We go back into the hallway and he locks the door swiftly. I follow him around a corner and he opens another door for me. Mr. Grey steps aside, letting me in first so that I can look around. He turns on the light, which is soft toned, and I see a queen-sized bed and a huge window that looks out onto the Capitol. It must be on the same side as the living room.
"You have your own bathroom and a nice-sized closet which we will fill tomorrow if you like. Did you bring anything with you to the Capitol?" He asks me, switching on the light in the closet. It's huge and could hold a whole other room in it. I close my mouth and follow him into the bathroom. There is a two person shower, at least, and a deep garden tub. There is a frosted glass window by it and beautiful flowers and plants surrounding it. I'm glad he has a housekeeper; I would never be able to keep those alive by myself.
"I only brought a small bag that is actually at the hotel I was staying in." I smack myself in on the forehead, "Damn! I should have gotten it earlier."
"I can send Taylor to fetch it. Which hotel?" He asks me, as we walk back into the bedroom.
"The one with the large W on the front of it; it has a huge waterfall in front." I answer, having to think about it. I'm really tired but want to brush my teeth and use the bathroom before I sleep. Mr. Grey calls out down the hallway for Taylor and within a minute, the security man has arrived.
"Yes, sir?" He's formal and still dressed in a suit.
"Can you please go to the Waterford Hotel and get Miss Everdeen's things? Make sure you check her out of her room, as she will be staying with us for at least tonight." He tells the other man. Taylor looks older than Mr. Grey, maybe he would be the same age as my father had he lived.
"Of course, sir. Anything else while I'm out?" He looks at Mr. Grey first and then his eyes flash to me and quickly back to his boss. Mr. Grey turns to me.
"Is there anything you need, Miss Everdeen?"
"Everything I'll need is in my bag." I say to both of them. Taylor nods his head and leaves. I turn to go into the bathroom and Mr. Grey starts to follow me. "Ummm, you're not going to be weird and watch me pee, are you?"
A flush comes to his cheeks; I didn't think I'd see that on his face considering what he enjoys doing in his 'rumpus room.' "No, I was going to show you how to use the faucets actually. They are a little different from the ones at the hotel and what's in the training center."
"Oh, sorry, Mr. Grey." Now it's my turn to flush. He goes ahead of me and I listen and watch as he demonstrates. "You've been to the training center? Were you a Victor? I don't remember seeing you on any of the videos."
He stands up straight after turning the water back off. "No, Miss Everdeen, but I was on a committee once for the Games. It was before you were ever in it. I only did two Games, not my kind of fun."
"Oh." I don't know what else to say. He had nothing to do with my misfortune or fortune depending on how you look at it.
"Taylor will be back shortly. After you've used the restroom, would you like something to eat?" He continues. I nod; his asking has reminded me that I haven't eaten anything since lunch. I was nervous and didn't think that eating would calm me down.
"Good, I'll see what Mrs. Jones left in the refrigerator and meet you down in the kitchen in a few minutes?" He checks and then walks out, closing the door behind him.
I almost collapse with exhaustion, but I have to pee first. My stomach growls annoyingly at me and I giggle. He knew I'd be hungry after all that, I'm sure of it. How he doesn't seem the least tired is beyond me, but then again, he's probably been using a trainer for at least a decade, maybe more, who knows.
I take my time looking around the bathroom and bedroom. He said we were going to fill the closet tomorrow, how disappointed he'll be when he finds out I don't care much for shopping. Although I could use a new pair of hunting boots for when it rains, will that count? Doubtful since I can't hunt in the Capitol.
I feel odd going into the kitchen in just a robe and panties, but I have nothing else to wear and I'm hungry. When I get there, I see a plate of fruit and cheeses sitting on a small table with two empty wine glasses next to it. I sit down at one of the beige padded chairs and look around. Mr. Grey is nowhere to be seen, so I take a grape and pop it into my mouth. The juice squirts against my cheek and it is so sweet that I take another, not wanting to be patient or polite anymore. I'm about to take a fifth grape when I hear,
"The white cheese tastes the best with those grapes." I turn towards his voice, slightly embarrassed that I was caught eating without him. He is standing against the wall, barefooted, wearing a pair of comfortable looking light blue pajama pants and a plain white undershirt. How can he make a white shirt look so good?
I swallow the food in my mouth and look up at him, "I'm sorry, I was just going to take one, but they're really good."
"I don't mind if you're eating. That's actually something I encourage. Would you like some wine?" He asks crossing over to the refrigerator and pulls out a light bottle.
I shrug. "I've never really had much wine before. Maybe three times total."
"Well, this one goes well with everything on the plate, so you can try it. If you don't like it, maybe just some water instead?" He tells me, pouring a small amount into one of the glasses and filling the other half-way. "Swirl it a bit, like this, it lets it breathe."
I do as he says and take a sip when he drinks his. It has a delicious, crisp flavor. I wouldn't mind this at all. I hold out my glass and he smiles while pouring some more into it.
"Now, take a bite of this cheese and then take a sip of the wine. The flavors should meld together nicely." I do this too and am happily surprised that he is right again.
We eat a few more bites, him telling what to pair together and when to sip the wine. I'm enjoying this lesson in fine snacking when I hear the door open and close. Mr. Grey continues to eat and is handing me a strawberry and another type of cheese as Taylor comes around the corner.
"I've put your bag in your room, Miss Everdeen. Is there anything else, Mr. Grey?" He informs me just as he turns to his boss.
"No, Taylor, that'll be all for tonight. I think Mrs. Jones said there was some cheesecake for you in your kitchen." He tells him, smiling. I'm guessing this must be a favorite of Taylor's, as he smiles back, nods, and then goes on his way.
"Has Taylor worked for you for a long time?" I ask, hoping I'm not overstepping any boundaries.
Mr. Grey looks at me and then at the food, thinking. "Yes, almost twelve years now. This means Mrs. Jones has been with me for a little bit longer than that."
I nod, not having expecting him to have given me that information. "Am I allowed to ask you all these questions?"
"I'll let you know if you ask something I don't want to answer, trust me. I'm not as bad as I used to be….before my wife came along that is." He looks down at his glass and takes swig from it. It reminds me of when Haymitch drinks to avoid talking about something painful and I won't dare ask about his wife as I can see it still causes him pain.
"Okay. So, what's your favorite color?" I ask, hopefully to lighten the mood a little.
He gives me a small smile and shakes his head. "Really?"
I nod, smiling back at him.
He laughs and says, "I've always been partial to blues and greys actually. Are you still tired?"
I shake me head, "No, I think I'm getting a second wind, must be the sugar. Why, Mr. Grey, are you ready for another round already?"
I can't believe I just said that to him! He looks agreeably stupefied by me again. He leans his hand across the table and takes my hand in his, turns my palm facing up and with his finger, follows a line on it. I start to tingle right on the spot and feel awakened. "Are you ready, Miss Everdeen?"
I nod my head slowly and get up to follow him wherever he leads me.
A/N - I'm thinking of doing the next chapter from Christian's POV, haven't decided yet though. Comments and advice are more than welcome!