Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Throughout the ceremony, Jerlina had to remind herself that this is not a real wedding. It was too real to be a fake wedding and it did make her feel a little nervous because she could see Jeremy was treating it as a real wedding.

More than that, she felt like all those eyes watching her were burning her back. She never was in a spot like this before and it made her more nervous. Thankfully she remembered to say "I do" at the right moment.

But maybe he realized her nervousness, Jeremy often looked at her with a gentle smile and it made her nervousness fly away.

"I pronounce you man and wife!"

The Priest announced and everyone clapped. Jerlina's heart started to race.

The kissing would be next right? Which side should I tilt my head? It would be awkward if our noses clash. Maybe we should have practiced kissing as he suggested?

Ahhhhh! What should I do?

"You may now kiss the bride," the priest said the dreaded words. Jerlina gulped and turned to the side and he had a gentle smile on his face.

Jeremy was nervous too. But the overwhelming feeling of love in his heart washed out the nervousness. He meant every word he said and the petite, nervous figure in front of him, invoked his instinct to protect her; protect for life.

'I'll hold you in my heart till it beats the last, my love. I wish you'd let me hold your hand for the rest of our lives...'

He wanted to tell her. He held her cheek with his hand. But the words he wanted to say didn''t come out.

"I'm yours alone," he whispered and watched her eyes widen.

Can you hear me, my love?

"You're my wife and my Luna forever," he whispered and bent for a kiss.

Jerlina could only hear the clapping sound and she could see he was saying something. She tried to hear what he said but she couldn't.

But his eyes, the warmth of his hand...

She could guess what he was saying. And sensing the gentleness from him, she felt strong. She believed if she lets him lead, she'd be fine.

Ha! I am useless. Rather than giving him happiness, I am still getting support from him.

She saw him bending for the kiss and closed her eyes as she leaned closer to his lips.

I trust you, Joel.

His warm lips pressed on her lips and his warm breath intertwined with hers.

"Sorry, just this once," he whispered as his lips left hers and her heart hurt.

Is he feeling bad thinking he is forcing me to kiss him?

"I didn't-"  'mind'

Before she finished the sentence, his hand wrapped around her waist and he had a playful smile. The next moment he dipped her. Jerlina didn't expect that and she felt butterflies in her stomach. She wrapped her hand around his neck, instinctively.

"Wha-"

Before she shouted out of shock, his lips pressed on her lips once more and Jerlina's heart raced.  She heard everyone whistling and clapping and he let go of her lips with that smile still on his face.

So, he apologized for THIS?

"You..." she hit his chest slightly with a chuckle.

"Haha...." he chuckled and helped her up kissing her forehead. "I wanted to."

The entire place was loud and rowdy and there was the handfasting ceremony that the priest conducted after that. Jerlina has never seen that ceremony before and she was impressed. She figured it must be a ceremony from his side.

For some reason, she couldn't stop smiling as she felt happy.

And then they walked out holding hands to the reception area. They were rained with rose petals and confetti. She could hear loud noises of firecrackers and she didn't know if it is legal or not.

She didn't care.

Only through the recessional, Jerlina noticed Emma sitting among the others. With her phone pointing at her, she had an odd smirk.

She understood Emma's thoughts.

Wait till I show it to Gerard.

Her smile froze for a moment, but then she composed herself.

Who is Gerard to me anymore? I already told him what he needed to hear. He has no right to stick his nose in my affairs anymore.

Her smile returned and she waved her hand at Scarlett. Baby Cia got irritated and started crying and she saw Bobby walking to her. Daisy was near her too and Jerlina was relieved.

"Jerlina," Jeremy called her and he pointed at the distance.

She saw Mikhail waving his hand at them and he was gesturing that he is leaving. Jeremy waved back and Jerlina waved her hand with a smile too.

"He's not staying for the reception?" she asked.

"I'll tell you later," Jeremy shouted in her ears.

Everything was loud and noisy she heard no one. There were a lot of people who came and congratulated her and she didn't know who was who.

Jerlina gulped seeing the horse carriage in front of her with four horses.

Am I a royal or what?

"Seriously?" She looked at Jeremy.

"Yeah," he shrugged. "Those horses are the best from Volkonsky's stable and he sent them here especially for us. It is his wedding gift for us."

"Really?" she raised her eyebrows. She is scared of horses. She once tried to get near a horse and it licked her. She didn't go near a horse again.

"Just for us to reach the venue," he patted her back. "If you don't like it we can take the car."

She saw Emma trying to get close to them through her peripheral vision. And her face didn't look well.

It was then she remembered that Emma wanted to have a wedding like a Princess. She had watched many European Royal weddings and she wanted a wedding like that.

But she changed her plans to steal my wedding plans, right?

Well, guess who has a four-horse carriage for her wedding now, huh?

Jerlina is not someone who takes petty revenge. But if a chance like this presents itself to her, then it can only be Karma paying her back, right?

"No problem. We can ride the carriage," Jerlina didn't deny.

Jeremy got on the carriage first and helped Jerlina up. She was a little scared at first but seeing Emma's highly disappointed face, she was pleased. A little more pleased than she should be.

"Hi... Thank you..."

With a wide smile, she gave the royal wave to everyone around.

Ah, I can get used to this!

"Someone's happy," Jeremy was pleased to see her very happy. That is what he wanted. He didn't expect her to be this happy and it doubled his happiness.

"Yeah," her tone was high-pitched out of happiness."I feel like a Princess!"

Jeremy's heart skipped a beat seeing her. He leaned closer to her.

Jerlina felt his approaching her and out of instinct turned to look at him. His warm breath fell on her face as he was so close.

Is he going to kiss me again?