A/N: I can't express my gratitude to all of you for your reviews, follows and favourites. At the time of writing this, I've received 74 reviews on here. That is the most I've ever received! You guys are amazing! Thank you! If you haven't reviewed yet, please do. I'd love to hear from you. In case any of you are looking for answers to some things in AoS, I've been answering the few questions I get over at my writing tumblr. The link is in my profile. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. It's the last I have prepared ahead of time, but I'll do my best to get the next one out to you as quick as I can. Thanks again and enjoy!
Chapter Fourteen
Meeting with Riley seems as tedious as ever. I'm exhausted already from the events at Dauntless and Riley is insistent at meeting instantly. Since I refuse to leave my desk, he comes to me.
"Amelia," he says as he strides up to my desk. He leans over it, attempting to kiss my cheek. I don't move forward though and he falls short. I don't feel bad about it. I've had enough of people forcing their lips on me. He recovers admirably, pulling up sharply and smiling widely.
"Riley," I greet. Jeanine is still in her lab, so I motion him to sit down. He folds himself into the chair.
"I must admit," he says, "I half thought you were going to reject me."
"I told you I needed time. I am incredibly busy." I peer at him over my glasses. He looks as confident as ever and I have to tamper the surge of annoyance I feel. It must be wonderful to not constantly be afraid.
"Of course," Riley says. "I am certain that we will be able to collaborate our schedules in order to make the necessary arrangements." Weddings in Erudite are simple. In order to be married, both parties must be tested for compatibility. The sociologists meet with the couple, both separately and together to see how they react to situations. Then, it is off to medical tests to ensure fertility and healthiness. Once all the tests are passed, the information for the couple is changed in the systems and they move to a new home. It is simple and efficient. I don't plan on passing them.
"I expect it will take some time. I have much to do that requires my full attention. Our engagement will be a long one." The engagement is a means to an end. I have no intention to marry Riley, but Eric's interest needs to be diverted until I'm no longer needed at Dauntless. Luckily, our schedules make the perfect excuse.
He looks surprised. "I would have though you'd want it over with quickly."
"You thought wrong." I stare him down, but he doesn't falter.
"Whatever you want," he says. "It will give us time to get to know each other." A thought strikes me. Riley may be more difficult to get rid of then I previously expected.
"Precisely. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to work." I motion to my computer and he stands up quickly.
"Of course! I'll contact you later, perhaps we can arrange to have dinner together."
"Perhaps," I agree. He gives me another smile but doesn't try to kiss my cheek again. Instead he nods and walks away. I expected to feel more relief than I do. Instead, I feel like I've dug myself deeper into a hole I fell into. My chest tightens.
Sitting at the dinner table, surrounded by my family, is more nerve wracking than I thought it would be. It isn't our usual scheduled time to meet, but they need to know what I am doing. My heart feels like it's clenching at the thought of lying to them again. Considering the last time we spoke about it, I told them I had no interest in marrying him, I have to make it believable. Once again, I'm thankful we're not Candor. I feel sick thinking about it.
"Thank you for taking time to see me," I say. My mother smiles indulgently at me.
"What's the big news?" My brother asks. Brighton is leaning forward, anticipation in his eyes. "Are you getting promoted?"
"No," I shake my head and watch as he stares at me. I can practically see the gears of his mind working as he tries to figure out what I'm going to tell them. "I've accepted Riley's proposal."
"What?" Brighton looks shocked. "Why?" I try not to sigh.
"It's going to be a long...engagement," I tell them. My parents are watching me carefully. I take a deep breath to keep my heart calm. I have to be careful, they know all of my nuances. "We'll take the time to ensure that we are compatible in more than physical and mental capabilities. I thought about it and I do believe that this will be the easiest option." I let them draw their own conclusions about what it's an option for. Parents have no influence over the decision to marry or the tests, having given up that right when the child becomes a full member of society...but my family is important to me. They need to know something.
"This is very sudden," my mother says quietly. "Are you certain?" She sounds hesitant, as if unsure that I'm telling the truth. She has the right to doubt, after all, I did tell her I did not like him.
"Yes," I leave no room for doubt in my tone, even though she still doesn't look fully convinced. "I am very busy and this will help cross off another task on my list." My mother frowns at that, but not everyone is as lucky as her and my father. Everyone in our community has to parent at least two children in order for our society to remain functioning. I don't want to have children. The risk of passing on my Divergence is high. It's too much pressure to put on a child.
My father speaks up, breaking the sudden silence. "Bring him over next time. I want to meet him, away from work." That would be the ultimate test.
I nod despite the lump in my throat. "Okay." It can't be as bad as Eric showing up uninvited. Brighton is frowning though. Before I can ask him what's wrong, my mother speaks.
"Well, that certainly is exciting. Which reminds me, Jeanine called the archives today."
The sudden change of topics takes me by surprise. "What?" I ask. Jeanine hadn't said anything about the archives.
"Yes," she says. "She wanted the earliest documents recorded in our society to be delivered for her. We're organizing them now. You didn't know?" Now she looks concerned.
"Jeanine has me working on something for her," I say. "It's...of more importance than making calls for her." My anxiety grows though. Despite the fact that Jeanine assured she had use of me, I don't like not knowing what she's up to. My survival depends on knowing her every move, especially now. Eric teased about Jeanine replacing me. My grip tightens on one of the utensils.
"Really?" Brighton perks up, distracting me from my thoughts. "What is it?"
I give him a smug smile. "Top secret."
"What? Come on!" he argues. I just laugh. For a moment, my anxiety about the engagement fades as the conversation is forgotten and I tease Brighton about my position. My throat tightens though as I make a mental note to find out what Jeanine is researching. I am too focused on Riley and Eric. I wasn't prepared for this.
I have to force myself to breathe. My hands won't stop shaking and clutching my tablet doesn't help like it used to. I'm nervous. It's possible that Eric hasn't heard about the engagement, but considering how fast he heard that Riley had asked in the first place, it's unlikely. I can only hope that it will be enough to stall his interest. Somehow...I doubt it. If our different factions didn't, why should this? I need a sign though. I need an answer, preferably without any interaction.
As we reach the compound, I catch sight of Eric waiting by the back door. The anxiety that I feel melts into anger. I shouldn't be nervous, or afraid to do my job. He is Dauntless and I am Erudite. I straighten myself in my seat, and hide behind that thought like it's an impenetrable wall.
Eric is calm when we arrive. There is no smile or smirk and I can feel my anxiety creep up my back as he steps towards my door. My heart is pounding. He opens the door and offers his hand. There are bruises. His knuckles look cut up, as if he hurt himself punching something. Part of me feels glad about it, happy to see that the news may have had some effect. I'm not certain though.
"Amelia," he greets me with a nod. He sounds normal. It gives me no clue about his knowledge over the engagement. I hold on to his hand as I step out of the truck. His grip is tight, and I'm grateful that I chose to wear flats instead of heels. It allows me to step down quickly and move away from him.
"Eric," I nod. "I brought more supplies. How are the technicians?"
"Alive." That's all he gives me. Instead, I can feel his stare on me as I glance towards the truck. "You can see for yourself. I have men arriving to bring everything in."
"I will. I'd rather oversee the transfer myself," I reply. The truth is, I don't want to be alone with him. Not after last time, not when I'm unsure about his reaction. Finally, he smirks, like he knows the exact reason.
"Fine." He leans back against the building and crosses his arms. He's watching me, but I ignore him. Barely a minute passes and men arrive to unpack the truck. It's the green haired man and another that I don't recognize. I open my tablet and make a note to secure the identification of everyone involved at Dauntless. Jeanine will want tabs on everyone who is involved in the process, no matter how meaningless their role seems. I pause in surprise. I should want this to be found out, everyone should know...I close my tablet. I won't get myself in trouble by creating an oversight that dissolves Jeanine's plan. I look at Eric, who's still watching me.
"Ready?" he asks. I nod. He leads without looking back.
It feels like I'm racing. I can barely keep up and I have to quell the irritation I feel. He's doing it on purpose. I'm tempted to slow down and go at my own pace. I recognize the way. I could go alone.
"Can you slow down?" I call out. If he refuses, I'll let him leave me. He stops and looks back with a raised eyebrow. "I'm wearing a skirt. I can't move as fast as you." The skirt is an excuse. I'm not as athletic as he is. He smirks and I know that he knows that.
"Why should I?" he asks.
I grit my teeth and try to stop myself from saying something stupid. "Because I asked you to." Something flashes in his eyes and he strides towards me. My heart feels like it's leapt into my throat and I step back quickly as he approaches. He grabs my upper arm tightly, pulling me towards him. His grip is painful and likely to bruise.
"I asked you to say no," he says lowly. His voice sounds tight, like he's stopping himself from saying something else. I feel like I'm on the edge of a volcano about to erupt. Naturally, I can't stop myself from prodding it further.
My eyes narrow. "You don't control me, Eric," I say. "I make my own choices. It doesn't involve you." I meet his gaze, trying not to falter under it. I am Erudite. "It never has." Something seems to spark in his eyes, behind the anger that's dwelling there. His thumb rubs my arm before he forcefully lets go and I stumble back.
"We'll see."
His words are ominous and the feeling that I've just poked a sleeping lion doesn't fade.
The Dauntless man that I left in here, Hatch, is nowhere to be seen. The technicians, however, are overwhelmingly happy to see me. They don't outright show it, but there is relief in their eyes.
"Where's Hatch?" I ask.
"He left earlier," one of the technicians says. "Something needed his attention." His eyes glance down at my arm. The area that Eric grabbed is still red. He looks at me curiously, but doesn't say anything.
I nod and walk around, looking at the results and the printed pages that show the connection between the labs. The technicians are shifting as they wait, restless in their desire to escape. Their anxiety seeps out of them. I tamper down my annoyance. They should have better control over themselves.
"We'll have to have the proper labs set up. We have everything for the computers," I say, "We'll need to get the rest of the equipment ready." I make notes in my tablet. The technicians stand near me, as if I'm going to protect them. I sigh. They don't realize that I would sacrifice them first to ensure my own safety. "I'll have to make arrangements," I say as I look at Eric. "I imagine that it won't be ready for a couple of days."
"That's fine," Eric says. "We can wait." There's something about the way he says that, as if he's thinking of something else. I need to get out of here.
"I'll send you the details." I motion towards the door. "Let's go gentlemen. Eric, if you would lead the way." He doesn't reply. The technicians race after him when he leaves though and I follow at a much slower pace. The further away I am from him, the better.
Eric stops outside the door that leads to the cars. I watch as the two technicians nod at Eric before scurrying to the truck. It's almost comical to watch. I head after them, but the hand on my arm stops me before I get past Eric.
I look back at him. "Let go."
"Not yet," he replies. He glances towards the truck and when I follow his gaze, I can see the technicians looking through the truck window at us. I turn towards Eric, eager to get away from him and the curiousity of the other Erudites.
"Let go," I demand. He doesn't answer. Instead he turns me and slams me against the wall that was behind him. I wince as my back hits it.
"No." He leans in close and I can see that his eyes are darker than usual. One of his hands is still on my arm but the other is planted against the wall on my other side. I'm trapped. "You've been thinking of me like every other Dauntless, but remember, Amelia," he draws out my name. There's no trace of amusement or teasing on his face. Just an intensity that I am not used to. "I know how you think. Regardless of how illogical it may seem, I get what I want. I always have."
His lips are close to mine, and his eyes seem to bore into me. My heart is pounding, there's a lump in my throat and I can't tell if it's from fear...or something else.
"Learn to live with disappointment," I say. I sound braver than I feel. He smirks.
"I don't plan to. Break the engagement."
"No."
He kisses me hard, as if trying to brand himself into me. I don't kiss back, thinking of the technicians in the car. I try to push him back. He chuckles into my mouth and breaks the kiss. The hand holding my arm wraps around my waist, pulling me closer into him. His chest is hard against mine. He doesn't kiss me again though, which I was preparing for. Instead, as his free hand traces small designs over the skirt on my hip, his mouth moves to my neck. I stiffen. His lips move over my neck, kissing small parts before I can feel his tongue. Heat flares through me and before I realize it, I'm moving my head to the side, giving him more access. He pulls away, stepping back.
I feel like stumbling, trying to recover from the shock quickly. "What was that?" I demand.
He smirks. "Something to think about...when you face your fiance." I stare at him, unsure of what he means. He's trying to get into my head. I glare at him, angry for the intrusion and the fact that my plan has yet to work. I'm not sure if I'm angrier with him or myself.
I don't bother replying. The truck revs it's engine as I finally storm towards the cars, tablet clutched in one hand tightly. There is a car waiting as the truck leaves and I can see the face of one of the technicians looking back through the back window. They saw everything.
The driver of the car jumps out as he sees me coming and opens the door quickly. I nod to him out of habit but don't look. He must have seen everything as well. Oh god. There were witnesses. Erudite doesn't commend gossip, but curiosity gets the best of us. I would need to deal with it before it gets to Jeanine. I sit back in the car as it drives off. I can still feel Eric's lips on my neck. It's like he's burnt me. That was far more intimate than stealing a kiss.
[tbc]
