n

n

nJeremy observed her. She was twisting her lower lips with her fingers and biting them. Her eyebrows were furrowed as she was thinking deeply.

nIsn't she adorable?

nBut if she is this confused about getting courted, that means she is unfamiliar with courting. How did she even end up with that dipsh*t? What did he even do for her to have her as a girlfriend for seven long years?

nHad I known, I would have stolen her from him!

n

"You don't know what courting is, lady?

" he asked.

"It's when a man tries to win attention from the lady he lov-

"

n

"Don't say that!

" Jerlina covered his mouth. She didn't want to hear the word 'love' from his mouth, directed at her.

nJust some time ago, when they were with Emma she thought he'd never confess to her as he was too eager to push her back to Gerard. And now everything is going in a different direction.

n

"Say what? Love?

" he asked removing her hand from his mouth and she tried to cover his lips once more.

nHer strength was nothing compared to his. She was using all the strength in her hand to cover his lips, but he freed himself using just his fingers.

n

"Aren't you being unfair here, Jerlina?

" his voice trembled a bit.

"Why can't I express my feelings? Why should I keep them in?

"

nJerlina didn't try to stop him anymore. She was standing in front of him and he was sitting on the bed. The white of his eyes has reddened and the tip of his nose has gone red.

n

"Nine years, Jerlina... It will be ten years this spring... I've been holding it in, unable to move on...

" he patted his chest and a tear rolled from the corner of his eye.

"I love you, Jerlina. More than anything in this world,

" he looked at her and sniffed.

nHis throat felt stuffy as he couldn't speak as his emotions blocked his vocal chord. He has more to say to her. But his heart became lighter after expressing his feelings.

nShe was not that surprised by his admission probably because she already knew?

nAh, Scarlett!

nWhat else does she know? Hopefully not much from then, because I just wanted to see her happy.

n

"Shoot me dead,

" Jerlina felt her knees go weak and ended up kneeling in front of him. She knew this was coming, but she couldn't hear those simple words.

nEverything she heard about him rushed back to her memory. Everything he did for her silently... and he isn't even going to talk about it, is he? He'll hide it and only reveal that he loves her.

n

"Don't kneel in front of me,

" he pulled her up and made her sit beside him.

"Unless you're giving head,

" his lips curved to a naughty smirk.

nHe thought she'd smile, but she started crying.

nWhat a crybaby!

nHe hugged her.

"Don't cry... Are you that sad that I fell in love with you?

"

n

"Yes,

" she looked up wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

n

"Really? I expected a no,

" he held her cheek.

n

"I am sad because you deserve someone better, Joel,

" she said and he sighed.

n

"But there is no one better than you!

"

n

"Just forget me,

" she looked up.

n

"That's not how love works.

"

n

"I know...

" she covered her face with her hands. After staying that way for a minute, she gathered herself and looked at him.

"I can't love you, Joel,

" she said and tears escaped her eyes, despite her protests.

nIf he has the right to confess, she has the right to refuse. She has the duty to refuse him...

n

"Can't or won't?

" he asked. He knew this would be her answer, but it still hurt.

n

"Both,

" She looked at him. It was hard to refuse him after looking at his face and those beautiful eyes, but she needs to end this since he started it.

n

"Why?

" he asked, knitting his brows. He knew why.

nHer miscarriage!

n

"Back in high school, I was thinking that you were trying to hurt me... even now, you were keeping me safe, but I was under great duress thinking that you're doing it with other intentions because of everything we faced prior to that... I was lied to, mocked at, and was made to cower in fear... I was even pushed towards... There is only one person common in all my suffering... I'm partly to blame in all this... for my mistrust, but... I blame her, Joel. And you love her, Joel...

" she cupped his cheek.

n

"You're wrong when you said that you love me more than anything... You don't love me more than your sister... So... I won't fall for you.

" Her eyes clouded.

"It's such a shame, I know... But I can't and I won't. I don't have the energy to handle another heartbreak.

"

nJeremy was shocked to hear her reason. He knew she doesn't like Emma, but to hate her to this extent? She doesn't even want to associate with someone related to Emma?

n'Everything we faced prior to...' she says. What did Emma do? Did Emma cause trouble to split Jerlina and that guy? Is that why she cannot forgive her?

n

"Emma is-

"

n

"Not so bad, I know,

" she rolled her eyes and stood up.

"You don't even know how manipulative she is. She said you are having a fight with Scarlett. I wouldn't call that a fight. Would you?

"

nShe decided to give him an example.

n

"Emma did?

" he pressed his lips. She didn't remember... Ah, Emma did feel bad for making them 'fight'.

nBut Jerlina is right. Scarlett just stated her opinion and she is loud. He wouldn't call that a fight.

nJerina rolled her eyes.

"You didn't even realize it, did you? Let me... You might think that I am saying this because I hate Emma, but I will say this... Emma says you 'fought' with Scarlett. You didn't disagree with her. Emma goes and talks about the 'fight' to someone, and news spreads that the relationship within your gang is not good. Everyone knows Bobby is your closest friend and confidante. And I guess there is already friction between you regarding your name change? Do you think these rumors are good?

"

nShe took a deep breath seeing him silent. She knew he is thinking. He is a King after all. He can understand what she says.

n

"You may think that the probability of this happening is-

"

n

"But the results would be devastating,

" he looked at her. He knew rumors are like termites that would ruin good wood from the inside. But Emma is not doing this on purpose.

"She's naive and-

"

n

"Naive?

" Jerlina snorted.

"This is where you're wrong, Joel. I think she is doing this all full well knowing what it will result in, but you... Think about it... Have Emma's

"mistakes

" ever end up doing good to you? Who ended up getting benefitted by her

"mistakes

"?

"

nJeremy couldn't answer her. He started thinking.

n