Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"Stop!" Jeremy shouted and the next moment Jerlina came to a halt. His powerful voice was not the reason, but it was because she heard a bunch of dogs barking. They were so loud as if they were expressing their displeasure on her since she defies their master's command.

They sounded fierce and Jerlina got scared. Her fingertips went cold and she wondered what he'll do to the planter if she steps out. He threatened to destroy the planter previously after all.

She turned and faced the tall man once again. There rose the bitter feeling of resentment in her heart once more. But she needed to find a way to leave without letting him hurt her baby's grave.

She racked her brain for answers, trying not to mind the pack of dogs behind the wooden fence leading to the backyard. She tried not to look at them, but her eyes got drawn to them.

The gate was closed but the dogs barked loudly and tried to sneak out through the gaps in the fence. The Huskies were standing near the gate, seemingly guarding the other dogs.

Are those police dogs behind the fence? If the gate is opened, what will they do to me?

Jerlina gulped. She knew she had to come up with a plan soon. She wondered what kind of method will be effective on a monster like him.

Maybe because she hasn't eaten breakfast yet, or the humidity, or the dogs' loud barking, that muddled her brain, she came up with a plan, she never would have if she was fully aware.

Acting cute.

She didn't have experience in acting cute, but she had watched others acting cute. She had read somewhere that men cannot refuse glossy-eyed women since it would invoke their innate protective instinct or whatever.

She walked closer to Jeremy. Each step she took made her weaker, but she pushed through. Standing just a foot away from him, she grabbed his sleeve.

"Tj..." She met his eyes. She didn't want to do this, but she needed to. "I will come back for sure." Her fingers gently reached the third button of his shirt. "Please, let me..."

She gulped seeing his unimpressed expression and pulled back her hand and took a step back. "I definitely will return, I swear." Her throat closed and she stared right at his eyes.

The wind blew and ruffled her hair and some of it got stuck on her lips and she fixed it behind her ears. Her lips had gotten dry and she wetted it while chiding herself seeing Jeremy with no change in expression. His eyes were blank as he stared at her and she couldn't even see his lips.

"Quiet!!" He screamed at the dogs and Jerlina flinched. It was enough for the dogs to be silenced.

Wow! Even dogs are scared of him and obey his command.

What got into your idiotic brain, Jerlina? If you had bigger boobs, it might have worked. Ugh, who are you kidding! Do you even know how to act cute? What made you think he would find you cute?

He hates you!

Ugh! Why are you so hellbent on shaming yourself? Idiot!

Jeremy on the other hand was enjoying every moment and recording everything in his brain so he could rehash this moment over and over again.

Just now he gifted his dearest truck to his friend since she is scared of it. And he got to catch her trying to sneak out.

Look how cute she is trying to act cute... I want to kneel and propose... Wait, she is my wife already... Those pink lips as she is biting... Ah, I want to take her to bed now.

Ugh! What am I thinking?

He was trying hard to contain his glee by pressing his lips. He didn't want to seem to be mocking her, since she misinterprets everything he does.

He was pleased she is out and about. The past couple of days she's locked herself in and she didn't even eat properly.

He was so worried for her, but his mom asked him to stay away from her sight and only check up on her occasionally. He found that to be a good idea since the last stunt Bobby pulled made her feel not secure in his home. He kept his dogs away from her since she is scared of dogs.

But she is wearing a business suit. Is she going to her office? She won't be safe in the city.

Aww... But look how pretty she is...

He bent to her eye level and got closer to her. The scent of the shampoo she used was strong and it made his abdomen tighten. And her lips...

"Kiss me," the words just slipped out of his mouth. He regretted it immediately, seeing her beautiful eyes widen in surprise. Her eyes that shimmered as gold as the autumn sunshine, fixed on him, making him feel guilty. But then he got an idea.

"Kiss me, honey. I'll let you leave."

He knew she won't kiss him. He didn't want to lock her in forcefully. He thought by saying this she'd give up and return inside.

Jerlina was stunned he said that. She wondered what his intention was to say that.

Maybe he thinks I won't do it?

She turned to look at the gate, clenching her purse tightly out of anxiety. She was just some meters away, but she knew if she tries to run, he will catch her. She knew it because she failed, trying to do this previously.

She needed to meet her boss and if a kiss is the only thing between her and her freedom, she was willing to do it.

It is just a kiss.

She turned to look at him and he was standing straight. She stood on her tiptoes and grabbed his collar.

"Do you swear on your mother's grave that you'll let me leave after I kiss you?" She asked pulling his face closer to hers.

She wanted to make sure first. She didn't want to waste a kiss.

She could see him getting flustered and he tried to pull back. But she was not letting go. She hated him for harassing her, but what choice does she have? And it seems like he hates this too.

"Answer me."

She was never this determinant while facing a struggle. She always tries the best way to avoid or she skirts around a problem.

But with him, she just wanted to win. She wanted to make him feel defeated.

She never raises her voice or confronts anyone... Anyone, but for him.

Jeremy felt his knees go weak. Her face was just inches away from his and he could feel her soft fingers on his neck. There was a pleasant feminine scent around her and it muddled his brain.

If it was anyone else who dared to ask him to swear on his mother's grave, they'd be eating dirt now. But this one...

She is not backing off as he expected, but she is making his heart pound. He wanted to retreat as he couldn't look into those beautiful eyes.

What is happening to me?

Ah... those eyes... are filled with hate...