Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"Missy," Patrick patted Jerlina's hand seeing her ashen face.

"Yes," Jerlina snapped out of her depressing thoughts and she could hear the bridal march. Her eyes were clouded and she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath remembering Scarlett's words.

The mascara will smudge!

She pulled back her tears with difficulty.

She saw everyone standing up, waiting for her to walk through the aisle. Daisy was trying to stand beside Tara who was sitting by the aisle.

Is she trying to protect me in case Tara tries to trip me or something? Daisy has done a lot for me already.

Scarlett was turning and looking at her with a smile. As they met eyes, Scarlett nodded placing her hand on her chest as if telling her that everything is fine.

  Jerlina realized one thing.

The love everyone has for me... The efforts everyone is putting into saving my life...

Why am I thinking about my wishes here?

Her eyes ended up at the man standing at the end of the aisle, waiting for her to come to him. She has spent days with him to know what he thinks to an extent. Right now, it was painfully obvious that he is nervous and on the verge of fainting. By his side, Bobby came closer to him waiting to offer him aid in case he faints.

He has a lot of people who love him too. They all supported him in this.

Just keep on, Jerlina! You have to do this!

"Uncle, let's," she turned at her uncle and whispered. She could hear his sigh of relief.

She started walking through the red carpet. She could see everyone whispering among themselves as she passed through row after row. Everyone was happy as she sensed.

What does he feel? 

Her eyes ended up on Jeremy. With each step, she was getting closer to him and his face became clearly visible to her. As she was looking, he saw his nervousness turning to a bright smile. His eyes reddened and he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

Is he that happy to see me?

It was funny; at that moment, she heard nothing and she saw no one but him – the lovely man in front of her, whom she thought was a monster for the most part of her adult life. And he was looking at her with indescribable happiness and love, uncontrollably spilling through his emotions.

How stupid was I?

The bouquet she was carrying stuck to her veil and she bowed to correct it. The big diamond he bought for her shined in her finger.

It made her smile. 

For more than four years, she eagerly waited for a ring. Every birthday, every anniversary, every Valentine's day, every holiday... and as years passed, every date night made her anticipate...

I bet Gerry's going to propose today... I saw him fumbling with something... I think he hid something in his underpants drawer... I bet it is hidden in this cake; I'll have to finish this...

But he never did. Troubles appeared; he sent a text and disappeared.

Heh!

She looked up and he was still looking at her with a wide grin - the man who gave her the ring.

I was not happy to get the ring, but that didn't stop him from getting me the best ring.

Gerry left me.

But he... Emma's brother, Jerry... He came back to my life - he barged into my life when I was in danger. When it was a storm out there for me, he became my shield although I wasn't pleased with him. He did everything to protect me even against my consent.

Him – this guy in front of me – Jeremy Joel.

And this magnificent arrangement around me... even I couldn't have planned everything this well. He spent a fortune on this farce of a wedding on his own accord without my consent – like before. 

Now and back then, he secretly helped me a lot without even expecting anything back from me. He even was willing to become the bad guy to protect me. 

All because of... his love, for me...

No one is saying anything, but this is probably the first time he is spending this much for himself. He spends money like water for others but he lives like a middle-class man. 

But for this wedding, he has spent like the king he is. 

Is it because he is marrying me? The woman he loved for almost a decade?

Oh! How can I repay his love?

No, I can't. 

But I can do one thing.

I can make this day special for him. As a 'thank you' for everything he has done for me, for one day, I can go along with his wishes, concealing my feelings.

If he can be selfless with me for ages, I can return the favor for at least one day.

Yes, I should do this!

Her face bloomed with a smile that originated from her heart reaching this decision.

They reached the beautiful canopy by then and Jeremy took a step forward to get her hand. She observed him closely. 

That tailored tuxedo, that white rose boutonniere, his neatly set hair, those pretty eyes... 

This is him, my groom!

Fake groom, but still...

Isn't he handsome?

And seeing her hand in his big, rough hand, with the ring he bought her in her finger...

I'm getting married to him! Wow!

Fake marriage! Remember Jerlina, it's fake! Don't get too excited.

"Someone got a haircut at the last moment, it seems," she whispered to bring him back.

Is he that surprised to see me smile?

Jeremy was stunned. He thought she'd turn back and run when she paused at the start. His panic stopped him from fainting. 

I shouldn't have gone overboard with everything and now she is startled. She's going to run away! And I can't even blame her. She never wanted this anyway.

But then she started moving forward making his life return to him.

I knew it! She's too noble to run away mid-way. Even if it hurts her, she will keep her promise. I am sorry, Jerlina, for making you go through this selfish desire of mine... but please bear with it, my Luna... for one day. 

For one day, be my wife. 

As she walked closer, he noticed her hair. Combined with the white dress that complemented her beauty, and that hair with a sparkling tiara, surrounded by all those roses, she looked like a Queen – a fairy queen who resides in the moon.

My Luna – the lover of my soul and the ruler of my heart.

Is she smiling at me? Me? Is she not putting up with it? Or is she pretending?

He looked at her closely. 

She is smiling for real! 

He felt like flying and he wondered if he is dreaming all of it.

I fainted like a fool and am currently dreaming, aren't I?

But then he felt her warm breath by his ears.

"Someone got a haircut at the last moment, it seems," he heard. 

I'm not dreaming and she is smiling!

MY Jerlina is smiling! AT ME!!

"You are so stunning. I almost died," he whispered in her ears.

Will she accept my compliment?

Jerlina heard him and she was tongue-tied for a response. She looked into his eyes and she saw the happiness in them.

And she felt happy seeing that happiness in his face.

That's odd... I've never felt this happy before. It's not like I've never made others happy before.

But to see him being happy because of me...

"You're handsome too," she replied. 

"Yeah, the hairstyle you chose suits me," he winked. 

"I'm a smart one, aren't I?" she smiled. 

"You are," he whispered in her ears and his lips grazed on her earlobe making her heart skipped a beat.

This is dangerous, she thought. He looks too handsome and his scent...

Yumm... And I have to kiss him.

Her face blushed.

She turned her face as Patrick spoke some words to Jeremy.

It was then she noticed the orchestra under a tree. There were violins, trumpets, a piano, and even a harp.

Wow! 'Here comes the bride' in trumpets! Amazing!

Yeah, let's not look at him too much and enjoy other things...

*Ehem*

The priest cleared his throat and the ceremony started.