Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Bobby paused screwing in the lock and turned to look at Jerlina. He leaned on the door frame with a smirk.

"Well, look who's not scared of me anymore!"

Jerlina shrugged with a smile. She wasn't that scared of Bobby anymore. She herself didn't know the reason. Maybe it is because he is married with a child. Scarlett seemed like a smart woman and if she married him, he must have something good, right? Also, after getting to know Daisy, she realized Bobby inherited her smile. And someone who was raised by that kind woman cannot be that bad, right?

Whatever the reason is, Jerlina was not that scared of him.

"Well, who used to block me and act rudely with me when I was minding my business?" she asked back.

"Acted rudely? Trying to chat with you is 'rude'? Telling you that you were one of us is 'rude'?" he scoffed and he looked disappointed.

"One of yours?" Talia was shocked and her eyes widened. "You would be saying stuff like 'we', 'us' and how you handle 'them' who goes against you... Don't tell me..."

"Yeah, and?" Bobby shook his head. "Were you doing anything against us? We were always considering you as one of us," he knitted his brows as if he was offended.

"But... that... even TJ?" she stuttered out of shock and he stood straight.

"What do you mean 'even TJ'? Do you know how much he-" he gritted his teeth and waved his hand to get her to move. "Move aside, Madam Luna. I have to get back home soon," he spoke, controlling his anger, and started working on the lock.

He was angry at her, but for the sake of Jerry, he tried to hold it back. In the past, he has seen first-hand all the things Jerry did for her. And here she is, pretending as if nothing happened!

Jerlina walked to the side and leaned on the wall not wanting to provoke Bobby who was offended.

She was dumbfounded. She wanted to know the truth. She knew TJ's explanation was weird. She knew TJ doesn't have to take on this role of a protector to help his sister to escape a forced marriage.

Emma is capable to handle such issues herself. And Emma did want to marry Gerard either because of love or just to get back at her. Otherwise, she wouldn't have made the effort to come and brag to her about it.

What she wanted to hear from Bobby was that Jerry wanted to give Emma the marriage she wanted and he used the threat on her life as a chance to keep the way clear for Emma.

Certainly not this! So... TJ used to like me and his people considered me part of their gang? 'Luna' is my nickname?

Finally, it all made sense to her. She knew people in the gang will be given a nickname upon their initiation. And they won't give out nicknames that easily. And she knew TJ is very loyal and good to those whom he considers as his own.

Or 'Luna' is the name they made up just to make this act more believable for the enemies? Even still...he doesn't have to go this far to protect me.

Yeah... TJ probably liked me... and feels some lingering attachment to me because I was his unrequited love and he still considers me as one of his. It explains his... randomness.

But what did I do to get on his radar? I never met him. I thought he hated me for what I did to his sister. Emma made sure I know that her brother will get back at me for what I did.

Ah... Emma again... Did she troll me and made me live in fear? Was that her punishment? To make me scared of my own shadow those few months? Did she know her brother liked me then? Did she laugh behind my back seeing me running scared of the people who would never hurt me?

Or am I thinking too much? If he liked me, why didn't he tell me?

Well, I did run away at the sight of him.

But why did he fall for me? He was an adult and I was seventeen at that time. Isn't that a crime or something? Is that why he kept quiet?

Bobby finished fixing the lock and he turned to look at Jerlina. She was looking at the floor in deep thoughts. She did look pitiful.

Such a small girl...

She resembled his late sister and that's why he always liked her. His mother said the same and asked him to take care of her. Scar likes her too. He felt bad for snapping at her when she initiated a conversation with him.

"It's finished. You can check if it works properly," he spoke in a gentle tone.

"Thank you," Jerlina smiled. She felt tired thinking too much. She wanted to sleep.

"You were going to ask something..." Bobby asked and Jerlina took in a deep breath. She already got the answer she needed.

"Does he gets panic attacks often? In that case, he should talk to-" she was a little worried seeing him like that.

"He got one? Today?" Bobby got anxious.

He knew Jerry gets scared of getting trapped at times. And at those times, he'd thrash everything around him. He gets violent at those around him, but it seemed like this one is unhurt.

Ah, Jerry... even if he loses himself, he can't hurt her. And she looks worried for him. This is good. She can slowly fall for him too.

"Yes, but he calmed down soon..." Jerlina said, not knowing Bobby's thoughts.

"That's good. No one knows why he gets that, but he is almost healed. He has a shrink if that's what you meant to ask. Don't worry, I'm sure he can handle it," he smiled.

No one knows? Jerlina thought Bobby is trying to protect TJ's privacy. TJ easily told her about it and so she thought all his friends must know about it.

She didn't know other than Mikhail's family, TJ and his mom, and some higher-level officials, no one knows about that kidnapping incident. TJ never talks about that incident with anyone.

"Okay, that's good." Jerlina smiled.

"Be ready at 9.30 in the morning. Scar will come and get you... to the office?" he added seeing Jerlina's confused face.

"Oh? Okay." Jerlina nodded. She was happy she still has her job.

Bobby turned to leave and as Jerlina was about to close the door, he stopped.

"Can you do me a favor?" he asked and Jerlina nodded wondering what it might be.

"Jerry is having a high fever. Can you take care of him? You don't have to sit by his side all the time. Just... just have a glance at him once an hour or so to make sure he hasn't fried his brain. He doesn't like pills and won't listen to anyone. He's not a child either to force a pill down his throat. But I don't want him to die. Please..? I can stay but Cia is having a cold and Scar can't handle her alone..." he continued with his pleads.

What? Why should I take care of him?

Jerlina thought in her heart. "Sure," she said with a bright smile. She didn't want to argue with Bobby. TJ is a grown man. If he thought he can handle his fever without a pill, he can do it. Why must he be bothered, right?

"Thank you so much, Madam Luna!" Bobby said holding her hand with a grateful smile and left the room.

He was satisfied he did his best to get Jerry the little happiness of getting cared for by his love. He wasn't sure Jerlina will actually care for Jerry, but he tried and that was enough for him.

A vulnerable man and his wife, alone in the room while she takes care of him...

Sparks will fly, right?