Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

The conversation took a dark turn, "I'm not okay at all!"

Sherilyn frowned, wondering what was up with him now.

The driver was left in a state of confusion, questioning if he had somehow offended Mr. Johnson.

He was just a small fry; how could he possibly cross paths with someone of such stature?

Unable to figure out the situation, the driver decided not to push his luck and turned his attention back to Sherilyn.

"Sherilyn, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, shoot." Sherilyn was too preoccupied to deal with her brooding companion.

"Well, it's just that..."

The driver hesitated, "Do you, uh, have a boyfriend?"

Sherilyn paused, surprised that Karol had actually predicted this moment.

How was she supposed to answer that?

Beside her, Gilbert leaned in closer, glancing at the array of utensils before them and pointing at a water glass.

"Is this yours?"

Sherilyn's brows furrowed, "What's it to you?"

"Just didn't want to drink from the wrong glass..." Gilbert smirked, lifting the glass that still bore Sherilyn's lipstick mark.

He tilted his head back, drinking the remainder of Sherilyn's water, then set the glass down, "Thirsty."

He grinned at Sherilyn, "Why the glare? It's just a sip of your water, yet you're mad?"

Then, turning to the driver, he lifted his chin, "Don't just stand there. She asked you a question, didn't she? Do you have a boyfriend? Why aren't you answering?" Sherilyn, holding back her anger, turned to the driver, "I don't have a boyfriend..."

"Sherilyn!"

Her wrist was suddenly gripped tightly, and Gilbert's voice was filled with barely contained fury, "Say that again!"

"Let go!"

Sherilyn's anger rose to meet his gaze, "I could say it a million times, I don't have a boyfriend!"

"You..."

Gilbert's handsome face darkened with anger, a storm of emotions brewing, yet finding no outlet. "Do we really have to make a scene?"

Sherilyn scoffed, shaking her head,

you thin

I'm making a scene? /et I did as I said, wouldn'tel

everyone be happy?" Chet

Wo

The driver, by now, was completely lost in the drama unfolding before him...

If he couldn't see there was

between them, he'd be a

To me the mood, he

sing the mood, he silently

best

silently

got up and left.

His young heart shattered.

Gilbert's phone suddenly rang, and it was Francis on the line.

"Hey, bro?"

Just as he answered, Sherilyn turned to leave.

"Come back!" Gilbert quickly grabbed her, "Sit down! You're not going anywhere!"

His grip was firm, leaving Sherilyn no chance to escape. The more she struggled, the more it hurt.

Defeated, Sherilyn stopped trying.

Whatever Francis said on the phone slowly changed Gilbert's expression.

"I'll be right there!"

Caroline rushed over; she had been nearby all along.

She had seen everything that happened.

Now, holding her phone, she shared Gilbert's urgency, "Gilbert! Let's go!"

She, too, had received a call.

"Yeah." Gilbert nodded, his brow furrowed as he glanced at Sherilyn, "You're coming too!"

"Me?" Sherilyn was puzzled, "Why?"

Gilbert's voice softened, "Grandma's not

Seeling well, she's in the hospital.

Sn't you be there with me?"

He moved his hand down to hold hers, fingers intertwining. With a gentle tug, he pulled her closer to his side. "Let's go."