Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jeremy didn't feel like changing his clothes but Jerlina insisted he changes to a new suit. She had a feeling that people here would judge them by what they wear. And she was glad Jeremy chose to wear a suit.

Because otherwise, she won't keep quiet when someone tries to mock Jeremy. 

"It seems like Matilda hated my great-grandmother Aniko…" Jerlina thought that might be the reason Matilda tried to kill her.

"And I bet the Hamilton money is involved," Jeremy watched her changing. 

That navy blue dress perfectly contrasted her porcelain skin and hugged her close to the skin. There was a keyhole in the back and the zipper reached below her derriere and as far as he can tell, she was not wearing a bra.

He gulped seeing her exposed back. 

He thought she'd take a shower and he could "help" her in the shower, but she just washed her face and said that's it. And so now since she is struggling with the zipper of her dress, he will have to help her as any good husband would. 

Jerlina paused her hand. "Money, huh?" she shook her head. That seemed like a more convincing reason. She pulled the zipper up and turned. "Baah!" she screamed as she noticed Jeremy popping in front of her suddenly. 

"Why did you-" he pressed his lips and furrowed his eyebrows. He was not at all happy that she zipped herself up.

"You're not wearing makeup yet," he smiled. Jerlina blinked.

The next moment, his hand wrapped wound her waist, her feet left the ground, his hand slithered inside her dress and her back ended up on that fluffy bed.

"What are you trying to do?" Jerlina asked holding his shoulder.

She had an idea of what he is trying to do. His hands were slithering towards her chest.

"I am trying to make your mood better, honeybuns…" he grinned. His blue eyes shimmered and as he licked his lips Jerlina couldn't stay mad at him.

His lips slowly reached her lips and she savored the taste of his lips. His hand wrapped around he neck as his other hand gently kneaded her chest.

Jerlina got back to herself in his embrace getting kissed by him. The little uncertainty she felt in her heart was washed clean as his love washed over her heart giving her strength.

"Don't ever change, Joel," she wrapped her hand around his neck and sucked his lips. "No matter what happens in the future."

"Okay," he smiled but then his eyes turned sharp as his finger traced over her reddened lips. 

He pinched the excited bud in her chest with his fingertips making her moan. She threw her knees up, resting her foot on the bed. Curling up to his chest she kissed his chest as he played with her chest. She gritted her teeth unable to handle the feeling rising between her legs.

  "Joel… It's getting late…"

"Hmm…" he hummed and slowly retracted his hand out of her dress. 

Jerlina was still leaning on his chest. His scent made her mesmerized and she wanted to lay by his side forever. But now she has to go for dinner.

"You really were like a reliable mountain protecting me today," she smiled at him rubbing his cheek.

Jeremy chuckled. "When you said that, I thought wealthy people only caused loud troubles in dramas and soaps… But…what happened was better than any soap opera there is…"

"Wealthy people are people too, Joel… Have you ever watched Real Housewives?" she asked and he snorted. 

"You watch those series?" he swallowed his mocking laughter.

"Yeah, and you watch college football," she curled her lips. "And soccer!"

"Those are not the same, you know!" he got fired up. 

With a smile, she got up. Nothing tenses him up like talking trash about sports. 

As if soccer players can't be dramatic!

She fixed her hair and makeup quickly. As usual, she needed to dress up her needy husband too and as they just finished, they heard a knock at the door. 

It was Samuel Erling at the door. Jerlina wondered the need for him to do the work of a footman personally. But she didn't say anything.

Jeremy knew why. Samuel wants to learn more about this new heir and her intentions with the Erling family. And seeing how Jonathan is acting with Jerlina Samuel knows it will do him good if he gets along with Jerlina. 

-----

Jerlina thought the dinner would be silent and tasteless. For some reason, she expected a chalice filled with tomato soup that would look like blood. 

But the mountainous dishes served were all flavorful and colorful suiting her taste. They were seated according to the seating arrangement. She was seated to the right of Jonathan Erling and Jeremy was seated diagonally to her. IN front of her was Samuel and Samuel's wife was to her right. His three kids were also seated around the table.

Gordon was standing beside Jonathan Erling taking care of his needs.

Samuel was talking about business and asked about Jeremy's business. Samuel's wife was talking about clothing brands and shoe brands and Jerlina was nodding with a smile. Although she knew about all the name brands, she's not used to buying branded items. So she wouldn't know if Alexander McQueen or Christian Louboutin makes more comfortable shoes.

Jerlina didn't think Samuel's wife Portia was making fun of her. She was very interested in that topic and she couldn't stop talking about it; just like Mikhail with his cars.

"More than Edward Hamilton, you're more like my Anni," Jonathan's voice made everyone else shut up. 

There he goes…

Jerlina held back her urge to roll her eyes as Jonathan spoke further.

"My Anni once screeched and clawed this boy who used to bully me a lot…" he chuckled. "Like a housecat…" he placed the cutleries down and made clawing motions with both of his hands. He couldn't stop laughing. He almost forgot about it but got remeinded of it when he saw Jerlina hitting Matilda.

"Superficially looking, people misunderstood her as a graceful lassie with elegance. But no…only I know her better," Jonathan chuckled. "She was a descendent of Erzsebet Bathory, after all!"

Say what? A descendant of the Countess of Blood? What's with that? Isn't Jonathan said to be the descendant of the Dracula? And he fell in love with the descendant of a serial killer? And I am related to both of them?

I could have lived the rest of my life without knowing this detail! 

Jerlina gulped. She glared at Jeremy who was swallowing his laughter hiding behind the napkin.

"This is the first time you are talking about Her Ladyship, Sire," Samuel talked. Jerlina noticed he was being very careful as he said that. 

So no one knows anything about Aniko Corvin, huh?

"Never?" Jonathan raised his eyebrows. "Then you should know this…" Jonathan whispered something in Gordon's ears and he nodded and went out.

"You'll be surprised," Jonathan held her hand and Jerlina smiled.

Now what? Is there more to me? Am I the antichrist?