Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

“Oh. The grocery store owner complied without fuss.

Sherilyn was dumbstruck…

Gilbert suddenly spun around, fixing his gaze on her. “What are you waiting for? Pay up!”

*Ah? Oh, right.”

Sherilyn fumbled for her phone, “Here, I’ll transfer the money to you for the flour…”

“Yeah, sure.”

Gilbert watched coldly as the grocer’s eyes never left Sherilyn–was she clueless? Didn’t she notice at all?

“Hurry up!”

Was it really taking her this long just to make a payment?

“All done.” Sherilyn gave the owner an apologetic smile. “Thank you so much.”

“No, no problem…”

The grocer glanced at Gilbert, tempted to ask, “Sherilyn, who is he…?”

“Are we going or what?” Gilbert shot him a look, icy as a blade.

The owner, intimidated, quickly clammed up, “Then, Sherilyn, I’ll just be off…”

“Okay, take care.”

Sherilyn waved goodbye, her face awash with embarrassment.

“What are you looking at?”

Gilbert was thoroughly annoyed. All this fuss over what? Was he missing something that made standing around so fascinating?

And that lollipop she was sucking on–he’d had enough of it!

When Sherilyn turned back to him, Gilbert reached out, snatched the lollipop from her mouth, and tossed it into a nearby gutter.

“What the heck?” Sherilyn exclaimed, bewildered, “Why would you do that?”

“What are you shouting for?”

Gilbert had been holding back for too long. The nerve of her, accepting candy from another guy! Tossing it felt good.

He squinted at Sherilyn and grumbled, “That candy’s cheap, tastes just as bad. Don’t eat

junk!”

10:42

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. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“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.”

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?”