Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"So, how can I help?" Jerlina asked and Jeremy sat crossing his legs. 

Wyatt's face got a lot brighter as Jerlina was willing to listen to him. 

Wyatt told them his plan and Jeremy made certain corrections and both of them in the end agreed with the finalized version. 

Jerlina was not that surprised when Jeremy got pretty interested in Wyatt's proposal once he agreed to pretend he agreed to Viper's proposal. 

Well, Jerlina's role in this was not that hard, but it was a pretty important job.

And so, Wyatt left.

Everyone who was in hiding came running to them asking for details.

"He may be trying to spy on us," Bobby said.

"He may try to act as a double agent," Charlie said. 

Although Jerlina believed Wyatt wanted to turn a new leaf, she couldn't ignore the concerns of those who knew him better than her.

After all, if they can't believe that the largest smuggler of firearms on the west coast wanted out just because his wife died and hearing the words of some mother, they are allowed to.

Bobby wrapped his arm around her neck and ruffled her hair. 

Wyatt asked her to talk to his wife's parents to take care of his sons until he settles everything here. Apparently, his wife was from a middle-class family from the South. They didn't approve of their marriage because he's a thug. She left her home for good and eloped with him.

Although she was happy with him, Wyatt told Jerlina that his wife missed her family. She wanted to visit them one last time to introduce them to their grandsons before her illness takes her away, but she didn't get a chance. 

Wyatt wanted Jerlina to be the mediator since he was sure his in-laws won't interact with anyone who looks thuggish with tattoos (his words). Plus he believed Jerlina has what it takes to convince his in-laws.

So now Jerlina has an important duty to help in the reconciliation of Wyatt's in-laws with him and help Benny and his brothers meet their grandparents.

And in return, Wyatt agreed to support with a lot of demands Jeremy made. She also asked for one.

Apparently, the clinic is allowed to function under the agreement that only Jeremy's mom can be the doctor there. No other doctor's safety is guaranteed and hence no one agrees to work there.

Since Jerlina wanted to hire more doctors to reduce the workload of Dr. Kruger, she asked for Wyatt's help in changing that agreement. 

That clinic is useful for a lot of people after all!

Wyatt agreed to her request and promised he'd do whatever he can to take care of her request.

"Chippy! This is the first time no weapon was fired in one of these meetings! Our team won after twenty-two years, our Jerry is happy... Chippy! You're our lucky charm..." He screamed in her ear and Jerlina pushed him away. 

But Bobby kept on ruffling her hair making Jerlina angrier. She tried to get away from him, but he caught her pretty easily and kept on messing her hair.

Charlie looked at those two playing with each other and Jeremy was laughing looking at them. He heard Bobby used to have a sister she loved so much and she died young. 

Bobby told him that Jerlina reminded him of his sister and it seems like he was not lying.

Lucky charm?

He could see why Bobby has high opinions about her. The more he gets to know her, the more he started to respect her. 

That squirrel is not bad...

-----

On the bed, Jerlina played with Jeremy's hair as he lied on her chest. She prepared dinner that night and she returned to her room to fold her laundry.

As she lied on the bed, he came inside her room and just lied on her chest and is still the whole time.

He even kept his hands still without trying to do something and it made her wonder. 

Has he fallen asleep?

Jerlina wondered.

"Joel," she called him softly.

"Hmm..." He nuzzled in her chest.

He seemed to be acting childish.

Jerlina with a smile caressed his hair, and he lied still.

He was in deep thoughts about everything happening and her fingers running through his hair was pleasant. And her rhythmic heartbeat was soothing.

"Joel..." She had something to say to him. 

"Hmm..."

"I trust that you'd protect me, but be more careful, okay?" She spoke in a soft voice.

Ever since their talk with Wyatt, this fear was in her heart. 

What if something bad happens to him?

He raised his head and looked at her. Her face was filled with concern and he climbed on top of her.

"Are you worried about me?" He asked.

His messy hair fell on his forehead making him look charming. His glistening eyes made her heart skip a beat.

"Yes," she told the truth. "I have the right to worry for you, right?" She held his cheek with her hand.

"Yes," he kissed her palm and started to play with the little hair on her forehead.

Jerlina took in a breath as she enjoyed the sensations given by his touches. She used to be scared and disgusted by his touches, then she used to feel nothing about them, but these days, his touches are giving her a different kind of sensation that she is oddly familiar with. 

It made her think, but she didn't hate those sensations.

"How about this?" He kissed her forehead. "I am always careful, but for you, I'll be extra careful from now on..."

"Thank you," she lifted her head and kissed the tip of his nose.

"Have you started to fall for me, Jerlina?" He ran his thumb over her cheek. His heart started to pound.

Jerlina let out a breath. "Love?"

His coarse finger on her cheek oddly warmed her heart.

She held his hand.

"When I am with you... I feel stronger when everything around me is tough; I feel weaker when I need rest - I feel relaxed. I don't feel like I have to do something for one reason or another... All my life, I had to do certain things...I had to wake up early, I had to go to work, I had to behave a certain way, I had to pay for this and that... But now, with you near me, I don't feel urged to do anything... I've never felt this relaxed before in my life. I feel different. I like being with you... " 

Unknowingly tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes and Jeremy with a smile wiped them.

"But I'm not sure if it is love... What is love anyway? And..." She pressed her lips deliberately if she should speak her mind, seeing his glee.

She decided to be honest in the end.

"Don't you think it is rushed? My feelings? Can you even trust them?" She questioned him.

She thought he'd be offended, but he smiled.

"Rushed? Honey, for me it is ten years late," he bent and kissed her lips.

This is enough, my love. I can see you're falling for me.