Chapter 14: Revelations

Finnick had been gone a week and a half when Annie finally heard from someone in her store that he had been seen getting off the train in District Four a few days earlier.

"Are you sure?" Annie had asked the customer.

The customer had been positive.

For the rest of her shift, Annie wondered why exactly he hadn't told her he was back in town. Was he upset with her? Did he forget about her? She decided that after work she would visit Victor's Village.

Annie didn't know why she was nervous as she hovered outside of the gates of Victor's Village. She tightly clinched the bottom of her shirt. She was sweating.

Get a grip, she thought to herself. He was probably just exhausted from all of the interviews and meetings in the Capitol. Nothing could have drastically changed their relationship since he left. He didn't forget about her again. He couldn't.

Annie knocked on Finnick's door twice. She had to wait a few agonizing minutes before he finally answered. He was wearing loose sleeping pants and a somewhat disheveled white shirt with an extra high collar. His face was pale and there were dark bags under his eyes.

"Annie? What are you—"

"I just came to see you. A customer told me you were back so I just thought…" She trailed off.

"Thought what?" Finnick made no move that indicated that he was going to invite Annie inside.

"I thought you might want to hang out, or something."

There was an awkward silence. Finnick coughed.

"I want to Annie, but I'm just not feeling well. That's why I didn't tell you I was back. I didn't want to infect you with whatever I got at the Capitol."

Annie was trying desperately to read his expression. Before she could fully study him, however, he looked away and stared at something inside his house that she couldn't see.

"I'll message you when I feel better, okay?" He lowered his head and studied his feet.

"Alright. Bye, Finnick." Her voice was icy. She turned on her heel and walked away without another word.

Finnick wanted to call after her, but he just couldn't muster up the will power. He couldn't stand to be around her after what had happened in the Capitol. He felt even more disgusting than usual because he thought about his lips touching Annie's after they had… He didn't want to think about that. He watched Annie leave Victor's Village completely before going back inside and curling up on his couch.

Annie didn't know what she was feeling as she stormed out of Victor's Village. Finnick definitely looked sick, but he was obviously lying to her about something. She was getting sick of all of the lies! How were they supposed to start over if something was changing about their relationship every other day? She had this internal fight with herself almost the entire way back to her house. Before, she could make it home, though; she was stopped by a familiar but unwelcomed face. He called out her name and she whipped around.

"Dominic? What the hell are—"

"Annie, listen. I'm not here to hurt you." He still had his arm in a sling and a few bruises on his face.

"Then what are you doing here? I thought I told you to never come near me again." She clenched her fists and started backing away.

"I came here to tell you something."

Annie was not going to lower her guard this time. "Something about what?"

"Something about Finnick." His face gave no indication that he was lying.

"Were you just following me?"

He let out a deep breath. "Yes, I was."

Annie had heard enough. She started walking away.

"Wait! Please! He's not who you think he is!" He walked after her.

She didn't stop no matter how tempting his words were.

He didn't stop either. "I know what he does in the Capitol when he is away. It isn't always business."

Annie stopped but didn't turn around.

"What are you talking about?" she demanded.

"Just let me show you. It'll be easier."

She turned to him. "Where?"

"My house."

She scoffed. "No way."

"I know how it sounds, but my dad will be there. I can't hurt you if he's there can I?" His voice was pleading.

"I don't know why you are asking me that!"

"Annie, please! You can walk behind me the entire time and not go into my house until you see my dad." Dominic got closer. "You know him. He's a good man."

Annie shook her head. "I thought you were a good man, Dominic."

"I'm a better man than Finnick, Annie. I can tell you that right now."

Annie could plainly see his hatred for Finnick on his face.

Every part of Annie told her to not trust this boy, but her frustration over the events between her and Finnick earlier caused her brain to push all of those parts into the background.

She made a gesture with her arm in the way of the mayor's house.

"After you." She said.

"Thank you for giving me another chance, Annie." Dominic said, while turning toward his house. He started walking at a medium pace. Annie fell in step a few feet behind him.

"This doesn't change anything between us, Dominic. You know that, right?" Annie shot to his back.

"Yeah, I know."

Fifteen minutes later, Annie and Dominic had arrived at his house. His maid was in the front yard watering the numerous flowers outside the mansion.

She paid them no attention as they walked by her and towards the front door. Dominic opened the door and walked inside. He turned to her.

"I'll get my dad if you—"

"Just take me to wherever you need to, okay."

"Are you sure?"

She got in his face. "If you try anything, I'll make you regret it. Got it?"

"Yeah."

"Good. Now go." She followed him inside the house and down a long, heavily decorated, hallway. In a few moments they were standing inside a room that looked like a study. There was a giant screen on top of a beautifully carved fireplace mantel. There was also a large mahogany desk piled with papers and books and two velvet chairs in either corner of the room. Annie couldn't fathom how rich the Capitol must be if there were some people in the districts that lived in such luxury.

"This is my dad's office. He is able to view special messages and programming from the Capitol that isn't always broadcast to the public. The other day I was watching, and I saw Finnick being interviewed by Caesar Flickerman."

"So?" Annie pushed.

Dominic grabbed a little remote from the desk and pushed one of the buttons.

"Just watch."

An image of Finnick appeared on the screen. He was laughing and smiling while sitting across from the colorful and ridiculously dressed Caesar Flickerman. On either side of him sat a beautiful woman, dressed in hardly anything. They both had their hands all over his chest and legs. Caesar was talking to Finnick about something but Annie couldn't hear any of it. She was too focused on the fact that Finnick had suddenly leaned over and kissed the dark headed woman on his right on the lips. It was short, but sultry. She giggled and ran her hand up his thigh. Caesar laughed, clapped his hands together and said something like "Wonderful" or "Fantastic". The other girl kissed him on the cheek and started running her fingers through his hair. Annie felt sick.

"What is this?" Annie couldn't take her eyes off the screen.

"This is who he really is, Annie." Dominic had paused on a still of Finnick smiling wide. "I'm sorry."

She turned quickly towards him, tears in her eyes. "No you're not. You hate him…and me. I'll bet you took pleasure in watching my heart break, didn't you?"

"Annie…" he reached for her. She slapped his hand away.

"Stay the hell away from me, Dominic!" She ran out of the room, then out of the house.

The sun was setting as Annie made her way back to Victor's Village, running the entire way. By the time she was through the gates, she was dripping sweat.

Annie violently knocked on the front door. Before Finnick could open fully open the door, Annie barged in.

"Annie, what the hell!"

"What were you doing in the Capitol?"

He could see the tears in her eyes through the sweat. He approached her with outreached arms. "Annie, what's wrong?"

She backed away. "Answer my question! What were you doing in the Capitol?" She slowed down every syllable.

He moved away and crossed his arms. "Interviews. Conferences with the other Victor's. We looked at some of the new training materials and facilities."

Although his voice was matter of fact, Annie could sense the real truth he was hiding under the surface.

"What kinds of interviews?" Her jaw was clenched.

The look on his face said everything. He knew she knew.

"How did you…"

"Dominic showed me."

Finnick's whole demeanor changed. "He what? Why were you with him?"

"Stop! Don't do that! Don't try and change the subject!" She jutted out her chin and stared at him intently.

"What do you want from me Annie? You obviously know what I do in the Capitol now." He looked at her stone faced. "What more do you need?"

"I need to know why. Why did you lie to me? About everything!" She was fuming.

Finnick was cornered. He had no idea what he could tell Annie without her leaving him forever.

"I didn't want to hurt you…I guess."

"Hurt me? How could you throwing yourself at someone hurt me? We aren't even together!" She was yelling at him.

He was being hit by a million emotions at once and anger just happened to be the one that was surfacing in order to match Annie's intensity.

"Well obviously you are a little jealous since this has you all worked up!" He yelled back at her.

"Jealous? You jerk! I don't give a damn who you make out with Finnick!"

"Well here's a newsflash, Annie! I didn't just make out with them! I slept with them! Both of them!" Finnick immediately regretted saying that. Unfortunately, now there was no going back.

To be continued…