Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

He's going to show me what?

Jerlina wanted to get angry. Her face did go red, but it didn't go red out of anger.

Why am I so hopeless?

Jeremy saw Jerlina's face blushing. She bit her lips and he remembered that day when she stood dripping wet in front of him.

Those perky pair of... How awesome would they be if looked at directly!

He felt his abdomen tightening and he sucked in his breath.

Ugh! Who is teasing who?

Jerlina was trying to get angry to shout at him, but before that, he let go of her dress.

"Leave my room before I get back," she said poking his chest with her finger and then ran to the bathroom.

"As you wish," Jeremy chuckled.

"I am serious!" she peaked out and shouted.

Jeremy chuckled and Jerlina stood by the door, waiting to see him leave. 

Jeremy saw those pretty eyes peaking out along with a bunch of her hair. Every fiber of his being wanted him to join her in the bath and...

Not now... not now... I have to move her heart first!

Jerlina's heart was pounding seeing him lingering. She saw something she never saw before in his eyes.

Lust!

And the worse thing was she was not scared of that look. She didn't know if she wanted that, but she wasn't put off by that. She was scared that she isn't finding his acts as harassment. 

I cannot go on like this... I cannot feel ambiguous towards Emma's brother.

After seeing him leaving the room, she was relieved. Sitting in the warm water, she contemplated everything that went on that day. She was a bit overwhelmed wearing the white dress and getting treated like royalty.

At moments she forgot it wasn't real and just focused on seeing him happy.

Did she regret it?

Regrettably, no. She was the happiest seeing his genuine happiness. 

I need to tell him that it will never be possible between us and start acting like he has no chance with him. I cannot lead him on. I'll talk to him in the morning.

While Jerlina was in deep thoughts, Jeremy was having a cold shower. He wanted to spend the night with her – talking and having fun. He decided to tell her that he wishes to pursue her.

  But with his desires rising, he didn't think he could hold himself back. And so, he was preparing himself. Even the cold shower was not enough and his little boy still got excited imagining her sleeping next to him and so he had to practice onanism to calm the little guy.

He can talk to her in the morning, yes. But he didn't want to wait. He wanted to properly pursue her. 

I should not push her, but I will have to tell her gently. 

Jerlina changed to comfortable nightwear and when she came to her bed, she didn't know what to say to the man sitting on her bed.

"Joel, what are-"

Before she finished, he shoved a bunch of papers in her hand. She found them to be various test results including a test for STDs.

"Okay, you're healthy...it seems," she returned them to him. Folding her hands, she looked at him.

"You might have heard," he patted beside him, gesturing her to sit, but she shook her head. She kind of got where this is going.

Does he want to sleep with me?

"I don't take physical fitness tests ever. This was the first time. I hire hookers, occasionally, and so I test myself for STDs periodically. I took these pretty recently and I haven't been with anyone since then. I thought it would be better for me to show you the results considering..."

"Because I am your secretary?" Jerlina decided to change the topic. "I'm tired and sleepy. Let's talk in the morning. Go on, shoo..!" she waved her hand.

As he was not willing to stand up, she kindly held his arm and tried to make him get up.

Just leave for now! Let me think of a reply. 

"No, not because you're my secretary," he wasn't willing to leave. "Jerlina," he held her hand and pulled her closer to stand between his legs. "There is something I have to say to you," he looked at her, pleadingly. 

Jerlina's heart rammed against her chest and she could hear her pulsating heart. She knew where this is going and she didn't want it to go there.

"I lo-"

"Don't..." she closed his mouth with her hand. "Let's not...Listen, I was wrong to act closely with you. I was wrong to kiss you. I'm not someone who crosses boundaries, but with you I always... Whether it is stabbing with a sharp object, or poking my nose in your affairs or kissing randomly, I don't know why I am so bold with you... I agree, I am at fault here, but... You promised you'll let me leave and now..." She saw him closing his eyes letting out a deep breath and let go of her hand. 

"Let's not make it complicated...As I told you before, I have no plans on staying here forever," she tried to take a step back but he pulled her and she ended up on his lap.

"Let go..." she pushed against his chest as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and rubbed his hand on her back to soothe her.

"No, I won't..." he placed a kiss on the crown of her head closing his eyes. "Just stay, Jerlina. I won't do anything. Please... Just for a moment."

She is right... I did promise to let her leave...

Jerlina leaned on his chest and she could hear it beating like a drum. She could sense he is nervous and anxious like she is, but... 

I really can't be with him!

"That promise still stands," he loosened his hold around her shoulders as he felt no struggle from her.

"Really?" Jerlina asked with her eyes wide. His blue eyes looked determined and she got more confused. "Then what-" she rubbed her forehead.

She realized she is guessing what he is about to say and not even letting him speak. "What are you saying then?" she asked.

"I'm saying that I am going to pursue you," he said and Jerlina stood up from his lap. 

"But you said you'll let me go just now," she let out a sigh. She had guessed right, but this guy... is very confusing.

He'll pursue me but will let me go? Is he being serious?

"Is it confusing?" he asked. although she didn't say anything, he got the answer by her sigh.

"It's simple, actually. I am going to court you, properly."

Jerlina stared at him blankly. "And you'll let me go?"

"Yes," he said with a smile, but she didn't fail to notice the pain in his eyes.

Okay, this is not confusing at all!