A/N OMG I'm sooo sorry guys! I had a really busy exam period and then my mum decided to confiscate all of my electronic stuff, because apparently they 'pose too much of a distraction'... whatever that means...
Thanks for your reviews, guys, it means a lot to me that people like my story and want me to update faster, and I promise that I will try my hardest over the summer, but I can't guarantee anything.
Anyhoo, here is the long-anticipated chapter 3!
Disclaimer: You think I own the Hunger Games? Haha, good joke! But, seriously, I don't.
Chapter 3
"Finnick? Is that you?" the guy sat at the table asks, eyes wide open in shock and disbelief.
Finnick's grin widens even more, which I didn't even think was possible. "Yeah. You alright, Peety?"
He nods. "Yeah, been moving around a lot, trying to find the ideal job."
Finnick goes and slaps him on the back. "Well, Peet, this might be the job for you. That is, if your interview is a success..." he trails off, unsure of how to finish that sentence.
The guy just laughs. "Let's hope so, Finn."
Finnick opens his mouth to reply, but I clear my throat loudly, having snapped out of my daze. "Mr Odair, this is a formal job interview, not some get-together with someone you knew at university," I say, trying to hurry things along so the interview can be over and done with
"Sorry, Miss Everdeen," he mumbles. The guy sat down opposite us widens his eyes in recognition, causing me to become suspicious. Just who is this guy? I wonder.
"Ok." I turn to the guy. "Katniss Everdeen, manager of this fashion company, Hunger," I say, sticking my hand out towards him.
He shakes my hand, bright blue eyes sparkling. "Peeta Mellark. And I know who you are, Miss Everdeen," he says with a shy grin on his face. Well, at least this guy has manners, I think.
I smile back. "And I can presume you already know our employment officer, Finnick Odair."
"Yeah, I went to university with him." I see Finnick grin out of the corner of my eye and I manage to stop myself from rolling my eyes at him.
I see this comment as a cue to start the interview properly. "So, Peeta, what did you study at university?" I say, taking my seat and getting out a notebook and pen. Finnick follows my lead, doing the same as me.
"I studied concept design," he states, visibly relaxing in his chair.
"Ok. Do you design a lot in your free time?"
He shrugs. "Bits and pieces. I paint more often, though. It feels more... therapeutic, I guess."
I nod. Finnick asks the next question. "Did you bring any of these to show us, Peet?" I send him a look that says, keep it formal, Odair.
Peeta smiles. "Yeah, just a few. Do you want to see them?" We both nod, and he reaches into his bag and brings out a few pieces of paper. I pull the sheets closer. They are all full of intricately designed clothes and expertly painted scenes, full of flowers and other things from nature.
"I knew he was good, but I didn't know he was this good," Finnick mumbles to me, so Peeta can't hear.
"They're amazing. Where did you learn to draw like this?" I ask him.
He shrugs. "I've been drawing all of my life. It's just natural talent, I guess." I look at the sheets of paper once more before handing them back.
From there, the interview runs very smoothly, and it quickly becomes clear that Peeta Mellark has a very good way with words. Another natural talent, I guess. As the interview comes to a close, it becomes quite obvious that Peeta belongs in our company, although I am unsure as to whether or not it should be as assistant manager. As I stand to shake his hand goodbye, Finnick does the same, and sends me a look, asking, can I? I roll my eyes and nod, and Finnick rushes to the other side of the table and engulfs Peeta in a 'man' hug
"I'll keep in touch, Peet, don't you worry." Finnick says after they've finished 'man' hugging.
"Awesome." He glances at his watch. "Oh, I need to go. Is that alright?" Both Finnick and I nod. "Well, good to see you again, Finnick, and it was nice meeting you, Miss Everedeen. I hope we can work together in the future."
I just smile. "It was nice meeting you, too. I look forward to potentially seeing you again." He grins and walks out. I sigh and slump in my chair.
"What? Oh, come on, Kitty, he was good. Amazing, in fact!" Finnick says, grinning like crazy.
"I know, Finn, he was amazing."
He narrows his eyes. "But," he encourages me to continue.
"But I don't think he's suited to the role of assistant manager, although I do think he should have another job in the company, it just feels like he will bring something amazing, something, I don't know, edgy, to this company. I just need to think of where he could go in the company," I say, hoping that Finnick will follow me and understand.
He rubs his chin, deep in thought. "Hmm. Now that you mention it, I see what you mean. He would be best suited somewhere else in the company."
"Glad you agree with me for once in your life," I say, sending him a cheeky grin.
"Yeah, makes a change, doesn't it?" He sticks his tongue out at me. I roll my eyes and glance up at the clock. 3.00.
I sigh. "Finn, I need to go to my office. I have to leave at half four to pick up Sophia, so I only have an hour and a half to do some work."
"Oh, ok. I should probably go do some work, sort out interviews and stuff. Speaking of which, we have an interview at ten tomorrow morning."
"Cool. Thanks for the heads up this time, Finn."
He grins. "No probs. See you tomorrow, then?"
I nod. "See you tomorrow, Finn." I open the door and head to the lift, which opens straight away. I get in and head to my office. Just before I open the door, Beetee clears his throat and I look over to him.
"Miss Everdeen, you have a call that has just come through on line one."
"Thank you, Beetee!" I say, smiling. He smiles back and I go into my office and pick up the phone. "Hello, Katniss Everdeen speaking, how may I help you?"
"Katniss? There's no need to sound formal, it's just me." I'd know that voice anywhere.
"Hi, mum."
"Hi honey. I was just ringing to say 'happy birthday', really. Oh, and that Prim got home safely, as well."
"Thanks mum, and I'm glad Prim is ok. How's dad?" I dare to ask, not expecting good news, judging by what Prim told me this weekend.
"Oh, he's fine, really. Just a broken leeg, that's all." I breathe a sigh of relief. "Judging by that sigh, I expect that Prim told you an extreme version of events, as usual?"
"Yeah, something like that. I'm glad he's ok and all, but mum?"
"Yes, Katniss?"
"I really need to get on with work, I'm leaving to collect Sophia at half four and I really need to finish this thing that I'm working on. I really wish that we could finish this conversation, but I really need to get on."
"That's fine, Katniss." The disappointment is obvious in her voice. I ignore it.
"Ok. Speak to you soon, mum."
"Bye, honey."
"Bye." I hang up and turn to my computer and begin my little interview review.
Forty-five minutes later, there is a knock at my door. "Come in," I say, and I hear the door opening and closing. I look up and see Gale standing there, smiling at me. I smile back.
"Hey, um, I just came to give you these designs that I've finalised, like you asked for." He hands me some pieces of paper and a place them on my desk to look at later.
"Thanks. And early, as usual," I say with a sly smile.
He rubs the back of his neck. "Hey, I was wondering if you want me to come over tonight for a movie night like we used to do back in school, becuase it'll just be you and Sophia."
I sigh. "Sorry Gale, it's just that," I try to think of a suitable lie to cover up, "Prim decided to stay one last night, so that I would have someone to spend my birthday with, as Sophia's going round to a friend's for a sleepover."
He frowns. "Prim can join in with us, I don't mind."
"Gale, I-"
"I can even bring popcorn, ice cream and sweets just like years ago, as well," he says, interrupting me.
"Gale, I want to spend the night with my sister," he opens his mouth to protest, but I cut him off, "and my sister alone."
He nods, defeat written all over his face. "Ok, I understand."
"Gale, maybe we can have tomorrow night as a movie night instead, yeah? It'll be more fun with Sophia there anyway, she loves watching movie with you, she told me."
"Really?" I nod my head. "Yeah, ok, I guess we could have a movie night tomorrow."
"Ok then Gale, see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, bye, Katniss!" he says and walks out the door closing it carefully behind him. I breathe a sigh of relief, grateful that he bought into my lie. I turn back to my computer to finish off what Gale interrupted, and before I know it, it's half past four. I turn my computer off and tidy my desk up. I head out of my office and lock the door, bidding goodbye to Beetee.
As I walk through reception, Effie says, "Goodbye, Miss Everdeen. Have a lovely night." She smiles.
I smile back and say, "Thank you, Effie. You have a good night, too." I drive back to my apartment and rush up to my suite. I grab Sophia's overnight things, as I forgot to pick them up this morning in my hurry, and rush back downstairs and back into my car to go pick her up. Once I have picked her up and dropped her off at her friend's house, I head home.
As I enter my apartment, I look at the clock on my bedside table. 5.30. Half an hour 'til Cato arrives. I decide that we're going to have pizza for dinner, so I call up our favourite takeaway shop and order our usuals. I then decide to go have a quick shower. After my shower, I change into some grey trackies and a blue short sleeved t-shirt that says 'NERD' on it, so my outfit is completely casual, as it should be. I start to brush my hair, and as I do, I hear the lift open, which tells me that Cato has arrived. I quickly finish brushing my hair and head out of the bedroom, to find Cato standing there with a couple of pizza boxes in his hand.
"I'm guessing this is our dinner tonight, then?" he says, smirking. I glare up at him. "What? I'm only joking, you know how much I love these pizzas!" This time, I roll my eyes at him, realising something.
"Cato, did you pay for those pizzas?"
He grins. "Yup. The delivery guy was in the lift area when I got there, wondering how to get up to the penthouse suite, and I said that I was going up there and he asked me if I could take them up, so I said yes, and paid for them."
"I was happy to pay for them!"
"Yes, but it is your birthday, Kat."
I sigh. "Fine." He steps forward and wraps his arms around my waist, and mine find their way to around his neck. I notice that he's dressed casual, too, in shorts and a plain shirt. I rest my head on his chest and I feel his hot breath on my ear.
"I love you Kat, and I'm so glad that you gave me this second chance."
I lift my head and look at him. "Cato, we've been going out for a year and a half now, I think we can forget about that. I trust you with all my heart and I believe that you will not go behind my back again."
"I know. I just can't help thinking that if I hadn't fucked up in high school, then we might be somewhere different. You know, living somewhere different, doing something different, and not having a secret relationship."
"Yes, but if you hadn't fucked up back then, then we wouldn't be here now, and I don't know about you, but I like where we are. I know it sounds silly, but I think that there is more trust between us because of what happened. There shouldn't be, but I think there is."
"It doesn't sound silly, Kat. I think there is more trust, as well."
I smile. "Good." I reach up and kiss him, wrapping my legs around his waist. I feel his tongue probing my lip for access, and I part my lips immediatley, allowing our tongues to battle for dominance. My fingers get trapped in his hair and I bring my legs back down. My hands trail down his back and under his shirt they go. I feel his do the same to me and feel his warm hands against the skin of my back. I close what little distance there is between us and deepen the kiss, before pulling away. He rests his forehead on mine and we look into each other's eyes, breathing heavily. I smile and am about to kiss him again when we are interrupted by a voice.
"Katniss?"
We both freeze. Both of us know the voice very well. Slowly we turn towards the sound of the voice.
Stood there, just a few steps in front of the lift, is Gale. And he does not look happy.
Dun dun duuunnnnn! What do you think Gale is going to do/say? Please review and tell me what you think is going to happen next, and what you think of the story so far! (I'll give you a clue: the angry side of Cato will come out)
I am aware that it may not be up to standard with my previous chapters, but it's been a while since I've written, due to exams and stuff, so I'm sorry if it's not up to scratch with your expectations.
Also, if any of you have any ideas you think should be in this story, or even characters you want to appear, please please review and I'll see if it fits in with what I have planned.
I will try to update ASAP, depending on what stuff I have to do, but it should be quicker than last time!
Please read and review!
See ya soon!
Ruth xx