-Chapter XVIII-

Katniss can tell even without asking Peeta that the woman in front of them is someone he's not very fond of. Or at least not anymore. She felt him gripping her hand so tight that it became unbearable.

"Peeta…" she said looking at him while she rubbed his hand with her other hand making him turn his attention to her.

Katniss wince at the discomfort caused by Peeta's grip, "Hand."

Peeta glanced down at his hand and immediately loosen his grip but still not let go of Katniss' hand. He gave her an apologetic look, but Katniss smiled at him, "It's okay."

She then turned to look again at the woman in front of them who's studying them. Katniss can see tears are slowly forming in her eyes. The woman caught her staring and instantly turn away, gently wiping her eyes.

Katniss looked at Peeta, and see that he's also staring at the woman. Giving her his eyes cold gaze.

"Okay," Mr. Mellark said making his way to stand beside Katniss, "Katniss, I hope you're hungry." He stared at her with full glee in his eyes.

Katniss smiled back at him, "I'm famished."

"Great. Why don't us all head to the dining room so that we can all eat." He gestured for all of them to make their way to the dining room.

"Actually," the woman said making them turn to look at her except for Peeta. "I was hoping we could talk alone," she inhaled deeply, "Please."

For a moment there, Katniss felt like the woman is talking to her. She glanced at Peeta whose still not moving and showing great effort showing no interest about what's happening. She turn to look again at the woman, who's eagerly staring at her with pleading eyes.

Katniss sighs and gently nudge Peeta by the arm. He looked at her questioningly. She then nod her head to the woman direction, "Talk to her." she mouthed at him.

Peeta raised an eyebrow and scoffed, "We have nothing to talk about." His voice is loud enough for the whole house, making her and the woman jump.

Katniss scowled at him, "If she has been waiting for you, clearly there is something."

Peeta was about to answer her but got interrupted by his father, "Just talk to Delly. She's been here since this afternoon."

He looked at Mr. Mellark and then to Katniss, both stating at him intensely. He then turn to look at the woman whose name is Delly and let out a harsh breath, "Fine, but let me tell you as early as now, you're wasting your time."

Peeta then head outside and Delly followed him, not even sparing Katniss another glance.

"Well then, we should probably prepare the food." Mr. Mellark said making Katniss avert her attention to the direction where Peeta and the woman Delly exited.

"So, what do you want?" Peeta asked delly, still has his back to her.

"That's Katniss huh?" Delly asked with a smile on her face.

Peeta turn to glare at her, feeling more annoyed to see her smiling at him.

Delly cleared her throat, trying her best to shove the uneasiness she's feeling, "She seems nice."

"She's more than nice. Compare to you anyway." He again turned his back on her.

Delly let out a small laugh, shaking her head, "You're cruel as ever."

Peeta scoffed, "Not as much as you." He turn to face her and crossed his arm in front of his chest, "Let's get this over with and tell me what you want." His tone is firm and rude.

"You know what I want Pete." Delly said, equally matching Peeta's tone of voice.

"No, I don't. And I have no interest of knowing."

Delly smiled, "Oh, Pete. As if you talk to me like you don't know me."

Peeta trying to maintain his cool tried his best to stop his self from grabbing her by the arm and drag her out of their property, "I do know you. You're a lying, backstabbing, self-centered bitch. Did I get it all right?"

"Ouch Pete!" Delly made a gesture of putting a hand over her heart and laughed, "You forgot, I'm THE lying, backstabbing, self-centered bitch who loves you so dearly much."

"Cut to the chase, WHAT. DO. YOU. WANT?!"

Delly raised an eyebrow at him, "I want to know why you never called me again."

Peeta looked at her with disbelief, "Wha- Are you fucking with me right now?! Are you really that stupid to think that after all you've done to me I'll come back to you?! Come 'on Delly! You're much smarter than this."

She grinned at him, "Perhaps. You know that we never really broke up."

Peeta scoffed, "Are you kidding me?! Are you fucking kidding me?! You slept with my best friend! And you're seriously thinking that I still want you?! You're truly are something."

"Hey! I apologized to you and you took me back. Or did you forgot about that when you had your heart replaced?!"

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

"The night before your operation, I went to visit you because you called me and your father said you want to talk to me. We talked, you told me you've forgiven me and that you still love me and we had sex."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Delly continued, "And then, after your surgery, your father told me that you told him to tell me that you'll just call me when everything's back to normal. But you never did. I went to visit you but they said you were already discharged a week after. I also went to the store but you're father told me that you were taking therapies and stuff. I gave up and decided to continue my study in Paris, I went to your father and give him my number so that he can give it to you."

Peeta gape at Delly, "My God! Are you really that desperate to even create a story?! Oh and by the way, it is really shameless of you to even give my dad your number. And for the sake of argument, I thought it was bold and ripped it in front of him."

"You can say that, but please explain this?" she then took out her phone and played a voice message:

"Hey Del, I'm calling to tell you that my dad already found a donor. So, I guess I still have a chance to make it up to you. It's my fault. All of it. I shouldn't have pushed you away. I love you, so so much. Please, come see me. I'll wait for you."

"It's the voice message you left when you called me the day before your surgery. I didn't delete it because it's the only thing that keeps me going."

Peeta was wide eyed. He can't believe that he did that. He actually took back Delly. The woman he swore to never let in on his life again, "That was two years ago. It means nothing now."

"It means everything to me! You changed the day you had your old heart removed."

Peeta grabbed Delly by her arm, "Look, I don't love you anymore."

"It's because of that stupid heart!" Delly's voice came out loud.

"This has nothing to do with my heart transplant. You know full well that you betraying me is enough to make me loathe you."

Delly raised an eyebrow at him, "Do I? Then how would you explain me, still hoping that you would one day call me? You led me on Pete!"

He let go of her arm and crossed his arm again in front of his chest, "I'm sorry Delly. But I'm with Katniss now, and I have no intention of doing something that might jeopardize my relationship with her. I love her. I've been loving her for two years now."

Delly looked at Peeta intently, "Do you really think that you love her?"

He gave her an expressionless stare, "Where are you going with this?"

She inhaled deeply and shake her head, "I think what you're feeling for her is not real. She's not for you Pete."

He sneer and raised an eyebrow at her, "And you are?"

"That's what I believe in. And I also believe if you do love her, it's not as Peeta Mellark."

Peeta and Delly remained silent and was interrupted by Mr. Mellark, "Sorry, I would just ask if you two are done? The food's getting cold."

"We are. I actually have to go. I have a client meeting." Delly said smiling at Mr. Mellark, "Thank you again and it's great to see you again."

Mr. Mellark smiled back at Delly, "It's always great to see a familiar face. Be sure to be safe on your way then."

Delly nod at him before turning to Peeta who's still looking out front, "I'll see you."

Peeta just nod and look at Delly at she makes her way to her car and drive away from the house. He seems to be at a deep thought when Mr. Mellark tapped his shoulder making him jump, "Are you alright Pete? Did something happen?"

He shook his head and smile, "Nothing. Everything's fine."

They entered the house and head directly to the dining room where a smiling Katniss greeted them as she serves the food.

Peeta stopped briefly to look at Katniss. It doesn't matter what Delly said, he knows for himself that he loves Katniss. And that he wants nothing more than to be with her. But for some reason, he can't seem to forget what Delly said,

"And I also believe if you do love her, it's not as Peeta Mellark."