Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Sylvia still thinks that Sherilyn is living at Golden Oak Manor. After all, with Gilbert owning multiple properties, it was natural for him to be the one to move out if needed.

Faced with an offer she couldn’t refuse and fearing she might slip up if she said too much, Sherilyn reluctantly accepted, “Thanks, Sylvia. I’ll accept it then.”

“Why are you being so formal with me?” Sylvia shot Gilbert a glare. “Did you hear that? Why are you silent? Cat got your tongue?”

“I heard you,” Gilbert replied reluctantly. “Don’t worry, Grandma. I’ll take care of it, okay?”

But inside, he scoffed. What was there to take care of? Did Sherilyn even care?

After a while, the two of them got up to leave. Gilbert and Sherilyn, one after the other, packed their things into the car’s trunk. Then, one drove while the other sat quietly in the backseat, heading towards Serenity Street without exchanging a word.

Upon reaching the alley, the car stopped. Gilbert, with a stern face and in silence, unloaded the items from the trunk and placed them on the ground.

“Thanks for your help.” Sherilyn glanced at the man, clearly impatient, and smoothed her hair. “Just leave it here. I can take it from here.”

Upon hearing that, his expression turned even sourer.

She was going to haul it herself? Carrying all that heavy stuff, walking that far and up the stairs, and not even in one trip? In her eyes, was he just for show?

“Sherilyn!”

Regardless of what he thought, Sherilyn bent down to pick up the items. Suddenly, someone called her name. Looking up, Sherilyn smiled, “Oh, it’s you.”

Gilbert squinted as a skinny, plain–looking young guy drove up in a truck.

She was smiling at him? Someone she knew? What was their relationship?

The truck stopped in front of them, and the man got off, looking at Sherilyn, “I was just on my way to deliver some flour to you, worried you might not be home.”

The man owned a local grocery shop where Sherilyn often shopped, and they offered home delivery.

Sherilyn chuckled, “Isn’t that a coincidence?” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

The man took a lollipop from his pocket, unwrapped it, and handed it to Sherilyn, “Here.”

Gilbert was taken aback, silently thinking: Sherilyn, you wouldn’t dare!

But Sherilyn did dare. Thank you.” Sherilyn smiled, accepting the lollipop and popping it

10:27

into her mouth.

Gilbert was flabbergasted. He was being ignored then?

“Good, huh?” The man smiled, unloading a bag of flour. “Let me help you carry this…” Then he noticed Gilbert and the pile of items on the ground. “Sherilyn, what’s this?”

“Oh.” Sherilyn didn’t introduce Gilbert, merely pointing at the items. “These are mine. I can manage.”

“That’s not happening.” The man objected, “You’re a slender girl. How much strength could you have? Allow me!”

With that, he bent down to pick up a basket of apples.

“Hey, no need…”

“Put it down!” Before Sherilyn could finish, Gilbert’s hand landed on the man’s shoulder, his eyes swirling with an indescribable intensity. Dark and stormy.

She didn’t understand what got into him. Gilbert glanced at the man, repeating, “I said, put it down.”

“Uh… okay, sure.” The imposing aura around Gilbert was too intimidating, making the flour shop owner swallow hard and promptly put the basket down.

“And that.” Gilbert pointed at the bag of flour on the man’s shoulder. “Put that down too!“

What? Sherilyn was at a loss for words.

Was it any of his business whether the candy was cheap or not?

Seeing Sherilyn fuming, Gilbert felt even less pleased. “Who was that guy? What’s your relationship with him? Tossing his candy got you mad?”

“What relationship?” Sherilyn was confused. “He runs the grocery where I buy my flour. He was nice enough to give me candy, and you threw it away. Should I be happy?”

“Is that all?” Gilbert pressed, narrowing his eyes.

“What do you mean ‘all?” Sherilyn was utterly lost.

Fine then.

Gilbert realized it was just a one–sided thing from the grocer, all over Sherilyn.

He smirked slightly, bending down to lift the boxes. “Come on, help me out here!”

“…Oh.”

Sherilyn turned around, silently noting–she hadn’t asked for his help, had she?

Gilbert had already picked up two boxes, pointing at her, “Put the flour bag on top, and carry those two fruit baskets yourself!”

After saying it, he realized his tone might have been harsh.

He added, “Can you manage?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

Sherilyn nodded, doing as told.

But she was concerned, “Aren’t they too heavy for you?”

She couldn’t recall Mr. Johnson ever doing such physical labor.

“Heavy? This is nothing.”

Gilbert scoffed dismissively, leading the way, “Hurry up! Don’t dawdle!”

Even his back radiated annoyance.

Why bother then? Sherilyn thought, amused. He was the one who wanted to carry them, yet he was the one getting upset.

Following with the fruit baskets, Sherilyn noted Gilbert did seem strong, hauling the heavy load up to the fifth floor without stopping.

“Hurry! Open the door!”

“Oh, right.”

10-28

Sherilyn rushed to unlock the door, and Gilbert stepped inside, setting down his burden. Clearly winded, he stood catching his breath.

Feeling a bit guilty for his effort, Sherilyn asked, “Would you like a towel? Maybe some water?”

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