Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

  Jerlina finished her shower and walked out. Throughout the rest of the shower, she could not help but think why Jeremy left her in the shower in the middle of their…kissing. 

Well, even if he finished showering, he could have waited. Just when I touched his thingy, he stepped out. Did I do anything wrong? Or is he still hurting? 

Jeremy was already dressed warmly and he chose the proper down jacket for her that is suitable for the weather.

"Get ready, pretty wife," he gave an exaggerated bow. 

You're fine, right, Joel? Does it hurt anywhere?" she asked just to be sure. He looked normal.

"Yes, why?" he asked raising his eyebrows. 

"Okay," Jerlina shrugged. "If you say so."

Jerlina scratched the back of her head as she walked to the bed. She thought she might be thinking too much. She thought he'd disturb her when she was changing but he didn't. He sat on the chair scrolling through his phone without even looking at her.

Jerlina curled her lips. 

Just stay like that forever, Joel! Hmpf! It's not like I like it when you disturb me!

With a pout, Jerlina started dressing. Jeremy sitting on the chair looked at his wife changing with her back towards him. Without even looking, he could imagine her face. 

Ah… I want to see her cute pout. 

"Here," he helped her wear the jacket after she dressed up. Standing behind her he bent and even helped with the zipper.

Jerlina could feel his warm breath on her face and his scent entering her senses made her feel excited. She turned to her side to look at him and she felt the slight prick of his beard on her as her lips brushed on it. 

She held his cheek with her hand and leaned closer to his cheek for a kiss. 

"That's it," Jeremy leaned back and Jerlina lips trembled as the man she was about to kiss stepped away from her. 

"Let's go, wifey!" he held out his arm and Jerlina hooked her arm with his.

"Yes!" he said happily as they walked out of the house. 

Okay… Maybe he didn't notice that I was about to kiss him?

Jerlina tried to calm her heart that was starting to cloud with thunderclouds. She almost cried when he stepped away from her. 

But… yeah, it is nothing.

"Is this the shop you mentioned?" Jeremy asked as they passed through a clothing store. They had all red on the display that day.

"Yes!" Jerlina's face brightened. "You remembered!" 

"Why would I not?" Jeremy wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her cheek.

Jerlina giggled. Her heart became bright with this little act of his. "I heard the ownership changed but I am glad they are still keeping the tradition," Jerlina looked at him.

"Hmm… the shop that determined the name of my wife… Go on! Stand in front of it for a picture," Jeremy made her stand in front of the shop and took some pictures and selfies with her.

When they came across a flower shop, they decided to buy flowers for the grave. 

"Ah… Whitney Brown's daughter! You're here during Winter…" the florist got cheerful. After all the town gets smaller each passing year as people leave for the cities and tourists are very rare. And so Jerlina who visits once or twice a year is treated like a celebrity around here. Everyone knows her and it made Jerlina happy since she could see how much her mother was loved by the people here. 

  "And you're with… Angela's son! You're Angela's son, aren't you?" the old florist hit Jeremy in the arm. 

"You know his mother, Gwen?" Jerlina asked the lady. But the lady held Jerlina's hand.

"You're married?" she shouted and jumped. "To him?" Her eyes widened with surprise. 

"Careful, Gwen," Jerlina held the old lady's shoulder as she tried to run out of the shop. 

She got out of the shop and waving her hand, she started to scream.

"Whitney's daughter married Angela's son!!! I won the bet!!! Come out, Bella…" she walked to the antique shop next door. 

"$1000! When will you pay?" Gwen said with a haughty sneer. "I don't accept cheques, mind you!"

"Why?" Bella snorted. "Did you forget your medications today, Gwen? Did you smell the poppies for too long today?"

"Heh! Shut up, Bella!" Gwen slammed her hand on the counter. 

The little table lamp on the counter shook and Bella held it. "Careful, old lady!"

"Who is old?" Gwen got mad and the two old ladies started to attack each other verbally.

Jerlina who followed Gwen didn't understand the heads or tails of the situation here. She could understand that there was some kind of bet among these two ladies about Jeremy and her getting married. But she couldn't understand how they know Jeremy's mother by name. 

As she was wondering, she felt a pull by her arm. She turned to see Jeremy gesturing for her to get out.

"But they…" Jerlina turned to look at the ladies shouting at each other. She feared if something would happen to them if they continue it. 

"Never mind them," Jeremy pulled her out of the antique shop and brought her to the floral shop. 

Jerlina watched him as he started to make the bouquet himself taking whatever flower he pleases. He made two bouquets.

"Is it okay to just take it?" Jerlina asked as they left the floral shop. He didn't even leave money for Gwen. Jerlina took a peek at the qntique shop and both of them were still fighting.

"We'll pay Gwen later," Jeremy said and Jerlina didn't even dare to nod.

We are stealing flowers from the old lady! 

"Ah! It's Angela's son!" 

Mechanic Joe peeked out from his garage. He has aged a lot from the last time Jerlina saw him. 

"Hello, Joe!" Jeremy waved. 

"Son! My roof is leaking!" Joe shouted.

"I'll be there tomorrow to fix it, Joe!" Jeremy shouted back.

Jerlina saw their interaction and she could see that the people here are very familiar with Joel.

Did he stalk me here too? But they are calling him Angela's son! So they know his mother? So his mother is from this town too? Why didn't I know about this till now? Why didn't this guy tell me about it?

"Joel," she pulled his sleeves to get answers.

But he looked to the other side and waved at Farmer McConnell driving his tractor.

"Son! The wood you sent for me was definitely better! My fences were never this strong!" he was all smiling. "And is that Edward's granddaughter with you?" he placed his hand over his eyes and squinted them to have a good look at her.

"Hello, Mr. McConnell!" Jerlina stepped closer. "How are you?"

"Did you marry her like you said?" McConnell didn't even answer Jerlina and looked at Jeremy.  "I'll be damned! I bet at the wrong horse!" mumbling curses, he started the tractor and left. 

"Joel!" Jerlina pulled his sleeves. "What is going on?" she huffed and puffed.

Why is everyone giving more attention to him? This is my mother's hometown!