"Why do you have all of this?" Peeta refers to the documents and scriptures that Seneca offered to Peeta.
"Oh Peeta. Mr Everdeen's son, Marvel Everdeen, has been borrowing some very strong amounts of money, and he hasn't paid me back. So then his father took care of the depth and he gave me the scriptures of his house as a guarantee."
"And how is it possible that the Everdeen's don't have the money to pay for their son's depths?" Peeta asks.
"The Everdeen's are not what they used to be. They keep pretending that they are at the same social position but in reality, they're about to lose it all." Seneca tells him.
Peeta studies the papers once more.
"So do you accept?" Seneca asks.
"Very well. I'll take the promissory note and the scriptures." Peeta says and relieved Seneca quickly puts them all back onto an envelope witch he then hands to Peeta.
"And of course, you no longer work for me." with this Peeta walks away.
X
Katniss looks around the empty beach where she had agreed to meet Gale today, and she wonders why on earth he is late once again, when someone grabs her from behind, making her scream until she hears Gale's familiar chuckle.
"You scared me!" Katniss laughs as Gale gently puts her down and leans in for a small kiss.
"Come sit down with me." Gale says as he carelessly sits on sandy beach, still wearing his marine uniform. "I want to ask you something. I had already told you this before, and I'm going to say it again knowing that this is our only option. Would you run away with me?" Gale challenges.
"I mean, supposing that you're parents don't agree with our relationship." Gale continues as Katniss only gives him a blank stare.
"It's just, that could be so dangerous. My dad was the navy's admiral and although he has retired, he still has many friends and relationships with people that can really hurt you."
"Well what does that have anything to do with this? I could drop out of the navy? We could leave the districts and go somewhere far away. I've always wanted to see what there is behind the Capitol, and visit a real country like France or Spain. And once your parents find out, we're already going to be married." Gale says this all but frankly it all sounds too good to Katniss. It's just a daydream.
"Do you really think that we're going to have to get to that point?" Katniss asks.
"I don't know but I have to make sure that they won't separate us. What do you say?"
Katniss caresses his face and wonders what to say.
"Is that your answer?" Gale hopefully asks.
"Yes." Katniss whispers and nods her head.
Gale chuckles and kisses Katniss. But the two don't notice that Marvel, is watching them.
"To be quite honest, I don't see you too convinced of the decision you made. Are you having doubts?" Gale asks worriedly.
"No it's not that, I just..don't think it's going to be that easy, us running away together."
"Catnip, nothing in life is easy. I know that the only thing I'm missing is money but I promise that I'm going to get it."
Realization hits Katniss, as she realizes where she can get the money to run away with Gale.
"I own a small piece of land. My grandmother gave it to me before her death. I could sell it" she remembers Peeta. "In fact I already have someone who is interested in buying it."
After a little while Gale has to get back to work, and once he is gone Marvel makes his way to his sister.
"Hey there. I can't believe it. You were always my little baby sister, what a surprise I got when I saw how you were sucking that guy's face. Oh of course, that's why Sebastian left you, he found out that you started to please all the little marine's." Marvel laughs. Katniss watches around the beach to see if anyone else was spying on them, but besides Marvel, there doesn't seem to be anyone else.
"You know what, I won't give you the pleasure of insulting me Marvel." with this Katniss grabs her purse from the sand and gets herself up.
"That man that you just saw? He's name is Gale. He's my boyfriend and I'm going to marry him."
Marvel stands up from the sand too.
"Where does he come from?"
"He's from District eight. A marine from the navy." Katniss proudly tells him.
"A marine! Does he have money?" Marvel asks.
"What he does have is education, and he is a man that kills himself working and most importantly, we're in love."
Marvel sighs. "Did you go completely crazy or are you stupid? What the hell is wrong with you Katniss. What will my parents say? How can you leave Sebastin for someone like him, a poor useless marine, that is not worth it." Marvel laughs again.
"And what is it that matters to you? The money the power?" She mocks. "I don't care about that. And for your information, I will never marry a man for his money. And I'm going to ask you not to tell mother about this. Not until Gale has talked to dad and asked for my hand."
"Oh really you're asking me as a favor?"
"Take it as you want." Katniss says and walks away.
"It's your life do whatever the hell you want with it." Marvel yells after her.
X
Peeta bought himself a little mansion in District Twelve where he will be staying whenever he needs due to his company. He is sitting in his living room with Finnck asking him how his farm has been.
"It's doing good. You know Delly wanted to come but his dad didn't let her."
"I think that that's for the best." Peeta simply says as he takes a sip of his whiskey.
"And how did you find the factory?" Finnick curiously asks.
"With many problems. I found out that the administrator has been robbing money for many years. I just fired him."
"What do you mean fired him? He should go to jail!"
"Yes that what I wanted but, I ended up doing a little deal with him. You know who lives in this District? Do you remember the woman that would always visit my father?" Peeta asks.
"The woman that was his lover for years?" Finnick wonders.
"Apparently she is married to a very important man here in District Twelve. The Admiral Everdeen. I just saw here a little while ago."
"Are you serious?" Finnick starts laughing. "And did she recognize you?"
"Finnick she came to my house to ask me not to tell anyone about her little adventures." Peeta says and this makes Finnick laugh even more.
"I also met her husband. He seems like a good man."
"And what face did that woman put when she found out that you are the son of the patron? And that he left you all of his money?" Finnick asks.
"She knows how to act, but I'm sure that she hates me." Peeta admits as he pours himself another drink, and so does Finnick.
"Of course. Since she didn't get a single penny from Benjamin."
"That woman is a bad person Finnick." Peeta admits. "Instead if you'd see her daughter.. she's very beautiful." Peeta takes a deep breath as he thinks of Katniss.
"Well there you have something to entertain yourself with." Finnick smirks.
"I don't understand." Peeta says.
"She could give you a good time Peeta."
"No, I might be Benjamin Mellark's son, but I will never act like he did." The two men are interrupted by Peeta's maid.
"Mr. Mellark, there is a young woman waiting for you in your office."
"A woman?" Peeta wonders.
"Yes. She needs to speak to you."
Peeta excuses himself to Finnick, and makes his way to the office. When he enters he holds his breath as he sees a brown shade of long curls and grey eyes starring into his blue ones.
"Katniss. It's good to see you." Peeta is instantly smiling.
"I came to see you because I thought things a little better and I would like to know if your offer of buying that piece of land still stands."
"Please sit down." Peeta says, and Katniss thanks him with a smile but stands still, not accepting his offer. "Of course my offer still stands." Peeta says but he's smile has fallen.
"I just really need to sell it as soon as possible." Katniss says.
"Why the hurry?" Peeta curiously asks.
"It's personal." She says simply. Peeta nods. "Your family forced you to sell it to me?" he can't help but to ask.
"No, my family has nothing to do with this. Actually I would like to ask you to keep this between the two of us, since I don't want them to find out about this."
"You can count on me. I already counted the square meter of that area. Please sit down." Peeta repeats and slowly Katniss takes a seat.
In his checkbook he writes a sum. "This is what I offer you." he tells her handing her the paper.
She watches the paper for a while before speaking. "I accept. But I would like the money in cash."
"Very well. I have no problem." with this Peeta raises from his seat and so does Katniss.
The two shake hands and Katniss gives him a real genuine smile this time, and this causes for Peeta to start smiling again too.
"Inform me when everything is ready to sign." Katniss starts walking away. "Goodbye." His voice stops her.
"I hope that this deal can start a real friendship between us." he says.
Katniss doesn't respond as she makes her way out.
X
A few days later Diana Everdeen is sitting in Peeta's house once again.
"My son Marvel, is a very impulsive child and he made the mistake of handing the scriptures of our home to a man that borrowed him a strong amount of money. You know who I'm talking about right?" Diana asks.
Peeta nods.
"Mr Crane, your administrator. Well today I went to get our scriptures and the promissory note, but the gran idiot told me that those documents, are in your hands."
"That is true." Peeta calmly tells her.
"Peeta I'm begging you to give me those papers back. My son took the scriptures without his father knowing and he falsified my husbands signature on that promissory note. The worst thing is that Charlie needs those documents and you understand that if my husband finds out he will get very angry and he might throw Marvel out of the house."
"Mr Crane gave me the scriptures as a payment of a depth that he owes me." Peeta tells her.
"Yes I know. Unfortunately my economic state is not very good at the moment, I will sell some of my jewelry but I don't know how long that will take, and I need those scriptures now."
"You know what? I'm going to give them to you Mrs. But I want something in exchange."
Diana seductively stands from her chair and walks towards him. She is so very sure that he want her, the way that Benjamin did.
Peeta steps closer to her as well.
"In exchange for what?" she smiles and moves into kiss him, but he stops her with his words.
"I like your daughter."
Sorry for the short chapter, and guys tell me what you think by reviewing (: