Temptation Trials Regime

Part 1

     Temptation Trials Regime revolves mostly around one of the participants in the Temptation Trials—a government sponsored reality show. This story will give insight into the origins on how the world dictator rises to power and the corrupt Regime.
     Enjoy!

     Light bounced off the large round solitaire, reflecting hues of crystalline.
     "Isn't it beautiful?" Kimi raised her ring finger.
     "The ring is gorgeous. I'm just wondering why you're so happy about it." Chrissy bit her bottom lip. "I mean ... with the arranged marriage law, aren't you just living in a fantasy?"
     Kimi's lips curved up. "I'm banking on my fantasy coming true."
     "How do you plan to pull that off?"
     "Deidrick proposed once we both got accepted for the Trials."
     Chrissy's mouth dropped open. "As in the Temptation Trials?"
     "Yep. We'll be starring on season 6."
     After World War 3, a new Regime arose from the ashes. The world had spun into chaos until the world dictator, Lutheran Eminence, was elected nine years ago. Eminence whipped society into shape with a vengeance. Mutiny and riots were dealt with harshly. Capital punishment was the typical for crimes, such as robbery or battery. The norm for trials were by judge and officials, versus a jury of peers. Those mandates scared society into submission. The world had been transformed into a land of unlawful retribution.
     At the age of twenty-one, every citizen had to fill out a marriage application at the courthouse. The Temptation Trials were the only out for arranged marriages, and Kimi planned on seizing the opportunity.

     Chrissy finally closed her mouth. "Do you really think you can withstand the Temptation? So far, no one has."
     "We'll beat the odds."
     "The Regime tempts you with your perfect match and the men they chose are always Greek Gods," Chrissy persisted.
     Kimi shrugged. "Deidrick is the man for me. We just have to remember what's at stake—our relationship."
     "I'll be rooting for you two."
     To date, all the contestants from the previous seasons ended up marrying someone from the Trials—someone other than the person they'd went there to fight for. Kimi felt the reason was all part of the Regime's game. They rigged the Trials for failure to try to prove the government knew best—knew who you should spend the rest of your life with. The arranged marriages were done through personality applications. The decision of whom they chose was final and divorce was prohibited.
     Kimi was certain that she and Deidrick would beat the Regime at their own game. They were already one step ahead. Deidrick had showed his devotion to her by proposing.
     After the Trials were over, if the couple still wanted to marry, then the world dictator would honor their union. Kimi planned to do just that—prove the Regime wrong.

                                                                                            * * *

     The time for departure arrived quickly. Kimi and Deidrick had flown to San Diego, where they would be taking a luxurious yacht to the Trials. From the airport, they had taken an Uber. Kimi and the other thirty-five contestant's destination was the Hawaiian Islands. Both the men and women Tempters, those whose purpose was to tempt them, would be flown to the islands after they arrived.

     Being a participant in the Trials came with perks. Kimi and Deidrick had both gotten assigned a spokesperson who helped them choose an expensive wardrobe of outfits and shoes. The attire they'd received ranged from casual to formal, and even apparel. "The sky's the limit," was the Regime's motto. The government wanted them to look their best while they dated on the show and hopefully cheated on their significant other.
Kimi went along with it, wearing a smile. Why not take advantage of the Regime? It was the least they could do for making her have to prove her love in the first place. Every contestant's wardrobe was being delivered to the designated island they had been assigned to. An extra bonus was that they got to keep the clothes after the show ended.
     Deidrick whistled. "That's a big ship."
     "I bet the amenities are amazing."
     Deidrick squeezed Kimi's hand. "Are you nervous?"
     "More excited," Kimi replied.
     "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's check it out."