Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Emma... why did she bring up Skunky when Hank didn't try anything of the sort on her? Was she afraid Hank might hurt her? Even so...

'Emma manipulates' – he remembered Jerlina's words.

Doesn't it seem that way?

Jeremy felt like the floor beneath his feet had slipped. His eyes became blurry and he almost fainted from the pain in his heart. 

"Get out! Don't show your face to me ever again! If anyone knows about what we talked about here, you wouldn't want to know what I'll do to you!" Jeremy shouted at Ashley and she struggled to get up.

"I won't tell anyone... please leave my aunt out of this, please..." she begged as tears dripped from her face.

"Get out!!" Jeremy banged the table and Ashley stumbled her way out.

After Ashely left the room, Jeremy leaned at the backrest of his chair and stared at the ceiling.

Emma... since when did she become like this? What changed her?

Should I investigate more?

He called Jack. He's the one he has in Jennifer's (Emma's sister-in-law)  office as a spy to monitor her moves. He is Jennifer's secretary and nothing escapes his eye. If there were troubles for Gerard at Faulkner's, Jack would know. 

"Jamie dear~ I'll be out for lunch in half an hour. Can I talk to you then~ my sweet pumpkin pie~ don't be mad, okay? I'm honestly busy now~" he spoke in a lovey-dovey tone. 

"Okay," he ended the call.

Jeremy felt his skin crawl hearing another man speaking to him in such a tone. He realized that Jennifer must be near. Rubbing his forehead, he leaned on his chair.

His phone rang and seeing it was Charlie he let it ring. 

Did Foxy complain to him already?

Ugh! I can't deal with this now... 

But Emma... What was she thinking?

Charlie wondered why Jeremy is not answering his phone. It is almost time for lunch and till now he couldn't feel any movements from inside the house. Usually, that squirrel would come out and take care of the roses in the garden and today she even skipped that. 

He thought something might be wrong with that squirrel. And so he decided to call Jeremy to ask to check up on her, but he is not answering his phone.

Should I just check on her? Nah! Let's wait a while... she probably slept after getting tired out by the wedding yesterday.

-----

Jerlina opened her eyes slightly and her entire head hurt still. She fell asleep for a while and then woke up in pain. She didn't even want to move and ended up closing her eyes once more.

Don't fret, Jerlina. It'll get better soon... 

She couldn't bear the pain and taking another dose of painkillers, she went back to bed. Maybe because of the effects of the painkiller, she ended up sleeping once more. 

She is used to nursing herself in sickness and she didn't think of calling anyone. She is someone who doesn't like to feel like a burden to others and she can handle almost anything alone. 

-----

"I thought you knew?" Jack seemed to be calling from the rooftop and more than his voice, Jeremy heard the sound of wind more.

"Emma's used to getting what she wants and you got his girlfriend out of sight and so I assumed you were helping Emma? Since it isn't something of great importance, I didn't tell you... Did I assume wrong?"

"Never mind... from now on, inform me everything Jennifer does and I'll decide on its relevance," Jeremy was stern.

"Ah- alright... sorry for... Speaking of which, Mr. Cooper is getting more importance these days and the firm is negotiating a deal with a popular Hollywood agency. Mr. Cooper is said to be leading the negotiations....."

Jack went on and Jeremy's lips curved to a mocking smirk.

Was I stupid or was I stupid?

I didn't even question Emma. Every time I met with Jerlina in the cabin, she screamed that one thing at me if she is not pleading with me to let her go.

'You're doing this for Emma!'

And did I believe her? Did I even bother to investigate?

Hah!

And I thought I was the noble one who is trying to protect someone who is trusting the wrong person.

Was she wrong to think that I am doing it for Emma? Even Jack thought that way!

Am I that partial towards Emma? Do I love Emma more than anything like she said? 

And Emma... does she even love me?

At least Gerard didn't lie about Emma's pressure on him to Jerlina, right? But I..? 

Ha...ha...ha...

His anger rose. More than at Emma, he was angrier at himself.

What should I do? 

Do I really not deserve her? Should I really give her up?

He gritted his teeth. He was so mad, he wanted to push everything on the table to the floor. He thought that he wanted to hear something break for his anger to reduce.

But then his eyes ended up on the glass jug on his table. That little woman brought another glass jar for this office. She asked him to drink more water.

What a foolish woman! Why is she taking care of me?

Why when I am Emma's brother does she smile at me?

Did Emma make that guy split with Jerlina? If so, I helped in her heartbreak?

And it was Emma's fault that Jerlina was scared of me. And Emma pushed her to leave.

Isn't Emma responsible for her miscarriage?

If Jerlina hated Emma, isn't she justified?

Emma...

What should I do with her?

He sat in his chair in deep thoughts. He didn't even realize that the sky has started to darken.

His phone ring distracted him and he clicked his tongue seeing it was Charlie. He then started to send texts after texts and he threw it in the drawer.

Emma... Emma...

It could be just plain jealousy, right? She wants to be my only special person and so she doesn't like others getting close to me? So in her jealousy, she does stupid things..?

That must be her reason, right?

What should I do? I love her, but I have other people I love too.

And she did go overboard... she inadvertently caused deaths...

Should I talk to her about it? Will she understand?

I should! I cannot give her up!

He was disturbed by the sudden influx of calls. He looked out the window and the sky was pitch dark with no moon. 

"F*ck this!"

He growled and picked up the phone to silence it. But his frown deepened seeing an incoming call from Bobby's number.

Ah, shit! Did something happen with Jerlina? Charlie called me a lot and Bobby too..? 

"What?" he answered the call. His heart pounded.

"The squirrel... she... Where the f*ck are you, Jerry?" 

Bobby's voice was enraged and Jeremy stood up and ran to the door.

Oh, no...

"What happened to her? Bobby?"

He saw the elevator was on the ground floor and ran to the staircase.

"Answer me!"