Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina expected a teasing smirk or a mocking word or two from Jeremy. But he looked sombre. He didn't even talk with her when they were eating. 

Watching him eat, she felt sad. She didn't know what he was thinking, but after she mentioned Emma, he looked very distressed.

Is he still thinking about that?

After dinner, she offered to wash the dishes. He didn't refuse and went to his study. 

Jerlina, after finishing the dishes checked him out from a distance. 

His eyes were droopy and looked pitiful. With Duke sleeping by his feet, he looked forlorn.

"Do you want anything? A beer, maybe?" she asked, peeking in from the door after knocking. 

"Will you drink with me?" he looked at her pleadingly. 

Not wanting to do drink, she pressed her lips. If she goes all touchy-feely with him when she is sober, she couldn't imagine what she'd do when she is drunk. 

"I'll pass on the drinking. But I'll sit with you," she offered.

He looked at her blankly for a minute. "Nah, let's go to bed. Aren't you tired?" He got up after stuffing the papers on the table inside a drawer.

"Very much. Then, I'll go first," she answered and turned to leave.

His mood will get better once he sleeps.

Jeremy watched the back of the woman going up the stairs and smirked. He wanted to tease her after the stunt she pulled, but he has other plans. Plans that would give him more happiness than just watching her blushed face.

He wanted to spend their wedding night together. 

"Jerlina, I..." he grabbed her sleeve as she was about to enter her room. "I...just this once... Please..? Can I sleep with- in your room..? I don't want to be alone tonight."

Jerlina found his request excessive, but he looked like a boy who was wronged. For some reason, the image of him shivering that day when he had an anxiety attack came to her mind. 

"I'll sleep on the floor... I just don't want to be alone..." he added seeing her hesitation. 

He is manipulating her, but he had no other intention than to just sleep beside her. He truly didn't want to sleep on different beds on their wedding night.

"Okay," Jerlina nodded. "You don't have to sleep on the floor. The bed is big enough. I trust that you won't try anything on me. You're stronger than me and I won't win against you... But still, I trust you."

Jeremy's throat closed seeing her firm eyes. The strength shimmering in those eyes was so pretty. After everything that happened between them, she still is willing to trust him and lets him in her bed.

I won't ever break that trust.

"I won't touch you without your consent, Jerlina. I promise." 

Jerlina's lips curved to a slight smile. 

Does he think that he has a chance of getting my consent?

Speaking of consent... Jerlina! Just hope that you don't assault him in his sleep. You're the biggest pervert here!

Well, he's no better... He did that thing the other day...

But he looks truthful... 

Eh, it's just two adults sleeping together...

What's the worse that could happen?

"Which side?" she asked.

"Your choice, my lady," he walked behind her like a well-trained puppy.

"Then I'll take this side..." she picked the side closest to the balcony door.

She's used to sleeping on the left side of the bed, but lately, she's found herself loving the right side of the bed. Maybe that's her subconscious wanting to be close to her baby even at sleep.

"Here," she got him a duvet from the closet.

"Why? Isn't this one enough for the both of us?" he pointed at the one on the bed. He couldn't hide his disappointment. 

If both of us are using different duvets, how can we end up snuggling in the middle of the night?

"I think the floor would be more comfortable for you," Jerlina gave a smile that he rightly interpreted as a warning.

"Never mind," he got the duvet from her hand and laid on the bed.

He watched her as she wrapped herself inside the duvet. She looked like a tortilla wrap with the duvet around her.

Is she that scared that I will try something on her? Should I just leave her alone?

"If I am making you uncomfortable, I can-"

"Oh, no... It's not for..." Jerlina saw the pitiful eyes and felt bad.

"I was told that I tend to gravitate towards warmth in my sleep, and although snuggling feels good for some time, it would feel like sitting inside an oven after a while. And I have very cold fingers and feet. You wouldn't want me suddenly grab you in the middle of the night... So, this is to protect you," she said with a smile.

Gerard used to say that to her and she never cared for what he said. She loved to stuff her cold leg in between his thighs just to see him yelp. But she didn't want to put this poor soul through that suffering.

I don't want him to suffer through my terrible sleeping habits and I don't want to grope him in my sleep!

"Fine then... Shall I?" he pointed at the light switch and switched it off after she nodded.

He turned to face her. With her eyes closed, she looked peaceful.

She was told... It should have been 'him' who told her!

His heart hurt. 

Here he is... manipulating her to let him on her bed, but that guy, without knowing what a privilege he has, tried to keep her away from him?

It's an unfair world... Pearls are cast before swine...

  While I yearned to touch at least her shadow, that guy didn't appreciate her properly.

Just like that, Jeremy delved unnecessarily deep into a mundane thing between couples and it made him pity himself. 

It's fine now... I will make her fall for me! And I will appreciate her as she deserves.

Jerlina could feel him staring at her although she was closing her eyes. She opened her eyes and as she guessed, Jeremy was looking at her.

Although the lights in the room were out, the room was dimly lit as light from outside spilt inside through the glass windows. Since her eyes had adjusted to the dim light, she could see him clearly.

'What?' she gestured raising her eyebrows.

"Nothing," he whispered.

She thought he was going to say something. His lips parted and then closed. She waited. But even after waiting for some time, he didn't say anything else. 

In the silence, except for the occasional barking noises, both of them silently stared at each other.

"Can't sleep?" she broke the silence.

He shook his head meaning no.

"Close your eyes and count sheep," she whispered and he let out a muffled laugh.

The married life we are starting... As if we are kids doing a sleepover. 

Counting sheep?

But isn't this a great start? I used to think lying with her on the same bed was impossible.

We can grow closer still!

"I'll definitely get your heart, Jerlina..."