Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina looked at Jeremy and he seemed serious and was ready to leave as if he was a king giving orders.

You're not the King here!

  Emma had a pleased smile and Martha had a victorious smile. But looking at Jerlina Martha was confused as to why she was allowed there.

Jerina didn't want to care about Martha. She turned to look at the boss of the boutique and she had an unimpressed look. Of course, she wouldn't like outsiders getting involved with her staff. She wanted to speak, but for some reason, Scarlett was stopping her saying something and she went silent. Even Charlie looked surprised and confused.

Is TJ that stupid? Is he willing to ruin his name for his sister's "compassion"? And is it compassion to shove something in someone's hand that they might not need or want? Isn't assuming what others want, patronizing? 

"Yes," the girl nodded and she didn't stop smiling, but Jerlina's heart clenched. She knew she might be wrong. That girl might be really happy to get a job elsewhere. And she wanted to confirm.

Not minding how Martha was praising Emma for her kind heart and how Jeremy was agreeing with her, Jerlina walked to the salesgirl and covered her from the others. "Katie," she smiled. She got her name from the nametag. "Do you want to find work elsewhere?" she asked.

"I..." the girl was about to speak but she was interjected by Emma.

"What are you asking, Jerlina? She's happy! Who wouldn't be when you can get a job with a  higher salary? Just-"

"I do..." the girl said interlocking her fingers tightly but Jerlina wasn't convinced. She had a tug in her heart that the girl is not speaking her mind.

"Come on, Jerlina. Let's leave," Jeremy placed his hand on her shoulder and Jerlina moved away from him.

"You can be honest, Katie." Jerlina didn't mind Jeremy and spoke to her gently and held her hand. They were cold as ice, making Jerlina flinch a bit. 

"Jerlina, I know you're doing this just to make me look wrong, but she is happy with it. We have our differences and we don't have to let that affect this girl's future. Even the boss is not minding her leaving. Why don't you let it go? Come on, let's have dinner together. I'm hungry. Jerry-"

"How long are you working here, Katie?" Softly Jerlina started talking to her and she could feel her hands getting warm.

Jeremy took a seat getting out of Emma's hold. Charlie leaned on the wall folding his hands on his chest and started observing Jerlina. He now got what Jeremy was doing. He was surprised when Jeremy offered a job to that girl without asking her opinion, but now he knew the reason.

Even after pressurized by Jeremy and Emma, Jerlina's conviction didn't waver. She wants to know what that girl involved is thinking. She could have gone with the flow and left or she could start to argue with Jeremy for poking his nose in other's business. But no, she is concentrating on getting to know the girl's thoughts. 

There is every possibility that Jerlina could be wrong in thinking that the girl doesn't want to leave the job. Maybe that girl does want a new job. In that case, she would be humiliated, but Jerlina still carries on.

She doesn't seem to be motivated by her hate towards Emma either. Because otherwise, she'd engage with Emma and challenge her.

Truly caring for others... in this case, for the girl who couldn't articulate her feelings through words, not minding her possible humiliation... 

Isn't she the truly kind one, unlike Emma, whose care is superficial and based on assumptions? Is that what Jeremy wants to prove? For the violent him, this kind one will match? And she'll take care of his pack with compassion standing by his side? Also, she has a strong conviction, just like Jeremy.

  Jerlina saw Katie's tics reducing a bit. Katie told her that designing wedding dresses was her passion and she got an internship here during her university days and the boss took her under her wings to be her protégée because of her skills. 

Katie told her that she doesn't look after sales, but at times when there is a shortage of staff, she'd offer to help. Usually, people will be understanding of her condition and at times she'd face troubles. But Katie said that she liked working here and that she is working on her own line of wedding dresses for the next fall collections.

Jerlina didn't advise her or blame her, but just listened to her story. After a while, Katie hugged and thanked Jerlina.

"Thank you for making me realize that I was a pushover. I shouldn't have gotten afraid when I faced people shouting at me and should have spoken my mind. I thought if I agreed to them, I'll get out of this current bad situation, and then I can beg my boss not to let me go, but I was wrong. By accepting another job, I have betrayed the trust of my boss..."

"Oh, even if you wanted to leave, I'd have kept you with me even by locking you in the basement," the boss said with a smile and hugged Katie. "You were a pushover. Just be more confident!"

Jerlina's heart was filled with happiness seeing Katie beaming with joy knowing that her boss was not mad. And she was surprised to see Charlie having a pleased smile looking at her.

What is that about?

"I apologize for needlessly interfering in your staff's affairs," Jeremy walked to the boss and extended his hand for a shake and she nodded and accepted with a smile. "And I thank you for arranging a wedding dress for my wife at the last moment."

Jerlina saw Emma and Martha speaking something in a low voice and decided to leave. She didn't even care for them. She was happy Katie decided to stand up for herself in the future. 

After speaking with the boss, she left the office with Scarlett following her.

"You just put someone's nose out of joint without even interacting with her. You're awesome!" Scarlett hugged her.

"When Katie told the truth, Emma's face went pale and then went red out of embarrassment. She wanted to prove that she's charitable in front of her brother, but she became a fool," Scarlett couldn't hold back her laughter.

"But I wasn't thinking of Emma at all," Jerlina spoke the truth.

"I know! That's why what you did was brutal! You're a savage without even realizing..." Scarlett went on and Jerlina with a sigh listened to her.

"Jerlina!" Emma's voice gave her the creep. 

"Eww, how can she still pretend that nothing is wrong?" Scarlett whispered. Taking in a deep breath, Jerlina turned to look at Emma. She didn't even bother to force a smile although Emma was grinning at her. Martha looked like she has seen a ghost. 

Oh, right! Martha must have learned that I am Jeremy's wife now. Eh... Must hurt to know that I have a richer husband! Whatevs!