Early morning.
Sherilyn and Rebecca White descended the stairs together. Rebecca was heading to her morning job, while Sherilyn planned to visit the nearby farmers’ market to buy Jenna’s favorite crab and cheese ravioli. Rebecca had returned late the previous night and was leaving early this morning, which worried Sherilyn about her sister’s health.
“If you’re struggling to pay back our brother, you can borrow from me. Don’t wear yourself out.”
“No way.”
Rebecca flatly refused, “Borrowing money to pay a debt is just robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
She chuckled, “Don’t worry, I’m fine. I was up late working on reports, and today I have the early shift…”
Her words trailed off as she suddenly tugged on Sherilyn’s arm. “Sherilyn.”
“What’s up?”
“Look over there.”
Rebecca pointed toward a sycamore tree at the corner, “Isn’t that Gilbert’s car?”
Sherilyn looked over and nodded, “It is.”
Frowning, she walked straight toward the tree.
Seeing her approach, Gilbert stepped out of the car and stood waiting.
With an awkward smile, he greeted, “Sherilyn.”
“Why are you here?”
Sherilyn’s voice was soft but filled with confusion and displeasure, “Don’t tell me you’ve been here all night?” Gilbert swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes.”
“Yes?” Sherilyn paused, “Why?”
“I was worried about you!”
Seeing Sherilyn’s displeasure, Gilbert hurriedly explained, “I was afraid Malvina would bother you again!” “Why are you worried about me?”
Sherilyn remained unmoved, her smile faint, “Didn’t you promise me?”
Gilbert struggled for words, finally shaking his head, “I haven’t forgotten.”
[I won’t bother you for any reason.]That was his promise to her.
“But Sherilyn, I’m not trying to bother you…”
“Mr. Gilbert!”
A car pulled up nearby, and Allen poked his head out from the window, signaling to Gilbert.
“Allen Abel?”
As the car came to a stop, the Abel brothers stepped out and approached Gilbert.
“Why are you guys here?”
“Mr. Francis said you needed us,” Allen explained. “Charles mentioned you were here, so we came.” “That Charles…”
Gilbert had actually instructed Charles to find two reliable bodyguards.
“Mr. Gilbert, we’ve been following you.
brothers more reliable than
for a last-minute task?”
thet
“Right,” Abel added. “Mr. Gilbert, just tell us what you need.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Gilbert nodded, “Alright!” Then, he turned to Sherilyn.
“Sherilyn, let Allen and Abel stay here for a while, okay?”
He continued, “Malvina said she wouldn’t let this go easily! I know you might not care, but what about Jenna? She’s still young, what if Malvina does something to her? Right?”
Sherilyn was momentarily speechless, having to admit he had a point.
What wouldn’t Malvina do? Jenna couldn’t be put at risk, especially with her surgery coming up…
“Let Allen and Abel stay, okay?”
Gilbert pleaded softly, trying to reassure her “I’m not Mr. Gilbert of the Johnson family anymore, and, they aren’t my men. This has
nothing to do with me. If they’re net
here it’s because of my brother’s decision.”
Fearful she might refuse, he emphasized their independence from himself.
Faced with his hopeful gaze, Sherilyn felt a heavy heart but eventually nodded. “Alright, fine.”
Logic told her that for Jenna’s sake, she couldn’t refuse.
“Great!”
Gilbert’s face lit up with relief. With Allen and Abel around, he could rest easy.