Battle: BWWM Dystopian Interracial Sci-Fi Romance (Betwixt Chocolate Book 2) Read Free Page B

everyone.
    Since we no longer had a need to keep the chocolate from everyone who was addicted, we did everything under one roof. It was why our production was so high. I waved at Melvin as he stood next to one small portion of the giant machine that produced the chocolate everyone craved. He nodded his head with a smile on his face. After a quick walk-through of the rest of the plant, I returned to my quarters to sleep.

Four

Ree
     
    After the visit by Curtis the traveler, Tony began acting strange. I blamed it on my paranoia and tried to put it out of my mind, but two weeks later I still had the same thoughts. As I laid in my tiny bed, staring at the ceiling, I wondered whether my life would ever get any better. While building a factory-city where everyone had rights was interesting and fulfilling in some ways, it was a hard life.
    A knock sounded at my door.
    “Come in,” I called as I sat up in bed.
    The door opened. Tony peered in.
    “You got a minute?”
    “For you? Sure, I guess.”
    I smiled, but not too much. Our flirting was reaching new levels.
    “What’s up?” I asked as he sat down next to me on my bed.
    “Oh, I was just done with today’s work, and my mind turned to you.”
    “Aww. You’re so sweet.”
    I placed my hand on his thigh.
    “Do you have plans tonight?” he asked.
    “Maybe. What did you have in mind? Something naughty?”
    His eyes opened wider for a brief moment as I caught him by surprise.
    “No, I wasn’t thinking that at all. I mean, I was, but…”
    “I’m just teasing. Settle down,” I said. “I’m glad you came. Do you mind if I ask you something?”
    “Uh oh,” he said. “What did I do now?”
    “It’s not bad. At least I don’t think it’s bad.”
    “Go ahead.”
    “Well, when we first met. You lied to me. It was a lie of omission, sure, but it was a lie.”
    He sighed, staring into my eyes.
    “You’re bringing that up right now?”
    “What? I’m just trying to make conversation. I’ve been thinking about…”
    “How everyone’s out to get you,” I interrupted. “I get it. You tell me all the time.”
    “Maybe you should leave now,” I said, standing up.
    He stood up as well.
    “Hold on. I’m sorry. It’s just been a stressful day, and I’m tired of people asking me all these questions, you know?”
    His arm slid around my waist.
    “I know, but trusting people is hard for me. Everyone has lied to me my whole life.”
    “I used a lie of omission because it was hard for me to trust you too. At least back then.”
    “And now?” I asked.
    He reached into a pocked and pulled out his closed hand.
    “I have something for you.”
    “Yeah?”
    My eyes opened wide in amazement as he opened his fingers. A shiny ring sat in his palm. He picked it up with his other hand. Is this happening? What does it mean? After taking my hand in his, he slid it on my index finger. Miraculously, it fit perfectly. I looked from it to his face. Our gaze met. His eyes are so beautiful, I thought. When he leaned forward to kiss me, I turned my head away.
    “What’s wrong?” he asked, putting his arm around my back.
    “I’m just not ready,” I said, unable to explain it to him with words.
    He stood up. “It’s okay. We all have a lot of work to do.”
    “It’s not you,” I said, looking up at his face. “It’s just…”
    I took off my House Ballmore signet ring and put it into a pouch.
    “What was that?” he asked.
    “My family ring. I don’t want to have it on with your ring on my other hand.”
    A smile spread over his face. Just a moment later, the alarm bell rang out.
    “The wall’s being attacked,” he shouted, turning around.
    I jumped off the bed and followed him as he took off outside. We headed straight to the source of the clanging, the main gate. When we reached the wall, he took charge instantly.
    “Status?” he screamed.
    A moment later, four of our security forces surrounded him. Once they had their orders, they scurried off to put well