Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina looked through her misty eyes. Everything looked blurry and she saw Jeremy and Dr. Kruger by her side with their eyes red with tears.

Ah, isn't this wonderful?

When Jerlina went to the doctor's office, the doctor was already wearing a dress and seemed to be contemplating whether she should attend the wedding or not. 

The moment Jerlina entered, she hugged her and started to tear up. "I'm so glad you're here, dear," she said and took a good look at her. "You're so pretty!"

Jerlina could see how much she loved Jeremy. She is the one who raised him after all. She would want to see him getting married too.

It was not hard to convince her to attend the reception. She was feeling a little hesitant to ride on the carriage with them, but Jerlina convinced her to get on.

Jeremy looked happy and that's all she needed, but she didn't understand why he entered the room holding his weapon in his hand. She didn't think he'd be carrying a weapon while he was wearing a tuxedo but seems like he does. 

Well, yeah... a couple of guys wolf-whistled at her. 'Are you TJ's lady?' they asked and they seemed pretty happy for TJ. They even popped open champagne bottles they had.

Did he get mad for the wolf-whistle? Or for ruining the place with champagne? 

And now we are getting back to the venue...

Back...

They reached where they started and everyone came and welcomed them. Jerlina wondered what is the purpose of the "parade" she went back then if the reception is at the same place as the wedding.

Did he want to show off for those who didn't attend the wedding? Ah, no... It is probably for the change in seating arrangements, isn't it?

Jerlina felt a little ashamed for getting surprised at her own wedding. Her co-workers who got married all made a big fuss about the wedding arrangements and they planned every detail meticulously.

Well, mine is a fake wedding, anyway.

Wait... I made such a fuss with Dr. Kruger to attend the reception. Would she be angry at me for pushing her to attend a fake wedding? Is it possible that she refused to attend this wedding because it is fake? 

Jerlina's brain went overdrive.

Dr. Kruger was welcomed eagerly by Daisy who was very excited. 

"I thought you weren't attending!" she shrieked.

"Yeah, but my daughter-in-law insisted I'd come here. She even welcomed me with a carriage in waiting. I couldn't refuse," Dr. Kruger didn't hold back on her praises and Jerlina was relieved. 

"She's a lovely one, isn't she? And all you required was a carriage it seems," Daisy added and Jerlina was embarrassed hearing their praises and her face went red.

"Thank you," Jeremy whispered in her ear making her ears red.

He was very happy, beyond description. 

Only she could do this.... Only she could make him confuse the sound of bottle opening to firing weapons...

This woman!

"Are you cold?" Jeremy asked seeing her all red.

"No, I am fine," she patted her cheeks. "I think Emma wants to speak with you," she noticed Emma trying to get near and she was elbowing others.

"Umm..." Jeremy tried to get to Emma, but Bobby came and led them to the dance stage.

On their way there she saw everyone having fun with various games. The canopy where the wedding ceremony was held was replaced with the dance stage.

The first dance was announced and  Jerlina wondered what surprise awaits her there.

"I don't dance very well," she came clean. 

Don't couple usually practice their first dance? What am I going to do? I have two left feet when it comes to dancing. 

  "It's okay. I lead well," he held her hand and she let out a deep breath. 

"What can you not do?" she asked as she stood in front of him. This man seems to be the whole package. He cooks, he creates stuff with wood, he manages a big company, he trains dogs, he helps people...

Sigh! How can someone be this perfect?

The music started and she placed her hand on his shoulder as he held her hand. His other hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer.

"You're awesome, you know that right?" she said with a smile and he smiled back at her.

[If I could be honest...] the song started playing in the background.

"You think?" he asked.

"Yes, for real," she nodded.

"Then do I have a chance with you?" he asked.

Jerlina gulped seeing those pretty blue eyes filled with expectation.

"Sorry," she grimaced as she stepped on his shoe. 

[...I'll pretend it's just you... Yes they can hear us...]

"It's fine," he kissed her forehead, closing his eyes. 

As she was pulled closer to him, she could feel his heart racing. She rested her head on his shoulder. Wearing a six inch heels, she almost reached his ears and it was an apt height difference between them for dancing.

"What song is this?" she asked. She doesn't listen to a wide variety of songs and this song was new to her. It had such soul-touching lyrics.

"Jacob Lee's 'I belong to you'," Jeremy answered in her ears. "this is my guilty-pleasure song. Don't tell anyone," he whispered.

"...Here at the altar... I refuse to grow older... Unless it is with you... "

Jeremy started singing along and Jerlina's heart clenched. She imagined him in his office, sitting with a bottle of beer, listening to this song, imagining his wedding day.

He'd have imagined his wedding day with me.

Just like she was floating, he led her in dance. She didn't step on his foot again as he gently led her.

"Did you imagine your wedding day, Joel?" she asked.

He paused singing and looked at her. She was looking up and he was looking down. Their noses almost touched and she felt his warm breath on her face, tingling her.

"You said it," he smiled gently and his eyes were misted making them more alluring.

"Said what?" she asked. Her lips felt dry and she wetted them with her tongue.

"Joel... You called me Joel. You weren't calling me that for some time..." 

"Ah... I heard you don't like to be called with that name-"

"Not for you..." he said and his eyes widened as he interjected her. "Those restrictions are not for you."

"Why?" she asked.  Only after asking she realized something.

What will I do If he says that it is because he loves me? This man held me in his heart dreaming of the day he marries me. Did he want our relationship to be close as the one portrayed in the song?

[...And I will wait to hear you say... I belong to you...]

Is he waiting to hear me say that I belong to him? 

What will I do if he says that?

"You want to know why? Should I-" 

Jerlina didn't know what possessed her. She wrapped her hand around his neck and standing on her tiptoes pressed her lips on his.

Don't say it... Don't say that you love me...