Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"I can't believe what happened there... I pinched myself and it hurt... It did happen right..? Right TJ? "

Jeremy smiled looking at the little woman by his side. She's been speaking non-stop ever since they got in the car.

She was oddly composed the entire time she was with Alexander Volkonsky and the moment she got in the car, she started speaking in a high-pitched voice. 

"It did! You did it! Your company got a six-figure worth deal!" He raised his hand with a chuckle and she gave a high five. 

"Yes! "

He has never seen her this happy and this was the first for him. He would have never guessed she'd get loud out of happiness. 

"Wait... I have to prepare for a lot of orders... The equipment, the furnace... "

Jerlina started to worry. Her company is built for producing in the hundreds. Anything of higher capacity cannot be handled.

Even Mikhail's endorsement means nothing when she cannot handle the influx of orders. 

She has to revamp their website and make sure the supply meets the demands. She might have to hire some people and there isn't much time left. 

Jeremy looked at Jerlina who has gone silent by now. He could understand what she is thinking. And she is amazing.

She is already thinking about how to handle the future rather than going out and celebrate the 'win'. 

She can succeed in life! And he will make sure she does. 

But if she is planning to market her products to Mikhail's fangirls, her little company cannot meet the demands. 

There is another surefire way to establish her company on the world stage. 

He wanted to explain it to her but he feared if she'd accept it. So he decided to wait if she can think the same as him. If not, he can nudge her towards that method. 

He turned to his side to see her asleep already. 

"Did you get tired already, love?" He whispered with a smile.

A bunch of her hair kept on falling on her nose, tickling her. He could see her face twisting in displeasure. 

He slowed down the car and made sure she is rested properly on the seat and fixed her hair. His hand grazed on her cheek and his hand got warm with the touch. 

He unconsciously leaned towards her but held back. Taking in a deep breath, he kissed the back of his hand where he accidentally touched her cheek. 

This is the closest I'll ever be to kiss her after my previous blunder. 

Although he was drunk, he remembered everything that happened that night. Her scent, her soft lips, and the pleasure he got just with her hands. 

Sigh! I ruined my chance if I ever had one, forever! 

When Jerlina woke up, it took her some time before she realized that she is not back at home. He was parking in an underground parking spot and she looked at him for answers. 

"I had to sign a couple of documents and so we're at the Corporate Office, " He said and she nodded and got out. 

She didn't even know what to say when he introduced her as 'Lady Boss' to everyone. She couldn't say if they were surprised by that reveal or to see him in a suit but the entire office started to gossip. 

"I'm his secretary, " She tried to correct him, but he insisted that she is his Home Secretary and she controls his finances and whatnot. 

"Want to see the ship getting loaded? " He asked and she just followed him to the port. She knew he is not going to take no for an answer. 

"You're not scared of ships?" She asked. He was shipped he said. If that happened to her, she won't be anywhere near a ship or the sea.

"I used to be... " He turned to look at her. The entire place was noisy with the seagulls and the evening breeze has started to blow.

The wind was chilling and he saw her rubbing her arms. He removed his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. 

Jerlina was startled by his sudden act and she was about to refuse him, but he pointed at the distance and she followed him.

"Those ships are all mine... I overcame the fear of them by buying ten of them...Of course, only two are here now," He chuckled. "I still haven't tried to travel in one of those boats though."

"Hmm," Jerlina nodded. She admired him.

I can rise above my traumas too! My life hasn't ended yet. I still have a chance with my company.

She looked at the horizon. The wind was strong and she hugged the jacket close to her. She didn't want to be cold and she didn't want to lose the jacket either.

"Rather than announcing a product line, I can announce collector's items, right?"

She suddenly had that idea. That way she can fetch a large price for a little number of products. This way, she won't be overwhelming her employees and the equipment.

She turned to look at him while chiding herself for being so open about her plans with the enemy.

But is he an enemy?

"Yes, that's a good idea..." He said, staring at the horizon. She got pretty close to what he planned for her.

"Since Alexander got involved directly, a lot of people who try to curry his favor and those who respect him will try to get their glassware from you. Hopkins glassware is going to become an icebreaker among the elite circle."

I'm going to make sure of that. Your products won't wait for placements in local supermarkets. They'll be kept in well-polished cabinets of the elites' mansions.

Your name deserves such recognition!

Jerlina wanted to laugh at his high aspirations for her company. But if she plays this boost from the Volkonsky family rightly, it is not an impossibility.

Her grandpa always asked her to stay happy with what she has and asked her not to set her aspirations too high. He didn't want her to get rich.

After her grandmother died in an accident, he became very silent and lived as an average Joe. He persistently hid his incredible talent and worked just to earn his necessities. 

The elites and the wealthy... He was skeptical of them and stayed away from them and asked her to do the same. He even made her promise to keep away from the rich. She followed in his footsteps.

And he was incredibly proud of his glassworks.

He won't blame me for trying to bring attention to his glassware, right? 

Grandpa, will you? I'm sorry for wanting to be rich. Being rich has a lot of perks.

If I were rich, I probably would have gotten justice for my baby already.

"You proudly announce me as your wife everywhere. What if I use the connections I obtain through you, against you? Won't you regret introducing me to those people?" She asked.

According to her plans, she should be keeping this all in her heart and silently make her moves. She should be taking revenge.

She has no idea why she is blabbering everything to him like a fool.

Perhaps, because she feels bad for him because he is a straightforward guy? 

He looked at her with a smile. She tried to find malice or mockery in that smile, but she failed to find anything but...affection.

She hated to admit it, but this guy... he looks at her with affection and longing most times.

Is he a manipulator like Emma or is this his true feelings?

She turned to look at the horizon once again. Those blue eyes are very dangerous. It makes her heart shake from her beliefs.

Jeremy did find her question a little scalding. She could do that. And he will be blindsided even if he knows she is very well capable of doing so.

So, what can be done? Should he lock her up and ruin her? Should he push her to insanity? That's what locking her up did to her. He doesn't want that.

If she wants to soar like an eagle, he'll let her be. He can always watch her from the distance. That is enough for him.

With the cold breeze caressing them, both of them in their thoughts watched the sunset together.