Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"What are you saying, flower?" Gerard tried to hold her cheek, but Jerlina stepped back. It was reflexive for her. 

Gerard was shocked by her aversion towards him, but he composed himself. "Crickets? Dog fur? Jer... What are you saying? What happened to you? I am worried for you," his eyes clouded. He tried to grab her hand.

"What?" Jerlina was irritated by his attempts to touch her.

Gerard could see that she despises his touch even and he couldn't bear it. But he still needed to talk to her. And this place is not apt for that. "Come with me. I know a place where we can talk freely." As he was speaking, he tried to grab her arms.

Jerlina got out of his hands. "If it is something you cannot speak in front of others, I don't want to hear it," she spoke clearly.

She might have loved him in the past, but looking at him now, she didn't feel anything. She didn't want to go anywhere with him. If Jeremy knows of it, he'd get hurt. 

And she is introduced to everyone here as Gerard's wife's sister-in-law. She cannot be seen sneaking out with him for any reason. It would be stupid of her and it will create rumors; especially considering their history. 

"Why are you-" Gerard sighed seeing her noncompliance. "Has the stress got you finally?" he tried to touch her forehead but she looked away.

"Don't worry. Let's just-" 

Jerlina with a sigh shook her head. "No, Gerard. I am finally stress-free. I've learned a lot and I am happy now. I hope you find your happiness too. I would appreciate it if you stop acting too familiar with me in the future. Our relationship is over and so be mindful of that. Bye," Jerlina turned to leave.

"Happy? You're happy?" Gerard's voice shook. Jerlina didn't mind him and started walking towards the hall.

"Jer... Have you already forgotten about our baby?" he asked and Jerlina's felt a stabbing pain in her heart. 

"Our baby we lost?  Did you forget our baby that was taken before his time?"

Jerlina's eyes widened and her pace slowed as her knees went week. Her eyes started to cloud and she held on to the wall for balance. She wept in her heart.

My baby... Am I too happy and forgot you?

Gerard saw her stopping and walked to her. He knew he can get to her by bringing this up. She is a very kind person and she wouldn't have gotten over her miscarriage this soon as Emma says.

"I think of him every second, Jer. I think of how perfect it would have been if we were together and-"

"You left me, remember, Gerard?" Jerlina sucked in a breath and looked at him. "You left us to be with Emma," she gritted her teeth and the teardrop at the corner of her eyes trembled and turned cold. She was not willing to let out the tear.

My baby is happy in heaven. He would want me to be happy too. And Gerard is pathetic to bring him up right after I said that I am happy. 

"Don't concern yourself with my baby you abandoned, Gerard," she said pointing her finger at him, and in her anger, her face twitched. "My son would want me to be happy. Don't make me feel guilty for being happy. That's despicable!"   

She took in a deep breath sucking in her pain and walked at a larger pace. She got back inside the hall without even using the restroom.

"What are you doing here?" Gerard gritted his teeth at the figure appearing from the shadows.

"I was on the lookout..." Emma swirled a bunch of her hair in her fingers. "I wouldn't want my husband to get caught in the ladies' room with his ex-girlfriend. Aren't I a good wife?" 

"F*ck off!" Gerard pushed Emma standing in front of him, batting her eyelashes. He decided to try talking to Jerlina once more. She still is sensitive regarding her miscarriage which is good news because this issue would be his chance to get her back.

"She got over your dead child, Gerard," Emma rolled her eyes seeing Gerard's back. "Did you think she'd mope around forever? And turn into a vengeful ghost or something?" She smirked seeing Gerard stopping and ran to him. "She saw money and she changed her mind." She tried to grab his arm."She's getting almost a million each month for being his wife and changing everything around him-"

Vengeful ghost? Changing everything around him?

"Shut up!" Gerard pushed Emma to the floor and walked to the hall. He now understood what his Jerlina is doing.

How could I be so blind? Jerlina hasn't changed, she is creating a smokescreen. Everything my Jer does... Pretending to get over her miscarriage, acting all coy with that thug, and "helping" the guy who killed our baby...

She is planning for revenge!

That's right! How will she fall for the guy who killed her child? She is infiltrating his life and waiting for the right time. She is kneeling in front of him, not to worship him; she is doing so to pull the rug under his feet when he least expects it!

How did I not see it?

My Jerlina loves me!

I'll have to find her to tell her that I understand her.

-----

Jerlina walked to the hall and searched for Jeremy. just wanted to go back home as her mood got ruined. She composed herself to not let others find out that she's been crying.

She found Jeremy and oddly she felt a prick in her heart as she saw his smile. His smile was the same but for her...

Don't let Gerard's words get to you, Jerlina!

She took in a deep breath. Everything she did together with Jeremy the past few days came to her mind. 

I will not let anyone take away my happiness.

She looked at Jeremy and this time, she could smile from her heart.

As she was walking towards Jeremy, she was blocked by Amanda.

Oww... Not now! 

"I saw the Titan's picture on a magazine cover seven years back and I liked him since then..." Amanda fiddled with her fingers. 

"And you went after his mother because..?" Jerlina questioned. Her head ached from the noises around.

Amanda's feet became restless and she shifted from one leg to another. "That...I...I thought he'd be intrigued by me and would come meet me..." she gulped.

"Intrigued? Honey, do you know who he is?" Jerlina rubbed her forehead. Now she felt pitiful for her stupidity.

She played with a wolf?

  "But I..."

As Amanda was speaking, Jerlina felt a strong pull by her arm and before she could figure out what was happening, she was dragged through the hallways to the men's room.

By the silhouette, she could infer it was Gerard and she tried to pull back but failed. His fingernails dug into her flesh but his hold only tightened.

"Joel!" She screamed. 

She heard the click of the door and she was pressed on the wall of a bathroom stall.