He's literally seeing the whole new side to Effie. In all the years he had known her, he never had seen her so uptight, well-guard, completely tensed and conscious. She's too aware of everything that's going on around her and she's unsure about the way she moves like she's being watched. To be fair, she is being watched. He has no clue what's the deal but people seem to be interested in her not because she's the daughter of the celebrant but perhaps, it has something to do with her being an escort.
"Father was telling me about you spending a whole week at the rest house. You should have told me. I would have kept you company", her sister said.
Even talking to her sister, Effie seemed to be unease. He suddenly wonders if this is how she's always been growing up. It's not a fun childhood.
"The idea was to be alone, Amadea, but thank you", Effie replied politely.
He noticed the way her fingers are fidgeting beside her, itching to get her hands on a cigarette. He also knows that she's keeping herself from the alcohol because she does not want to risk getting too drunk and acting poorly in front of everyone.
"So, Mr. Abernathy…you've worked for years with my sister. How was it?" Amadea asked.
He's unsure whether her sister is just curious or she's trying to get somewhere with that line of question. He met Effie's eyes and she's silently pleading for him to mind his manners.
"She's the only escort I can stand so that should have meant something", he answered casually.
Somehow, Effie seemed to understand. Who knows if there are bugs too inside their house. There might be few people in the crowd listening to them, just waiting for something juicy to spread around the Capitol.
"Well, my sister is anything but inefficient. She always strives to do her best in any field so it's no surprise she's killing this job", the woman turned to her little sister, "…although Mother still does not approve of it but one must decide for one's own life at some point", she added.
Amadea is stunning. He does not deny that. He should have known that the Trinket women are beautiful despite all the crap they put on their faces but despite her sister's beauty, she lacks of Effie's charm and appeal. It's that X factor they kept talking about. Effie simply just have that quality that made people gravitate towards her. She can command a crowd, attract attention, and steal the spotlight. It's just something she's born with that her sister is not.
"Speaking of Mother, where is she?" Effie asked.
She's clearly uncomfortable being talked about by the two of them.
"Oh, you know Mother…just mingling with her friends. I'll let her know you're here", her sister answered and then left.
Effie stood closer to him.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" she asked.
"Well, she is underneath all that red glitters and stuff", he answered honestly.
It's just a question, right? It's too late when he saw the change on her expression after saying that. She's clearly hoping to hear something else from him.
"What?" he asked her back.
"Everyone loves Amadea. That's just the way this world works…even for you it seems", she muttered sadly.
He frowned. What the hell just happened? She asked and he answered.
"Alright, what are you talking about, princess?"
She did not get a chance to respond to that because Amadea returned with a woman covered in everything gold. She's a gold woman. From head to toe, it's all gold. Haymitch had to stop himself from laughing because it would be rude.
"Euphemia", the gold woman greeted rather firmly.
"Mother…happy birthday", Effie greeted back and held her mother's hands.
He was expecting something warmer than that greeting but he already has the idea that her mother was not a great one so he's not surprised at all by the casualness in their interaction.
"Mr. Abernathy, my name is Marina Trinket, Euphemia's mother. I am so glad you can come to my birthday celebration. I am sure you have a very tight schedule", Marina said to Haymitch.
He can clearly see the disdain in the woman's eyes. She's already judging him in her mind and no amount of gold can hide that from him.
"Thank your daughter. She's good at her job to make this happen", he replied.
At the back of his mind, he can hear Effie's voice nagging her for not greeting her mother a happy birthday so instead, he handed her the gift Effie bought her mother. It's a last minute thing.
"For your birthday…" he muttered.
Marina's eyes lit up at the sight of the box and opened it in excitement. He stopped himself from rolling his eyes around. Of course, it's a diamond necklace. He should have known her mother has a flair for jewels too.
"Oh, this is lovely, Mr. Abernathy! Thank you for this splendid present. I shall treasure this forever", the woman exclaimed rather too loudly.
It's intentional so other people would hear.
"It will look good on your dress, Mother", Effie suggested and quickly asked Amadea to put it around her neck.
Haymitch noticed how affectionate Marina is to Amadea while Effie was watching the two of them with such longing in her eyes. He's guessing Amadea is the favorite and Effie is not.
"Beautiful, Mother", Amadea complimented.
"Now, now…we should let Mr. Abernathy enjoy the party. Your father is waiting for you, dear", Marina then said to Effie.
It's his turn to tense. He does not want to be left alone with these people.
"Father should meet Haymitch", Effie said to his rescue.
Suddenly, both Amadea and Marina looked uncertain. What's up? He asked himself.
"He will…later, once he's done talking to you", Marina replied.
Effie glanced towards him, apologizing for breaking her promise to remain at his side the entire night.
"Don't worry, Euphemia. I'll keep an eye on your Victor", Amadea promised which is not settling for her at all but she faked a smile and followed her mother.
Her father, Ronan Trinket, was waiting inside the library when they arrived. He's the most polished man Effie has ever known and he values class above all.
"Euphemia", he greeted formally.
"Father", she greeted back.
The whole situation is awkward. All it lacks is for her to do courtesy.
"Do sit down. We have things to discuss", he instructed and she obeyed while her mother took the seat at the back.
"Is something the matter, Father?" she asked.
He almost scoffed as he took his chair.
"When it concerns you, yes, Euphemia. You've become a sore subject for this family because of this…profession, you've chosen for yourself…"
She wanted to literally throw up after he mentioned being an escort is something she had chosen…like she had the say on the matter.
"…I've tried to get the gamemakers to improve your position but for reason, they're bent on keeping you on that filth of a district. I don't know why but it does not matter now. Everything is going to be alright", he said.
That made her nervous.
"Father, what did you do?" she asked.
Her father is an influential man. If he can't get the gamemakers to have her promoted, she's certain her father can think of something else to have her removed from the Twelve.
"I did not do anything. It's fate. Since no Victors had been produced from District Twelve since you've become its escort, you only have two more years after this game. If still, no Victors came out of that wretched district, you will be asked to retire as an escort. See? Everything works out in the end", he answered proudly.
Retire…it took her a while to let that sink in. Do escorts really retire? She has not met anyone who's a former escort. That's not possible. Snow wouldn't let that happen. Escorts know the ins and outs of the game, the darkest side of it that's left unknown to the rest of the Capitol and the districts. They know all about the secrets, the dirts. Snow will not allow any of them to retire, to be free of he's clutches. Retirement means something else in his vocabulary and it's not good.
"Euphemia!" she blinked a few times, her mother's voice pulling her from her trance, "Have you heard a word your father said?" Marina asked in annoyance.
"Sorry, Father. I was shocked to say the least", she apologized.
Ronan brushed it off.
"It's understandable and frankly, unexpected, but at last, you'll be free from that drunkard you call Victor. You can finally rejoin the society and be a wife to a very respectable man", he said.
What now?
"…be a wife? Father, I don't even date anyone", she muttered.
"Point exactly. You have neglected your own life because of this so-called job but after you retire from it, Nemo Rosehorn, showed interest in you and wants to ask for your hand in marriage after you retire from being an escort, of course. It's going to the wedding of the decade", Ronan revealed.
Marina gasped in awe at the news, obviously very happy with it. Effie, on the other hand, felt like she's been hit a gigantic wave.
"Father…I have not even met Mr. Rosehorn. How could you expect me to marry someone I don't even know?" she asked.
Her father's gaze hardened.
"I expect you to do so because I said so. You brought enough disappointment and disgrace in this family than you can ever imagine. The rumors, the gossips that had spread around the city about you…you have no idea the damage you caused. It will not go on forever and you will have to make up for it and this is how. Your marriage to Nemo Rosehorn will clean up your reputation and bring honor to this family", he exclaimed.
Suddenly, her dress felt so tight. They have a good air-conditioning but she felt hot. Her knuckles are white from gripping the armrest too hard.
"Would you excuse me, please? I need to use the bathroom", she excused herself and went out of the library.
She did not make it to the bathroom because she bumped into Haymitch at the hallway. She does not even know how he found her but she's grateful that he did. Being near him allowed her to breathe again.
"What's wrong, princess? What happened? You looked like you're ready to pass out", he asked in concern.
She's trembling and she just know that she cannot stay there any longer.
"Can you take me back to the penthouse?" she asked instead.
That made him frown. It's her who wanted to attend her mother's birthday party but now asking to leave.
"What did they do to you?" he asked, unable to suppress that growl from his throat.
She saw that look on his face whenever he found out someone had hurt her.
"Nothing. Please…take me back. I don't want to be here anymore", she pleaded.
They cannot risk causing a scene and they will if they stayed.
"Alright, princess. Let's get out of here. It makes me sick to my stomach anyway", he agreed and ushered her out of the mansion, completely ignoring her sister calling for them and asking what happened.