estella cut him off, her tone both light and assertive. "I'd be glad to, Caesar. Peeta is certainly a surprise. He's increasingly capturing my—"

Her remarks resonated through the studio, pushing Alma's frustration to its peak. "This charade needs to end!"

Estella's smile remained unchanged. "It seems you've forgotten something. You interrupted my interview. The Capitol isn't as terrible as you portray it. We provide each other with what's necessary—both the Capitol and the districts rely on one another."

At that moment, the screen flickered again, and a new message was broadcast directly to both the Capitol and the districts. It was a direct challenge to the Capitol's narrative, reflecting Estella's call for transparency and truth. Her calm and resolute expression filled the screen once more.

"Ah, this isn't going anywhere." With a sigh, she concluded, "I think we should just end this-"

They all watched as Estella stood up with Ceaser's help. President Alma, frustrated with Estella's unyielding demeanor and her blatant defiance, decided to bring Aries into the conversation. She hoped to provoke a reaction from Estella—fear, hesitation, or any sign that would reveal her true loyalties and potentially shift the perception of her role in the rebellion.

"Aries," Alma called, her voice edged with urgency, "Don't you want to have a chat with her."

Aries, with his usual nonchalance, moved to take the spotlight. He only glimpsed but saw how Beetee pressed a few more buttons he suddenly appeared on the screen, his demeanor unfazed by the gravity of the situation. As he came into view, the screen split, showing both Aries and Estella in a dual frame.

"Stella," Aries began with a smirk, "How you been, love?"

As Aries appeared on the screen, the atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. Both Aries and Estella fell silent, each captivated by the presence of the other. It was as if they were long-lost lovers reuniting after an extended separation, their eyes locking with an intensity that made everything else fade into the background.

Estella's breath caught in her throat, her chest tightening as she took in the sight of Aries. The familiarity in his gaze, the unspoken history between them, stirred something deep within her.

Her usually composed demeanor faltered slightly, her eyes softening as she met his gaze. The moment felt suspended in time, charged with an electric connection that neither could ignore.

Aries, on his part, looked at Estella with a mix of longing and amusement. His eyes, usually sharp and calculated, were now glossy with a depth of emotion that contrasted sharply with his cheeky, almost playful smile.

Despite the gravity of the situation, his expression was one of warm familiarity, as though he had seen a ghost from his past and was both relieved and delighted by the encounter.

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