Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

My Jer would never betray me. She is angry at me, but she will never fall for Emma's brother.

But what is this one planning? Why did he come to find me?

"What do you suggest?" Gerard pretended to be interested.

"I'll be honest with you, Gerard," Harold patted his back as if he was a buddy but Gerard found that infuriating. "I don't like to see Jeremy happy either. Should I be happy that he got to marry the woman he loved for ten years?" 

Harold's lips curved to a smirk seeing Gerard's face twitching. It seems like he didn't know.

"And she... I imagine she might be trapped? She couldn't do anything against Jeremy and somehow accepted her fate as his wife? I understand you left her with Jeremy for her safety and who knows what Jeremy is telling her when she is vulnerable?" 

Gerard swallowed another shot. Harold makes sense. His Jerlina is not behaving how she used to be. He thought her heart was wavered by Jeremy's wealth, but what if it is because she is getting manipulated? 

"Do you know what you should do? A tight slap," Harold said and Gerard gnashed his teeth. 

Isn't he where he is now after slapping her?

"No, no, no... I do not mean hurting her physically. Hitting women is low and I won't suggest you do that. What I mean is an emotional slap – to give her a wake-up call. Jeremy might have her physically and saying things to her ears, but you have seven years' worth of memories together. She wouldn't have forgotten them all. Right now, Jeremy has built a wall around her. No one can get near her, unless, she wises up and gets out. Don't you have the responsibility to protect her?"

Gerard found Harold's words a bit acceptable. It is true Jerlina is not someone who can forget everything that easily. He still has a chance.

"Have you wondered what is more attractive to women?" Harold asked and Gerard looked at him for answers. "The forbidden fruit... The man who is not theirs. The more you try and get their heart, they won't find you attractive. But the moment they see another woman by your side... In her case, if she sees you getting along with another woman – say, Emma, she'd normally get jealous and will come-"

*Splash*

"F*ck off," Gerard threw the drink on Harold's face. "Here to sing the same song as his b*tchy sister!" he grumbled and stumbled out of the bar.

The bartender tried to stop him to pay but he waved his hand, "That gentleman will pick up the tab," and without turning back, he left.

Harold's eyes stang as some alcohol got into his eyes and he was offered help. Gritting his teeth, he wiped his face. His suit was ruined and he knew he has to change before going back to the office. 

Whatever! 

He smirked. He just wanted to make Jeremy restless. He thought of passing information about the frump to the Shard Viper, but he was too scared to get caught. And his plan would backfire since everyone saw how happy they looked at their wedding.

Who'd have believed that they are not in love?

That frump is a snake who is disturbing all their plans for the future. She cannot be allowed to live. So he has to resort to other means that will keep that woman and Jeremy apart.

  I want to live to enjoy the spoils of the war! And I want dad to think that I helped him win the war!

Gerard might follow his advice and make that woman jealous. She will try and find Gerard to warn him against Emma. 

Either Gerard will use Emma, or he will try and find a way to contact that woman to "help" her.

  He can use this situation to make Jeremy misunderstand that Jerlina is willing to get back together with Gerard.

Because only he knows that the only way to defeat Jeremy is to touch his heart! He won't be able to get up once that woman stabs his heart.

-----

"I told you to take rest today," Jeremy looked at Jerlina walking into his office. 

"I'm fine enough to work. But... You, look terrible," Jerlina could see the frown lines on his forehead and pressed her lips.

"I'm fine," Jeremy let out a deep breath. He couldn't believe Emma would go this far to destroy someone who is not a threat to her.

'I'll get back at her... I'll live life better than her'

He remembered Jerlina's words when she talked about Emma. What she says is what she does. She is under his observation 24/7 and not once did she complain about it and she never did anything fishy.

She is just an open book and all she reveals is how much of a good person she is at heart. And looking at the smile she has on her face, he realized that goodness in the heart is important for happiness.

How could I lose her? I'll forever keep her in my heart. 

"Want a head massage?" she asked and his face brightened up. 

"As you wish, Milady," he leaned on his chair and Jerlina stood behind his chair and her slender fingers started to massage his head.

His head was resting on her chest and his fragrance enveloped him. Her fingers looked slender and weak, but she knew how much pressure she should apply and in just some minutes he felt his headache gone.

"You're good..." he said. 

"I am, aren't I?" she said and without even looking, he could sense the pride in her voice. 

"You're the best," he held her hand and pulled her to sit on his lap. 

"And Florence called asking if their order will be delayed. I checked and there was some delay and so I rerouted Grier's orders to them. Florence was already having a little displeasure with us after their last delay and I consulted with Grier before rerouting since Grier's orders weren't an emergency..." She paused seeing his plain look.

"You didn't bother to wait for my permission?" he asked and she blinked her eyes.

Is he mad?

"I looked in the records and Grier has a long history with our company while Florence is a new one and I thought this is what you'd have suggested doing too. Was I wrong? When I cane, you were in a meeting with Bobby and I didn't want to-" She stopped seeing him holding his laughter. "Why are you laughing?" she hit his arms.

"Your face... Why are you nervous? You did good," he rubbed her back and she hit his arm once more.

"Then why were you frowning asking about it?"

"Hmm..." he wrapped his arm around her belly and rested his head on her shoulder.

"Jerlina, weren't you curious as to what I was talking about with Bobby? You could have used this emergency as a means to get in and had a listen," he looked at her. 

Sometimes her naivety gave him scares. 

And her lack of interest in him.

Isn't she curious about me?