Jeremy felt stupid for trying to manipulate her this way along with the sadness he felt to see her hate-filled eyes.

He decided it would be best for him to be straightforward. But he wondered if she’d believe him if he says that Millman might be responsible for hiring a gang to kill her. He decided to give it a try.

“Did you eat anything?” he asked getting her hands off his collar. He knew she didn’t eat anything from the morning.

Noticing her wince a little he remembered the would in her hand and checked it. It hasn’t healed in entirety, but it looked good.

He could only feel sorry for her. His wound in the chest has already formed a scab and healed, but her wound still is not healed.

Why would she hurt herself like this?

“I’ll get something once I-”

“Get in. Eat first. I’ll go with you.” He said and pointed at the door.

Jerlina didn’t know what she should do. She definitely didn’t want to go with him. and he was not meeting her eyes and she couldn’t figure out what he thinks.

“I won’t promise on my mother’s grave, but I am giving you my word. Get in!”

He repeated and this time, his voice had some impatience mixed in it and Jerlina didn’t want to linger anymore. She was getting angry by his insistence.

Seriously, why does he want me to eat?

But she thought if TJ comes with her, they can meet her boss and have a talk. But she wasn’t sure whose side Mr. Millman would take.

She got in and tried to get to the second floor but Jeremy led her to the first-floor kitchen. He picked a big bowl and filled it with cereal and milk.

“Finish it.” He pushed the bowl to her.

“I am not your dog to obey your commands,” she glared at him and her anger level increased seeing his smirk.

“Finish it.” He pointed at the bowl.

“Again, I am not a dog,” she glared at him.

“Where are you going? To meet Millman?” he asked and Jerlina pressed her lips together.

He must be spying on me somehow.

“You have a company. Why are you even having a full-time job?” he asked.

He was genuinely curious. He has seen the products of her company and it won’t be hard to market them. She can have a sustainable business and pay her employees from the profit too.

Ah, right… the mortgages, the payment for her sister’s studies… I said the wrong thing again, right?

Dumba**!!

“Mock me all you want, TJ.” Jerlina bowed and started to stuff the cereal in her mouth.

Not everyone has a sugar daddy leaving a successful company worth millions for them, right? Some have their fathers leaving a worthless company for them with loyal employees they cannot ditch and mortgages to pay.

She wanted to empty the bowl in his smug little face, but she held back her urges. She was still a little scared after her previous attempt to kill him.

“I-” he tried to explain, but was intercepted by a phone call.

Seeing the caller-ID, he got up and walked out of the kitchen. Jerlina watched him leave and started to stuff the cereal in her mouth at a faster pace.

“She signed as a witness in a harassment complaint a woman filed against Trevor Millman. As you know-”

Jeremy’s eyes flashed with a murderous aura hearing that name.

Trevor Millman! That guy has connections with the Shard Viper to get his ‘fix’. There is a possibility that he hired him to get back at Jerlina too.

Fine… I’ll see how you succeed.

“I get it. Try and find anyone else she might have offended,” Jeremy ended the call.

He looked inside the kitchen and she had already reached the bottom of her bowl. His lips curved to a smile unconsciously.

Like me, you don’t waste your food either, do you?

When she was in the cabin, she used to be like this too. He related with her in this issue because he knew like him, she knew what hunger is. Not the hunger you feel when you are late for lunch, but the hunger you feel when you haven’t eaten for days.

Even after you grow up and have all the money you have, that trauma you faced when you were a child, stays with you. It won’t let you waste food no matter what.

He walked out of the house slowly and closed the door. He opened the gate to the backyard and the German Shepards and Shepsky dogs all rushed out.

“Odin, guard the house until I return,” he patted the head of one of the dogs and it wagged its tail. ” Duke, Earl stay by the door. Don’t let anyone in,” he said and both of them whined. Only after passing them a snack he kept in his jeans pocket did those two let him leave.

walked to the gate.

“What is this?” his face twitched seeing the little car in front of him.

“What do I know? It’s a Porche Panamera. They said it was the best car in the showroom. You wanted a family car and this is one. I asked you, didn’t I? You told me to buy off-white color and-” Chainsaw Charlie was not impressed by his boss’ backtracking.

He was stared at like a beggar because he wore an overall when he went to the showroom and only when he showed the black card did they treat him like a human being. He endured all that for his boss and he is not impressed?

“It has a shitty ground clearance,” Jeremy said looking down. “I can’t even drive this for work. Where can I even carry the load? Uh…..” he shook his head. “I won’t be caught dead driving this puny car,” Jeremy took a couple of steps back. “Lend me your truck and pass this car’s key to my wife. This car will suit her more.”

Charlie was confused.

Carry load? What did he think family car means? His wife? Isn’t he keeping her as a captive? Why would she need a car and that too this expensive one?

Jerlina finished her bowl of cereal in a hurry and after washing the bowl out of habit, ran out. She came to a screeching halt when she was blocked by the two huskies. And outside, those police dogs were set loose.

She peeked outside to see Jeremy at the gate talking to another. She wanted to rush out, but fearing the dogs, she shouted.

“Wait for me, TJ!”

Jeremy heard her by the door and gulped. “Charlie, keys,” he clicked his tongue and rushed out. He knew the keys will be in the ignition.

Jerlina saw Jeremy sneaking out and she got livid. She was angry at herself for believing the word of the monster. And she was madder at him for lying and he even let the dogs out so that she can’t leave.

Ugh!

“Stop!” she tried to put a step out and a big dog barked at her. The two huskies were silent and the little one entered the house with no care in the world. The big dog looked at her with its mean face.

Jerlina couldn’t gather the courage to step out.

“TJ, You lying b@stard! Go to hell!” she shouted and other police dogs joined the barking police dog.

Jerlina’s heart raced out of fear and she closed the door.

“Where are you going?” Jeremy’s voice turned deep seeing Charlie walking towards the house.

“She called you-”

“And?” Jeremy’s eyes turned sharp and he clenched his jaws. “She probably doesn’t know I am an actual b@stard. Even if she knew, she wasn’t wrong since I lied to her and also I am a bas-”

Jeremy took in a deep breath and he had calmed down by then.

“Charlie, I know you and some of the boys don’t like her., but-”

“We don’t care about her, TJ. What we don’t like is the way you are around her. She’s a bi-”

“Charlie,” Jeremy’s voice turned strict. “You are with me for years. For that reason, I will let this one pass. But if I hear you say one word against her again… You are not going to like how I will react. She is my wife; respect her as such.”

Charlie watched Jeremy’s back as he got to the truck, fisting his hands.

Is he the same guy who broke the jaws of a guy who called him the b-word? What is so special about her?

He turned to look at the door and his face twisted with disgust.