Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Charles lowered his voice, casting a wary glance upstairs, "Don't let Ms. Gomez catch wind of this!"

The servant nodded hurriedly, alarmed at the news that Mr. Nine had indulged in alcohol. If Ms. Gomez found out, there would be hell to pay. "I'll help Mr. Nine to his room, you bring up the medicine."

"Alright."

Gilbert, dizzy and barely on his feet, leaned on Charles as they headed upstairs.

As they reached the staircase, they bumped straight into Sherilyn, the smell of alcohol hitting her like a slap in the face.

He's been drinking?

Gilbert froze, a guilty smile creeping onto his face. "Sherilyn..."

With a cold, dismissive laugh, Sherilyn didn't utter a word, just turned and walked away.

"Sherilyn!"

Panicking, Gilbert shook off Charles and chased after her, grabbing her wrist. "Let me explain..."

"What's there to explain?"

Up close, his breath reeked of alcohol.

Sherilyn's disgust was palpable, her frown deepening. "Taking your medicine while drowning in booze? Might as well throw all those meds away! Why bother with the pretense?"

She forcefully pulled away and pushed open her room door to enter.

Gilbert, desperate, followed right behind, dropping to his knees in front of her.

"I'm sorry! It's all my fault! Please, don't be mad!"

"You don't have to apologize to me!"

Sherilyn, visibly upset, struggled to free herself.

"This is your mess, deal with it! I'm not interfering anymore! It was never my place to begin with!"

As she spoke, she tried to pry his hands off.

"But you have to care!"

Gilbert clung tighter, "Without you... there's no one else for me..."

His cheek pressed against her stomach, his voice muffled.

"Sherilyn, I feel terrible. My head's spinning, it's pounding."

That's what he gets for drinking.

"Serves you right!" Sherilyn, frowning, tried to lift him. "Get up!"

He was holding on too tight, immovable.

Looking down, she saw him with eyes closed, seemingly asleep.

"Charles!" Sherilyn called out in panic, "Come quick, has he passed out?" "Yeah."

Charles hurried over, helping Gilbert up.

"Sherilyn..." Gilbert murmured her name with his eyes closed.

Exchanging glances, Charles and Sherilyn both heaved a sigh of relief.

Still able to speak; he hadn't passed out then.

Charles attempted to explain, "Mr. Gilbert had no choice. Tonight... with the Naylor siblings around, he was trying not to give himself away."

"He really tried to refuse. Didn't drink much."

The main reason for his discomfort was the 'dark cloud' in his mind.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sherilyn was momentarily at a loss for words.

It was a matter involving the Harrison family feud. Although she didn't

Hnderstand, she knew the

hardships he faced within,

WI

Charles gestured towards her open door, "I'll help Mr. Gilbert inside." Saying so, he had already assisted Gilbert onto her bed.

"Alright..." Charles, slightly out of breath

ooked at Sherilyn, asking t

there anything else I can do?"

What could Sherilyn say?

swnover

Ask him to move Gilbert back to the couch? Given Gilbert's current state, that would be inhumane.

"No," Sherilyn shook her head.

"Then I'll be off." Charles nodded, "Call me if you need anything."

He then left the room.