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Novel Catalog
Chapter 53: Manuel’s Female Companion
Ainsley was taken aback for a moment as she noticed the way Manuel casually flicked the cigarette ash, his long fingers working with practiced ease. He wasn’t the type to draw attention to himself, yet there was something about the way he carried himself—always cool, always poised—that made him impossible to ignore.
“Mr. Gage,” Ainsley said, her tone a little more curious than she intended, “what brings you here?”
Manuel let out a low chuckle, the final puff of smoke curling from his lips before he extinguished the cigarette. His eyes were steady on hers, a glimmer of something unspoken there.
“I’m here for you,” he said simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Ainsley blinked, her surprise evident. “For me?”
Manuel nodded, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips as he reached into his jacket and pulled out a sleek envelope. Without a word, he handed it to her.
It was the invitation she had turned down earlier—Serina’s invitation. Ainsley had thought she’d put the matter to rest, but now here it was again, handed to her by Manuel himself.
“Ms. Easton, I came to personally invite you to our family’s banquet,” Manuel continued, his voice smooth and confident. “You once told me you owed me a favor. I’ve thought about it, and I decided to call in that favor. Come with me, as my female companion. But of course, if you don’t want to, that’s perfectly fine.”
There was something in his tone—so casual, yet deeply persuasive—that made Ainsley pause. His deep, steady gaze held hers, and she couldn’t help but feel the weight of his words.
The invitation was in her hands now, the edges warm under her fingertips. It was only when she realized her hand was trembling slightly that she snapped herself out of her thoughts.
Ainsley had initially dismissed the idea of going to the banquet, but now, looking at the invitation in her hand, she couldn’t deny the part of her that wondered what it would be like—surrounded by the Gage family’s world, mingling with people she knew, yet not quite feeling a part of it.
“I’ll go,” she said, almost to her surprise. “I’ll attend the banquet.”
Ainsley hadn’t expected to say those words out loud, but somehow, in Manuel’s presence, they felt right. She might not have cared much about the Gage family’s prestige or the attention it would bring, but there was something about this moment, this invitation, that pulled her in.
Manuel’s lips curled into a smile that was both approving and mischievous. He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her cheek. “I’ll be waiting for you, Ms. Easton.”
His proximity sent a shiver down Ainsley’s spine, and she stepped back quickly, suddenly aware of how close they were. Her face flushed, but the night concealed it well enough.
“Thank you, Mr. Gage,” she muttered, her voice a little shakier than usual. “I’ll see you at the banquet.”
As she turned to walk back into her apartment building, she could feel Manuel’s eyes following her, his gaze soft, but intense. Ainsley’s mind was swirling with conflicting emotions as she tried to push away the strange feeling that had settled in her chest.
Back at Manuel’s home, when he finally returned upstairs, Serina was waiting for him with palpable excitement.
“Manuel! Did she say yes? Did she agree to come?” Her voice was practically bubbling with anticipation.
Manuel smiled, his eyes twinkling with something unspoken. “Yes, she agreed.”
Serina clapped her hands together in delight, her face lighting up. “That’s great! But… you know, Manuel, you’ve got to work even harder. Get her to marry you! Don’t let her slip away!”
The day of the banquet arrived, and Ainsley found herself standing before the mirror in her bedroom, staring at the dress she had chosen. It wasn’t her usual style—she preferred simplicity, comfort—but tonight felt different. She wanted to feel something other than the weight of her past.
The milk-white dress, with pearls delicately embroidered along the side, fit her like it was made for her. It was modest yet striking, with a design that seemed to shimmer in the light. Ainsley’s fair skin contrasted beautifully with the dress, making her look ethereal, almost like a princess. Her lips, painted the brightest red, added a bold touch to the otherwise subtle ensemble.
When her phone rang, she picked it up without thinking, her heart racing when she saw Manuel’s name on the screen.
“Hello?”
“I’ll be waiting for you downstairs,” Manuel’s voice was warm, but there was an edge of excitement in his words. He couldn’t wait to see how she looked.
“I’m coming,” Ainsley replied softly, hanging up the phone and hurrying to finish her look. She grabbed the scallop hat from her dresser and placed it atop her head, letting the delicate white gauze veil her face just enough to add a hint of mystery.
When she stepped outside and saw Manuel standing by the car, his eyes immediately locked onto her. There was no mistaking the admiration in his gaze.
Ainsley could feel her heart skip a beat at the way he looked at her, but she quickly masked it with a cool smile.
“Ms. Easton,” Manuel murmured as he opened the car door for her, his voice low with approval, “you truly surprise me tonight.”
Ainsley slid into the passenger seat, her smile playful. “Well, Mr. Gage, as your female companion, I can’t exactly show up looking casual, can I?”
Manuel raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at his lips. “So you dressed like this… just for me?”
“Mr. Gage,” Ainsley replied with a feigned pout, “your words are dangerous. Keep it up, and I might leave.”
He laughed, the sound rich and genuine. “I don’t think you will, Ms. Easton.”
The drive to the banquet felt almost surreal. When they arrived at the hotel, Ainsley could feel the weight of the atmosphere. The luxurious marble floors, the clinking of glasses, and the gentle murmur of polite conversations—it was a world that Ainsley had always observed from a distance.
As they entered the hall, the attention immediately shifted to them. Ainsley’s presence, paired with Manuel’s calm confidence, drew more than a few curious stares. The women were dressed in elaborate gowns, and the men in tailored suits, all mingling and exchanging business pleasantries. But Ainsley and Manuel were different. They were the center of attention, whether they liked it or not.
Serina spotted them first, her eyes lighting up with excitement. She practically ran over to greet them. “Manuel! Ainsley! You made it!” she exclaimed.
The moment they arrived, the room quieted, all eyes turning toward them. Whispers began to circulate—Manuel, the ever-elusive Gage heir, was here with a woman, and not just any woman. Ainsley’s name had already been whispered in circles, but now, standing at Manuel’s side, she had everyone’s attention.
Kaitlin, watching from across the room, nearly crushed the wine glass in her hand. “What is she doing here?” she muttered, her voice dripping with disdain. “She’s even Manuel’s female companion!”
Lindsay, standing next to her, frowned. “How did she manage that? What kind of magic does she have over him?”
And then there were those who recognized Ainsley—Cason’s ex-wife, they whispered. The gossip spread quickly. How did she go from divorcing Cason to walking arm-in-arm with Manuel Gage?
Kaliyah, standing with Cason, noticed the way his eyes lingered on Ainsley. She felt a sharp pang of jealousy in her chest. “Cason, what are you looking at?” she demanded, trying to snap him out of his trance.
“Nothing,” he muttered, quickly diverting his gaze and setting his glass aside. But it was clear that Ainsley had caught his attention.
Kaliyah clenched her fists, the envy burning in her chest. If only she were the one standing beside Manuel, the one everyone was watching…
