I stood in front of the gathered crowd with a practiced smile, basking in the applause that erupted after my address to the elitists gathered in the venue. My wife was strung loosely around my arm, her posture stiff and rehearsed. Although I felt her presence beside me, my eyes were on you. You had all of my attention.

Another banquet where I had to play the part of a loving husband and powerful president in front of such a large audience. It tired me.

It tired me even more when I caught your gaze, sitting front row with a subtle smirk on your face as you applauded.

You looked beautiful.

Unlike my wife on my arm, you didn’t even have to try for my attention or my affection. You were effortlessly beautiful.

You and I had been involved with each other for some years now. All throughout our time in the Academy together, you were there for me, and I for you. We loved each other.

I felt more for you than I ever would for her.

I had to marry her nonetheless. She was wealthy. Her parents were politicians. She was the perfect figure for the first lady of Panem.

But it would never stop me from loving you. Every secret rendezvous made me fall for you more and more.

It had always been a secret affair between us.

After the applause died down, the audience began dispersing for drinks and socializing. I caught a glimpse of you at the table of refreshments and felt my heart skip a beat, my body growing warm. I leaned down, murmuring to my wife. “I’m going for a drink. Stay here.”

With that, I marched across the venue to get to your side. I could hardly hide the smirk on my face as I came up behind you, my knuckles discreetly tracing against the small of your back as I brushed by. I didn’t make eye contact— No, that was too risky. I kept walking toward the balcony just past the table where you stood, where I knew we’d be able to get alone for a while.

It was a silent exchange. Almost a secret code.

Follow me. No one’s watching and no one’s out there. We’ll be alone.