Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina leaned on Jeremy as they were taken to the airport. This was the first time she was riding a Rolls Royce car. 

She's been living in luxury these past few days. And she wouldn't lie; she is tempted by all these luxuries. 

In the back of her mind, she did remember her grandpa's words not to go behind the luxuries offered by excessive money. 

But is it wrong to be filthy rich?

As soon as they reached the airport, they were welcomed with a red carpet, literally. Neatly suited men were standing on the ends of the carpet with their heads bowed and their hands on their hearts.

Jerlina gulped and held Jeremy's hand tightly. She looked at Jeremy. With his jaws clenched and eyes forward, he didn't look fazed. It seemed like he was used to their gesture and accepts it.

Noticing her glance at him, he looked down at her. His sharp countenance gentled down considerably as he smiled at her. His gentle nod and affirming eyes calmed her down.

"On behalf of the Grandsire, we welcome Lady Jerlina and Lord Jeremy to our humble aircraft. We will try to make your journey pleasurable as possible. Please forgive us for any inconvenience in advance."

All of the men said at the same time making Jerlina shudder a bit.

Okay... Maybe I am not suited for this kind of royal treatment!

Jeremy noticed Jerlina getting inconvenienced by this kind of welcome. He's used to it since whenever he visits Alexander, his staff would welcome him the same way. 

They'd address him as 'Your Majesty' and not as Lord though.

He waved his hand with a nod and they all dispersed. Jeremy placed his hand on her lower back and led her to the aircraft. 

Jerlina was astonished the whole way through. The inside of the big Boeing aircraft looked like the Presidental suite of a seven-star hotel. 

They were led to their seat for take-off and Jerlina just followed Jeremy along. They were served refreshments and throughout the four-hour flight, they were taken care of like royalty.

"You seem used to this… Is this because you're a CEO?" she asked.

Jeremy smiled. "You do not like it?"

Jerlina shrugged. "More than dislike, it's more of a … I think I am not used to it..?" she wasn't sure. "But I'd definitely avoid this kind of treatment," she spoke her mind.

"Hmm…" Jeremy rubbed her back. 

It seems like he should help her get used to this kind of treatment too.

"Oh my God!" Jerlina screamed suddenly making Jeremy startled.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I forgot…" she said placing her palm on her forehead. "Yesterday, I got a call from the Presidential Office. The aide told me that the President wants to have a private conversation with me. I was about to prepare your lunch and I found that to be weird. I didn't believe that it could be the President who wants to talk to me. I told them that I was busy and will talk to them later. I wanted to check with you before calling them later, but I forgot about it!"

"Is that it?" Jeremy rubbed her back. "Don't worry about it. If it was them, they'd have called you again, right?" 

Although he said that, Jeremy's eyes turned vicious. He got angry at the President for daring to call his wife. It would be to apologize for his hand in trying to get her killed. It should have spread around that she is Jonathan Erling's relative and he'd be trembling in his boots.

Let him! I still have more to give to him!

"Yeah…" Jerlina calmed down a bit. "Are scammers using the name of the President these days?" she pouted. "It really might be them… I think they might have wanted to talk to me about your donations or something… Or they probably got wind of your decision to start a foundation?" she looked at him. "And I am still not answering your father's calls like you said. But I wonder what he wants to say…"

Jeremy hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Don't think too much…" 

His lips curved. His cute wife still thinks that he is more important than her. But that is not going to be the case once her relationship with Erling is ousted. 

My sweet Luna, I swear that I will protect you from anything you don't like. 

-----

While Jeremy and Jerlina were going on an adventure of their own, Emma had her own adventures. She tried to find out more about what happens in Peyton and if her dear brother survived, but she wasn't allowed anywhere inside the town. 

All she heard was that the dissenters were punished severely under the direct order of Jeremy. No one who says one word against him was allowed to live in the town. They were either fired or exiled. 

She didn't know that lumberjack has this much pull. Even the President allotted a lump amount for their county. And the cops were rounding up and arresting anyone with a snake tattoo or Tiger tattoo.

Things are changing swiftly!

She wanted money and she ended up at her father's home. That stupid lumberjack is not answering her calls anymore and her bank balance has reached three digits already.

How is she going to survive if no one is giving her money, huh?  Work? Is she a slave?

She was disheartened when she saw her father's car still there. Only her mother will give her money if she listens to her drivel. She noticed everyone in the house seemed to be walking on eggshells.

What happened?

She heard her father talking to someone in the office. She tiptoed there to have a listen.

"…get a hold of her. That wife of my b@stard son in my saving grace…"

What? Jerlina? Dad is looking for Jerlina?

Why?

Why is everyone looking for her? What is so special about her?

Without meeting anyone in the house, Emma left in anger.

-----

They reached Jonathan Erling's mansion and Jerlina could see it was an actual castle that looked like where Dracula lives. It was on the top of a rock and had amazing views. The Gothic architecture gave a real mysterious feeling and Jerlina's heart started to pound.

But she took in a deep breath. She knew she shouldn't be feeling scared. She has Joel with her.

Gordon Faraday welcomed them and they were brought. Gordon politely asked them to wait in a big drawing room. It had green wallpapers and Jerlina thought all the items there seemed to be of solid gold. She doesn't know much, but she had a feeling that they are solid gold. 

They waited for some time and Jerlina felt the need to use the bathroom. Maybe it was her stress or because of the juice she drank, but her bladder needed a release.

With the help of staff, she went to the restroom and Jeremy followed her there. 

When she got out, she was stunned when a guy pushed; tried to push Jeremy.

Who is this drunk guy?