Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?



Rebecca White stood there, mouth agape. Was he kidding? He had to be, right?

"What are you spacing out for? Let's go!"

With those words, Francis stood up and walked away.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Rebecca couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. The man was terse and had quite the temper. She didn't want to take advantage of him, was that so wrong?

Holding her paper bag, Rebecca slowly made her way out.

At the foyer, when it was time to change shoes, she faced another dilemma.

Her heel had broken, and while she managed to walk a few steps earlier, making it to the subway station in these shoes would be a challenge. Just as she was fretting, Francis reappeared, carrying a shopping bag and walked over to her. Without a word, he crouched in front of her.

Rebecca watched as he opened the bag to reveal a pair of sneakers.

He took them out and placed them in front of Rebecca. "Wear these," he said.

As if anticipating her hesitation, he looked up and explained, "They just got delivered, brand new, clean, and your size."

His implication was clear: she could wear them without worry, and also, they were specially prepared for her. If she didn't wear them, no one else would.

Suddenly, Rebecca felt a heavy sensation in her chest.

She opened her mouth, "Thank you, I..."

"What do you want to say?"

Francis frowned unconsciously, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips, "You're not going to try and pay me back, are you? Suit yourself."

He wasn't as agitated as before. "Anyway, I can't stop you, and it's not the first time you've tried to pay me back."

Rebecca had already started working and earning money.

She had already made a payment to him before.

"As long as you're happy."

Francis sighed in resignation, gesturing towards the shoes, "Put them on-David is waiting outside. He'll drive you home."

"I know you don't like being in debt to me, but you've hurt your foot today. Don't be so stubborn, just this once accept the kindness of a concerned parent."

With that, he didn't linger any longer and turned to walk upstairs.

Rebecca watched his figure disappear around the stairwell corner and silently withdrew her gaze.

She lifted her foot and slipped into the new shoes.

They fit perfectly, the sneakers were soft and comfortable.

Outside, David stood by the car.

Seeing her, he smiled and openedet

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the door, "Ms. White, please, get in."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

"You're welcome. Mr. Francis asked me to, he mentioned you hurt your foot. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

Sitting in the car, Rebecca glanced down at her shoes.

A ripple of emotion stirred within her...

Was it her imagination?

Why did she feel that Francis was treating her better than when she was blindsided earlier?

More meticulous, more natural.

But why?

Later that night, back at Sunset Ridge Community.

After Jenna had gone to bed, Rebecca shared her confusion with Sherilyn over the phone.

Sherilyn asked her, "What do you think makes a man treat a woman well?"

"Do you mean, he actually likes me?" Rebecca sat on the couch, not very confident.

"What does he like about me?"

"Well, I don't know about that. Can't you tell? Didn't you feel it?"

Rebecca fell silent, "I do feel... he's not quite the same as before..."

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to feel something? Thinking maybe

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"I never said that!"

Suddenly, Rebecca's cheeks heated up.

"Let's not talk about me!" Rebecca quickly sensed something, "Sherilyn,

did you run into some Sherine

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