Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina didn't want to look at his face much less to stop and talk to him. That day in the restroom he acted beastly with her and she was hurt by it deeply. She didn't want to be trapped in such a situation before.

"I was here to meet a client, Jer… I am not stalking you or anything… Don't be scared of me…" 

Gerard kept on running behind her. Jerlina sprinted on the stairs as fast as she could. After getting five stories up, Gerard gave up. He just recovered from fractured ribs and his strength wasn't the same as always. Hence she was able to outdo him.

Jerlina reached the designer's office on the seventh floor not even bothering to fix herself up. She didn't want to take her chance in a public restroom anymore. Especially when she is sure Gerard is around. 

Taking in a deep breath, she entered the designer's office. Her heart was still racing and she remembered the fear she used to have around Jeremy. 

I never thought that I would be running away scared from Gerard one day… 

He couldn't concentrate much with the designer and all the suggestions the designer told her seemed very bland for her. Nothing had the wow factor she imagined.

Should I just buy him tickets for his team's football game? That would make him exhilarated!

But then Jerlina did want to buy him a piece of jewelry – something that he would have on him all the time.

The designer could see that she is not impressed. As if he was challenged by it, he started to screetch on his notepad various designs.   

"Make it look like J&J or Jeryl…" Jerlina suggested. 

She didn't know why, but she had a strong sense to mark him hers. She knew he is hers and so does many people around them. He never made her feel insecure. It was odd for her to feel possessive. She never had such feelings before. 

But she wanted him to carry her name on him all the time.

The designer suggested various designs that involved wolf and moon, an ax that shaped like the letter "J" with her name engraved on it, and another one was cursive writing of both of their names superimposed which made an aesthetic design.

And with those three designs, Jerlina couldn't choose one or the other. Having no budget limit for her gift didn't help either. If she had a budget, she'd have chosen one with the 

After deliberating for a while, she decided to get two designs and choose which one to give as Valentine's day present later. Thinking of Joel wearing the present she gives her made her smile and she almost forgot about Gerard. 

And that's why when she saw him in the lobby seemingly waiting for her, she got shocked.

Maybe he is not waiting for me… And there are a lot of people in there…

Jerlina composed herself but as she tried to sneak past him, he noticed her and blocked her.

"Mr. Gerard Cooper, I am in a hurry. Please, give way," she said in her stoic tone and tried to walk past him. 

"Jer, please…" he blocked her with his hand. 

The lobby was filled with people and Jerlina felt that others are starting to notice them. She knew she could just express that she is being harrassed and could get help. 

"I am not going to ruin your plans of vengeance, Jer. I just want to look at your face for once…" he spoke in a soft voice. 

"Vengeance?" Jerlina knotted her brows and looked at him. 

What nonsense is he spouting?

"For our baby…" Gerard whispered but then he looked around. "Can we move there to talk for a minute..?" Gerard asked he bowed to her ear and whispered. 

Jerlina looked in the direction Gerard pointed and it was a corner, She didn't understand why he thought she'd go there with him. 

"No," she said. "And for the last time, I am over you! I am happy and I found my true love. I heard that you're trying for a baby with Emma and I wish you luck. You'll need a lot of it," she said and walked away. 

If he chose to have a baby with that psycho, he should need a lot of… Wait… Did he say vengeance for our baby? The baby I miscarried?

She felt her heart skip a beat.

What did he mean by that?

Her pace slowed and she turned to look at Gerard. He was still looking at her and the moment she met eyes with him he ran towards her. 

"Jer, I'm not getting together with Emma. I have a lot to say…" Gerard's face brightened up since she talked to him.

"What did you mean by having vengeance for my baby?" she asked knitting her brows. 

  "You don't have to tell me anything. I know you like the-"

"You don't know me, Gerard," Jerlina said gritting her teeth.

"Jer, we can go back to what we once were after we do what needs to be done… Just wait for me. We'll be happy as we once were and-"

Jerlina couldn't bear to hear any more of his nonsense. She had a feeling that he is planning something and she didn't care to know what it is.

"We. Are. Over!" she spoke a little loud for his stupid brain to register it. "We are never getting back together, ever! And stop talking about vengeance and whatnot. The loss of my baby has nothing to do with you. If you two even plan on doing something to my Joel, I'll obliterate your entire family…" She pointed her finger at him and turned to leave.

Her heart was pounding out of anger and she stepped on the accelerator and just drove around mindlessly to take her mind out of thinking about her meeting with Gerard. 

With the way Emma talked to her and Gerard speaking nonsense, she knew something bad is brewing. 

Should I have gone along with him and found out what he is planning? Ah… why am I stupid? Why can't I be a bit clever?

But I really don't want to be in his presence!

Should I call Tara and talk about the deal she offered? Should I learn what Emma is thinking? 

Without even knowing, she drove around for hours and she ended up in the port city. Only when her phone reminder rang to remind her to call Jonathan Erling, did she realize she's been near the beach and the sun was about to set.

She got down from the car and walked near the water and made the call to her great grandfather. He'd be waiting for her call eagerly and she didn't want to disappoint him. 

Jonathan asked her if she is with her husband as he heard the crashing waves. He thought they might be out on a date. Jerlina changed from that topic and started talking about him. 

After that call, she stared at the sun as it retired for the day in the horizon.. She felt troubled in her heart.