Another bargain on.
I barged in to Snow's office despite the pleas of his secretary that even resorted to calling a couple of Peacekeepers. But I was furious and I don't care if there's a whole army in front of me. I'll manage my way through.
I opened the door widely, finding the bastard looking out of his huge window calmly. He turned my way and nodded off his secretary who was holding onto my arm earnestly. She backed off, said a small sorry and turned to close the door shut, leaving the two of us glaring at each other.
"Well I don't suppose you barged in here to just glare at me, do you, Mr. Odair?" Snow said rather calmly. I imagined both of my fists emerging in his face. It calmed me a bit.
"I made a deal with you. I won't do anything for her to win. Why won't you let me see her, then? What harm would that do to you?" I said, my voice dangerously rising. I inhaled, trying to be diplomatic for Annie's sake. Right now, the trains are making their way to the Capitol's stations, and this bastard won't even let me see her.
He turned from the window and sat behind his enormous desk, eyeing me carefully. He didn't speak for a long time.
"I can't let a broken, poor girl destroying the trade you have successfully made here in the Capitol. Each one of your clients, Mr. Odair, is quite convinced that you are in love with them. It is pathetic, in my opinion but it is the truth. If they found out that someone like her beat them to your infatuations, things will falter. I must not let that happen." He said, his eyes gleaming with dark humor and satisfaction.
Do you think I give a damn if they all die of jealousness? I thought. Deep breaths. Calm down, I reminded myself.
"Snow, she'll be killed in the Arena before I even know it. I need to see her." I said, coloring my tone with the best broken emotion I can do.
"President." He said, leaning back to his chair.
"I'm sorry?"
"You will call me President, Mr. Odair. Would we agree to that?" He said, smiling slightly.
"Oh. Forgive me,… President." I said in a low, measured voice.
"I don't trust you, Mr. Odair. You love her. And I don't think you'll go down without a fight. But I kept thinking, what could you do? Is your love enough to keep her alive in that slaughter?" He said, slowly shaking his head.
"I don't think so." He said in a low voice that I barely caught it.
My hands were balled into fists now, the tendons of my arm standing out. Deep breaths, I reminded myself again.
"So where does that leave us?" I said, closing my eyes because I can't bear to look at that face again.
"I am, after all, a compassionate leader, Mr. Odair. All I prioritize is the majority's best. Of course you can see her. But… she can't see you. Do you understand me?" he said.
It took everything I am to open my eyes and look at him. "You… you won't even let me talk to her?" I asked, somehow managing to say the words through my clenched teeth. I have never felt this kind of loathing to anyone before. It's almost overwhelming.
He didn't say anything. He just shook his head, keeping his eyes on me.
"Please." I said. It was all I could do.
Silence.
"I have one condition, though." He said, eyes shining with a fresh idea.
"You help-who was it? Ah yes, Mags-with her job. How does that sound?" He said, clapping his hands in pure delight. I just stared at him.
"You will mentor her. What do you say?" He asked. His eyes were asking me to take the deal on.
Before I knew it, I heard myself say yes.