Whispers Turn

“Yes!” 

Colin didn’t dare ask any more questions. He immediately stood up and called out to everyone, “Out! Everybody out, now!” 

In no time, the whole area cleared out, leaving just the two of them. 

Gilbert’s brow furrowed deeply as he gazed intently at the girl before him. He raised his hand slightly, intending to remove her mask. 

After a moment’s thought, he asked, “The mask, are you going to take it off, or shall I?” 

Sherilyn hung her head, arms crossed, not saying a word. 

Taking a deep breath, Gilbert patiently ventured, articulating each syllable of her name, “Sherilyn?” 

Finally, Sherilyn reacted. She slowly lifted her head, her eyes wide and teary as they met his. 

Their eyes locked, and Gilbert held his breath, swallowing hard before reaching out to her face. 

“Don’t worry, I won’t touch you.” 

Sherilyn closed her eyes as Gilbert’s fingers hooked onto the mask, gently pulling it away to reveal the face hidden beneath.. 

It was Sherilyn. 

Suddenly, Gilbert closed his eyes, gripping the mask tightly in his hand. 

No wonder he felt a strange familiarity the first time he spotted her on stage! No wonder she had something about her that pulled him in! 

Right, Sherilyn was a dancer! And he had never made the connection! 

“You…” 

Jumping to his feet, Gilbert was initially shocked, then furious. 

Pointing at Sherilyn, he exclaimed, “Sherilyn, what are you doing here? Do you even realize where you are?” 

Sherilyn just smirked, totally unfazed. 

From the moment she knew he was a patron here, she had anticipated this confrontation. She pushed herself up, dusting off her clothes. She retorted, “Mr. Johnson, a regular here, wouldn’t know where he is?” 

“You know and still you come?” Gilbert found her incomprehensible. 

“What’s the problem?” Sherilyn blinked innocently. “You can come, but I can’t?” 

“Ridiculous!” 

Gilbert’s anger surged, veins throbbing on his forehead. “I’m here as a customer! And you? What are you doing here? You’re selling yourself! Sherilyn, you’re raised in the Johnson family, don’t you have any sense of decency?” 

Decency? 

Sherilyn’s fists clenched, her heart bleeding. Such notions had long been stripped from her! One must first survive before they can afford the luxury of decency! 

“Say something!” 

Thinking she was guilt–stricken, Gilbert’s words turned even harsher, “You said you wanted to stand on your own, is this how? By selling your looks? Parading yourself in front of a bunch of men, flaunting and flirting?” 

“!” Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Sherilyn glared at him. Her face was smiling, but her eyes were full of scorn, “Yes, I’m selling. And you, Mr. Johnson, what right do you have to judge me as a buyer?” 

“You…” 

Sherilyn stood her ground, defiant. “I’m here dancing, earning my way fair and square, not stealing or breaking any laws. What’s wrong with that?” 

“Quite the smooth talker now, aren’t you?” 

Gilbert narrowed his eyes. “Years have passed, and you’ve certainly learned to talk back! I’m not going to argue about this nonsense with you. Pack your things and come with me now! The Johnson family can’t afford this scandal!” 

“Impossible.” 

Sherilyn lifted her chin defiantly, “This is my job, and I’m not leaving.” 

Gilbert paused, his gaze suddenly hardening, and he gritted his teeth in a warning, “Believe it or not, if you don’t come with me today, I’ll tear this place down. Let’s see where you can sell yourself then!”