Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"It'll be alright. Don't worry…" Jeremy patted Jerlina's head.

Jerlina's heart was beating in her throat.

Mikhail bought a new Bugatti car. Well, she saw it. It looked like a car… with its wheels and… Well, it was more like a designer car with its sleek design.

It looked beautiful… and angry.

And it is a very fast car. A very very fast car with a top speed of 270 miles/hr. 

How does she know? Because Mikhail cannot frigging stop taking about it. Who cares what kind of engine it has and what kind of other stuff makes the car run? She didn't. But Mikhail cannot shut up about it.

Oh, the holes there has a purpose? Why do I care? 

She wanted to shout at him to shut up. But she wanted to maintain her decorum and maintained her smile.

That guy is smart… He should know that she does not appreciate him talking about his car. But still, he didn't stop talking. It was more like he couldn't help but talk about that car.

He looked like an addict…

To think I used to have a crush on him…

Well, I always know I won't like him up close. So there's that. 

Well, he is a race car driver. It is not odd if he gets attracted to a car. 

But still, it is weird.

It's a frigging car for fudge's sake!

And she glared at Jeremy by her side, keeping his elbow on the window and looking at her with an amused smile.

It's all his fault.

Jeremy dared her to ride with Mikhail. And Mikhail encouraged her to come along. 

'He'd post a picture with you in his car and it would be a nice tease to the launch of your company to the world's stage'

Jeremy said. 

But why should the picture be taken inside the car while the car is moving?

"Ah!" She screamed as Mikhail started the car. It felt like a thousand claps of thunder exploded near her.

Seeing her scream, Mikhail laughed at her.

For some reason, Mikhail's laugh reminded her of Bobby's and Charlie's teasing laugh.

She wanted to run away after punching Mikhail in the face. But she knew it would do her good to take that picture.

And I am getting belligerent! I seriously want to hit someone.

Jeremy pushed the helmet on her head and her hands shook.

Seriously! Why should I sit inside a car wearing a helmet? That too, for a frigging picture!

Oh, it's necessary? Then why am I in a car where a helmet is needed? And it was modified too with a different kind of harness seatbelt.

Jerlina gulped as Mikhail gave the okay signal. Jeremy waved at her. Only Alexander seemed to be on her side but his words were overthrown by those two grown babies who threw tantrums.

Well, whatever! It's just a ten-minute ride around the corner… What's the worse that could happen?

The car sped away and Jeremy watched it with his hands folded on his chest.

"You seem too calm for someone whose wife eloped with another man," Alexander's sneer made him roll his eyes.

"Eloped?" Jeremy snorted. "Are you serious, Grandpa?"

"What if she gets attracted to my grandson while-"

"Do you think I chose me a wife who gets attracted by another man just because he took her on a ride in his car?" Jeremy sneered back making Alexander mumble.

Jeremy laughed in his heart. Alexander will mumble only when he loses. That's why he would always mumble around Grandma when she was alive.

"What should I know about Jonathan before meeting him?" Jeremy asked. 

"Don't trust him. No matter what happens, don't trust him. He's lower than a snake's belly…" Alexander said and cringed.

"Hmm…" Jeremy hummed. "Do you think it would be better for her company to get connected with the Erling family or worse?" he asked. 

"Her company needs no association with anyone other than the Hamilton name. Ask that snake to return the patents and she can launch her company by its original name," Alexander spoke his mind. 

Erling name? The Hamilton name has more pull among the aristocratic circles even now! What people have for the Erling name is fear while they truly respect the Hamilton name.

"She won't get it back," Jeremy said with his eyes staring at the distance.

"She said it?" Alexander asked.

"No…" Jeremy shook his head with a sigh. "I have a feeling," he said.

He has thought about it and he knew his wife wouldn't prefer to get back what her grandpa gave on his own accord. But he had a feeling that she should get back the patents at least.

Her people know the actual techniques and are still using them albeit scarcely. But it won't be legal and the ones who have the Hamilton patents can sue her company. 

To convince her he should make her understand the legal ramifications. It's not just something with just monetary value. It is something that is tied to the dignity and safety of her company and the workers.

"I got an invite to meet him the next day. We'll be having lunch together…" Alexander said and Jeremy looked at him with his eyes wide.

"Is this regarding Mikahil's girlfriend?" Jeremy asked and Alexander let out a snort and started to tap his cane on the asphalt.

Jeremy could see that Alexander is not very pleased. 

"Just give up, Grandpa… He loves her and he won't back off. You will have to give in whether it is today or next year or ten years later… She seemed smart and didn't seem like a bad woman. She's young and Mikhail loves her. My wife got along with her splendidly. What more do you want?"

  "Jerlina did?" Alexander raised his eyebrows. 

That girl has a good eye for people. So if she liked that Erling girl, then…

But then he composed himself, "Well, what does she know?" Alexander started grumbling. 

All that followed were his grumbles and Jeremy with a smile kept silent. He could hear the loud engines and knew the car is returning.

"Mikhail arranged for a pap shot with her?" Jeremy chuckled. "You gave him that idea, didn't you?"

"You laugh? Your wife would get rumored with your friend and it makes you laugh?" Alexander sneered.

Jeremy shook his head and walked towards the approaching car.

Alexander pressed his lips. He asked Mikhail to do this for a reason. She is wearing a ring and her identity would be easily revealed as the Titan's wife. It is needed before she meets with Jonathan.

Erling has to know that the Volkonsky family and others related to him will always support the Hamilton family's heir. He cannot think that she has no support!

----

Jeremy patted her back as she threw up in the trimmed hedge in the garden. 

"There…there…" he hugged her.

"Joel…" Jerlina pouted. "I only want to ride with you…" she sniffed hugging him. 

"Okay…" Jeremy had a victorious smile.

Alexander rolled his eyes and walked away mumbling.

What a grumpy old man!

Jeremy laughed in his heart and kissed Jerlina in the head.