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Novel Catalog
Chapter 32: The Sense of Familiarity
“Serina has always been a bit mischievous. She didn’t cause you any trouble, did she?” Manuel asked, sensing the tension in the air. He smiled slightly, hoping to ease the awkwardness between them.
Before Ainsley could respond, a red velvet gift box appeared before her, and she froze for a moment, staring at the logo embossed on the top. The elegant Cartier emblem shimmered in the light, and Ainsley blinked in surprise.
“Mr. Gage, what is this?” she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
Manuel slowly opened the box, revealing a rose-gold diamond bracelet that sparkled under the light. The colorful reflections from the diamonds made the bracelet look even more exquisite.
“Serina doesn’t often open up to others,” Manuel explained, his voice soft. “It’s rare for her to connect so deeply. Anyway, Ms. Easton, I want to be friends with you.”
He looked up at her, his gaze gentle yet steady, as he added, “If you don’t mind, can I call you Aisy in the future?”
“Aisy…” Ainsley’s breath caught in her chest. The name stirred something inside her—an odd sense of familiarity, though she couldn’t quite place it. It felt like something she had heard before, but from whom?
Her cheeks flushed with a mixture of shyness and excitement, and she hesitated before replying. “I like Serina a lot too, and I consider her like a younger sister, but…” Ainsley trailed off, her voice uncertain. Manuel was one of the wealthiest and most influential people in Seattle, and she felt out of place in his company.
“I don’t have many friends, and I’m not sure if ‘Aisy’ is too informal…” Ainsley’s words came out softer, unsure of the boundaries in such a different world.
Manuel smiled faintly, his eyes warm with understanding. “I don’t mind at all,” he said with quiet confidence. “You don’t have to worry about anything. Let’s just be friends.”
Ainsley looked at him for a moment. She wasn’t someone who put on airs, and the offer of friendship felt genuine. A soft smile curved on her lips. “Thank you, Mr. Gage,” she said, her tone more at ease now.
Manuel reached forward, carefully placing the bracelet on her wrist. The movement was deliberate, and for a brief moment, they were very close. Ainsley could feel his presence as he gently adjusted the bracelet, the warmth of his body and the subtle scent of his cologne surrounding her. Her heart skipped a beat, though she quickly pushed the feeling aside.
“There,” he said softly, leaning back to admire the bracelet on her wrist. “It looks even more beautiful on you, Aisy.”
Ainsley looked down at the bracelet, a little awestruck. She had heard of Cartier, of course, but she had never imagined wearing something so elegant. The bracelet’s design was simple but refined, and she loved the understated beauty of it.
“Thank you, Mr. Gage,” she said again, her voice tinged with gratitude.
Manuel smiled and gave a slight nod, then noticed her studying the bracelet thoughtfully. He leaned back in his chair and casually glanced at the ring on his own hand—a matching piece to the bracelet. Ainsley didn’t notice at first, but the two pieces belonged to a special collection, symbolizing a deep connection.
“Roman does a wonderful job with the food here,” Ainsley said, hoping to shift the conversation to something more comfortable. “But I still have some questions about Serina. I know she’s cheerful, but what happened to her? What could have caused her psychological condition?”
Manuel’s expression shifted slightly, his gaze darkening. He sat back in his chair, his posture stiffening as he replied, “I only know that she was deeply affected by something that happened. I wasn’t there at the time, so I don’t know the details. All I can ask is that you spend more time with her. Please, if you can.”
His voice had an edge to it, though he kept his composure. Ainsley’s eyes softened as she listened, understanding that there were things Manuel wasn’t willing—or able—to share.
She nodded, respecting his privacy. “I understand,” she said quietly. “I’ll be sure to help Serina however I can.”
Just then, the food was brought to the table, and the conversation shifted to more casual topics. Ainsley, still a bit distracted by her thoughts about Serina, absentmindedly took a bite of the roast beef. She suddenly began to cough, the meat catching in her throat.
“Cough, cough…” she gasped, her throat burning.
A glass of water appeared in front of her, and she took a few quick sips, grateful for the relief.
After she regained her composure, she noticed she had been drinking water with lemon in it, a combination she had always enjoyed. It was a small detail, but it struck her as unusual. She had never mentioned liking lemon water to anyone, so how had it ended up in her glass?
“Did the lemon help?” Manuel asked, his tone calm and thoughtful.
Ainsley didn’t think too much of it, assuming it was a coincidence. “Roman really knows how to spice up a dish,” she commented, her throat still a little raw from the earlier incident. “But the pepper… it’s a bit much.”
Manuel smiled, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. “I should have reminded you,” he said. “The shrimp tastes much better with a little mashed garlic.”
Ainsley glanced at the shrimp on her plate, hesitant for a moment. She had always enjoyed shrimp with garlic. She wasn’t sure why, but something about Manuel’s suggestion felt right.
As she reached for the shrimp, a sudden wave of confusion washed over her. Why did she feel as if he knew her so well? She barely knew him, yet his familiarity was unsettling in a way that she couldn’t explain.
Her thoughts began to swirl, and as she tried to focus, a flicker of memory danced at the edge of her mind. There was something important she had forgotten, something that tugged at her but remained just out of reach.
“Aisy?” Manuel’s voice broke through her thoughts, his deep tone drawing her back to the present. She looked up, startled, as he called her name once more.
She blinked, a little dazed. “I’m sorry, Mr. Gage,” she said quickly, placing her fork down. “I ate a little too quickly. I need to use the bathroom.”
Ainsley stood and hurried toward the restroom, her mind racing. When she opened the door, she was taken aback by the sight of Kaliyah standing at the mirror, touching up her makeup.
Kaliyah looked surprised but quickly composed herself. “Ms. Easton,” she said with a polite smile. “What a coincidence.”
