Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Hearing some scratching noise, Jerlina looked at her bedroom door. She figured it must be the dog and decided to open it.

"In the end, you succeeded in becoming one of us..."

David Millman said and Jerlina's hand that reached to the doorknob paused.

"You aimed for my son but failed. And now you climbed much higher in the ladder... getting a Fitzgerald!" he snorted and Jerlina's eyebrows twitched out of anger.

What in the everloving hell! What is this fresh bullsh!t this guy is spouting! He is suggesting that I am a social climber? And when did I ever aim for that methhead son of his? I wanted him to get arrested!

"Since that is the case, settle my severance paycheck immediately."

Although she wanted to speak more, she ended the call. Her chest heaved up and down with anger.

How dare he call me a social climber? Did I even want this? I always tried to stay away from the millionaires and billionaires. I love money, but I know too much of it brings trouble. I know I will be happy as an upper-middle-class person.

Neither too rich nor too poor – this has always been my mantra.

Why would I marry some millionaire? And that too a ganglord? Seriously? What does he know about me?

She fumed with anger but then her rational brain said that it is common for those from the upper-class to call anyone "marrying up" as a social climber even if they married for love.

Ugh, TJ... Your love for your sister wrought this name on me. Is this one of your plans to bring me down? I hate you!

She forgot about the dog and plopped on the bed. Her eyes filled with tears. She was not sad per se, but her pride faced a strike when her boss called her a social climber. As someone who always lived life proudly, this name-calling dealt a huge blow on her.

Wanting to know exactly what happened, Jerlina called Hanna from work. After putting herself through the cheerful congratulations of her peers from the secretary department with a grimace, Hanna finally explained Jeremy's visit from the words of Jenny- the receptionist.

Apparently, Jenny couldn't stop shaking after that incident and was crying non-stop, the chief of staff had to send her home. By following the company procedures, she had faced a very terrifying ordeal that affected her mental health.

Yeah right!

Jerlina could only roll her eyes. She believed TJ is a scary guy, but she knew Jenny is pretty bigoted and doesn't value people equally. Had she known who TJ is, she'd have acted differently and tried to get his phone number dismissing all the company procedures. Her mental health was affected possibly because she missed an opportunity with a millionaire.

She had no pity for Jenny, but her boss on the other hand... She understood why he was salty. She knew how many losses they will face if they don't get the materials on time.

But why did TJ target my CEO? To get me fired? To get me blacklisted from getting a job in the city?

Jerlina couldn't lie down and paced to and fro in the bedroom. She was so mad and she was in despair realizing the great bind she is in.

But I thought Millmans have a higher status than the Harrisons... Doesn't the Harrison family always act sycophantic with the Millmans? How did TJ have one over Millman?

'Getting a Fitzgerald'

She remembered her boss' words. She knew even with the bluebloods, they had tiers denoting status. Some bluebloods descended from aristocrats from the other side of the pond and they are of higher status than the bluebloods from around here.

I've heard the Fitzgerald family had ties to some royal family. But, is TJ a Fitzgerald? His legal name I saw in that certificate was Harrison though.

Ah... I vaguely remember Emma saying that TJ's birth mother was an aristocrat. Was she related to the Fitzgerald family? Is that why only TJ has higher status among the Harrisons?

This explains why even the government doesn't bother with TJ and his gang activities.

Eh, whatever! Nothing changes the fact that I am royally screwed. I have no one to help. I should help myself.

That TJ... He lives among the cloud while destroying the lives of young boys and girls in the name of his gang, all the while pretending he cares for them. What a despicable human being! No, he is a monster!

As Jerlina was in her deep thoughts, cussing TJ in her mind while wallowing in self-pity, she heard the door open.

"Doggy?" she walked to the door. "Is that you?"

The dog wagged its tail more freely along with his hips.

"Did you open the door yourself?" she asked and the dog woofed.

"You did? You can turn the doorknob? How?" she was doubtful and checked outside, but there was no one in the hallway.

"You can open the door? Did your master teach you tricks? What else can you do?"

Forgetting the anger and all the resentments she had, Jerlina started conversing with the dog and ended up in a fit of laughter with the way the dog acted.

-----

"I rushed here to see you thinking that you missed me, Jerry. You are making my heart hurt by being late," Mikhail Volkonsky removed his suit jacket and placed it on the cushioned sofa.

He fixed his solid gold cufflinks with emeralds and passed a glass of vodka for Jeremy. His signet ring made a clink as he passed the glass. As if he had no care in the world, he carelessly leaned back placing his arm at the back of the sofa, crossing his legs. His entire demeanor exuded class, revealing his aristocratic upbringing.

As a member of the Volkonsky family and entitled to billions, he did have no cares in the world.

"I do miss you, Mike," Jeremy laughed taking a sip of the clear liquid in the glass. Mikhail is one of the very few good friends he has who call him Jerry. "When I heard you're here, I rushed here too." he took a good look at the glass.

"You were so rushed I had to wait for an hour," Mikhail raised his eyebrows and Jeremy shrugged.

"I had to take a detour...But," he raised his glass. "I am glad to be here... Hmm, this is good stuff," he nodded.

"Well, of course, friend. Only the best for you," Mikhail smiled as he took a sip himself.

"The liquor is best like my good friend, but the glass..." Jeremy cocked his head looking at the bottom of the glass. "...doesn't serve justice to the grandeur of the liquor"

"You think so? I was going to finalize this brand glassware for my bar," Mikhail stared at the glass. "It was the best among the others."

"Well, my good friend, you think that's the best because you're yet to see the best stuff," Jeremy smirked and pointed at the cardboard box on the beautifully carved solid wood table at the side.