Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"She asked me to bring her here..." Mikhail scratched the back of his head with an awkward chuckle. 

Jeremy rolled his tongue inside his mouth. More than anger, what he felt was an embarrassment. He thought his sister would listen to his advice and stay put just this once, but she didn't. 

"She didn't listen to you, it seems," Mikhail added and Jeremy took in a deep breath.

Why isn't she in the hospital with the husband she claimed to feel so sorry for? What is she doing here?

The image of Jerlina hugging Scarlett and sobbing came to his mind.

"One moment, Mike," he patted his shoulder stopping him from speaking. He walked to the door. 

"Bobby!" he called for Bobby standing outside. "Find Scar and ask her to not leave Jerlina alone even for a moment. Daisy... ask Daisy and Scar to stand guard. She cannot be alone," he nodded as Bobby patted his arm and left.

Jeremy let out a deep breath. "You were saying..?" he sat on the chair and pointed at another chair for Mikhail to sit.

"Isn't it late?" Mikhail checked his watch and he kept on fumbling. Jeremy could see he was uncomfortable talking about it. He kind of got an idea of what that might be. And he did not feel good.

"Mike...you were saying..." Jeremy wanted to listen. 

Mikhail's friendship is something he is not willing to lose. If he has some regrets he is hiding in his heart, he wanted to know them. Especially, when it involves his sister.

"Jerry... I..." Mikhail struggled to speak and fumbled with his lapel, but then he looked up taking in a deep breath. Jeremy was relieved he is willing to speak to him.

"I don't know if I've talked to you about this before, but you know that I think of you as a brother... And hence, Emma... Your sister would be my sister by the virtue of our brotherhood. I will never do anything that might spoil our relationship... I just wanted to let you know that..." he looked at his watch again and wiped his forehead with his handkerchief and stood up.

"Oof! That's it," he nodded. "It's late. I don't want to hold you up," he smiled. "Good luck, bro!"

Jeremy could see Mike is not elaborate on this issue and he understood why. When Emma was in university, she suddenly developed an interest in F1 racing and forced him to take him to a Grand Prix.  Mikhail was participating, and he introduced Emma to Mike for the first time.

Back then, Mikhail said the same thing to him and he noticed Mikhail was feeling uncomfortable with how closely Emma acted with him. At that time, he thought Mikhail might be overreacting and Emma was just an over-excited child.

But for Mikhail to repeat those same words now...

Mikhail is not someone who accuses others without being sure of it. And his bearing as an aristocrat would restrain him from speaking ill of a woman; especially to their family. So if he finds it necessary to talk to him about it, the situation must have been worse. 

Mikhail might have been dignified about it because of his virtue. If it was Bobby or Charlie saying the same thing, they'd have said 'Your sl*tty sister came on to me!'

Mikhail is a classy prick!

"You met her?" Jeremy decided to probe. He didn't want to arrive at a conclusion by himself and wanted to get the details from the horse's mouth. 

"Yes..." Mikhail still was hesitant, but since Jeremy was willing to listen, he decided to speak. "She was waiting in the lobby of the hotel I was staying. There were the usual paps who follow me around and... I'm watched by many and she's a married woman, Jerry... Rather than using my influence to stop certain stories, they could have been avoided if we are careful and I think this is one of those times... "Accidentally" kissing my lips, insisting on joining me, walking with her arms hooked around mine, pretending to trip... Grandpa will kill me."

Jeremy could see Mikhail is pretty pissed about it. He is not even playing devil's advocate and just speaking his point of view.

'She's a married woman...'

Isn't Mike's words true? Emma... Why is she doing all these? Even if she wanted to attend the wedding, there was no need for her to go to Mikhail! And doing all these things to him... 

Mikhail might be a gentleman, but he is not a prude. He won't think of every touch of a woman as a move on him. Scarlett is someone who touches everyone as it is her character and many women around Mikhail are friends with him and this guy never complained about them. 

And so, Emma... What is she thinking? 

"Wait... Did she tell you that I asked her not to attend the wedding?" he asked. He never talked about this to Mikhail. So how did he know Emma didn't listen to him?

"I... I guessed considering the history between Emma and your wife..?" Mikhail knitted his brows as Jeremy looked unsure.

'History? Does he know about her attempt to kill herself because of Emma's words?' Jeremy wondered.

Seeing Jeremy's doubtful look, Mikhail was perplexed.

Does he really not know that Emma troubled that guy to break up with Ms. Hopkins using her sister-in-law? I found out about it with a basic investigation. Surely he's not that careless considering he is trying to protect Ms. Hopkins, is he?

Or, is he trying to see if I investigated his wife to find fault with me?

"Jerry, it's time. The priest is here and the bride's ready," Charlie peeked in through the door and both Jeremy and Mikhail looked out.

Thank goodness! Mikhail sighed in relief.

"Good luck, brother," Mikhail patted his back and Bobby pulled Jeremy out.

"I'll get you the best seat! Or do you want to be one of my groomsmen? All you have to do is pin a boutonniere..." Jeremy turned and shouted at Mikhail and he waved his hand.

"I'm fine... just go!"

Just as Jeremy's head disappeared in the distance, Mikhail slipped away and got in the crowd. He was not surprised an entire town is invited to the wedding. He took videos of the beautiful flower arrangements in the tree grove with solid wood pews arranged to have more people seated. 

Along with the autumn scent, the fragrance of roses was overwhelming and the aisle had a big archway of roses with a rolled down red carpet. There was a pure white canopy at the end of the aisle where the ceremony will be conducted.

Fitting, Mikhail thought. Jeremy is thoughtful.

Isn't rose his mother's favorite flower?

Mikhail found Charlie as he was recording everything.

"Charlie, I don't need a seat and will you please make sure that no one tries to take my picture? I have my bodyguards, but they wouldn't want to antagonize the locals here. I-"

"I understand, Mikhail," Charlie nodded. 

Mikhail doesn't want the Harrisons to get near him.