Chapter 7 Jeri's Dilemma

• “Is… Is this you?” she inquired, her voice barely audible.
• "Oh, of course I am. Are you surprised?” Darien inquired, an evil smile on his face, as he tried to close the gap between them.
• Jeri took a few steps backwards, clutching her child tightly to her chest, ready to protect him from harm.
• Darien paused a few steps away from her when he realized her back was already against the wall. He stood with his arms wrapped above his chest, staring at Jeri, who wished the world would open and swallow her up.
• Just then, a lady emerged behind Darien from the darkness.
• The lady was tall and slender. She wore a long black gown. Her hair was dark and glossy, and her eyes were a striking blue.
• She stood between Darien and Jeri, a smirk on her face. She looked at Jeri from head to toe with disdain.
• “Who are you?” Jeri inquired, her voice trembling.
• “I am here to save you, Jeri, but there is a cost to pay before you can be saved,” the lady explained.
• Jeri was perplexed and could not comprehend what the lady was saying.
• "What do you want to save me from? And what price do I have to pay? I don't understand.”
• The lady gave Jeri a chilling smile that made her blood run cold.
• "You are weak and easily manipulated. You have no one in your life who genuinely cares about you, and you are desperate for love and acceptance. Aren't you?”
• Jeri's anger and fear surged as soon as she heard the lady's voice.
• “Now, if you want to be accepted by those you believe should love you in the same way you love them, hand over the child to me, and you will be free.” The lady spoke with Jeri and extended her hands to receive the child.
• “No! I won't!” Jeri attempted to flee, but the woman simply waved her hand, and a wall of energy pushed her back, sending her crashing into the wall.
• “You cannot escape this,” the woman said, her voice cold as ice.
• On the flip side, Darien stood in one position with his arms still crossed above his chest. He did not move from his standing position; instead, he stood there staring at the two women fighting over who should have the child.
• “I will never give you my child!” Jeri bravely announced to the lady. “You have no idea what I went through before bringing this child into this world. If the price I have to pay to be safe is to give you my child, I am not prepared.”
• “Oh well, then you will leave me with no choice but to take your life, little one.” The lady lifted her hand to strike Jeri.
• Just as she was about to strike her, Jeri felt a pull back to the present and she opened her eyes.
• When she woke up and found herself on the cushion, the woman had vanished. That is when she realized it was just a dream.
• She sat up on the cushion, clasping her palms against her face, relieved that the whole thing was not real.
• “That was terrible,” she mumbled and shook her head.
• She raised her head, and her gaze fell on the elderly man who sat a few feet away from her, intently watching her.
• “Welcome back, my dear!” Dr. Emiliano broke the silence that had previously pervaded the room before Jeri awoke.
• Jeri's mind was still processing her strange encounter with the woman.
• “What happened to me?” she inquired, her voice trembling.
• “You lost consciousness while I was treating you. I suppose it was a result of the pain. Nonetheless, the bloodroot appeared to work its magic, and the bleeding stopped a few minutes after you fell unconscious.” The old doctor sighed with relief and smiled at her.
• “You are very lucky,” he said as he rose from his seat. “If the bleeding had not stopped, I do not think I could have saved your life.”
• It dawned on her at that moment that she was receiving treatment, and that is when she passed out.
• She touched her abdomen and detected no pain. She punched it lightly, but there was no pain.
• Jeri felt a wave of relief wash over her as she realized she had been healed.
• Just as she was about to thank the old man for healing her, Darien walked into the living room with a calm expression.
• He approached her and squatted before her.
• "I am relieved that you are fine now. However…” Darien stood up, keeping his back against her gaze, and said, “I see you are still doubting whether we are good people or not. But I want to tell you something. I will introduce you to my family tomorrow. Prepare yourself for it.”
• Immediately Darien stated that the nightmare she had flashed through her mind.
• In a rush, Jeri leaped from the cushion and dashed into the room where her baby was being laid.
• Upon observing that, Darien and the elderly man were taken aback, wondering what could have motivated her to run so quickly and energetically to check on her child.
• “Blessed be,” Jeri exclaimed, feeling a sense of relief as she held her infant.
• Her entrance into the living room was met with doubtful looks as she hurried out of the room.
• Upon witnessing her extreme fear, Darien was perplexed as to why she was acting in that manner.
• “Are you okay?” She retreated a step when Darien tried to get close to her.
• “Do not dare get closer to me!” She issued a stern warning, pointing her index finger at him.
• “Huh?” Darien was floored by her words. He inquired. “What is the problem?”
• "After seeing what you are up to, you still expect me to trust you, huh? You must be kidding, Darien.” She spat out every word in anger.
• “What are you talking about, Jeri?” Darien asked, his eyes questioning her.
• “Well, I guess she had a horrible nightmare, and maybe she saw you as one of her enemies in it,” the old man speculated.
• “Exactly,” Jeri agreed with him.
• “Huh?” Darien explained to her. "But that was only a nightmare. It was not real. Anyone's face could appear in your dream. The role the person played in your dream is unrelated to reality. So, why do you take it so seriously? Come on, Jeri. You aren't a kid for me to explain this to you.”
• “You know what,” Jeri spoke through gritted teeth as she grimaced at Darien. "I appreciate everything you both have done for me, but I do not think I can stay here any longer. I'm leaving!”
• She tried to flee the house shortly after saying that, but Darien grabbed her hand from behind. He quickly turned her around, making her face him.
• “Let go of me,” she protested, struggling to free her hand from his grasp.
• Darien, on the other hand, remained silent as he watched her, attempting to free her hand from his grip.
• “I cherish you, Jeri.” Darien finally confessed his feelings for her after ignoring them since she stepped foot inside the house.
• She froze the moment his words reached her ears. It was as if her ears were pranking her.
• She lifted her head, looked him in the eye, and inquired, “What did you say?”
• “I said I loved you, and I mean it, Jeri,” he said again, releasing her hand.
• Jeri frowned at him, assuring herself that Darien had simply stated that so she would not leave.
• “I would be stupid to believe you again, Darien!” she exclaimed.
• It was not because Jeri did not want to be loved by anyone, but the nightmare she had kept reminding her that Darien was up to something besides what he had previously stated.
• Well, he informed her that he was not who she thought he was. Who knows whether he is a bad person or not?
• Unfortunately, Darien did not take offense; instead, he remained calm because he knew exactly what he wanted.
• “Okay, okay. This has gotten on my nerves, and I cannot take it anymore. I guess it's time you reveal your true identity to her and your plans for her so we can end this drama.” the old man suggested.
• Darien nervously scratched the back of his head, never wanting Jeri to find out who he was so quickly.
• He nodded in response. “ I will.”
• Jeri, on the other hand, eagerly awaited Darien's response. Nonetheless, she prayed he would not deceive her.
• Darien then confessed. "I am not who I appear to be, Jeri. I'm more than who you think I am.”
• “Of course, I understand that you are not who you appear to be. Just tell me who you are and stop messing around.” She rolled her eyes.
• Darien took a deep breath and finally met her eyes. "I am not just someone you met by chance, Jeri. I am actually a very wealthy man, the sole heir to the CEO of the RAMOS COMPANY, and I believe you have heard about it. Have you?”
• Jeri was taken aback by the whole thing and struggled to accept what he was saying. Even though she had no idea who the Ramos company's son was, she was certain that the man standing in front of her was not Darien.
• The Ramos Corporation was the largest business entity in the country, with numerous branches around the world.
• So it was surprising to learn that Darien, who did not appear to be from a middle-class or wealthy family, is the son of the Ramos company's CEO.
• When Darien noticed Jeri was having difficulty believing him, he went on to say, "I hid my identity because I did not want anyone to know who I truly am. I am on a mission to find someone who will love me for who I am, not because of my money or status.
• "However, I fell in love with you when you told me about everything you had been through. Well, I would say it was love at first sight. Despite being a single mother, I could not help but fall in love with you. I love you, Jeri.”
• Jeri could not think of what to say. Her instincts told her to believe Darien, but she was having difficulty doing so.
• She closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to figure out what to do. Perhaps it was another dream. Or Darien was just lying to keep her in his house. Who knows?
• Finally, she replied, “I cannot trust you, Darien. You must provide evidence to back up your claims.”
• “Well, if that is what you want, then I will do it,” Darien chuckled, and without thinking twice, he began to operate his wristwatch, which appeared cheap in the eyes but actually cost thousands of dollars.
• A few minutes later, an imposing group of bodyguards armed with weapons and dressed in black suits emerged from the background.
• Jeri's eyes widened in surprise as she saw them. These were the men who rescued them from the intruders who had come to attack them a few hours ago.
• Even though they were dressed in suits this time, she recognized them from the batches fastened to the left side of their suits.
• “You requested our presence, young master,” they say in unison, bowing to Darien.
• Darien did not respond, but instead turned to Jeri and chuckled.
• “Jeri, you can see for yourself that I am not lying. Now that you have forced me to reveal my identity, I believe you are ready to become my wife. And I promise to look after you and your child.” he assured her.
• 'Your wife? That's too fast.’ She wanted to say that, but she forced herself to hold back.
• Of course, she requires someone who will always be present for her. And if Darien is prepared to be the one, then so be it.
• Jeri could not decide whether she should embrace him, kiss him, or admit to him that she loves him more than he loves her.
• But she remembered vividly what Darien said in her nightmare about her trusting him, which was not the best decision.
• On the other hand, she could see Darien's sincerity in his expression. Not only that, the bodyguard's presence was enough to tell her that Darien wasn't lying to her.
• She was stunned and speechless as joyful tears streamed down her cheeks as she stood motionless.
• She could only imagine how happy she would be after marrying Darien. Her entire life has been a living hell, and she could not afford to lose this young man in the same way that she had lost a few others a few years ago.
• Darien appeared to be the savior she had been waiting for, freeing her from her bondage.
• Silence fell over them as Jeri stared at Darien, her mind racing with questions.
• Just then, the chief of guards stepped forward and whispered something into Darien's ears, preve
• nting Jeri from hearing what he had to say.
• "Young master, I just received a message from your mother requesting that you return home. They have found you a wife, she said.”