A fate worse than death~~A Finnick Odair story~~

23. Deal with the devil

I have worried all day, and night because I had never slept. But now I was here. I had been asked to wait in a chair outside the president's office and I just wanted to die. Facking mind games was what it was. He probably wasn't even busy, just wanted me to sit here and be amused by what might happen. Honestly, after what Finnick told me, I wouldn't have put it past him.
Facking asshole.
A manipulative, power-mad, Hateful---.
"Miss Whitmore, the president wants to see you now."
You could almost have thought I was in a hospital clinic. At least that's what the receptionist made it sound like.

But I'm not stupid. Of course, I didn't say any of that out loud. It would have been stupid and unnecessary, and I'm pretty sure it was a criminal offense to speak ill of the president. So instead I stood up, smiled and nodded my thanks before opening and stepping inside the large white doors to the office.

"Ahh Miss Whitmore, I hope you didn't have to wait too long."
"No, no not at all."
"Please sit."
He gesture to a chair and I sat down. "Refreshments?"
"No thanks."
Why is he so nice?
This was not at all how I had imagined the encounter, he would scream and threaten, and I would, well what would I do?

But instead he just sat there, in a large leather chair behind his desk, was this really the same man who murdered Finnick's parents?
"I hope you've enjoyed your time in the capital?"
"Yes, as always."
"And everything has been up to standard?"
"Yes, absolutely fantastic."
"Good very good."
He mumbled it, as if it wasn't meant for my ears, so I stayed silent.

"Miss Whitmore, Elizabeth, I'm afraid I must be very blunt."
He looked at me as if waiting for an answer, so I quickly nodded encouragingly.
What did he want?!
"Interest in most victories tends to falter after their game, but yours has only increased."
"Okay..."
"The people of the capital have a demand fore you, and now that you've turned 17, well let's just say it hasn't gotten any less."
I now sat completely silent and he cleared his throat before continuing. "I've been very kind to you, a house, an income and I have evan allowed you to live undisturbed ever since your games."
"Yes, very kind. Something I am of course infinitely grateful for."
"Good, good. But I'm afraid I now have to ask you for a favor. Or it's more of a possibility really."

Here it comes.
"The capital is intoxicated by your presence, and I've had countless requsts fore your presence, so now I think it's time. Your first order of business is to spend a night whit a boy named Cory, tonight to be more exact."
"So a date?"
"No, not a date, a business opportunity."
"And if I decline this, business opportunity?"

He smiled a little, an evil and devilish smile.
"Let's just say you don't."
"But if I do."
The smile instantly disappeared.
"All actions have consequences Miss Whitmore."
I shuddered as I remembered what the words might mean. What they hade mean for Finnick.
"If I agree to this, will it be the only time?"
"With mister….Cory, probably. Your company doesn't come cheap you know."
So it was about money.

"What do I gain from it all?"
He seemed almost shocked by my question.
Almost.
"Well let me think. Shall we say you don't have to do any more of these meetings for the rest of your time in the capital."
"Deal."
"Excellent!"
As soon as the word left my lips I wanted to take it back. I immediately regretted it. Because I knew what I had done, I had just made a deal with the devil, and now, now nothing was going to stop him.

I had just made myself a pawn in his twisted game, and if his words were to be believed, a very expensive one at that.

"I'll send you further instructions later. You'll find them safely in your room in the District 4 apartment." "Thank you."

Thank you?
Thank you!
Had it just been some form of threat, or had he just wanted me to know that he could get into our apartment. That I would never be safe in the capital. God this man really messed with your brain!

But I had no more time to think. We had come to an agreement and now he was just waiting for me to leave. Gone was the nice man who offered me refreshments, no, only the president remained, a cold, evil and calculating man.
He would never deceive me again.

So I went. Left the chair, walked out of the room, away from the receptionist and made my way straight to the metro room.
I needed Finnick, but more importantly, I needed a drink.

Sadly, I only found one of the two in the mentor room.
But luckily for Haymitch Abernathy, it wasn't Finnick.

He had absolutely no objection to pouring me both one and five drinks. "They finally got you kid."
"They sure."
Hicc.
I was interrupted mid-sentence by a hiccup, but didn't let it stop me.
"Did."
"You probably need something more to drink, I've heard a glass cures hiccups."
"That goes for water!"
Shit.

"Hello Mr. Odair, care for a drink?" "No thanks, and I firmly believe she's had enough."
"Busted!"
When both of their eyes turned to me, I realized it.
"Oh shit, I said that out loud, and that, and that, shit! Haymitch make it stop!"
He handed me another glass and I was about to take it when Finnick grabbed my arm and started to pull me away.

"No! My drink!!"
I wouldn't move another step without my drink.
"You've had enough."
"No!!"
"Ohh don't be such a joy killer Odair, we were just having some harmless fun!"
"Harmless? She's 17!"
"Oh, you were younger than that the first time you were drunk with me!" "Yes, but, but not the point!"
"There's no point let her have a drink."
"I want my drink."
"You've had enough."
"No!!"
"Listen to her."

Haymitch who was now just amused by the situation continued to tease Finnick.
"No! She's hade enough. Goodbye Mr. Abernathy."
"No, I want to stay!!"
But he didn't care about what I said, Finnick just threw me over his shoulder and carried me, despite resistance, back to our apartment.

Luckily for me, there hadn't been many mentors left to witness the spectacle.

Even so,
I think Finnick understood when we got to my room, and on my bed he saw a body hugging short dress and the note on it.
-Wear this and be flirty. He doesn't pay for nothing.
He knew very well where the note came from, and now in retrospect I also understood that he knew what I had done.