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

43. Surprise

An hour and a half later I was done. Now, did I usually take this long, no. But as soon as I heard unknown voices downstairs, I had decided that this time I would take a lot more time.

My hair was half done. I had braided the ponytail left from the hairstyle, and in the braid I had inserted small pearl hair pins. It was all a litle over the top and not my style, but I was sure the capital, and my fiance, would love it. The dress was much simpler, a knee length dress in cream color, long wide arms with pearls scattered at the ends. To be honest, I was beautiful, radiant as a mater a fackt, but I found no joy in it.

As Cory so kindly pointed out, everything mine was his, everything I owned was bought with money from his family. I had nothing, nothing was mine. So for everyone's safety and comfort, I dressed up, put on a smile and went downstairs.

"Ahhh Honey, just in time!!"
I hadn't made it further than just down the stairs before he caught my attention with his words. I turned boldly to his voice and saw what he had done. My entire living room was remodeled like a movie studio with the sofa at the center. It looked like something you'd see in the capital, but maybe that was the point. But then I saw it, suddely placed on the table behind the couch they stoud in a delikat vase. His white roses. He came up behind me and put his arms around me.

"So what do you think, beautiful isn't it?!"
"It looks like a magazine."
"Well thank you I do my best!"
It came from a man who was fiddling with the camera, so I refrained from saying that it wasn't a compliment. "Mr. Snow, take your seats and make yourself comfortable!"

Cory gave the man a nod, grabbed my arm and pulled me to the sofa. We sat down, both clearly stiff, but that's when he started directing us.

"Oh, this just won't do, don't you agree Mr. Snow?!"
"I absolutely do Rams, how do you want us?"
Rams, I assumed his name was Rams appeared and immediately started conducting.

"Put your arm around her Mr. Snow, and sit closer to him Miss Whitmore!" He waited until we did what he said before he continued.
"Okay, a little closer Miss Whitmore, and if you Mr. Snow expertly put your arm around her waist, yes yes just like that!! And how about you look lovingly into each other's eyes as we begin, not that that will be harde !"
He started mumbling more to himself and moved to behind the camera.
"Okay we'll be live in three, two..."

Cory stared into my eyes and I into his, for a second it almost felt painful, at least until Caesar Flickerman's voice rang through the room.
"Hello, hello, capital to the lovebirds, can you hear me?"
"Ohh yes, sorry Caesar, I was in awe of her buty!"
"Hahahah it's not hard to see how!!" Both men laughed, and the audience with them, I blushed and smiled modestly.

"But where do you spend your time these days, the capital is missing its favorite couple!!"
I spoke before Cory could.
"Ohh we've taken a little break at my residence, but Caesar?!"
"Yes Miss Whitmore, or shall I call you Mrs. Snow?!"

His expression had gone from slightly worried about what I was going to ask, to hopeful about my answer. "Ohh I'm afraid you don't have that honor yet."
Cory spoke up with a sadend face, as if he was actually disappointed that he couldn't share such news.
"Ohh that's such a shame!!! And I who had hoped that that would be your explanation for abandoning us!!"

He said it with a smile and you could hear the crowd laughing and agreeing with each other. So I smiled at Cory and he at me, before I just out of no whear spoke.
"Ohhh but I've heard you're seeing other Caesars!!"
He played shocked and clutched his chest.
"Who me?! Cheating on my favorite couple, never!!"
Without wasting a second or even giving Cory the chance to cut in, I continued.
"Ohh, so Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark mean nothing to you?!" Caesar looked like he'd been caught in a lie and Cory took my second of silence as an opportunity.

"Yes, I hear they are fighting for a place in your heart Mr. Flickerman!" "Accusations!!"
Caesar played insulted and the audience laughed.
"Ohh don't worry Caesar, you're not the only one who simply adores them, I'm quite fond of them myself if I dare say so!"
"Thank you Miss Whitmore, always the rescue!!"
The audience laughed, Cory laughed and I smiled.

I found myself finding it hard to just look into the camera and smile as Cory's arm rested around me. As if I was lying to the whole capital when I was whit him, but maybe I was. I didn't know why it felt that way, but it did, only one thought stood out among all the others, I hope Finnick didn't see this interview. For God's sake let him be out with the boat or something, that would be best, they wouldn't be able to hurt him there.

And just like that, my thoughts were wandering for the rest of the interview.
Hopefully no one would mash anything.
Hopefully it would be over soon

And that was it, we said goodbye with smiles on our faces. Cameras were packed and furniture was put back into place, the only problem was that Cory didn't leave with the cameraman. Nor did he leave the next day, or the day after that, his excuse being that he was waiting for a surprise for me, a surprise I could almost certainly say I didn't want.

And when the stylists arrived with wedding dresses in toe, I was sure. This would be hell, pure hell.

A/N

Sorry it's so short, I'll try to do
better😭😭.