Longest chapter by far! Phew.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Beyond the private room, the noise from the bar faded into the background. He stared at Elias who returned the look in a calculating manner, seizing Haymitch's reaction to his announcement. Haymitch could hear the roar of blood in his ears, the pounding of his heart in his ribcage and his breathing began to slow down.
He blinked, bringing himself back to the present when Elias moved, dusting the non-existent lint from his expensive suit. He cocked his head to the side and regarded Haymitch calmly; the smile never left his face. It was as if the man spent his time on a daily basis informing people of things they find difficult to accept that the absurdity of their situation no longer bothered him.
"What?" Haymitch asked, finally finding his voice. "Would you like to repeat that?"
"I disagree, on principle, of course. He is talking about another man's wife. He did, however, bring up an interesting point."
"And what's that?" Haymitch growled, taking a menacing step forward.
"You're trying to repeal the law. And I think you've raised some valid points in your argument - this law is flawed. I don't see how much longer the government can keep it around. I'd give it another year or two - enough time to draw up the paperwork and smooth out the details of my expansion and by which time, I hope, that Effie will no longer be your wife. I understand that the divorce process might take a while, but we'll cross the bridge when we get to it."
"Listen here - I don't care about some business expansion. Effie's got nothing to do with -"
"But she has everything to do with his proposal," he exclaimed, the crack in his cool and calm exterior was finally palpable for Haymitch to see. Elias' expression was bordering on annoyance; at the possibility of Haymitch not understanding the point he was trying to convey. His annoyance was short-lived, though, because in a blink, his demeanour changed and the easy smile was back. "My business partner seems to have taken a vested interest in your wife. I am not surprise. He has been harbouring some sort of feeling for her since he first saw her as an Escort a few years ago. It is quite sickening really the way he talks about her and he asked after her often enough. It doesn't help that I am her cousin. Anyway, I am her family and I have her best interest at heart. Once there's no more law, he is her best chance."
"Her best interest? Her best –"
Haymitch swallowed, trying to get the words out but it felt like there was something choking him. His muscles were tensed as the adrenaline coursed through his veins. Haymitch clenched his fist and jammed it in his pocket, trying hard not to punch this man in the face.
"Yes, Mr. Abernathy, her best interest. You don't want to be in this marriage," he stated confidently as though he knew exactly Haymitch's every wants and needs.
"You said you're family? Where were you when she was captured? Where were you when -"
"We all did what we did to survive and I thought Effie had betrayed us. She was fighting for a better life for everyone, I can see that now. Panem is so much better, if you don't take the law into consideration. I see business opportunities everywhere I go."
"She is the mother of my unborn children," Haymitch's fist slammed against the counter, "not a business opportunity!"
"Now, now, there is no need to be angry," Elias said, trailing the rim of his glass with a lone finger. "It's commendable, really, the fact that you're worried about your children even if you do not want the mother. Well, you shouldn't. I have his word that they would be taken care and well provided for – a home, luxuries, good education in the Capitol, anything and everything that a child would need."
"You're mad. You're insane."
"Am I? I'm a businessman and the way I see it, this works out well for all parties involve. I haven't gotten to the best part yet – if you agree to this, you will receive assistance in repealing the law. Anything at all. He will see to it that the law gets repealed at soonest."
"Oh? If he has that much power and influence, then why hasn't he been trying to repeal the law?" Haymitch sneered. "If he was so interested in Effie, why did he not petition for her all those months ago?"
"He couldn't," Elias said simply. "And to answer your first question, Mr. Abernathy, he is not affected by the law so he sees no need for him to dirty his hands before this."
"I know the President. We fought side by side and if what I say couldn't sway her or the Council, how is this… this man," he spat out, "planning to achieve that?"
Elias smirked and clapped Haymitch on the shoulder.
"There is always a way," his voice dropped to soft dulcet tone. He paced the room with his hand clasped behind his back clearly lost in his own world as he began explaining to Haymitch. "I'm not asking much of you. I want you to keep doing what you do – get rid of the law because the sooner the law is repealed, the faster you and Effie will be divorced and when that happen, I can sign the business agreement with my partner. "
"Sign an agreement to give Effie over?", he asked sceptically, the disgust was written clearly on his face. "Effie's a human being, not something you trade-off for a business transaction. Those are my children and I will not have them raised by another man."
Haymitch slammed the glass in his hand on the table and turned abruptly. He's heard enough and if he had to stay a second longer, there was no guarantee that he would be able to control his actions.
"Funny," Elias spoke quietly but his tone made Haymitch stopped dead in his track on the way out. "If - and that is a big if - you could achieve dissolving the law without any aid and when you're both divorced, did you really think that she is going to remain alone? That she would raise two kids in the Capitol by herself while you live out your days in Twelve? I am assuming you will do the right thing and let Effie have the full custody of the children. That she will not find another man eventually, to settle down with for the rest of her life? That this very man could possibly be raising your children?"
His insides turn cold. Haymitch clenched his eyes shut, trying to block out the verbal assaults Elias was launching in his direction. Images upon images of a happy family, one that he was not a part of flashed before his eyes. He saw two toddlers, squealing and running towards the arms of another man who picked them up as easily as if they weighed nothing and spun them in circles. He could hear them laughing and his heart ached.
Haymitch longed to hear the sounds of their laughter. That would be a welcoming change from the familiar sniffles and sobs of terrified children he was supposed to mentor for over two decades. Haymitch didn't even know he could yearn for something he never had but … he wanted to make those children laugh, for a change; to be the reason his children were smiling.
"We all know who you are, Haymitch," Elias went on, switching to his first name as if to insult him even more. "You may have spearheaded the Rebellion but you're still a drunk and there is a man here, someone I know, who can take better care of my cousin. What difference does it make, really? You find being married to Effie so abhorrent that you had to go before the Council and beg them to end it, so why wouldn't you let her go?"
"Because she is his wife, you blithering fool! And he loves her," the voice stated vehemently. "It's not just about them, don't you see? I don't expect you to understand but he's doing it for everyone else implicated in this law. He is not you – Haymitch is not selfish."
Both Elias and Haymitch turned towards where the voice came from. Haymitch watched in surprise as Felix parted the curtains and walked in. How long had he been standing outside listening to their conversation? Felix's eyes were bright and hard as he glared at his brother with unbridled contempt.
"Felix," Elias greeted smoothly. "You must not know love if you think he loves Effie. Don't meddle in things you don't understand, little brother. Didn't mother tell you it's rude to eavesdrop?"
"Mother's dead," Felix snapped. He must have been on the receiving end of Elias' condescending tone often enough that Felix was immune to it. He laughed mockingly when his brother's expression turned thunderous. "Perhaps it is you that don't understand. Life's more than a contract on paper, more than a business acquisition but I supposed, you've sold your soul long ago to be able to comprehend the depth of human emotions."
During the short time that Haymitch knew Felix, he had never heard him talking so coldly to anyone before. Later on, when he was calm, the event of that night would force Haymitch to re-evaluate what he knew of Felix as a person.
Felix brushed passed Haymitch towards his brother and the movement snapped Haymitch's senses back in place. He held out a hand to stop Felix's march and spun around, advancing steadily towards Elias.
"I find being forced to marry abhorrent. I said nothing about my opinions on Effie," Haymitch said. Despite the anger he felt, the tone of his voice was calm but deadly and if Effie was here, she would have advised Elias to flee. With Haymitch, it was always better if he explode; shout and scream his heads off because then his wrath will not linger.
Elias must have missed the threatening timbre in Haymitch's voice because he simply smoothened out his tie.
"You seem to think there's something I want out of you… I don't. The only way to keep Effie is to stop trying to go against the law. You don't have any claim to her once the law ceased and you're divorced, you realised that, don't you? But as Felix had pointed out – you're not selfish. You'd do it for everyone else you think is suffering under his law and therefore, you'd continue fighting it and you'll lose her," he smirked knowing he had Haymitch exactly where he wanted him.
Felix lunged for him but surprisingly, Haymitch was the one to hold him back. Elias looked at Felix coolly.
"Your wife and children will have a far better life, one that I'm not quite certain you're capable of providing. You may stay in the room for as long as you wish, of course, I'm not that petty."
With that, the pompous man left the room.
"You nearly killed me for less!" Felix exclaimed indignantly. "You're going to just let him walk away? Come on, Haymitch, show him why you're a Victor."
"Never pick a fight on another man's turf - always find neutral ground," Haymitch muttered distractedly, releasing his hold on Felix. "This is still his property. How'd you find me here?"
He staggered over and sunk on the sofa suddenly feeling inexplicably exhausted.
"I came here to see Effie, actually. Thought I'd swing by the bar for a drink or two and then I saw you following him in here and well… My brother's always been an ass. I've been stuck in painful conversations with him before. It bores me. So I thought I'd spare you the pain and rescue you from his presence. I … I'm sorry, I overhead it," he shook his head. "Let's get out of here."
XxX
They sat on the stairs at the back of the resort drinking from the many bottles of liquor Felix nicked from the private room in Elias' bar before they left. Felix had given him a wicked smile, mumbling under his breath that Elias probably wouldn't even notice the missing alcohols.
"He's not a bad person," Felix said suddenly.
"Your brother? I don't know if he is human at the very core of his –"
That made Felix laughed. "Not my brother, no. His business partner. Klaus Adler. Smart guy, not as ruthless as Elias but a businessman is a businessman - he knows what he wants."
"And he wants Effie," Haymitch pointed out bitterly. "Seems like the man's been obsessed with her for years."
Felix shrugged. "She does have a reputation - former escort to the Mockingjay, one of the surviving rebels and let me tell you something, Haymitch. In this new world governed by your people - by rebel leaders - having someone who was part of the Rebellion would definitely boost his standing in society. And with such a status, it's easier to conduct business. Getting it so far?"
"Yep, the politics isn't lost on me," Haymitch said, sickened by how some people could mix business, politics and marriage into the same equation. He realised then that despite his appearances and the way he conduct himself, Felix was not as superficial as he made himself out to be. He definitely knew the way things work at the very least and since Haymitch was dealing with people from the Capitol, he was discreetly relieved that he had Felix on his side. "Your brother mentioned something … that Adler couldn't petition for Effie under the law. He wasn't affected by it."
"He isn't, not by a long shot," Felix shook his head. "Infertile was what I heard and a damn shame, too. He likes children and children love him."
That made sense all of a sudden. The basis of the marriage law was to repopulate the country. Therefore, there was no way Adler's application for marriage would be approved especially if the woman was found to be healthy and fertile. The law would have assigned any woman he was interested in to a man who could give her a child.
"That's why…"
"Yeah," Felix nodded. "Effie and the twins come as a package, I supposed, if you want to think about it as clinically as that. He could raise the twins from infancy. I don't doubt Elias when he said that Klaus would provide for the children."
"There are war orphans he could adopt," Haymitch pointed out.
"Sure, but he isn't going to raise the child alone, is he? He'd want a wife and the law's taken all the woman with child bearing abilities to be paired with…" he trailed off but Haymitch knew what he wanted to say. "Since he's obsessed with Effie, he might as well… He's as much a victim of this law as you are, if you think about it."
"Yeah, but excuse me if I'm not about to suddenly sympathise with this man," Haymitch grumbled. "But if he could help with the law –"
"You're not honestly considering it, are you?" Felix was appalled.
Haymitch exhaled and took a long swig from his drink. "We need all the help we can get. The second appeal's coming up and honestly… I don't know how that's going to go."
"You understand what you're saying right? You accept Adler's help and you're going to owe him one and there's only one repayment he'd ask for."
"I know," Haymitch hung his head, accepting the bottle of gin Felix pressed into his hand. "But you're forgetting something."
Felix turned. His green eyes bore into him, waiting patiently.
"Your brother's right. I have no claim over Effie once the law's over."
"Then stop fighting the law," Felix answered.
Haymitch scoffed. "That's out of the question. I started this so I'm going to finish it. Even if I don't, someone else will definitely do it. The country fought through a Rebellion, they'll fight through a simple law. It's just a matter of time."
"You're right," Felix agreed. "If you give up, that Mason girl will take your place. She said being married is suffocating."
"And she's right," Haymitch agreed which earned a glare from Felix. He was surprised Johanna would tell Felix something as personal as her marriage. He thought they couldn't stand each other. "Look, Felix, whatever that happened tonight stays between us. Effie doesn't need to know any of it. Not yet, at least. The stress it'll put on her pregnancy…"
"Yes, of course."
Haymitch nodded in appreciation. He mentioned about checking out of the resort, refusing to spend another minute in Elias' hospitality but Felix shot it down.
"You have to act normal! If you leave and move back to Annie's place for the remainder of the carnival, Effie's gonna ask why. Best if you just stay put and max out Elias' hospitality. Go to dinner, get room service, use up everything in the mini-fridge, you know?" Felix took a breath before the manic excitement in his voice died down. "I'd tell you not to worry about this - that Effie will never agree to Adler - but Elias and Adler didn't get to where they are by giving up so easily. Keep her close, Haymitch and she might just surprise you."
XxX
Haymitch stayed up with Effie that night, sharing the lemon cheesecake he bought for her. He tried to pay attention to the movie they were watching and to Effie's little comments here and there about the plot but his mind was elsewhere.
"You're distracted," she stated.
"Hmmm?"
She let out a breath and twisted around to look at him. "What's wrong?"
"Who said there's anything wrong?"
"I don't know…" she shrugged, "you just seem distracted is all."
"You told me once that Felix and his brother were the only cousins you could stand," he began. "You're close to his brother as you are with Felix?"
Effie was startled by the sudden question and he knew why. He seldom asked after her family since he never wanted to talk about his own. To Haymitch, as long as he kept his nose out of her family affairs then Effie didn't have the right to ask about his own.
"Elias, Felix, my sister and I went to school together. He's the same age as my sister and they were very close. Sometimes I envy their relationship. Anyway, he's like… this older brother I never wanted," she laughed. "We were close while growing up but Elias drifted from us and Felix couldn't get along with him. It was difficult. Elias' always busy but we'd get together whenever we could, before the Games started each year."
"An older brother…" he repeated in a breath. "So… whatever he says, you'll listen to him? If he gives you advices or…suggestions…"
"Why… Why are you asking me that?" she frowned.
Haymitch shrugged. "Curious."
"You're acting very strange since you got back from the bar," she remarked. Effie fluffed her pillows and pulled the covers to her chin. "I'm going to sleep. We have to meet the rest early tomorrow. Goodnight, Haymitch."
She kissed his cheek and turned to her sides. Haymitch switched off the bedside lamp but he couldn't sleep. He didn't want to get the whiskey because he would not be able to think clearly if he was drunk and he needed to think things through.
XxX
His skin was sticky and Haymitch was in a general state of discomfort. His sore muscles from all the rowing he had done the day before had not lessened before he strained them again carrying Finn on his shoulder at the carnival that morning.
His only relief came when the group of them retired to the beach in the afternoon and Finn took off running into the sea, already a natural swimmer like his father was.
"Not one for swimming, Haymitch?" Annie asked as he sat down next to her on the mat.
He shook his head. His eyes never strayed from the group of them soaking in the water. He watched them like a hawk, feeling mildly concerned that Effie might drown. He could not quite recall if that woman ever learned to swim and if she went under, he did not have faith that Felix would be of much help; Johanna maybe, but not Felix.
Effie was dressed in a one-piece dark blue swimsuit with her baby bump protruding out for everyone to see. Johanna was baring too much skin which was not something he had not seen before. She had stripped naked on a few occasions; her way of intimidating and introducing herself to any new Victors previously. After four years of being in the same Victors lounge witnessing such a thing, Finnick and him had worked out a system. Finnick would give him advance warning whenever he thought Johanna was about to introduce herself and Haymitch would make himself scarce.
Effie wasn't swimming as much as just standing with the water around her, splashing Finn in the face. He could hear her laughter whenever the boy returned the gesture with as much enthusiasm.
"Enough swimming, I believe it's time I let the creativity in me shine," Felix said over his shoulders and plopping down on the sand. He began building sandcastles much to everyone's amusement. "You know, Annie, I've never done things like this back home."
"Then you should come by more often," she replied. Haymitch could tell that despite his rather odd personality, Annie genuinely liked Felix. Then again, this was Annie and she was nice to everyone. Turning to Haymitch, she said good-naturedly, "stop glaring at anyone who even remotely looked at your wife or Johanna."
"I'm not sure I'm comfortable with Effie exposing this much skin in public," he mumbled.
"Look, Uncle Haymitch, I've caught me a baby crab!" Finn came barrelling towards him.
Haymitch nodded. Finn's face fell when Haymitch said nothing.
"Are you okay, Haymitch?" Annie asked. "You look like you have something on your mind."
He forced a smile on his face. "You know just thinking, that's all."
"About the twins?" Annie inquired. "It's normal to be anxious. I think all fathers are."
Felix who was quietly listening in to their conversation looked up and their eyes caught. Haymitch tore his gaze away, not wanting Felix to know how much the incident yesterday bothered him.
"Annie? You want to help me with the sandcastles?" Felix called out.
Annie's face lighted up. She dusted the sands off her dress and went over to Felix. Haymitch gave him an appreciative nod, glad to be left alone with his thoughts.
XxX
He tried not to let his worry show. It would have been easier to just drown the persistent worry in his mind with alcohol, to stop feeling and passed out intoxicated but Haymitch had not been as drunk as he was during the Games since Effie got pregnant. To do so will only make her worry and when Effie started worrying, she would start demanding answers.
It was without much arguing and resistance that he agreed when Effie said she wanted to go to the night festival. She was already wary and suspicious about how distracted he was since he returned from the bar and Haymitch thought the night festival was a good way to get the heat off himself. In a crowded place, Effie's attention would be focus elsewhere instead of him.
The night festival was just as Annie had said - it was mostly dancing and singing with a spread of seafood at the side. It was held at one of the fishing piers. The place was illuminated with lights of various colours and intensity. Even from a distance, Haymitch could already hear the music playing and the sounds of people laughing and talking.
Effie shook her head when she saw a drunken man fell over the railing and into the cold water below. His friends hooted with laughter before they climbed down the ladder to help him up. She pointed to a group of teenage boys out at sea, racing each other on their jet skis.
"Maybe we should try that one tomorrow," she suggested eagerly.
Haymitch raised an eyebrow.
"Or maybe not, perhaps some other time after I've given birth."
"A wise decision," he murmured.
Within the short time that Effie was in District Four, she had apparently made some acquaintances with the locals. They greeted her enthusiastically and were exceedingly thrilled that she could make it. Haymitch nodded politely as he trailed after Effie, his eyes swept over the pier trying to locate if there was a bar somewhere.
"I'll be over there," he whispered in Effie's ear, jerking his head to the other end. He grabbed a bottle of beer on his way.
Leaning against the metal railings with his drink in his hand, Haymitch watched the ships across the bay, wondering what it would be like to sail across the ocean. Somehow, he doubted that he would like it very much unless they have a copious amount of alcohol on board.
"This is nice, isn't it?" Effie asked, passing him a plate of food, gesturing at the festival.
He dropped his head in frustration when she appeared so soon. He turned around, propping his hip on the rails. Somehow he knew she wouldn't leave him alone. Effie must have thought that it was her civic duty to ensure that he at least had a good time at some social convention.
"The food isn't so bad. Marinated squid," he said, holding his plate up. "Want some?"
"I want to dance," she said wistfully. "Come dance with me, Haymitch."
"I don't dance."
"I, for one, know that is a blatant lie," she replied. "I'll be back then. That gentleman over there asked me for a dance and I thought I'll ask you first out of courtesy. Anyway, I'll see if he's still up for it."
Then she was gone; smiling with wild abandon as she weaved amongst the crowd dancing around her. An elderly man dancing on the floor with his young granddaughter took Effie by the hand and twirled her around when she passed by. Effie laughed happily, gave a tiny wave to the girl and went on to the other end of the pier. Haymitch swallowed his food and took off after her.
He grabbed her wrist as she jerked them away in surprise. Her lips curled in a smile when she saw who it was.
"Have you come to dance?"
"One dance," he said. "And then we're heading back."
She nodded. Effie stepped closer to him and looped her arms around his neck. His hands came to rest on her waist as they swayed slowly to the music. He remembered the last time he had danced with her during their wedding ceremony. The bride and the groom had opened the dance and once the song ended, Haymitch had stomped off to slump in his seat for the rest of the ceremony. Not exactly a good memory for Effie, he supposed.
The wind was blowing wisps of her hair in her face and a few tendrils had escaped from her ponytail. Effie's blue eyes shone bright under the moonlight and as they danced under the night skies, Haymitch couldn't help noticing that Effie Trinket was many things. In her simple dress and lightly powdered face, Effie wasn't a head turner like some women he knew. She was pretty, plain and simple, but there was also an air of vulnerability about her that made him want to keep her close and safe but beneath that layer, was a strong will that kept her going.
"You're staring, Haymitch. It's rude to stare even if I'm your wife," she teased.
"Eff," he swallowed, debating if he should even bring it up. He asked in the end, thinking that he had the right to know. "You'd raised the kids, won't you? And not let someone else do it?"
Her brows crinkled, the question had clearly offended her. "Of course, I will," she said defensively. "I'm not going to cast them -"
"That's not what I meant," Haymitch clarified. "I meant you - you'll take care of them and not… not some stranger, someone you don't know."
Not Adler, was the person he had in mind, not raised the twins with Adler.
"What are you talking about, Haymitch?"
He sighed. "If there's someone else, you'd discuss it with me first, won't you? They're my children, too."
Effie shook her head. "Haymitch, I really don't understand -"
"Will you?" he asked, his voice came out more harshly than he intended to.
"Will I look after my own children? Yes. Will I discuss their upbringing with you? Yes," she held his gaze steadily. They had stopped dancing and were standing amongst the dancing couples around them. "What's going on? Something's bothering you, isn't it?"
"No, I'm just checking. Can we head back now?"
There will be some fluff in the next chapter, and some problems. Thank you for the reviews/feedback you've been giving me. I appreciate it.
Just a small announcement that is unrelated to Consortium. As I said on my tumblr, I actually, finally got round to writing the second installment to Live A Little. I know, that was like ages ago but yep, I've got the first chapter written out, after some prompt and messages requesting for it. Will post it soon-ish.
In the meantime, leave a review for this one! Thanks for reading :)