Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina waited in front of the ICU for some time. Mikhail had some work to do and he left after keeping her company for some time.

"It's about time," the nurse monitoring Jeremy came out and said.

"Yes," Jerlina stood up to get in. She already told the nurse that she wanted to be beside him when he wakes up.

Her heart started to beat fast and she fixed her clothes and checked in the mirror if she looked presentable.

Joel... I'm here...

She went through the sterilization process and as she was about to step inside the room, Mikhail came running.

"He's here... Gordon Faraday," he said, "Jonathan Erling's personal assistant is here. Grandpa said it won't be nice to keep him waiting for long."

They already found me here? What should I do?

His personal assistant?

As a secretary, Jerlina knew personal assistants are to be treated with the same respect as the person himself. 

Someone like Jonathan Erling sent his personal assistant to fetch me?

Alexander is right. It would be considered rude and condescending if I made him wait.

Jerlina looked at Jeremy and he still seemed to be deeply asleep.

"It might take 15 – 20 minutes..." the nurse wasn't sure. 

Jerlina understood the nurse is trying to make her feel better.

  "Yes... Send someone for me the moment he wakes up and tell him that I'll be here soon when he asks for me," Jerlina said holding the nurse's hand.

"Where?" Jerlina turned at Mikhail after the nurse affirmed her with a nod. "Let's go."

"The gazebo in the garden."

Mikhail had to almost run to keep up with Jerlina's pace. She was running through the hallways and through the stone pavement leading to the gazebo.

She just wanted to be there when Jeremy wakes up.

Just as she reached the gazebo, she stopped, took in a deep breath, and walked at a regular pace.

Alexander was already there and it gave her support. Mikhail entered first and after nodding at Gordon he stood behind his grandfather.

"Hello, Ms. Hopkins, I am Gordon Faraday, the personal assistant of Sir Jonathan Erling," Gordon stood up and shook hands with Jerlina as she got in.

"Hello," Jerlina smiled back.

The sea breeze lifted up the soft curtains around the wooden gazebo and tea and snacks were provided.

Jerlina's eyes ended up in the direction of the ICU often.

Five minutes must have passed...

Joel... have you woken up? I'll be there soon...

"If you don't mind, can I call you Lady Jerlina?" Gordon asked and Jerlina cringed.

Lady Jerlina?

"Just Jerlina is fine," she smiled.

Please don't call me Lady or Madam or whatever.

Alexander let out a sigh. 

She is to be addressed as "Her Highness" or if Jeremy wishes, as "Her Majesty", not as Lady whatever! What a mannerless imbecile!

"You probably know why I am here," Gordon started pressing the Bluetooth earpiece.

He seemed to be connected with someone on a call. There was a slight glint in his glass and as Jerlina observed there seemed to be a camera there.

What in the...

Jerlina pressed her lips, "I've learned that I am the great-granddaughter of Jonathan-"

"Grandsire," Gordon interjected her. "We all address him as..." As he spoke he pressed his hand on the Bluetooth earpiece, wincing.

Jerlina rubbed her forehead. 

Can he make it any more obvious that he is in the line with someone?

And grandsire? Seriously? I should call someone like that as grandsire? That guy killed my grandma!

F*ck off!

"Mr. Faraday, I am currently needed by my husband's bedside. He was in an accident and I..." she stood up. 

Gordon was surprised but he stood up with her. 

"I'll be back once he wakes up. I hope you wouldn't mind," Jerlina gave her polite secretarial smile.

She thought she could deal with it but it requires more mental capability than she has now. All she could think now is about Joel and she didn't want to ruin the meeting by not being able to concentrate.

"Ah..." Gordon was stunned for a moment but then he bowed his head.

"Yes, please, Ms. Hopkins. I'll wait for your return."

"Thank you!" Jerlina said with a forced cheery voice and after nodding at Alexander and Mikhail, turned and started running towards the ICU.

My Joel would be searching for me...  Here I come, Joel!

Jerlina, not knowing that she had already caused almost a heart attack out of happiness for the ripe-old man sitting in front of the big screen and listening to her voice in a speaker, ran to her love.

"Shut up, Alexander!" Gordon scowled at Alexander who was laughing out loud. "And please stop screaming in my ears, Grandsire! I couldn't listen to the Lady."

"She's a Queen! You'd know it if you had researched more about her," Alexander had to correct him.

"Wife of the King of a Kingdom that doesn't exist anymore?" Gordon sneered at Alexander and Alexander threw his cane at him. "What is it Grandsire?" he spoke in his earpiece.

"Yes, she does look like Her Ladyship... Oh? She even sounds like her?...I'll wait for her, yes... Yes, she loves her husband... Yes, she is winsome... Yes, I won't call her winsome, only you can call her winsome...Yes, she can address you by your name... Yes, I won't care what she calls you..."

Mikhail has never felt the urge to roll his eyes like this ever before. 

It's cringy!

For some reason, Alexander could understand Jonathan Erling's feeling. 

He really won't hurt her.

But if he gets obsessed with her, will he let her live with her husband?

What will he do to coerce her into living with him?

-----

"Is he awake?" Jerlina asked as she washed her hands.

"No," the nurse said and Jerlina's heart skipped a beat.

"Why?" she asked panicked.

She thought he'd be awake by now. But why hasn't he woken up yet? Is there trouble?

"You cannot exactly say when someone will wake up..." the nurse explained and Jerlina although was scareed, leaned towards trusting the nurse.

She stepped inside and walked closer to Jeremy's bed and sat by his side. She took in a deep breath and held his hand.

His face had no ripples and his breathing was even. It was like he was in deep sleep. He was in a hospital gown and she could see the thick bandage on his stomach.

She felt a shiver run through her spine.

There must be a hole there. How much will it hurt?

He went through this for me!

"Joel?" she called him softly and she felt his eyebrows twitching a bit.

Ah, he can hear me, I guess?

"Joel... wake up..." she patted his hand.

"Hmm..." he said in a slightly hoarse voice. 

"I'm glad you're fine, Joel..." Jerlina pressed her forehead on his hand. 

  "Lu-na..." she felt his hand gripping her hand and she looked at his face.

Tears started to roll from the corner of her eyes and she smiled at him.

"Say it..." he said.

This guy!

Jerlina wiped the corner of her eyes.