Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Gordon decided to voice out his opinion in a gentle way.

"Ms. Hopkins, you saw how much the grandsire loves you. You don't have to be this..." Gordon took in a deep breath to carefully choose his next word. "...cautious."

"Mr. Faraday..." Jerlina let out a short chuckle and then her eyes turned serious. "I, just yesterday, watched a grown man manhandling a baby. I watched the cops turning their backs at the violent gang members and suppressing common folks who tried to help me. I was standing in front of at least thirty automatic weapons yesterday. For some reason, those weapons didn't go off, otherwise..."

Jerlina could see Gordon bowing his head. She continued, " Your Grandsire wouldn't have talked with me today. I would have to be collected from the mortuary... Or I don't know even if that would have been allowed."

"Ms. Hopkins," Gordon was about to say something, but Jerlina raised her hand to stop him from speaking further.

"That is just yesterday. And before that... I had to live in perpetual fear because I was hunted. I lost a lot, Mr. Faraday. I wouldn't have been able to survive if not for my husband and the lovely people who supported me despite all the troubles that came with me. And all they got in return was... destruction and hurt. Someone did all that to me and my loved ones using the Erling name. So tell me. Why shouldn't I be cautious?"

"I understand, Ms. Hopkins," Gordon took a deep breath. "I can see the Erling family has caused you deep hurt but I want to let you know that the Grandsire was not involved in any of that. Trust him. This might have escaped his eyes but he would never let something like this happen again. He'd punish those who wronged you and protect you at all costs.  Ever since he knew of your existence he's very excited..." he looked at her.

"You probably realized it just from the short call before..."

"Yes, I did. But that doesn't mean I can trust him either, can I?" Jerlina said in a soft tone. "Just because he pops up one day, and shows himself to be full of love for me doesn't negate the hurt he caused my beloved grandpa in the past, right? Till now, everything I know about Jonathan Sinclair is negative. I don't want to trust someone I don't know personally. I don't think it is too much to ask, Mr. Faraday."

"Well said, my child," Alexander stood up. "After what Jonathan did to Edward Hamilton, it would be foolish of her to trust him. And trusting Jonathan Erling?" he scoffed. "Jonathan won't trust Jonathan Erling either, Gordie... You are with him this long... You know that, right?"

Gordon Faraday let out a sigh. He loves his boss so much and his boss is always good to him but he knew his boss' reputation among the others is not good. And this woman seems to not understand what is good for her. No matter what, she'd benefit by being closer to the Grandsire than staying away. 

She'll come around. I've yet to meet someone who can deny the Erling money. Once she gets out of the influence of Alexander, she'll realize what's good for her.

"Yes, I understand. I hope that meeting the grandsire would change your mind soon. Rather than hearing about him, meeting him will surely give you a better perspective," Gordon looked at Alexander and he scoffed.

"I hope so too," Jerlina smiled. She wanted to say a lot but she held back.

"And if you have something to be addressed immediately, any help needed, you can ask me. I, in the name of the Grandsire, will fulfill all your wishes. Consider me your fairy godmother," Gordon snapped his finger with a chuckle.

Jerlina sighed.

"This... This attitude right here is what I asked you to refrain from, Mr. Faraday," she said and Gordon's smile slowly reduced.

"I don't lack anything. I never lacked anything. I always had what I needed. It was when the Erling family started to mess with my life, my regular life got disrupted and I lost something valuable to me. But I am able to get over my loss thanks to my husband and all the people around me. I just hope you don't try to do anything more. Please..." She let out a sigh.

"I am willing to meet my great-grandfather not minding what he did to my grandfather just because I can understand his wish to meet his blood. And that is all I need. Just to make the wish of an old man come true. I need nothing else from him other than discretion. I love my life as it is now," she added.

"You want to hide your relationship with the Erling family?" Gordon raised his eyebrows as he was stupified. "Do you even realize the boost being associated with the Erling name gives? Your glassware company... "

"I know and I understand, Mr. Faraday. But this is what I want. He is an elder connected to me by blood and I will respect his wishes and get to know him. That's how far I'd go as that's how Edward Hopkins raised me. I don't care about the Erling name and whatnot. So... kindly stay away from my business and everyone connected to me. I would greatly appreciate it if you can stay away."

Jerlina said with a smile.

Please don't touch anything of mine with your dirty, bloodied paws.

"Yes," Gordon could see she is meaning what she says and was surprised. She seems to be of sound mind and is not mentally incapacitated, and she made this decision rationally. 

Why?

"Why deny this great connection that would benefit you abundantly?" he asked. He couldn't wrap his mind around it.

"Because some of us have what they call "principles", Gordie... You know... IT's a virtue and all. You people wouldn't understand what that word means," Alexander answered and Gordon glared at him. 

Jerlina bit her lips to hold her laughter. She saw Mikhail in deep contemplation and she figured it should be about Rose.

"Mr. Faraday, there is one thing I'd like to ask," she said and Gordon turned at her with a big smile.

I knew she'd come around! Everyone has one wish that they want to ask the Grandsire!

"Lady Rose... She and I have met once and I developed a close friendship with her in that short time. I'd wish to talk to her more. Can you get me her number?" she asked with a smile.

Mikhail understood that Jerlina is doing that for him and looked at her with a smile, placing his hand on his heart, thanking her. 

Now that Jerlina asks for Rose, Rose will not be held captive anymore.

"Well, that..." Gordon hesitated.