Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Scarlett stood behind Jerlina with her hands folded. She knew why Emma was here. Since Jeremy mentioned Jerlina's wedding dress, she's here to know the price. And just like she predicted, Emma started to talk.

"So you were here to get a wedding dress, Jerlina? You could have asked me to join you. So did you take a picture? How many dresses did you choose? What color?" Emma went on.

"I got one dress and the wedding's just a week away. You can see it then," Jerlina answered plainly and Emma clenched her jaws.

"Ah, so you're trying to keep the-"

"Shall we leave?" Jeremy walked from behind Emma and Jerlina saw Emma's face relaxing immediately.

"Jerry," Emma clung on to Jeremy. "Let's go to dinner together. I want to-"

"I'll leave with Scar, then," Jerlina interjected.

"Yes, I'll have to get back," Scarlett went along. "Here, we made good use of it," she returned the black card to Jeremy.

Emma's eyes bulged seeing the metal card getting transferred from Scarlett's hand to Jeremy's. In the past, only she had the "privilege" to hold that heavy card.

But today this card was given to that wench? 

No... he gave it for Jerlina, didn't he? 

"How good?" Jeremy asked.

"A little more than $20,000," Scarlett smiled and Jeremy with a smile placed the card in his pocket.

$20,000?

Emma wanted to scream. That moron gave me a measly sum of $3000, and gave her seven times more to that b*tch? 

No, to be precise, he gave his everything for her single dress! How could he do that to me? How can he let her take my place?

Jerlina was stunned and she realized Scarlett purposefully lied about the cost. She was about to correct Scarlett but was dragged away by Scarlett.

"Drive carefully, Scar!" Jeremy shouted at Scarlett and she waved her hand.

"Jerry...Jerry...JERRY!" Emma had to shout to get his attention. He was just staring in the direction they went. "Let's have dinner together," she raised her eyebrows to give an exciting feel.

"Sure," Jeremy led them to his car.

"Jerry, It's been a while since you gave me the card to shop. Will you please..." she held out her hand with a pout and her heart filled with glee seeing Jeremy getting his card.

I'll not lose to that b*tch! She can't take my place ever! I am the most special one!

"But..." he paused and Emma's smile froze. "I am getting married and I should start saving. Marriage is expensive," he pressed his lips.

What is this fresh bullsh*t he is spouting? He is getting married and he won't spend money on me anymore?

"You're right!" She gave her usual smile hiding her urge to smash something on his face.

"Emma, you..." he chuckled and patted her head. "I was just kidding. How can I say no to my dear sister? Here," he pulled out his card, "Just don't go start troubles with the salesperson anymore."

"Jerry!" Emma playfully stomped her feet and held out her hand. "you're so mean!"

Martha on the other hand was flabbergasted seeing the black card. She couldn't believe how that woman could already find herself a rich man and that too Emma's brother who is called the Titan of the Lumber Industry. 

Does he know who that lowly woman is? How could he marry an orphan?

"Jeremy, if you don't mind, can I speak some words about Jerlina... Actually, she is..."

Martha started to speak and Emma watched Jeremy's hands freezing and his soft expression turned to a scowl.

No, no, no... my card... I worked hard for it. Smiling is very hard. It puts a lot of stress on me... How can I not get paid for smiling at him?

She held out her hand to get the card that was in Jeremy's hand.

"...a grifter going behind rich men trying to-"

"My wife is a what?" Jeremy pushed the card back into his pocket and Emma clenched her jaws. "Emma, you should have dinner with your mother-in-law alone. And while at it, explain to her why no one is allowed to say one bad word about my wife," he said and left without turning back. 

He actually left me! Why did he change?

Emma wanted to bash the skull of that stupid woman, but she composed herself. This idiotic woman is useful for her if she wants to stay with Gerard.

Woe is me... who would understand my plight?

-----

"You didn't have to lie," Jerlina said as she buckled the seatbelt and Scarlett shrugged.

She didn't lie anyway!

"I have to say, Jer... You dodged a bullet by not getting into that nasty family. That woman... she is terrible," Scarlett said as she started the car.

"Well..." Jerlina just then realized that Scarlett has a valid point. She never thought about it before although she knew her in-laws doesn't like her much. 

Although they wouldn't have lived with Gerard's family, every Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner would have been filled with snarks and insults, and it would have ruined her mood. 

"I guess so," Jerlina agreed with her.

Just then, she heard a knock at the window and turned to see Jeremy there. She rolled down the glass.

"Come on, let's go home. Scar, I'll bring her home. You can leave," Jeremy opened the door.

"But-"

"Come on! At least buy me dinner. Don't drop me like a-," Scarlett got a call and she answered it. It was Bobby and he called her to ask something about the baby. Suddenly Scar turned to mom-mode and sped off not minding about anything else.

"Guess I am left with you," Jerlina looked at Jeremy with a pout.

"Gee! Thank you for the enthusiasm," Jeremy looked at her and Jerlina laughed. But she stopped laughing, seeing Charlie nearby.

"It's annoying...I should get my Camry back. Mark said it is ready," Jerlina didn't want to be depending on others for her ride. It worked out well till now, but it won't be the same always.

Jeremy didn't say anything and opened the back passenger seat for her. She thought he'd sit with Charlie in the front, but he sat beside her.

After buying her dinner, they returned to Wolford. Jerlina rolled down the window and the incoming air made her drowsy. Since she was already tired and was full, she fell asleep without her knowing.

The wind rushing in through the window played a tune of its own and the occasional sounds of other vehicles mixed in with the sound of the engine – something so mundane and insignificant, that he never thought twice before, made Jeremy anxious.

Quiet down, wind! 

Don't honk your horn. We can see you! 

Jeep could try hard to make their engines not make this amount of noise...

Quiet, everyone! My Luna is sleeping! 

"Drive slow, Charlie. There are some potholes in this road," Jeremy told Charlie who was driving.

Charlie nodded although he didn't understand why his boss is stating the obvious, but seeing that little figure leaning on Jeremy's broad shoulders, he understood why.

They do look good together..!