Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Mrs. Hawley started talking about their campaign and how much effort they are putting in for her husband to get elected again. Not once did she mention how much she wants to help the people. 

Not. A. Single. Word. 

Well, if I were just a voter, that's all I would have heard about! It is my fault for being the donor, am I right?

Jerlina took a sip of the cocktail. She could now understand the exasperation Jeremy had when he talked about the politicians.

Should I ask Joel to start a foundation like other rich people? He can save taxes and he can actually help the people. 

Or maybe he can become a politician...

President Fitzgerald has a nice ring to it, right?

President Fitzgerald?

Ah... like in that show "Scandal".

What if there comes an Olivia Pope?

Eek! No way! I cannot become Mellie Grant!

Wait his name was not... he was President Grant in that show, right? His first name was Fitzgerald.

Whatever...

Joel cannot become President.

"... we have to cover more towns and at the end of the campaign everything will become so hectic. Our kids..." Mrs. Hawley continued.

Jerlina noticed Amanda walking towards them. She had a hateful look trained on her making Jerlina wonder how she offended her. She has never crossed paths with her. They had lived a very separate life.

Is she trying to attack Joel because of me?

"Ah, right," Jerlina smiled sweetly at Mrs. Hawley. "Campaigns are hard. The polls might favor you till the last moment. But anything can happen at the last moment... like a riot... then people's opinions will change overnight," Jerlina's eyes turned serious and her smile didn't reach her eyes anymore.

Jerlina saw the corners of Mrs. Hawley's lips twitching as trying to hold her smile. 

Jerlina mentioned the word "riot", purposefully. Ten years ago, there were heavy tensions and riots here and there in their county. Their county had a majority voting for another party, but those riots changed people's minds and... Senator Hawley was elected.

Jerlina knew about those tensions since she was in Peyton but somehow no gang war started even after she left. 

Recently during her meeting with Wyatt, he slipped out a fact that he'd cause riots for a fee. Jerlina was surprised to know that gangs would cause political riots too. 

If those riots during that time were "arranged", and if it gets revealed, Senator Hawley will have to say goodbye to his political career. 

Jerlina had no proof, but judging by Senator Hawley's reaction, she knew there must be something. 

Scums! People died in those riots!

She brought this up to force the Senator to take care of his constituency. He has to do at least a sitting in that seat he earned with a lot of effort, right?

It was more of a coercion method she decided to use.

"Are you threatening to cause riots to stop my uncle from getting elected, Ms. Hopkins?" Amanda spoke in a louder voice and Jerlina saw Mrs. Hawley stopping Amanda. 

But Amanda didn't care. "Threatening a sitting senator is-"

"Oh, my!" Jerlina interjected with a carefree smirk. "I was just stating facts," Jerlina casually took a sip of the Martini.

Jerlina didn't think her words could be understood as a threat like Amanda means. She was just talking about the past. But she understood it can be taken as a threat.

Why didn't I think of that? No wonder Joel had a weird smile when I told him my plan. He thought of this idea too, right? 

Wow! I am ganglord's wife! My words could be considered a threat.

I am someone with power! My words have weight!

Wow!

Jerlina was a little shaken, but she composed herself."Mrs. Hawley, judging how Ms. Prescott misconstrues my-"

"Misconstrues?"Amanda raised her voice once more. 

"Ms. Prescott! Stop raising your voice at me!" Jerlina spoke in a clear voice, furrowing her brows, and placed the glass on the counter. "I am not the one snooping around town meeting your relatives and causing mental distress to an old mother, am I?" she stood up.

"Wait, what?" Mrs. Hawley understood the issue perfectly. 

Amanda told her that she's writing a puff piece about Jeremy Fitzgerald. Her husband was happy to help since he needed funds and made arrangements for her "research". But Amanda is going around causing distress to his mother?

Jerlina turned to leave without caring for anything else. She had said her piece and she knew they will come back to her. 

As she walked to the washroom, she noticed the little spat has caused a small commotion, and Mrs. Hawley swiftly contained it. They found a corner and started discussing it among the family.

Jerlina shrugged seeing Amanda getting reprimanded. 

Her eyes searched for Jeremy and without much effort, she could find him. Among the hundreds of men there, her eyes naturally got drawn to the dapper man as if they had a tracker.

He was looking at her with a pleased smile and Jerlina felt happy. He was about to walk to her, but she needed to use the restroom and so she gestured to him that she is going to the powder room and left the hall.

As she turned the corner to the ladies' room, she almost bumped into the tall figure in front of her. As she balanced herself to not bump on the guy, she felt a hard grip on her arm followed by the familiar voice filled with mockery.

"Has he reduced you to his minion, Jer? Now you're threatening Senators for him?"

"Hello, Gerard...  Fancy meeting you here," she smiled pointing at the 'ladies' sign. "Have you changed your gender?"

"Stop-" he let out a sigh and his voice turned gentle. "Jer, is this what you really want? He throws some money at you. What? He bought you some jewelry and a Porche... For that, you've become his slave and bed-warmer? You're dancing to his tune and..." he pointed at her clothes.

"You're dressed like a cheap whore. What else did he tell you? That he'd make your petty company a-"

Jerlina couldn't bear to hear any more of his words. His voice sounded patronizing and he was belittling her intelligence without even realizing it. Not to mention criticizing her dressing sense. And bed-warmer?

Heh!

"Stop it, Gerard!" Jerlina got her hand out of his grip and let out a snort. "He threw money at me?" She shook her head.

"You don't know anything Gerard... You know nothing about me or my life. You never tried to understand either," She pressed her life.

"Has he changed me? I don't know. But I know I have changed... Money? Heh! Do you know Gerard? I had a turkey leg after... twelve years. I decorated an actual Christmas tree. I can hear the sound of crickets and at times I wake up with dog fur in my mouth..." her lips curved to a gentle smile.

She saw the confused look on Gerard's face. She knew he won't understand her. But these are the things that mean more to her now.