Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jeremy blinked his eyes and she was still in front of him. He held out his hand and he could feel her cheeks. She even smelled as he remembered.

I am not dreaming, right?

She said those words, right? With my name!

His heart started to beat erratically and the tips of his fingers went cold out of excitement.

"Hey, Jerlina..." he called her softly after composing himself. He wondered if she is awake and trying to prank him or something.

Well, he didn't know why he thought she might prank him with a serious issue like love, knowing her character. But after holding a torch for her for almost ten years, he couldn't believe that he heard those words from her lips.

Right, she is dreaming, right? Or am I the one dreaming?

"Jerlina," he poked her cheek. She waved her hand as if she's squatting a mosquito and her eyebrows furrowed in discomfort. She then turned to the other side leaving him the view of her back.

Jeremy's heart raced and he let out a chuckle.

She is dreaming! And she is confessing to me in her dreams? Why?

Ah, right!

He remembered how she told him that she was about to tell him an important thing last night. But things took a turn from there.

Couldn't you hold your love for me in your heart anymore, my love? Did your confession spill out in your dreams?

Oh, how much I love you!

He kissed her cheek.

You make me so happy!

What should I do now?

Jeremy lied on his back not wanting to wake her up. She seemed very tired. He had a feeling she's fallen for him but hearing from her made him happy beyond words could express.

With a grin he couldn't contain, he stared at the ceiling. He felt coldness at the corner of his eyes and he touched it.

Aww... where did this waterdrop come from? Is it raining?

Finally... I heard her say it!

Good thing I wasn't deeply asleep out of happiness. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to hear it.

He wanted to squeeze her in his chest for eternity. But she still was asleep and he didn't want to disturb her.

He tried to close his eyes for some time but he couldn't sleep out of excitement. He decided to take a walk to calm himself down.

He saw the messy sheets and got reminded of the happenings of last night. His heart fluttered.

She's amazing! How will she react when she wakes up?

He kissed her forehead and left the room with a skip in his steps. Earl was by the door waiting to be let in.

"Earl, Oh boy!" he picked the dog that was about to enter the room. "I am so happy!" Carrying Earl he walked to his room to wear some clothes.

Earl whined.

All I wanted was to sleep in the fluffiest bed in the house with the nice hooman. But why am I getting carried around? It's demeaning!

Stop!

I don't want your kisses! Let me go to the hooman who lets me do whatever I want!

-----

Gerard woke up and the surrounding was all too familiar. His eyesight was still a bit blurry but he could hear the low lament of a woman and he knew it was his mother.

Ugh! That banshee! Can't she shut up forever?

My chest...Ugh! My balls... Why does it hurt this much?

That b@stard...

Gerard looked around and saw the drips connected to him. And there was that figure sitting on the chair hugging her knees, half-asleep as his eyes cleared up.

Emma!

"What-" he cleared his throat as his throat was hoarse. "... are you... doing here?" he spoke with difficulty.

Emma got startled hearing his voice and she woke up. "Oh," she wiped her face and planted a smile on her face. "Thank goodness, you're awake... "

Her heart started to beat fast out of fear and she clutched her skirt as she got up. She knew how Gerard will behave with her when he is in the hospital.

She wanted to go home but her father asked her to stay with Gerard until he heals. The commotion Gerard caused had caused a bigger blow than expected. She wanted to stay in outside but Gerard's mom is a b*tch and she couldn't stop blaming her!

But it is not my fault!

Damn that Amanda Prescott! Can't she shut her mouth? Nothing would have happened to Jerlina if she was blamed. It would have helped in bringing down the pride of that stupid lumberjack.

Honestly, who'd respect him if his wife whores around, right?

But now... my entire family is suffering and they are blaming me. All because of Gerard's stupidity!

I got hit by that stupid lumberjack. And I think a couple of my teeth have loosened. I should go see a dentist. But I am stuck here.

Even my friends are ignoring me not wanting to go against that illiterate.

How can I be abandoned like this?

Who is on my side?

No one, that is...

How did I end up here?

It's all that Jerlina's fault! She always takes what I deserve!

I'll definitely-

"Emma..."

Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft call of the man lying on the bed.

A chill passed through Emma's spine seeing Gerard gesturing her to get closer to him.

Is he going to hit me too?

"...water..." he added.

"I'll go call the doctor..." Emma tried to run out.

She is not going to get hit by him.

"Emma... please..." Gerard's voice was shaking and Emma stopped as her heart hurt a bit.

He is the man she needs after all.

She poured water in a glass and seeing him struggling to sit up, helped with the buttons to raise his bed.

"Here," she placed the glass by his lips and he started drinking.

"Thank you..." he smiled and Emma gulped seeing the gentleness in his eyes.

"What?" he raised his hand to hold her cheek, but she jerked and bent her back to get away from him.

"Are you that scared of me, Emma?" his voice was filled with sadness.

"I don't want to get hit by you too, Gerard..." she spoke and her throat closed out of sadness.

"Ah... yes... I was a bit..." he let out a short breath and held his chest as it hurt. "Were you here the whole night? You could have slept comfortably in your home..."

"... when you're here, how can I rest peacefully at home? So I wanted to stay here..." Emma bowed her head and her eyes watered.

He's speaking gently to me!

"After everything..." Gerard's eyes became red. "It's you who are by my side...Emma..."

He held his chin and his thumb grazed over her lips and Emma's eyes turned wide.

What is happening.

"I'm sorry, Emma... Please allow me to treat you better in the future..." he pulled her face closer.

"...But..." Emma's heart fluttered.

Is he going to give our marriage a chance?

"I know... You can refuse me, and... I'll wait for your decision." Gerard smiled gently.