Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"Are you sure about this? You're not mad? Charlie doesn't think this is a good idea... he thinks I might provoke the Tigers' gang leader by hiring a member of his group," Jerlina asked Jeremy.

She was currently in Jeremy's office after leaving the clinic. She was happy she found an amazing artist to design for her glassware company, but the problem is he belongs to another gang and there might be trouble attached to him.

"Do you think he would be helpful for you?" Jeremy asked.

"Yes! When I first saw his cute art, I was mindblown! You see, for the collectibles I am putting up on our website, I thought of adding some cute items to attract Mikhail Volkonsky's fangirls. Shaun's designs would be perfect... I consulted Nick and he said with a little tweaking here and there, and a little training, Shaun has the potential to become a designer!" Jerlina held his arm.

"So can I?"

"You are sponsoring him for a crash course on designing but you aren't hiring him?" Jeremy asked.

This one is... amazing! 

She is giving him a fish for dinner and teaching him to fish for his future dinners!

Charlie told him how she came back to the guy they thought might be there to hurt her and he turns out to be someone who actually wanted her help. 

Jerlina then listened to his story and was moved. Apparently, his sister is very sick and she saw them on the carriage the other day. That little girl considers Jerlina as a Princess and so Jerlina spent some time with her. 

And the sister came up with her brother's talent and she was impressed and things moved differently from there. 

"He thinks it is shameful because he draws cute things for some reason..?" Jerlina was confused about that really. She'd be bragging if she had half of his artistic talent.

And he's a good guy who loves his sister very much. He draws those cute things to cheer up his sister and he got that good without any training.

This is what real talent is! It should be nurtured! 

"And his poor choices in the past... I mean, I don't get why he decided it would be a good idea to tattoo his face... but... Yeah, he regrets it now because no one hires him because of that. And so, it would be better for him to find his own employment. And he is talented... I have a good eye for talents and Nick agrees too...

  "My company won't need his designs a lot. If I hire him and hold copyrights for his works, it would be a waste of his talents. But if he becomes a freelancer, he'd have much more exposure. I know a lot of people who'd want his work and I can recommend him to them. He'd have more control over his work and will probably get paid more than getting hired by me."

Jeremy patted her head with a smile. 

As expected, she was actually looking out for him.

"I mean... he laughed at me for running scared of him when I am your woman... I didn't like that... But he is really talented! And his sister is really cute," Jerlina couldn't stop talking.

"He was right to laugh at you for running... Someone like him wouldn't dare to touch my woman. Even his boss won't dare to touch you unless he has a death wish for his entire family," Jeremy chuckled. He always liked to see her in high spirits just like now. 

She is the cutest!

"Joel!" She hit his arm playfully. "But Daisy pushed me shouting "run" and out of instinct I... but I returned gathering courage..."

Jeremy looked at the woman with her face filled with expectation. 'Praise me' was written all over her face. 

"You did good!" he petted her hair. "And as I said before, you can do whatever you want. Next time, just inform me. You don't have to ask for my permission."

"Oh?" Jerlina nodded.

Yeah, he said that. And it seems like he means it.

"I want to help Shaun and his sister, Joel..." she looked at him, pitifully.

She never asks for help even if she is suffering, but she can for others easily it seems. What an impressive woman. 

"Charlie was from the Flying Snakes gang. Did you know?" Jeremy asked and Jerlina shook her head.

"He was just like Shaun too... He wanted out, but he had no way out. I fought for him and got him out. Don't think Charlie is against it. He probably was thinking of his past... So, don't worry. We can help Shaun too," he assured her. 

It was then Jerlina realized that why Jeremy arranged Charlie to be her bodyguard. Since he was from the gang that wants her dead, he'd be more knowledgeable in their tactics and can protect her well.

The lengths he goes for me...

"That's good... but..."

"There's more?"

"Yes..." Jerlina said hesitantly. "Kiara... She is getting sick often and they say it is probably because of the conditions in her school. Apparently, people openly sell drugs in their school these days and many homeless people are living in the school ..."

Jerlina talked about the conditions Kiara said about her school and their town. Jeremy listened to her patiently.

"I know you don't interfere in other "turfs", but can you-"

"You're right. I don't interfere in other turfs." Jeremy interjected her rubbing his beard. "Wyatt never dealt with drugs before and if there are drugs in his turf now... But it is none of my business. If they want their place to be clean, they should do something about it. I won't be of help to them."

Jerlina thought he'd refuse but she didn't expect him to be this harsh about it. He never uses this tone on her.

"What else?" he asked seeing her in deep thoughts.

She looked a little hurt, but he won't change his mind on this.

He used to think of expanding his turf everywhere and making the lives of everyone better, but the blood spilt and the losses he suffered are making him think that maybe it is not worth it.

Why should he take everything in his hands for the people who don't want to help themselves?

And at a time when powerful people are wanting Jerlina dead, he didn't want to distract himself by being the people's savior. 

All I can concentrate on now is her safety. Everything else is a distraction.

"There are a lot of sick people who are cooped up and Shaun wondered if Dr. Kruger can arrange a medical camp-"

"Denied. What else?" He stood up.

"Nothing... It's just... Kiara reminded me of myself back in high school...That's why I promised I'd talk to you about it. Like her, I wanted to get out and-"

Jerlina decided to give a last try.

"You worked hard and got out! Kiara can do the same. Or let them ask Wyatt!" Jeremy walked out of the room.

He almost shouted and even he felt bad for talking to her in that tone.