n

n

nJerlina gulped seeing the big black iron gates of the mansion in front of her. They are currently in front of Jeremy's father's mansion.

nShe was refreshed after breathing in the salty seawater, but then Jeremy told her they'd be visiting his parents to talk about their

"wedding

". She had no way to refuse him and her mood got spoilt.

nHe said they won't be there for long and even bought her dinner already. But she was not in the mood to meet Emma today.

nJeremy felt bad seeing her struggling to even unbuckle her seatbelt. She had gone pale.

n

"Is it okay to leave that expensive box there?

" she bit her lips. She wanted to stay in the car or just run away.

n

"No one will open my glove box. We can keep it safe once we reach home,

" he knew she does not want to get down.

nHe wasn't trying to ruin her mood. He remembered his mom's advice not to let her meet Emma and so he decided to meet his

" parents

" today before Emma returns.

nHe has to do it, otherwise, poor Emma won't hear the end of it from her

"caring

" mom. Also, his

"father

" will get offended that he is not respecting the patriarch of the Harrison family.

n

"You...

" he tried to help her unbuckle the seatbelt, but the moment his hand got near hers, she flinched and he pulled back.

n

"You don't have to be on your best behavior, Jerlina...

" he wanted to clarify things to her.

"We are just going to inform them as a formality. You don't have to answer them if you don't want to, or you can say whatever you want without fearing that they might get offended if you want to.

"

nJerlina could see he means what he says. He seemed to be not so close with his family. She realized that from her talk with Scarlett. Plus, she is not his actual wife to make a good impression with them. This realization gave her some strength.

n

"...Emma?And Gerry?

" she looked at him. She wanted to stay in the car if Emma is there. She knew Emma will try to provoke her to spoil her mood.

nAnd Gerry... she'd prefer not to meet him for the rest of her life.

n

"Emma is not returning until tomorrow.

" Jeremy was sure of it. Emma told him that in their previous phone call.

nHe saw her face getting relaxed and she opened the door to step out. They passed the big porch and Jeremy knocked on the door.

n

"I think they have guests,

" Jerlina whispered. Through the closed door, they could hear the loud laughter of some people.

n

"It is better-

" Jeremy paused and started to listen. Jerlina thought she heard a familiar voice, but suddenly, he held her hand and turned to leave. Jerlina could hear the door opening behind her and the familiar voice made her heart skip a beat.

n

"Jer?

"

nHer chest got heavy and her breathing got labored as if she ran a mile. She thanked Jeremy in her heart for pulling her back to his car.

n

"Jer, wait...Jer!

"

nHearing Gerard's trembling voice, her breathing got heavier and she placed her hand on her chest that hurt. Her legs lost all strength and became all wobbly.

n

"Careful, Jer!

"

nShe almost tripped on the stone pavement, but Jeremy swiftly helped her gain her balance. She could hear Gerard's footsteps nearing them and she wished she could teleport to anywhere else in this world.

nShe looked at Jeremy and he seemed as stunned as her. Or is he pretending? Ugh!At least he is trying to get away!

nIf Jerlina was too surprised to even walk properly, Gerard was in another plane of surprise. He's meeting her after months and he cannot contain his joy. He didn't even think about how or why she is here with Jeremy. He wanted to ask her if her health got better and he wanted to give her a hug.

nSeeing Jeremy pulling her away, he didn't want to let her go. And slowly his brain started thinking about what was happening in front of him. He fisted his hands noticing how Jeremy casually grabbed her wrists and how he helped her up holding her waist.

nHow dare he touch her! And why is she with him?

n

"Jeremy...

" Gerard now started talking to Jeremy.

"Are you here for the dinner arranged to celebrate our return?

"

nJust sometime before, he overheard Emma laughing with her mom. She was proud for misleading Jeremy about their return so that she could give the gifts she brought to her family first and rest for a day before seeing that lumberjack's sorry a$$.

nGerard could deduce that Jeremy's visit here was unplanned and his arrival with Jerlina gave him a weird feeling. So he wanted to get to the bottom of it.

n

"Jerry..?

"

nGerard clenched his fists hearing Emma's voice. But he knew Jeremy will listen to Emma.

n

"Emma, you didn't tell me you've invited your brother too,

" he smiled seeing Emma's surprised face.

"He even brought a guest.

"

nJerlina almost reached the passenger side of Jeremy's Jeep and that's when she heard Emma's voice. She could feel Jeremy's cold fingers letting go of her wrists and he turned in the direction of Emma's voice while she leaned on the car dejectedly.

nI don't want to see them!

n

"You said you'll-

" Jeremy tried to question Emma walking towards him, but she hooked her arm with his.

n

"Jerry! What a surprise you're here! Did you bring Jerlina? Wow, the more the merrier. Come on... get in...Jerry, I have a lot to show you. I brought a lot of gifts for you and kept them in a separate bag, but the airlines lost them. It's a long story, you must hear it. Jerlina, let's all get in the house first... You're just on time for dinner. Let's all chat over dinner...

"

nShe pulled Jeremy inside and Jeremy turned to look at Jerlina trying to open the car door.

nHis heart literally tore into two pieces unable to decide on whose wish to grant. On one side, it is his sister who wants to spend time with him and on the other side is the woman he loves.

nBut he needs to announce their wedding and for that, they have to get in. If not today, they'll have to do it another day.

nI'm sorry, Jerlina... Please forgive me.

n

"Jerlina, let's get in for five minutes,

" he called her and he could see her letting out a sigh. Her fingers were trembling as she tried to open the car door. Emma pulled him in.

n

"Jer...

" Gerard tried to get closer to Jerlina and Emma glared at him and he stopped moving.

n

"Jerlina... sweetie, let's just go in,

" Emma repeated and this time her voice held a little impatience.

nJerlina took in a deep breath. There it is, Emma's I-won't-take-anymore-of-your-nonsense tone. Usually, that will follow with an unexpected

"accident

".

nAnd as always, I am alone!

nCome on, Jerlina! Chin up! Let's face this problem as usual – alone!

nJerlina faced them with a smile.

n

"Yeah, let's...

" she walked in.

n