Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

On the way to the gazebo, Jerlina contemplated how she could handle this situation. If Alexander Volkonsky can't hold back Jonathan Erling and even the President has to heed his commands, it means that he holds immeasurable power and it won't be wise to stand openly against him.

It's just not wise to bang your head on a stone wall! Jonathan Erling is a very strong wall. He cannot be overcome by brute force. She is not that strong.

Jerlina took in a deep breath. She noticed at a distance that Gordon was speaking to someone in his earpiece but the moment he saw her, he took his seat pretending to be ending the call.

Don't tell me... Is that Jonathan Erling at the other end of the line?

"Thank you for waiting, Mr. Faraday," Jerlina walked in with a polite smile.

"Oh please, Ms. Hopkins. Just Gordon is fine," he said and Jerlina nodded.

Gordon looked around sixty and it seemed like he had done botox treatments and he appeared as someone who cares for his appearance. And he had a natural haughty air to him as he knew the power his position holds. 

But he suddenly starts to act submissively towards her? 

Just minutes before, he was polite, but now he has turned submissive. And that means that Jonathan has asked him to be. 

Why? All because I look like Delvina?

"Will you please make the call through your laptop or through your phone so I can see the face of my great-grandfather too?" Jerlina asked pointing at his earpiece.

"Ah... this... I am..." Gordon was stunned. 

She didn't know why. Maybe he thought that she wouldn't find out that he is connected with Jonathan, or it was because he didn't think that she'd ask to see Jonathan Erling? Or is it another one of the rules to be followed with that old guy?

Eh, whatever!

She didn't let go of her polite smile. Her cute face combined with that polite smile never fails. Even if she has a knife with blood all over it, if she maintains that cute look, no one will suspect her as someone harmful.

She had that kind of face- those were Scar's words. 

"Yes, sure... I have a laptop..." Gordon opened his laptop to connect to a video call and Jerlina looked at Alexander. He was sitting without saying anything, with pressed lips. Mikhail raised his eyebrows and Jerlina smiled at him with a nod.

The call connected and Gordon turned the laptop at Jerlina. Jerlina had many emotions swirling in her heart and what predominantly suppressed others was fear. 

He is the guy my grandpa warned me against!

But she held her hands together and took a deep breath and focused on not losing that smile. 

"Hello, I am Jerlina Aniko Hopkins. Nice to meet you, great-grandfather," she smiled. 

That smile was not from her heart. She has no good opinion about him but she is in a situation where she cannot avoid him. And she cannot be authentic here. 

She could see the old man reaching out to her. It seemed like he was caressing elsewhere, but Jerlina figured he is caressing her image on the screen. He was just a very old guy with age spots and maybe he got emotional, even his cheeks started to shake; more than his fingers.

He didn't say anything but Jerlina could see that he is extremely happy. 

And now... Jerlina's heart moved a little.

All she saw now was an old man who is happy he met with his great-grandchild.

"Yes..." he spoke with the trembled voice and she could see the glare in his eyes.

Is he crying?

"I am... I am your great-grandfather... this sinner... this worm...this useless dimwit..." his voice shook once more. 

Jerlina is not someone with a hard heart and by now her heart was melted. 

Damn my soft heart! 

She cursed herself, but she found herself tearing up for no reason. 

"Please don't cry..." She scooted closer to the laptop. She was not planning for it.

"I am so happy... You talked... You talked to me... How are you... sweet child... come closer so I can get a good look at you... Come...Come to grandpa..." 

Jonathan tried to get closer to the screen but he almost slipped from his seat and Jerlina saw a nurse holding him back and softly telling him to be careful.

Jonathan was swatting off the nurse's hand and was looking at her the whole time. Even Jerlina feared that he might fall down. And at this age his bones won't be strong and it would be hard for him to heal.

"Come to me alright... Let me take a look... closer look..." he kept on saying that.

Jerlina took in a deep breath. He looked very much pitiful.

Alright! I am not built up to refuse this old man... I was not raised to be that adamant and assertive.

"How about this, great-grandfather? I'll come visit you, alright? Next weekend?" she said with a smile. 

She tried hard to not show him her true emotions and pretended that she was not affected seeing his pitiful state. 

"Next weekend?" Jonathan almost jumped out. "Yes... I'll be waiting... My Anni... I'll be waiting...Anni..." his hands caressed the screen once more.

"I am not Anni!" Jerlina interjected him. 

Somehow she found the idea that she is her great-grandmother offensive. They are different people.

"I am Jerlina," Her voice was clear. 

"Ah..." Jonathan's smile reduced a bit. "Yes..."

"Yes, I am Jerlina," Jerlina repeated. 

"Yes... Jerlina..." But then he started chuckling once more. "Come meet your great-grandpa soon... I'll wait...."

"Yes," Jerlina smiled and with no second thoughts ended the call.

She can give in and only this much. Jonathan seems to be too attached to her and she needed to set boundaries. 

Gordon was surprised. He thought she'd be like most of his boss' relatives who want to have a share of his wealth and they'd say and do whatever he wants for that.

But this one...

"She was raised as a Hamilton, Gordie... You won't understand it," Alexander said with a slight sneer.

Alexander could see she is trying to set the boundaries. But he had no hopes that she'd succeed.

And watching her, he couldn't help but appreciate her. 

She has Edward's heart!

"Mr. Faraday," Jerlina stood up. "As I said to Mr. Erling, I will meet him next weekend. Next weekend means the next weekend. Not one day before or not one hour before the next weekend. And I promised no phone calls or video calls until then and so I hope you won't disturb me until then, And one important thing," she looked straight at him.

"I love a lot of people and if any harm comes to any one of them or anything that belongs to them, my promise will go void. I can give you a list in case-"

Gordon was not very pleased with Jerlina's defensive stance. He never intended any harm and he even acted politely with her and the grandsire practically knelt before her.

How can she be arrogant?