Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"Did Patrick talk about me?" Alexander Volkonsky asked.

"Uncle told me you were friends growing up..." Jerlina said with a smile.Â

She knew her uncle hides a lot from her, but she wasn't that interested in knowing all that too.Â

Her uncle behaved a little...weird. His home is a small suburban home, but the decor would be similar to what she saw in Downton Abbey. Everything will be chosen by her aunt - the wallpapers, drapes, rugs and whatnot.

She was treated as someone superior in her uncle's house. Even their children had to act respectful to her even though she was younger than them and she was there to share their food.

She could see Mikhail treating TJ almost the same way although they shared friendship.

"Here... I have a picture..." Alexander showed an old black and white picture in his phone. There were a group of well-dressed boys and he should her where he and uncle Pat were standing.

"Is this Aunt Becky? And... He looks like my grandpa!" She looked at him and there was no reply from him.

Okay... This is not weird at all...

Jerlina went along with him as he skipped to his 'In those days, we used to...' stories.

Mikhail raised his eyebrows and signalled Jeremy to show how close his grandpa and Jerlina are sitting and they were chatting merrily.

"I've never seen him chatting this much with my mother even," he whispered and Jeremy looked at them.

She seemed to be enjoying herself as she talked about her grandfather and that was enough for him. But he has to say, Alexander Volkonsky doesn't warm up with anyone this easily. And there was no reason for him to be interested in Jerlina's grandpa's story. There should be more to it. He decided to investigate.

"She's pretty... Now I see your type..." Mikhail smirked.Â

This guy once said that he liked women with small b**bs and that spread a lot of rumors about this guy. But men can have their types. It is not wrong.

"She is the prettiest..." Jeremy raised his glass and Mikhail shook his head with a smile.

Jerlina excused herself to go to the powder room and she was a little startled when all the men stood up with her.

Oh... The etiquettes of gentlemen! Why am I getting flustered! TJ knows it all too?

Alexander looked at the leaving back of Jerlina and took a sip of water. He wanted to pay for his sister's surgery, but before he could pay, he was told someone else paid for her. He investigated and found out it was her.

A true Hamilton! It is a pity she has to stay hidden.

"I knew a very prominent businessman. He solely controlled a particular industry..." Alexander looked at Jeremy, "just like you controlling the lumber market..."

"But he fell hard for someone who didn't share his love... He paid a lot to marry her, but she left him. He was depressed and lost everything... Love is good, but it is not everything."

Jeremy clenched his jaw. He could tell that this old man knows that they are taking their marriage. He had a feeling he would have investigated and it seems like he really had.

"Well, my Jerlina never pretended to like me, so I know what I am getting into. And, you Volkonsky, should stop poking your nose into my affairs. She never was loved unlike me. Growing up, there never was someone who could check if she is dressed warmly or if she is sick or even if she is getting fed properly. I want to protect her and I will do so until my last breath. You can help me or just stay away. If I learn you are messing with her-"

"She didn't know love and you're going to show her?" Alexander scoffed. "You'll show her love and she'll go back to her past lover with half of your assets-"

Mikhail swallowed a mouthful of wine to observe the drama going on. This seems to be an interesting development.Â

Their marriage is fake?

"Alexander!" Jeremy gritted his teeth and glared at the old man and he leaned back on his chair with a chuckle.

"So you will raise your voice at me for her?"

"I will raise my voice for what I stand for. You know that." Jeremy let out a deep breath. He does get a little emotional whenever she is concerned. "She won't accept a cent from me even if I force her to. I dream of the day she would accept my assets..." He took a sip from his glass.

That day would be the day she accepts him as her husband. Will that day come?

Alexander stared at him for a while. He then spoke in a soft voice, "I asked you here because I can't be there for your wedding. I wanted to meet your wife and give you my blessings."

"Can't or won't?" Jeremy chuckled and Mikhail patted his back.

"Grandpa won't give face to the Harrisons. He hates them."

"I know," Jeremy looked at Alexander. If any Volkonsky attends his wedding, the Harrisons will act as if they came for the Harrisons. The Harrisons are good at exaggerating their connections.

He paused seeing Jerlina returning .

"If you didn't find me a foster family back then, I would have ended up in a very bad place. I'm forever grateful for that." He said to Alexander and turned to Jerlina.

He explained how after his kidnapping incident, it was Alexander who arranged a proper home for him with the Kruger family. Also Peter Fitzgerald was a friend of Alexander and that's how he was later adopted as his son.

Jerlina now understood why he respects Alexander this much. He had someone who helped him at the right moment to find a loving family.

But where were the Harrisons then?

Alexander took in a deep breath. He could see those two are not in love. But this girl is not like that other woman and is very respectful and not materialistic. They would be a perfect match if she could fall in love with Jerry. His old heart wished to see their children. Both are handsome and they can make perfect babies.

"Here, young lady..." He gave her a box brought to them by his assistant.

"A little gift to welcome you to our family. Come on... Open it..." He said with a smile.

Jerlina got the box opened it. It was a necklace with diamonds and rubies. She wanted to do nothing with it, but she knew it would be rude not to accept someone's gift.

"Thank you, grandpa. I love it," she closed the box with a smile and kept it aside. She decided to give it to TJ first thing after they return.

And the topic went to business and Alexander handed her the amount he'll pay for her company's glassware.

Jerlina pressed her lips to stop her jaws from opening wide. He was willing to pay double the market rate.

Well, she is not rich to refuse money, but she knew marketing.

"I can give you twenty five percentage discount if Mikhail can tag our company in one of his social media posts announcing his new bar." She looked at Mikhail and he looked amused.

An endorsement from Mikhail will give her company better exposure than hiring an advertising agency. He has more than two hundred and fifty million followers in Instagram alone.

"No need for discount..." Alexander waved his hand and looked at Mikhail. "Do what she said ... Tag or whatever... Also, make a video with you holding her glassware and say words of support."

Jerlina was stunned. She just wanted a mention in his social media account but she is getting an ad?

She thought Mikhail will refuse. She knew he doesn't do endorsements much. But he accepted immediately.Â

"A forty five seconds video will be enough, right?" He asked and she nodded.

If it is you, a picture would be enough for me to sell a million pieces!

She wanted to say, but she was too stunned to speak. She never thought she'd have this big a break for her company.

I got a free advertisement for my company, starring Mikhail Volkonsky! And my customer refused discount!

Am I dreaming?