Effie fell asleep right away. She must have had couple of drinks at the bar as she entertained that investor. My head still couldn't cope with all the things she said. How can I be so blind? All those parties she used to attend, I thought she just loved it. I thought she's just the normal Capitol darling who loves attention but no. She's attending those to get sponsors. She's using her charm and her popularity to get them to invest their money to my district even though our previous tributes before Katniss and Peeta were weak. I was so caught up with drinking that I didn't even notice what she's doing or even care what she's doing.

That controversy about Katniss shooting an arrow towards those people during training put Effie in hysterics. We thought she's just overreacting but she's truly panicking. She paced back and forth and then left us to make some phone calls. Later that night, she informed that she'll be going out to meet some friends to cool some steam stating she's still mad at Katniss. The next day I got a call about a sponsor wanting to put his money on District 12. I expected Effie to jump in happiness when I informed them about it but she only smiled and lectured Katniss and Peeta. I should've known then and there that something's odd. It was her. She went out that night to pull that 'heavy string' for Katniss and Peeta. If what she said was true about Seneca's warning, then she knew that what Katniss did will only put her and Peeta's lives at risk and without sponsor willing to jump in first, their chances of survival will be slim so she did what she did.

Memories came flooding back as I try to look at them in different perspective. There were some nights where I would catch her in the living room looking exhausted. The beaming smile on her face was gone. Whenever I asked her back then what's the matter, she would just say 'oh, just tired from walking around with my designer shoes all day long'. I know now that that wasn't true. For years, I put the blame on her for the horrible things that happened to those kids that she reaped without realizing how much she cares. She took care of them when I chose to drown myself with alcohol and ignore them. I detached myself and she used herself to give them their best chance.

I went inside her bedroom just to check on her. She's still asleep. I noticed the marks on her arms. I held on to her quite strong. I didn't mean to but I was so angry earlier that I lost it a bit. They must hurt. She has a pale porcelain skin and I should've known that she bruised easily.

"I'm so sorry, Eff", I whispered and started walking away.

"Please, stay", she suddenly said.

I stopped and turned around. She's already awake or perhaps she's been awake for some time.

"I thought you're sleeping', I said.

"I couldn't sleep. Do you mind staying for a while?" she asked.

I walked back to her and sat next to her. She moved closer and put her head on my lap. I gently brushed her natural hair with my fingers. I have touched her wigs before and they were synthetic. Her natural hair is soft.

"I never meant to go behind your back. I just wanted to help and I know you don't want to get attached to those kids so I thought it would be best if I just kept it a secret. They didn't deserve to be thrown like that in the arena and providing them some sponsors was the only thing I can do at the time", she said.

Her voice is full of pain.

"I know. I am so sorry that I wasn't there and that I didn't help you", I apologized. I was an idiot and a selfish bastard.

"That's alright. I get it. There are times that I find it hard to get out of bed in the morning and I now understand why you chose to drink and forget. I did that too when I was here by myself so I can say now I am more sympathetic to your drinking habits not that I condone it", she said.

I laughed a little. She always hated my drinking and scolded me numerous times about it. At least, now she understands it.

"Yeah, I know you will never condone it ever. Rest now, princess. Tomorrow is another day. We can go to the garden and have a picnic. You should see it during daylight. It looks amazing", I said.

She smiled at the idea of it.

"That would be nice. Will you stay here while I sleep? I just feel calm and safe when you're around", she asked.

"Of course, I'll stay", I answered and lie down with her on her bed.

I must have dozed off because the next thing I heard is her screaming. I almost jumped out of the bed and saw her having a nightmare.

"Effie! Wake up! You're just dreaming", I shook her and she finally opened her eyes.

She jolted up but I caught her and pulled her into my arms. Her whole body is trembling and shaking in fear. I don't want to ask what she dreamt about because I know it's horrible enough to make her feel like this.

"It's alright, sweetheart. I am here. I am right here and I'm not going anywhere", I whispered.

The morning came and Effie is still sleeping. It was a long night last night. I told her funny stories so I can take her mind off from the nightmare until she fell asleep. I tiptoed out of her room and dialed on the phone in the living room.

"Hey, it's Haymitch. We need to talk about Effie", I said.

"I agree", Plutarch said.

"Don't ask her to make some investor sign contracts. I don't want her doing that kind of stuff anymore", I said.

"I'm afraid that might never happen again even without you telling me", he mentioned.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"President Paylor is throwing her immunity to the garbage. I just got the news this morning. They want to put her on trial", he answered.