Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"Look at him wearing a suit to meet Jonathan… He'd weep if I ask him to wear a suit," Alexander mothered making Jerlina giggle. 

"You're not my wife's great-grandfather, are you?" Jeremy grinned making Alexander slam his cane on the floor.

Jerlina shook her head with a smile. He couldn't help but pick a fight with poor Alexander, once again. She noticed a lock of his hair curling by his neck and she fixed it while he looked at her with a proud smirk.

They are about to leave for the airstrip for the private jet waiting for them and even she was surprised when Jeremy was wearing a suit.

Last night they were sent a pdf (Yes, a pdf) on the do's and don't's during their meeting with the "Grandsire". 

Jerlina laughed it off and wondered if she should wear short denim shorts and crop tops just to rebel.

But then, she remembered how frail that old man looked and feared seeing her might shock him. She was not raised to act rudely with frail old people.

But Jeremy took it to heart and asked Mikhail for a suit. He bought a suit and they had a tailor alter the suit to fit him.

Jerlina was not complaining. He looks amazing in a suit.

"Bye, grandpa," Jerlina hugged Alexander. 

"Get your patents back," Alexander said in a stern tone as he kissed Jerlina's cheeks. 

Jerlina smiled back with a nod. She didn't agree or disagree with it. Jeremy talked to her about it last night and she still hasn't reached a decision.

"I don't think you mean it," Alexander grumbled as he could understand Jerlina's intentions. But he cleared his throat. "I forgot my glasses. It's on the nightstand beside my bed. Go get it for me," he then said patting her in the back.

"I'll get it, grandpa," Jeremy was about to step up but Alexander stopped him.

Jerlina realized that Alexander wants to be alone with Jeremy. Jeremy understood that too and she walked up the stairs after nodding at Jeremy.

"What is it?" Jeremy looked at Alexander.

"Don't sign anything and don't talk to him without Jerlina present with you. Don't make any promises and… He already knows about your mother and your royal connection. So make sure he doesn't use it to gain anything from you. Last I heard, he wanted someone with ships along the West coast for his "business". You are not someone who gets tangled with illegal smugglers so… be careful," Alexander hugged Jeremy.

Jeremy hugged him back. He is not that stupid or desperate but he could understand how much Alexander worries for him. And it seems like not all Jonathan's business is legal and it is better to keep his distance from him in his business ventures. 

"You think my wife is smarter than me? Is that why you want me to keep her with me?" Jeremy asked. 

These days Jeremy could see Alexander has gotten pretty close with Jerlina. And he seemed to like her a lot. From the first meeting itself, Alexander was pretty lenient with Jerlina and he thought it was because she is the granddaughter of his old friend. But now he could see that Alexander respects Jerlina for who she is too.

Nothing makes him happier than when people who love him accept his wife wholeheartedly too. 

"Of course, she is!" Alexander slapped his back. "She knows what she wants and stands for it. She's a lot like Edward. Too bad she inherited his stupidity along with his virtues," Alexander couldn't help but finish his sentence with a grunt.

Alexander feared for Jeremy. He got her after waiting for a long time and he would go to any length to safeguard that happiness. He is desperate and he doesn't even realize it.

But he knew Jerlina loved Jeremy more than she loves herself. He saw how she takes care of Jeremy's business along with taking care of him. 

Patrick was right when he said Jerlina is not like Delvina. He knew for sure that Jerlina won't be like Delvina who stood by and watched her father making outrageous demands with Edward to marry her when she wanted the same too. 

Jerlina is the best thing Jeremy has!

Alexander knew it in his heart that Jeremy will only succeed from now on. They say that behind the victory of a man, there is a woman. But Jeremy doesn't want to keep her behind him and wants her by his side. There is no one else who deserves to stand by his side proudly other than Jerlina Hamilton.

And people like her would only soar higher and will lift everyone with them up high too. The same kind Jeremy is. They will have a great life. 

Alexander blessed them in his heart. 

Once they start having kids, their little family will become perfect. And I'll have to see if Rose can be that kind of woman for Mikhail.

  Jerlina could hear Alexander still talking and hid behind the stairs. Mikhail who was about to get down saw Jerlina hiding with his grandpa's glasses. 

"He wanted to say something to Jeremy," Jerlina noticed Mikhail and said with a smile.

"Yeah, he can be a bit much at times," Mikhail placed his hand on her shoulder and kissed her cheek. "I…"

"I'll try to get Rose out somehow," Jerlina said with a smile seeing Mikhail hesitating.

"Thank you," Mikhail nodded. 

"No problem," Jerlina shrugged and walked down the stairs as there was silence down there.

"I'll take you for a spin in my Aston Martin next," Mikhail's gloomy mood lightened with her words and he made fun of her.

"Mikhail," Jerlina stopped and turned to look at him. "Maybe… the Prince with his sword should defeat the dragon and save the Princess on the tower himself," she smiled. But her eyes weren't.

Another spin? Her head had spun enough for a lifetime in that one ride! 

Mikhail's face turned somber for a second before that smile returned. "You are my sword, dear sis," Mikhail patted her shoulder making Jerlina laugh.

"You have a way with words, Mikhail…" she got down with a laugh. 

Jeremy saw Mikhail and Jerlina getting down with a bright smile, His lips curved up. She gets along with the important people in his life. 

I love her…

"What made my wife so happy?" he asked wrapping his hand around her shoulder. 

"It's Mikhail being-"

"Jerlina wants to ride with me once more!"

Mikhail's voice overpowered Jerlina's voice.

"Can I punch his face?" Jelina said it without thinking much. Jeremy laughed and others were surprised.

"Ah… did I say it aloud?" Jerlina's face reddened and she buried her face in Jeremy's chest. "I was just thinking it…" she mumbled making Jeremy laugh more. 

"Don't worry. You can if you want to…" Jeremy rubbed her back. Mikhail protested.

"I'll take you skydiving once I get better, alright?" Jeremy said as Jerlina pouted.

"Bungee jumping..?"

"Rock climbing..?" 

Alexander watched their laughter with a content smile.. He feared Mikhail might be left alone because he is the only family he has left, but he has others.