Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Why does he remember what I told him in the passing a week ago? Why does he hand me an expensive car as if it is nothing? Why does he care for my every need without even asking? I laughed at him and still he is...

My heart hurts.

Why am I minding his acts? Is it because he genuinely cares for me? Was it because I was never cared for like this before?

Calm down, heart... Don't get used to his pampering. You cannot stay with him forever.

He is Emma's brother!.

Jerlina took in a deep breath and returned the keys. "Jeremy, I don't know how to drive a Porche. I'll get a cab. So-"

"Jerlina..." he placed the car keys back in her hand and held it. "It's fine. Keep this. Don't think too much about it. This... it doesn't mean anything. I thought I would like this car, but it is too small... I told you about my phobia, right? I don't like sitting inside this car. And it would be a waste if it just rusts in the garage. So drive it around. You'll be doing me a favor." 

Jerlina stopped and stared at him for a good long minute and he waited. It hurt him a bit. She could accept Scarlett's offer, but it is hard for her to accept anything from him. 

It's just a car! And she is thinking as if she is getting handed his heart on a platter.

Should I just tell her?

Jerlina was struggling to accept it. She always gets handouts. Growing up, she bought her clothes in thrift shops and bought secondhand books for her studies. And it was not of good quality. After she started earning, she still couldn't get herself a new car and used her dad's old car which broke down often.

Jeremy is lending her his car, but it's a Porche! A new car!

She bowed her head and looked at the keys in her hand. It was heavy. Everything he gives her feels heavy. The ring, the keys...his care...

  "I laughed at you last night," she looked at him. 

He would get angry at that, right? Won't his pride get hurt and he'd take back the keys?

"You watched what I was doing? I didn't see you though," he asked with his face a little red with embarrassment.

"Bobby changed the positioning of the cameras and-"

"Ah, so that's how. That's a good plan... He got me! He recorded the footage, right? By now, half the town would have seen it," Jeremy shrugged and he was impressed.

"You're not mad?" she asked.

"Why? Because you laughed at my expense? I've laughed at you in the past. Will you get mad about it? With Bobby... he'd turn everything into fun..." he looked at her biting her lips. "You laughed and now you're feeling bad?" he chuckled. "You're a weird one. Here, we laugh at each other. No one will mind if you laugh at them. So don't worry."

"You guys are a happy bunch, huh?" Jerlina looked at him. To laugh at one's expense and not get offended by it... She didn't know what to think of it. 

"We are. Everyone has some horrendous story to tell and we all laugh about it and that's how we heal...If someone gets mocked, it usually means they are accepted in their group. But don't worry, no one will laugh at you. They know you won't like it," he patted her head.

As he was speaking, Earl came and started circling around her. "Earlie Boy!! Are you hungry?" she asked and he wagged his tail so fast, she thought he'd fly away. 

"What do you want for breakfast?" she asked Jeremy and he waved his hand.

"I'm in the mood for fruit loops today."

"Okay then," Jerlina shrugged.

Jeremy left to his room and after giving Earl some sliced bananas, Jerlina went to take care of the planter. As she left her room, she saw Jeremy coming out of his room with just a towel around his waist and his hair was dripping wet.

She used to get startled by his desire to be naked but got used to it by now. 

"Your haircut!" she suddenly remembered. "Your barber fixed an appointment for you this evening. So don't forget," she walked closer. "You have long hair and your hairline is perfect too..." she wanted to touch his hair but held back her urges. "A classic pompadour hairstyle will suit you best...it will go well with your beard too..."

"Pompadour, huh?" Jeremy asked running his fingers through his hair. His barber always asks him to style his hair that way, but he'd refuse since he doesn't like to put much effort into styling his hair every day.

  I should give it a try!

"Yes, a pompadour," she nodded. "You can be a sexy lumberjack and also it would go well with suits." 

She really thought he'd rock that hairstyle. If he looks good, he'd attract more women and he might find one of those women attractive. He is a good guy and he deserves happiness.

"And I am not responsible if your Porche gets scratched or dented. I've never driven such powerful cars," she said waving the keys.

"That's fine. I have insurance. You drove the Jeep well, so you can handle this too. So don't worry. Just be careful though," he said. 

He was not worried for her. She'd be careful not to hurt herself or others. And the car has the best security features. If the car gets damaged, it can be replaced with money, so it is nothing.

Jerlina let out a chuckle. 

Again! He has more confidence in me - even more than I have in myself!

"Bye, then. See you tomorrow," she waved her hand and he smiled. 

"Bye."

-----

Jerlina didn't think a car could run this smoothly ever. It felt like she was floating and not driving a car. Charlie was following her at a distance and she didn't mind that. In a way, she felt protected.

She reached her company and her heart sank seeing Gerard standing there leaning on his car. When they were dating, she'd have to force him to visit her company.

So why is he here now?

Gerard stood straight seeing the Porche approaching. And she noticed how his face changed color seeing her in the driver's seat.

In the past, Gerard would never let her drive his BMW saying she'd damage one part or another because she's not a good driver and the parts are expensive. She wasn't that interested in cars anyway and she didn't mind that. But it was nice when Jeremy trusted her with his Porche.

Ugh! Why am I comparing them both?

"What are you doing here, Gerard?" she walked up to him. She saw Charlie's car parked in the distance and she felt a little anxious.

"Is this how you'll treat me now, Jer? Like I'm a nobody?" he asked and Jerlina felt her head throbbing.

"That Porche is the newest model. Did he buy you that car? What else is he buying you to keep you?"