Querencia | Finnick Odair

Chapter XXXXVII

My fists are pounding against the punching bag. Sweat is running down my face, accompanied by tears. My mind is racing. Images pop up as I think about the prospect of being used again, being held down again, being helpless.

I feel nothing at that moment, nothing but emptiness. I thought I could feel good. Be with Mariann and her family. I helped people. Saved their lives. But my life is still as shitty as ever. My ears ring with screams and grunts and whimpers.

I stop hitting the bag and sink to the floor. Why didn't I just die in the arena, didn't die when I lay on the lobby floor. Why couldn't this nightmare be over?

This is so embarrassing. I am twenty years old and used to this shit. I get up and stretch, wiping away the sweat and tears with my towel, then wash my face and almost look like I didn't just have a meltdown.

I walk to the elevator and am greeted by Cashmere who is in a short golden dress, seemingly on her way to the limousine waiting outside.

"Haven't seen you in quite some time", she comments and I shrug.

"Back now."

"I have heard that you killed one of the assholes?", she smirks at me.

I nod. "You screw me, I screw you back."

She smiles. "Good job", Cashmere says and leaves.

I reach my room and shower, wash my hair and let it air dry which makes it curl up. I read and wait for the dress, letter and make-up artist.

To my surprise, the dress that is delivered was not as revealing as usual, but an elegant, long black dress. It has a multitude of layers, a deep black, strong fabric, followed by a sparkly tulle and then a normal sheer blackish layer. They rustle when I move and light reflects off some of the small gems that are sown on the top layer.

The off-shoulder sleeves have small gemstones on threads, circling around my shoulders.

The make-up artist arrives earlier than usual and works silently, which is something new. He works silently, recurling my already curly hair, twisting them into rope braids and making a bun in the back of my head, small black gems build into it. I also get big dangling black earrings and a very big collier.

"This is very heavy. Very expensive. He must think highly of you", are the first words the man says and I shrug. "Sure."

Then it is silent again and he does my make-up. It is dark and uses golden highlights, such as a golden eyeliner and small stones over my eyebrows. My lips are red with a golden shimmer.

The artist leaves and I open the letter that arrived with the dress. It is the usual bullsit about being happy to be able to meet me and it being an honour. I then take the necklace that Finnick gave me and wrap it around my wrist multiple times.

The limousine arrives 20 minutes later, my driver gives me his usual nod and we drive through the whole town. The lights blur together and rain droplets run down the side of the window.

We stop in front of a mansion that could compete with Snows and my buyer is waiting at the bottom of the stairs, umbrella in hand.

The door is opened by a butler and Jacob Anderlis smiles at me.

"Dear Talisa. It has been too long. I almost forgot about your lovely body, but the advertisement from Hunce, my wives favourite lingerie line. Oh, it made me remember our special night. And since I am Snow's advisor now I could ask for a favour. Smile darling, you are going to enjoy the evening. A quartet, dancing, drinks and food."

I smile, my eyes narrowed still and let him lead me up the staircase.

"I will introduce you to my new friends and my wife of course", he smiles and we enter the room from which music sounds.

It is beautiful. The room is illuminated by hundreds, maybe thousands of candles throwing soft light on everything. The people's dresses are glowing in the light and their skin looks like gold. If this wasn't for the occasion of my visit I would have loved it. The music is slow and not intrusive, a soft smell of cinnamon and rose is in the air.

Jacob pulls me along, through the next pair of golden double doors into a room with even more people, tables and a buffet that takes up the sides of the room.

"Come, come. This is Theoloius Paul, one of the ministers advising me. Theoloius this is my special guest for tonight, Talisa Moreno. You should know her."

The man takes my hand and presses it to his lips. "Of course I do. A pleasure to meet you."

"Same goes for me. And ministry are you working for?", I inquire.

"Health and Support Systems."

"Only in the Capitol, I assume?", I question with raised eyebrows because if the Districts would be a part of it he would do a crappy job.

"That is true. The Districts have their own minister."

"One for all twelve?"

"Yes."
I shake my head slightly. "That would explain a lot."

My host smiles and pulls me away.

"No such comments darling. This is an evening to enjoy. Now let's see if we can find my wife."

We cross the room and walk through a lounge, a playroom resembling a Casino.

"And your wife approves of you taking Snow's....offer? I mean...you are married."

"Of course she is. We have a very open, very understanding relationship."

"Well then. Maybe she is in the ballroom?"

And she is, talking to a group of women, with a tall blond male next to her.

"My darling, this is my guest for tonight. Talisa, this is my lovely wife. She wanted to meet you for some time."

But I just stare into the sea green eyes of the man I believe I might have lost.

"Lovely", I mumble and hug her, my eyes not breaking from my gaze.

"Talisa", he mumbles.

"Hey Finnick."