Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jeremy was feeling despondent. He was happy after having his talk with her in the morning. She even accepted his car and it made his mood better. 

When he received Charlie's call, he almost thought something bad had happened to her. The eerie silence of Moses after orchestrating the fervent hunting he has ever seen, made Jeremy suspicious. He thought he had made his move already.

But Charlie said something different and it made him rage with anger. He wanted him dead as Charlie's punishment didn't seem enough. But Charlie said he was stopped by Patrick Davis and he wondered if Jerlina was the one who stopped Charlie.

He could only imagine the hurt she'd be feeling now. His heart hurt for her and so he came to meet her in a hurry.

When he saw her with a smile on her lips watching out the window, he was relieved. But how could someone hurt this little thing? 

But... Thank God! She's not hurt.

He wanted to check if she has split her lips or anything. But other than the redness, there were no bruises on her face. That guy must have not used his full strength. Maybe he tried to stop himself from hitting her.

  "He shouldn't have raised his hand at you..." he looked at her. She looked a bit flushed. He didn't know why. 

Is she silently suffering? He's the man she loved and he hit her. She must be hurting.

"Yep," Jerlina got his hand away from her face. His hand was very rough and scorching. Or maybe she is the one feeling hot. It was weird. There were flutters in her heart, she felt hot but her hands went cold.

I used to feel like this before...but when? 

"It will be okay," he looked at her eyes. They were misty making her seem pitiful. His heart melted looking at her. He wanted to give her a tight hug, merging her with him. But he knew she won't like that.

"It already is," Jerlina smiled rubbing her cheek. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

She didn't understand what he was thinking. She didn't know why he is here when he should be handling Gerard's issue. Surely his family will try to make this a big issue when he was attacked. 

His eyes were filled with concern and his pupils were dilated with only a little of his baby blue iris visible. 

He does have pretty blue eyes.

She did get mesmerized by those eyes. But then his disheveled eyebrows distracted her. He must have rubbed them making them all disorderly. It made her hands itch.

"Okay," he nodded and she smiled.

Ugh! Those hairs! 

She cupped his cheeks and ran her thumb over his eyebrows to fix them. She felt him stiffening and only then she realized what she has done and her heart started to race.

"Sorry," she tried to let go of his cheek but his big hands enveloped hers.

"Your hands are cold. The weather's getting cold. So dress warmly," he said and held her hands inside his hands. "Your handy pocket-warmer at your service, Your Royal Highness," he bowed and Jerlina chuckled.

Jeremy looked at the pure smile on her face and his heart pounded. He wanted to kiss her and make her his for life.

Jerlina's smile reduced seeing Jeremy's eyes. He had a gentle smile on his face and with her hands inside his hands, slowly she felt his warmth spreading from her hands to her heart. 

She tried to pull back her hands not wanting to feel weird. "A little more..." he whispered looking at her hands and she nodded unable to refuse his gentle eyes.

There was silence between them as he held her hand. He was looking at her and she couldn't maintain eye contact. She looked around to see the workshop empty.

Where did they all go? Don't tell me they left me to have my "privacy" with my "husband"! Those...

Her heart started to race to be in this position with him alone. As she was wondering how she should get away. But thankfully his phone rang.

She thought she'd let go of her hand, but he held both of her hands in his one hand and took out the phone.

Jerlina saw Emma's picture blinking in his phone and she tried to get her hands out of his hold. But he raised his eyebrows at her and held her hands tightly.

"Yes, Emma?" he answered having his eyes fixed on Jerlina and she turned her face away curling her lips. 

She didn't notice his lips curving up. 

She tried to listen to what Emma was saying although she knew she should be calling regarding Gerard. But she couldn't hear a word Emma was speaking.

"..."

"Yeah..?"

"..."

"I'll be there."

"..."

"I said I'll be there."

He ended the call and stood up. Her hands were still in his hand

"Go on... your sister must be distraught because her husband got injured," she pulled out her hands with force.

She didn't want to sound petty and jealous but even she realized that's how she was sounding. 

"How will you handle this? Should I delete the security footage in our workshop or something? Charlie won't get in trouble, will he? He stepped in to help me," she asked him the important detail.

Jeremy was impressed that there was not even a single word of concern coming out of her mouth for Gerard. 

She worries for Charlie but not for Gerard?

"You don't have to do anything. I am not a gang lord for nothing," he smiled. He was delighted seeing her sighing in relief.

"Okay," she nodded and stood up. "Bye," she waved her hand with a smile.

"What?" she asked seeing him looking at her with a gentle smile.

*Chu*

He suddenly bent and kissed her cheek.

"Wha- Why?" Jerlina asked and she could feel her face is burning. "You! Stop!" she tried to catch him.

"For your ouchie..." he said with a chuckle dodging her and ran out waving his hand.

"Bye!"

"This b*stard!" Jerlina held her heart pounding and sat on the stool.

What is he doing?

And why is my heart racing?

Calm down! Calm down, heart! That is Emma's brother!

She took in a deep breath and her heart calmed down. 

No matter what he feels for her and even if she falls for him, it won't be worth it as long as Emma is there. 

Just like he left her now for Emma,  Emma will always come in between them. Family is important and he cannot be blamed for supporting his sister, but she cannot accept Emma. And it would definitely become a problem between them.

I should remember it always.

But... he came for me first... 

Jeremy on the other hand was exhilarated by his stolen kiss. He gently traced his fingers on his lips as he drove to meet his sister. 

Maybe I have a chance!