Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina was surprised to see the number of pickup trucks lined up in the road. Noticing Jeremy's car, they all gave way to him. She oddly felt proud, although she knew this respect is for Jeremy.

He's the King, alright?

She didn't think this many will volunteer for this when today is Black Friday and was impressed. 

Rather than shopping for Christmas, they preferred to help every kid have a Christmas tree in their home?

  "That's a lot of volunteers," Jerlina said.

"Yeah, every year the volunteers are increasing and the number of trees needed is decreasing," Jeremy said waving his hand to Charlie parking his truck.

"So more people are buying fake Christmas trees these days?" Jerlina said with a chuckle.

"Ha... That's a very genius observation, Chippy! "Jeremy turned to look at her with a teasing smile. 

"Chippy? Not you too, Brutus," she hit him in the arm. 

Actually, she understood what that meant. It just means the prospects of the households in this area is getting better and fewer people are expecting the volunteers to bring Christmas trees to their house. 

This change is great! Jeremy and others actually brought a good change in this area. Like he wished for, this place is improving!

"I think some are here to get trees for their houses..." Jeremy alighted from the car and Jerlina got down too.

The whole place was loud and they all came to greet Jeremy. There were some women there and most of them were men. 

"Jerlina Hopkins!" Jerlina turned to see someone saying her name with familiarity. "Do you remember me?"

Recently I talked about him and he is here?

Jerlina thought and she saw a big figure approaching them at the speed of light.

Seriously, Joel?

"Ah... yes..." Jerlina gave a polite smile. "How are you doing, Neil Jenson?" 

"I'm fine..." he extended his right hand for a shake. His left hand was covering his face. "Man, I didn't think I'd meet you here! This is a pleasant surprise!"

"Hey ya, Jenson!" 

Before Jerlina could shake his hand, Jeremy slipped in. 

"Great to see you here!" Jeremy patted (more like hit) him on Jenson's back. "So, how's the family? I don't remember seeing you at my wedding? "

Jerlina, now covered behind Jeremy's back, rolled her eyes.

Seriously? He's jealous of a guy who asked me out a decade ago and reminds him that I am married?

Jerlina stepped to Jeremy's side. 

"I heard you were back in Peyton and I thought you might volunteer in the tuition center," Neil Jenson turned to speak to Jerlina.

"Yeah, I was a bit busy," Jerlina scratched her ear as she felt a bit guilty. 

She never thought about tutoring.

"You volunteer?" Jerlina asked.

"Yeah... it's all thanks to you. I am an Engineer now." 

"That's great," Jerlina was polite although she didn't understand what she did for him.

"You don't remember? You were assigned to tutor me and you taught me chemistry and maths?" Neil asked.

"Oh?" Jerlina still didn't remember. 

Assigned? I don't remember... Ah, it was that one time.

Jeremy was not pleased that he was excluded from their conversation. It was like they don't even see him.

"She's great, isn't she?" Jeremy wrapped his arm around Jerlina's shoulders and pulled her closer to him.

"She is! I got interested in studying after she tutored me one time. And..." he turned to look at Jerlina and his face flushed a little. "I never got the chance to say this before but you were my first love. I even asked you out but you refused..." he chuckled.

It seemed like he got over it pretty much. 

"Anyway... I'm glad I got to meet you again, Jerlina Hopkins. And you married our TJ. Congratulations on your marriage, guys. Marriage is amazing! TJ... see you around, buddy," he patted Jeremy's shoulder and turned to leave. 

"Yeah," Jeremy waved. "What?" he asked seeing her not so impressed look.

"Don't do that. It's unbecoming," she looked at him unwaveringly.

Maybe she is a stuck-up, but she didn't find his jealousy towards that guy she didn't even think twice about, cute. Plus, who in this whole world can even hold a candle to him? There is no need for this guy to be jealous!

"Hmpf," he turned his face.

"I didn't even think of him twice, you know," she added.

"But he confessed to you," he mumbled. "When I couldn't."

It was more envy than jealousy. He wished he had the guts to confess to her earlier.

"Who carried a torch for me for a decade? Who protected me all this time? And who is going to take me home, huh?"  Jerlina asked and Jeremy looked at her.

He realized it. 

Yeah, no matter what happned in the past, she is my wife now. 

I won in the end!

She always knows what to say to make him feel better.

"I love you, Jerlina," he bent and placed a kiss on her lips. He then brought her to a little shed.

"You can stay here, or in the car," he passed her the keys.

"Here? Alone?" Jerlina pouted.

"Or you can join us. Here is a chainsaw, hold it." He got one and Jerlina tried to hold it. 

"It's heavy..." she said holding it with her two hands.

It felt heavy already. If she tries to hold it longer, it will become heavier.

"It's just twelve pounds," he chuckled knowing this is exactly what she'd say.

"Just?" she curled her lips. 

No wonder these guys all have very muscular arms. Holding this weight all day long as they work, should be a workout of its own.

"I'll sit here. Call me if you need any help," Jerlina found a place to sit. Soon she was surrounded by stuff left by everyone and she became the guardian of everyone's belongings.

The trees that were of perfect height to fit in the house were all cut and transferred to the trucks. Rather than doing it with machines, they all did it together and there was loud chatter and some even started singing Christmas Carols. 

It was fun to be there. 

As the trees were cut, they started planting pine trees in empty spaces. 

  Jerlina saw Jeremy transferring a tree he just cut to the truck. Maybe because he felt hot as he did manual labour, his shirt buttons were open except for the last two buttons. 

His chiseled chest that was visible through the V-shape of his opened shirt... His bulging biceps even that flannel shirt couldn't hide... That beard, hair... The forehead that had little glitters of perspiration...

Hah...

Jerlina let out a deep sigh. 

Boy, is he hot or what?

She unbuttoned her jacket. She felt hot.

Has it warmed up suddenly? 

As he carried the tree, he paused and turned in her direction, and waved.

Those blue eyes... that smile...

Jerlina felt something weird in her belly and sat crossing her legs. 

Suddenly someone screeched and a commotion started, pointing in Jerlina's direction. 

Jeremy dropped the tree and his hands went to his waist. "Come here, Jerlina," He screamed and started to run towards her.

Everyone started running there and almost everyone had a weapon in their hand.

Jerlina was too stunned to move. She heard some twig snapping behind her and turned to look behind.

There were just bushes behind her and she didn't mind much till then.

But her eyes widened and her heart started to race seeing the magnificent creature walking towards her.

Fierce golden eyes, black stripes on its golden hair that mimicked shadows, ears perked up... As it placed its one limb in front of other...

Majestic! 

Jerlina has never seen a tiger this closely before. Hell, she has only seen pictures of the tiger since she hasn't even visited a zoo all her life. 

She was stunned to see the beautiful beast just five meters from her.

And... Is there..?

"Run, Jerlina!"

Jeremy's voice made her get out of her reverie.

Right! There is a tiger in front of me!

A frigging tiger!!

Tigers don't live here...

Why? How?

Oh, shit! tigers don't eat grass!

She wanted to move, but she couldn't. 

She froze.