-Chapter XIX-

Katniss and Peeta spent the rest of the night eating the food his father prepared for them. They chatted for hours until Peeta decided that it's time to take Katniss home.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening Mr. Mellark," Katniss said smiling at Peeta's father.

"It's my pleasure Katniss. Come back anytime." Mr. Mellark smiling back and shakes her hand, "Be careful on the road." He said turning to Peeta.

Peeta just nod and head first for his car.

Katniss followed him with a stare clearly wondering what happened between him and the woman Delly.

"I'm sure he'll tell you what's bothering him."

She was quite startled and turn to Mr. Mellark who's still smiling at her, "Peeta wouldn't hide anything from the woman he values the most."

"How would you know?" she asks. Turning back to look at Peeta, who's busy taking out the car from the garage.

"Well, for one thing, he's the most honest guy I know. And because he's my son."

Katniss turn again to look at Mr. Mellark, "Don't worry" he said patting her on the shoulder.

She just nod and smile back at him, "Bye then."

"Bye."

Katniss head her way to the passenger side of the car and wave at Peeta's father before Peeta pull onto the driveway.

They spent the next hour trip in silence. Katniss doesn't quite know what to do. She spent focused her attention to the outside view, slightly hesitant to even glance at Peeta's way who seems to be very focused on driving. She's really curious to know what happened between him and Delly, and what it is that she said that made Peeta behave the way he is behaving now.

Slowly, she tries to peek at Peeta and was surprised to see him staring at her already that made her turn her head away immediately. Katniss felt her heart started to race, she put her hand over her chest and breathe deeply to calm herself. For some reason, the feeling of uneasiness is growing inside her.

Katniss jumped as she felt a hand closed in on hers. She turn to look at Peeta, who's holding her hand but his attention is focused on the road.

"Are you okay Katniss?" he asked.

Katniss can't help but irritated, "Are you?" she can't help but chastised herself for the tone of her voice. Her voice didn't bother to hide her irritation.

Peeta glanced at her for a moment, raising at eyebrow at her before returning his attention to the road, "Okay, clearly you're not. What's up?"

Katniss gape at him, feeling more annoyed. She let out a harsh breath, trying hard to hide what she's feeling right now, "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just tired."

"Hold on a bit more, we're nearly there." Peeta said with a smile on his face.

Normally, Katniss would find it charming but tonight she can't help but feel like he's mocking her. She chose not to answer and instead turn her attention on the outside trying to keep her mind clear and trying to shove away the feeling of anxiety.

After half an hour, Peeta is already parking his car at the basement parking of the building. As soon as Peeta turned off the ignition, Katniss quickly get off the car not even bothering to wait for him.

But after a brief moment he's already walking besides her grabbing her hand as they wait for the elevator. Katniss turn to look at Peeta, who's already staring at her with a smirk on his face.

"What?" Katniss asked, her voice now clearly showing her irritation.

"Whoa!" Peeta said squeezing her hand, his grin getting bigger, "You're really starting to get cranky, aren't you?"

Katniss rolled her at eyes at him and immediately stepped inside the elevator. Peeta stood behind her and hugged her waist, settling his head on her neck.

She closed her eyes when she felt his breath against her skin, his hug getting tighter. The feeling of uneasiness is slowly starting to fade.

"Sorry."

Katniss opened her eyes and turn to face Peeta. She met his eyes, and they stayed staring directly at each other.

"What for?" she asked.

"For today, I totally messed up our time by talking to Del- to that woman." Peeta said looking on the floor and ruffling his hair.

Katniss didn't stop herself from the urge of touching Peeta's cheek, she smiled at him when he raised his head to look at her, "Yeah, it kind of pissed me off."

Peeta furrowed his eyebrow, "Why?"

Katniss was about to answer when the elevator door opened. They both stepped out and walked their way to her apartment door.

"Do you want to come in?" she asked Peeta as she goes inside her apartment. She settles her bag at the coffee table and turn to see him still standing on the hallway. She looks at him with confusion.

"Um- No. I, uh- I told my dad I'm going home."

"Oh, okay." Katniss walked towards Peeta.

Peeta cleared his throat, he can still feel nervous whenever he wants to ask Katniss out, "I'll just see you tomorrow if that's okay with you."

Katniss bit her lip as she remembered that she have a client meeting tomorrow, "Um, I actually have an appointment tomorrow with Johanna. We're going to meet a client."

"So, after then?"

Katniss smiled and nod, "Yes. Of course."

"Okay then. I'll go now. I'll see you tomorrow," He clutch Katniss by her waist and kissed her lips for a brief moment, "Bye."

Katniss felt slightly disappointed because she's expecting him to give her a lingering kiss. She watched as Peeta walk his way towards the elevator, a sudden flash of Delly's face on her mind made her call him, "Peeta?"

Peeta turned and stare directly at her eyes.

"Are we alright?" she asked.

"What?"

Katniss then sighed and shook her head, "Nothing. Let's talk tomorrow okay?"

Peeta smiled at her and nod, "Okay." He then waved at her before stepping inside the elevator.

"You've been awfully quiet today."

Katniss was startled by her friend, she looked away at her hands and turn to see Johanna raising an eyebrow at her. They are now heading their way to return at their office. Johanna is driving her car, as she took it home with her when Peeta picked up Katniss from work the other day.

"Peeta?"

Katniss nod, "And a past, I think."

"Huh. What about it?"

Katniss sighs, "Last night, his father invited me for dinner. Then when we got there, she was waiting for him."

"Whoa! Bold much." Johanna smirked, "Then what?"

"Well, she wanted to have a private talk with him. Peeta of course, doesn't want to, but I kind of urged him."

Johanna glanced at her still smirking, "Hmm. So, the reason you're feeling bothered is caused by your own idiosyncrasy?"

Katniss gape at her friend, "How is that considered idiosyncrasy?"

Johanna chuckled, "Well babe, you do think odd when it comes to pity. It doesn't matter whether you know the person or not. As long as you felt sorry, you're already lending them a helping hand without you even realizing it."

"Am not. And isn't that natural?"

Her friend just shook her head, "See if this is right, because the past seems to be waiting long enough to talk to Peeta you urged him to do so. And you felt even sorrier when Peeta showed foul attitude towards that person, ergo, you showed a hint of hostility for feeling pity that made Peeta out of option but to talk to her. Unless he wants to kiss your relationship goodbye. Am I right?"

"You're exaggerating. And being hostile in not in my nature."

Johanna rolled her eyes at Katniss before returning her attention to the road, "Tell me what happened then."

"Okay, that's kind of what happened, without the hostility part." Katniss let out a harsh breath, "It's just that, she looked hopeless. Like all she was waiting for is closure. That's why I urged him to give her what she wants. You know, put her out of her misery."

Her friend let out a laugh, "How can you be sure that she's being miserable?"

"I don't know. She looked like she is. Whenever I turn to look at her, she's close to tears."

Johanna scoffed, "That's what exes do."

They're already at the parking lot and Katniss waited for Johanna to give her the keys before getting off.

"Since you've already clarified that it's your fault why you're being restless, is there something else?" Johanna asked.

"After they talked, Peeta spent most of the night being quiet."

Johanna crossed her arms in front of her chest, "That's bad."

"I know. And instead of asking him directly, I felt annoyed."

Her friend raised an eyebrow at her, "Why?"

Katniss let out a harsh breath, "I was actually hoping that he'd just tell me. That I don't have to ask him about it."

"Well, maybe it's just nothing. Maybe you're just over thinking." Johanna said.

"I-"

"Ms. Katniss."

Katniss and Johanna both turned to see the company's receptionist behind them.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Someone's looking for you. She's at the waiting area."

Before Katniss could asked who it is, the receptionist retreated and returned to her post.

"Who do you think it is?" Johanna asked as they both head to the waiting area at the lobby. Katniss just shrug.

When they both arrived at the waiting area, no one seems to be standing at their seat to approach them.

"Maybe she left." Her friend said.

"Katniss?"

Katniss turn to see who called her. And it wasn't anyone she's expecting to see. Johanna also turned, "Who are you?" she asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She offered her hand to Johanna, "I'm Delly Cartwright."

Johanna hesitated, "Are you client?"

"Jo, stop." Katniss looked at her friend who in return stare at her questioningly. She ignored it and turn to face Delly, "Can I help you?"

Delly put her hand down to her side, "I was hoping we could talk. If you're free of course. I'm promise it won't take much of your time. Or if you want we could set an appointment, it seems like you're busy."

Katniss for some reason felt confident, "No need. Today's fine." She turn to Johanna, "I'll see you later."

Before Johanna can answer, Katniss already left with Delly.