Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

A week passed and Jerlina got used to her work as usual. Jeremy got better and started taking care of his duties.

There were a lot of legalities that needed to be taken care of for the name changes for her company and them.  Her gracious husband took care of all that and she had other things she had to take care of.

Her company received a lot of orders and since she didn't have many departments in her company, she had to do all the work. 

Shaun by now had an amazing portfolio of centerpiece and vase designs. His style went with the antique Hamilton designs and Jerlina got a lot of orders. She tried to talk Shaun into branching out, but he preferred to hide and get the commission he gets from Hamilton Glasswares.

'You're paying double than others. I'd be a fool to leave your company,' he said and Jerlina agreed.

She paid double for that reason too. She didn't think she'd get anyone better suitable for her company either. And if he looked at other places and then settled here, then it is good for him too.

His sister started to get better as the school and their neighborhood was cleaned up. She too developed the same interest as her brother. 

Everything was going well, although they missed Daisy at times. And that was why when Jeremy saw his wife staring blankly at the floor, he was upset. She wasn't even noticing Earl rolling over for a belly rub.

"Jeryl?" he asked handing over the perfectly fried eggs. "Are you not feeling well?"

He's resumed his work as he did before she became his secretary and that means her workload is  reduced greatly. Although she is taking care of her company, she should not be overworked to his knowledge.

"My periods started today," she said pressing her lips. 

He saw a layer of mist forming in her eyes and she looked like she was about to cry.

"Oh dear…" he hugged her. 

They've told each other that they won't expect anything, but when she said that, he would be lying if he said that he didn't feel sad. 

"It's okay…" he patted her back. 

Yes, it will be okay…

"Yeah… I know this is just the first month and we shouldn't be expecting much but…"

"Hmm…" he rested his chin on the top of her head. "We have a lot of time, Jeryl… So let's not get hung up on this one time, alright?"

"Yes," she agreed. He is right. 

"I know…" she buried her head in his abdomen.

"Your scar is getting healed a bit…" she said trailing her hand through his abdomen. 

She missed those days she would freely touch his body in the guise of giving a sponge bath. Maybe I should try it tonight… he..he...he…

That day, Jerlina went to her company to take care of the products there, and then she went to the corporate office since Jeremy informed her he was there.

At the entrance, she saw Tara, and oddly, she met her with a smile. Jerlina smiled back to be polite.

"Do you want to have coffee?" she asked realizing Tara is wanting to speak to her. 

"Sure. There's a coffee shop across the road. If you could join…" Tara gulped. 

  Jerlina informed Jeremy through a text and he was not pleased. But Jerlina was curious as to what Tara might want to speak to her and so she joined her. 

"So…" Jerlina asked taking a sip from her milk tea. 

"First of all, I want to say that I am glad you were able to survive the threat to your life," Tara said formally. 

"Thank you," Jerlina said. She seemed to be meaning what she says.

"I've been thinking of words to say to you when we meet again but…" Tara let out a sigh. 

But then, she took a deep breath and started to talk fast. "Look, I am not going to sit here and lie to you that I realized how great you are or that I like you or that I am going to wish you happiness for your life with TJ. I do not," she looked at Jerlina.

"Okay…" Jerlina nodded. "Fair enough."

Tara seemed to be stunned for a moment seeing the indifference in Jerlina's face. Jerlina didn't care much for Tara's opinion of her. Tara considers her a rival and she would be lying if she said that she liked her. In that aspect, Jerlina could respect her a little.

"But I could not deny that you are… admirable," Tara spoke with difficulty. 

Jerlina said nothing. She could guess that Tara wants something but she is trying to curry her favor by praising her first..? She decided to wait for Tara to come to the point herself. She is a lawyer and she should value time, right?

"Foxy…" Tara started to say after a moment of silence. "Ashley… I don't know if you know her but she is the girlfriend of Charlie-"

"She used to be the girlfriend of Charlie as I heard from him?" Jerlina interjected her.

"So you ARE very close to Charlie," Tara said with a knowing smirk.

Jerlina scoffed. 

Lawyers, man! She wanted me to say that I am close with Charlie?

"Yes, I am. He lives in our guest house. He is Jo- Jeremy's trusted man and he was my bodyguard. Of course, I know him," Jerlina said. 

"You shouldn't be very proud of that, Jerlina," Tara spoke in a slightly admonishing tone. "No woman would be happy to know that her boyfriend is close with another woman besides her-"

She paused as Jerlina picked up her purse to leave.

" What? Where-"

"You might be speaking for your friend here, Tara. But please have a sense of who you are talking to. I am a married woman. A woman who happens to be married to your boss and crush. And you're here insinuating something more than friendship between me and another man. I don't have to put up with it. My husband won't like me to put up with it either," Jerlina stood up.

"No, wait, please, Ms. Hopkins…" Tara held her hand.

"Mrs. Fitzgerald. I am Mrs. Fitzgerald," Jerlina corrected her. 

She saw Tara's eyebrows twitching a bit but she soon composed herself.

"I apologize if you are offended," Tara stated and Jerlina sighed. 

"If I am offended?" Jerlina raised her brows. "You still don't think you are wrong anywhere? I won't talk to you anymore, Tara. I don't think you deserve my time," Jerlina twisted her hand out of Tara's grip and turned to leave.

Why can't she be a little more self-reflecting? 

"Ashley misses Charlie very much. Please, talk to him…" Tara shouted from behind her. 

Jerlina slowed down. Although Charlie seems fine, she figured he would be hurting. And if Ashely missed Charlie, they could get back together if he wants.

Maybe I can talk to Charlie to think about talking to Ashley. 

Seeing Jerlina slowing down, Tara ran to Jerlina. 

"If you help Ashley get back together with Charlie… I'll tell you all about Emma…"