I chose to remain in the Capitol even though I loathe the very smell of it because of Effie. She made it clear that no one besides Plutarch wants her there and because she felt left out as well in District 12, I don't know how I will convince her to stay with us. I thought my life is hell but seeing her now and how the fire in her eyes had been snuff out, I may have to rethink that. I still don't know how she got into the games. Plutarch said she was forced to be part of it which might mean that she doesn't want to be a part of it in the first place. That would also mean that that whole show about being excited about the parties, the interviews, and socializing with people involved in the game were all pretense.

I shouldn't be surprised. I've seen Effie put on a big show of being pleased to meet the previous game master before Seneca whom she hated. She endured three hours of talking to him like they've been best friends for years. She laughed at his jokes and even touched him from time to time. After that whole fiasco, we went back to our floor and there she expressed how disgusted she was of him. I was so shocked, of course, because I thought she did like him. That's how I found out that she can really suck it up and put a face for everyone and hide behind her wigs.

We talked, occasionally. She's been very quiet, always looking out on a distance. It's an awkward feeling because Effie is not the quiet type even when she was with us at District 13. She was constantly talking if not complaining. The nights are complicated. I would wake up in the middle of the night to her screams. She always gets nightmares every single night and I made sure I am always there to wake her up. She's not as dangerous as we are in that kind of situation. She doesn't sleep with a knife and try to kill anyone who tries to wake her although she gets hysterical like I'm there to kill her. It will take her a minute or two before she realized it's me.

Today is not any different. She's quiet just reading her book by the sofa while I am watching the television. There's that noticeable dark circles around her eyes. I can tell that she's exhausted. She rarely gets decent hours of sleep. Sometimes, she would fell asleep on the sofa from reading and that would only last for not more than four hours. It's getting into her.

"Do you want to go out later? We can visit the secret garden if you want and stay there have a picnic maybe", I asked breaking the silence between us.

She turned her eyes on me and all I saw was sadness. The fire is no longer there. I couldn't even see a trace of it. It's like it never existed. She just looked so defeated.

"That would be nice but I got to be somewhere tonight. Plutarch asked me to meet an investor for his program. He said it's important that I closed the deal with him so I said yes", she answered.

I didn't know she's working. Of course, she has to work. She's not an escort anymore.

"Oh, do you want me to come with you? I can go with you", I offered.

She let out a smile.

"That's generous, Haymitch, but it will be in a bar and it will be filled with people you don't like. It's okay. I'll be fine. I'll come home for dinner. Is it okay if you make me that pie you baked the other night?" she declined and then asked.

I knew she loved that pie. She ate like three slices of it.

"Alright…consider it done, princess", I agreed.

"Thank you, Haymitch", she replied.

Her fridge is always full which is more than I can say from what we have back at 12. I wrote to Katniss and Peeta just to let them know that we're fine. I know they worry too about Effie. I have no idea if they know about that she tried to kill herself though.

I checked the clock and it's almost eleven. This is odd. She's usually back by nine whenever she goes out. She said she will be back for dinner. Eleven is not dinner time.

Plutarch gave me the address of the bar. He knows better than to argue with me although he pleaded for me not to make a scene because that investor is really important. I made no promises. I reached the bar and she was right. It's filled with people I don't like. I guess, it's where the Capitol people hang out after the rebellion. Some of them still sport the wig and the heavy makeup from before the war. Those bottles by the bar look great but I am not here for that. I am here to find Effie.

It didn't take long. I spotted her by the corner talking with a man. She's not wearing any wig although she painted her face with makeup, nothing like before though. I can see the investor's hand running up and down her bare thigh. She's wearing a black dress that's really short than what she normally wears. They're talking very intimately and I saw her handed him a pen. The gentleman signed a small screen and Effie took it right away. I guess the deal has been sealed and she knew it too because her demeanor has changed. She's not as engaged as before. She turned her thigh away from his reach but maintained the flirty smile on her face.

The man is eager. Effie got up to head to the bar when he followed her and pinned her against the wall. I was about to storm there when I saw her put her hand on his face like she's calming him down. She playfully pushed his chest to get the glass on the counter and gave it to him. Once the man finished his drink, the two danced a little with his hands roaming around her body. I can feel my blood rising towards my head and it is boiling. How can she let the man touch her like that? I know it's important for Plutarch but that is too much!

A moment later, Effie introduced him to another woman with the same outfit as hers. The lady is obviously very much interested and danced with him right away. Effie took her chance to exit. I finally was able to see what she's talking about the Capitol citizen disliking her. They are all glaring at her as she passed them. Then, I caught up with her at the back of the bar sending the contract to Plutarch on her tablet.

"Is that how you do a business now, princess?" I asked which startled her.

"God, Haymitch! What are you doing here?" she exclaimed but I didn't answer. She knows what I mean. "That is nothing, darling. Don't overreact. The deal is done. See? I guess this needs to be celebrated. Come on. Let's go home. I'm excited for that pie", she answered like nothing happened.