Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Climbing the stairs, she realized he hadn't gone to the master bedroom but had retreated to the study instead.

Left with no choice, Sherilyn followed, raising her hand to knock gently. "Gilbert?"

Silence was her only answer.

"Gilbert," she persisted, knocking again. "I'm sorry about tonight. Please, don't shut yourself away. Can we talk?"

Still no response.

"Gilbert?"

Knock, knock...

Inside, Gilbert frowned, standing in front of the liquor cab. He uncorked a bottle of whiskey and, from the bottom drawer, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one up.

She didn't care about him, so why should he quit drinking and smoking for her?

Whatever!

Suddenly, Gilbert froze. Had he heard something?

No, it couldn't be...

By now, the corridor had gone silent.

Had she just left? Was that all the patience she had for him?

"Sherilyn!"

His breath grew heavy, his tie yanked off in a swift motion and tossed aside as he lifted the whiskey bottle to his lips, taking large gulps.

After a while, everything outside went quiet.

Gilbert slumped onto the sofa, his head throbbing.

What was Sherilyn doing?

Had she gone to bed already? Typical, heartless woman! An ungrateful little creature! After everything he'd done for her, couldn't she show a little appreciation?

Suddenly, there was noise again.

More precisely, the sound of a key turning in a lock, repeatedly...

Finally, with a click, the door unlocked.

"This is it!" From outside, Sherilyn muttered to herself before pushing the door open.

She hadn't fully entered when the strong scent of alcohol and nicotine hit her, suffocatingly intense.

"What are you doing?"

Sherilyn stepped inside, immediately noticing the whiskey bottle and the ashtray full of cigarette butts on the coffee table.

In that brief period, how much had

he actually consumed? And why had he started smoking and drinking again? The room was filled with a toxic haze.

Frowning, Sherilyn walked to the window, pulling the curtains and opening the window to let in some fresh air.

Turning back, she saw Gilbert still puffing away.

Biting back her irritation, she walked over, took the cigarette from his hand, and stubbed it out in the ashtray. "Tch." Gilbert frowned, displeased, but remained silent.

Facing his gaze, Sherilyn gathered her courage. "Are you trying to

on smoke and liquor? Don't you care

about your health anymoreet

"Hmm?"

Gilbert found it amusing. "Oh, you care about me now?"

"Yes," Sherilyn nodded.

"Ha!" Gilbert laughed out loud, blowing a long ring of smoke. "That's rich. You caring about me? Since when did you ever care?"NôvelDrama.Org owns all content.

"I, uh..."

Suddenly, he pulled her close,

don't

seating her on his lap. Looking up at her, he asked, "Sherilyn, tell me do you like me? Hmm? Do you you?"

Sherilyn froze.

sw neve

What was she supposed to say? What answer was he hoping for?

She had a feeling he wanted to hear the former. But she couldn't bring herself to say it...

"Tell me, will you?"

His hand caressed her waist, enticing yet revealing the tension in her body and the avoidance in her gaze.

A chill ran through Gilbert's heart. "I get it. You don't like me."

Thinking it over, sadness overwhelmed him.

He sighed. "Yeah, it was always me pushing you. You never really wanted to be with me; I was the one forcing it all along."

Abruptly, he let go. "You can go. I won't hold you here any longer."