Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"Well, it's not like that thought didn't pop into my mind..." Jerlina shrugged. "But I knew you'd tell me if it is something regarding me, right? Otherwise, your other businesses... I am not that curious to know about them. I am fine without knowing your secrets till now. I can survive in the future too."

Jeremy sighed. He didn't know what to answer her. He wanted her to be curious about his business. 

But he can wait. 

Jerlina was a little scared to know his secrets; especially what he does as a gang leader. She might come across the illegal stuff he does and she didn't know what she'd feel about it. 

She looked at his face that had a trace of sadness. She understood why.

If she is going to accept him, she needs to accept his past, present, and future. Just like he did. She did tell him that she'd give him a chance. 

She needs to prepare her heart for knowing all of him. 

She might not be that curious now, but surely, she'll like to know everything about him when she falls deeply for him. 

She once naively thought that minding their own business and giving space for others to have secrets will work out in a relationship. With Gerard, it didn't. She didn't know if that was the thing that made their reconciliation impossible in the end. 

She didn't want to take that risk with Jeremy.

She understood that some things are needed to be kept a secret. For example, the itsy-bitsy details of their past relationships. Knowing that stuff is never good. 

Other things, she can learn. And she can be open with him about her life too.

  "Maybe... you can talk to me, Joel," she held his arm. "About your past and all your shady business..?"

"Really?" Jeremy's heart filled with happiness seeing her nod. She looked a bit scared but she is willing to take the step. 

He wanted her to know about him entirely. Not only because she is his wife, but also because he needed her support. Someone clever like her can understand what he does and can be an asset to him.

Plus he wanted her to fall for every part of him. Not just the part he shows her.

"You should know that I will never put you in harm's way. My shady business is not that tricky. I just use a lot of money and certain loopholes in the law..." he kissed her cheek. "I'll show you everything, slowly, alright? I'm not that scary. I just show myself to be scary to my enemies for the good of my people," he smiled.

He had a very boyish smile and Jerlina relaxed immediately. She trusted his words.

"Okay... So what were you talking about with Bobby?" she asked. 

"We were talking about Emma," Jeremy took a sniff of her.

"Emma?" Jerlina was a little surprised he's bringing up Emma with her. And judging by his tone, it didn't seem like he has good things to say.

"Yeah..." Jeremy then told her about Emma's recent activities.

Jerlina got up from his lap as she listened. 

"All the materials are bought in bulk and there are proper security measures to guard the products. So there won't be any trouble on that front. There is only one shipment left. Maybe I should split it into two shipments? That way we can throw them off if they plan on attacking the shipment. And my employees' protection..?" She looked at him.

Alexander Volkonsky is not going to cancel the orders. But that doesn't mean she can be careless. She has the reputation of her company to uphold. 

If there is any way Emma can harm her company's reputation, these are the places where she can attack. The quality of their product and their ability to deliver the products on time. 

Mikhail is planning to open the bar on New Year's Eve and she has to deliver the products before that. After her products are safely delivered at Mikhail''s, no fault could be placed on her company.

"Your employees are under my protection," Jeremy smiled. 

As expected, she is caring about the important details before whining about how mean and evil Emma is. 

She can, but she doesn't whine.

God, I love her!

"And Joel," she looked at him. "I am planning on visiting the manager of the bar with the next shipment and ask him to check the quality of every single product so that no blame can be placed on our side."

"Okay," Jeremy held her hand with a smile. "Tell me what you need and I'll arrange it for you. Do you want me to talk with Mikhail regarding-"

"No," Jerlina shook her head. "It's business and it is enough that I talk with the manager of the bar. Let's not involve your shared friendship in business, although I highly doubt that you were the one who got me this order." She looked at him doubtfully.

Jeremy was stunned. "I..." he raised his hands in surrender. "I have nothing to do with this. You heard Mikhail... Rebecca Davies is Alexander's sister and..."

"Yeah, yeah... I see..." Jerlina chuckled. That might be the case, but she had doubts that Jeremy has no hand in this.

  "And I don't care if it was you who got me the business order, Joel. I got a great business and... maybe I should give you ten percent as a commission... What do you say?"

"You little..." he got up and twisted her ear. "You became so great to pay me? I dare you to..." he stopped as he got an idea.  "Well, maybe you should pay me!"

It's fine if she gives him some money. Using this as an excuse, he can pay her more for every help she does around this company! Isn't that a win for him?

Jeremy thought after this was settled, she'd bring up Emma, but she didn't. But he didn't fail to notice Jerlina spending a lot of time in the garden with Scarlett and Charlie. They seemed like they were planning to take over the world or something.

He tried to join, but they'll change the topic. 

Well... what secret might they have?

Days passed peacefully and Thursday – the Thanksgiving day came.

Jerlina's periods became lighter by then and she was feeling good. She didn't understand why she had to wear a blue dress, but she didn't care.

This is the first Thanksgiving she's spending with family after a long time.

They stepped out of the house and they could hear a commotion by the gates. Charlie went home for Thanksgiving and the trouble was too much for Jimmy to handle.

  Jeremy saw Jerlina's unimpressed face. "It sounds like-"

"I know," Jerlina took in a deep breath. "I'll handle this."

Jerlina walked to the gate and Jeremy followed her. 

He wanted to watch her handle this and watch over her in case she needed help.