Whispers Turn

“Yates,” Gilbert’s deep, casual voice rang out, a smile on his lips. “She’s thanking you from her heart, man. Just accept it, will you? 

Yates blinked, confused, wondering what was going on. 

Was Gilbert trying to keep Sherilyn in the dark about something, afraid she would keep bothering him? 

Fine then, Yates would take the hit for his buddy. 

“No biggie.” Picking up where he left off, Yates said, “Well, I’ll gladly accept your thanks.” 

“Oh, right!” Sherilyn remembered something, lifting the neatly folded necktie in her hand. “Your tie, here you go.” 

“Oh.” Yates squinted his eyes, smiling as he took it. 

Sherilyn explained, “I washed it, dried it with the hairdryer in the room, and even ironed it. It’s clean.” 

“Thanks.” Yates nodded with a smile. “Sherilyn, you’re quite the meticulous one, you?” 

aren’t 

*Just doing what’s right.” She smiled and waved her hand. “You must be busy, right? I’ll get going. I don’t want to keep you.” 

Yates sneakily glanced at Gilbert. “Need a ride home?” 

Naturally, Gilbert didn’t react. 

“No, thanks!” Sherilyn declined. “I’ll take the bus back. It’s pretty convenient. I’m off. Bye!” 

With that, she turned and left. 

Yates advised, “Take care on your way!” 

Sherilyn answered, “Will do!” 

After she left, Yates finally looked directly at Gilbert. “You stopped me just now. Are you really that scared of her clinging to you?” 

Gilbert paused, not having thought that way. He was annoyed at Sherilyn for ‘pretending to forget‘! 

But since Yates put it that way, he had no choice but to agree. “Yeah, what else?” “You, man.” Yates shook his head with a laugh. “Don’t worry. She won’t bother you anymore. Did you see how cold she was to you just now?” 

“People’s tastes and preferences change all the time. She liked you, what, years ago? Even 

1/2 

the deepest feelings can fade after being apart for so long.” Yates burst into laughter. “She’s been in Crestwood for many years and might fancy the foreign guys now! Heh!” 

Gilbert’s response was a cold, shallow laugh. “Is that so? If so, that’s just great.” 

However, a subtle, insistent look appeared in his eyes. He snatched the tie from Yates‘ hand and, passing a trash can, crumpled it and threw it away. 

Gilbert thought, I’m a fool if I ever bother with her again!” 

That night, Sherilyn headed to Neon Nights Bar. 

The dance–off was underway, and these past few days, Neon Nights Bar saw a record–high in customer traffic. Colin was quite pleased. 

After her performance, Sherilyn received a long–awaited call in the dressing room. “Hello, 

Director Blake.” 

Blake, with the full name Blake Parker, was the assistant director who exchanged contacts with Sherilyn last time. 

She had been waiting for his call, and finally, it came. 

“Sherilyn.” On the other end, Blake spoke with a smile. “About what we discussed last time, there’s some news. The director has a period piece in the works, with plenty of dance stand–ins needed. Interested?” 

Of course, Sherilyn was interested, but she hesitated. “Just wondering if the timing will work out?” This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

“There will be more than one dance stand–in.” Blake explained, “Like you, they’re all part–timers. We’ll see who’s available when the time comes.” 

That made sense. 

“But,” Blake added, “I put in a good word for you with the director. However, because the dance scenes are so crucial, he wants to meet you himself.” 

Sherilyn responded, “That’s fair,” 

“When are you free?” Blake proposed a time, “How about tomorrow afternoon at four? Does that work?” 

“No problem.” As it didn’t conflict with her work schedule, Sherilyn immediately agreed. “Where should we meet?”