Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

She was barely warming up to the idea of accepting him, and now he wanted to push his luck further?

"No way!"

Gilbert waved his hands frantically, carefully watching her expression, "Me, sharing a room with another guy? I'd never be able to sleep."

A bodyguard or a caretaker, they're all men, right?

Even though his mind was like a ticking time bomb, he was perfectly fine for now.

Pointing at the couch, he suggested, "I can crash on the couch, okay?"

Mumbling under his breath, "Slept there last night and man, did I zonk out. I promise, no funny business."

...

Sherilyn stared at him unblinkingly, silent for what felt like ages.

Finally, she didn't object.

""Suit yourself."

Sherilyn agreed!

"Yay!"

Clutching his pillow, Gilbert happily made his way to the couch.

Truth be told, the couch was a bit on the narrow and short side, not the most comfortable spot.

But he had made it into the room, crashing on the couch, so... how far off could cuddling Sherilyn be?

This wasn't like last night when he sneaked in; Sherilyn had agreed this time!

By the bed, Sherilyn lay down, turning to see Gilbert curling up on the couch... her brows furrowed slightly.

Could he really be comfortable sleeping like that?

Well, it was his choice.

"Turning off the lights."

"Okay."

Sherilyn flipped off the main light, plunging the room into darkness. Out of sight, out of mind.

Eyes closed, time to sleep.

The next morning, Sherilyn was the first to wake.

She had an early call time with the crew.

Trying not to wake Gilbert, she moved as quietly as possible.

"Mmm, mmm..."

A soft moaning sound came from the couch.

What?

Sherilyn stiffened, then quickly turned around, focusing her attention. It was Gilbert moaning!

Was he not feeling well?

Without a second thought, she hurried over to the couch, crouching

by his side, and geed his

face.

"Gilbert? You awake?"

"Mmm..."

Gilbert opened his eyes, a pained expression on his face.

"What's wrong?" Sherilyn asked, worried, "Headache again?"

"Ow..." Gilbert clutched the back of his neck, "No, not a headache."

""Huh?" Sherilyn was confused, "Then what hurts?"

"My neck."

""Your neck?"

"Yeah." Gilbert instinctively nodded, then winced in pain, "Ah, ah, ah! It hurts!"

"What happened?"

Sherilyn quickly turned on the light and came back to help him sit up, "Talk to me." "Don't..."

a

Gilbert smile, "Sherilyn, don't t me, sit up myself, I... I've auch

kept his neck stiff, managing

a

crick in my neck!"

So, he had a crick in his neck.

"What do we do?" Sherilyn instantly stopped touching him, "Do we have any pain relief cream?"

"There should be some."

"Wait here." Sherilyn said, "I'll go find it!"

"Okay, thanks."

In no time, Sherilyn was back with

the pain relief cream. She apply

at Gilbert, "Move your hand,

it

"Oh, okay..."

Gilbert shifted his hand, keeping his neck in a painfully awkward position.

"Stay still." Sherilyn examined his neck, touching it gently, "Is it here?"

"Ah..."

Gilbert inhaled sharply from the pain, "Yes! Easy, darling!"

"I'm being gentle."

Sherilyn frowned, holding up the cream, "Your pajamas are in the way, need to pull them down a bit."

"Annoying?" Gilbert was decisive, "Then I might as well take it off."