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Novel Catalog
Chapter 74: Hot Water
The day before the quiz, Ainsley had been busy at school, working alongside the planning and organization departments to set up the auditorium. Even Cody stayed late, ensuring everything was in place.
“Have the test papers been secured?” Cody asked.
Ainsley nodded. “I put them in the safe in the consultation room. And I’m the only one with the keys.”
“Good,” Cody responded with a satisfied nod.
After Cody left, Ainsley couldn’t help but feel uneasy. She went through every piece of equipment in the auditorium again to double-check everything.
By the time it was half past eleven, everything was ready. Ainsley let out a sigh of relief, her exhaustion settling in. Despite the fatigue, she knew that as long as tomorrow’s quiz went smoothly, it would all be worth it.
She went back to the consulting room to gather her things. Just as she was about to leave, her phone rang. It was Serina.
“Ainsley, why haven’t you come back yet?” Serina’s voice was laced with concern.
“Don’t worry, I’ve finished everything. I’m heading home now. It’s already late, so go to bed quickly. You still need to be ready for the quiz tomorrow,” Ainsley said, her voice weary.
Serina’s voice was sleepy. “Okay, but remember to let me know when you get home.”
Ainsley felt a warm feeling in her chest and agreed to let Serina know.
By the time Ainsley walked out of the building, it was well past midnight. The campus was quiet, with only a few lights flickering in the distance. Most of the students who had helped set up were already back in their dorms, so Ainsley was the only one left walking across the empty campus. The wind howled, and she wrapped her arms around herself as the night air felt damp and cold.
Though the chill didn’t bother her, the darkness made her uneasy. With no one around, she switched on her phone’s flashlight, which gave her a sense of security.
As she walked to the school gate, she was surprised to see a familiar car parked there. It was Manuel in the Cayenne, waiting for her.
“Why are you here?” Ainsley asked, her voice soft, a sense of warmth spreading inside her.
Manuel opened the passenger door for her and said in a calm voice, “Serina told me you hadn’t come home yet, so she asked me to come check on you.”
Ainsley felt deeply touched as she slid into the car. The headlights cast a long shadow over the gate of the University of Washington, still cloaked in darkness.
“I’ll take you home,” Manuel said, starting the engine.
As the car made its way toward Ainsley’s apartment, her stomach started to ache. She instinctively placed a hand on her abdomen, feeling a sharp pain. It was the first day of her period.
She had been feeling a slight discomfort earlier in the day but didn’t expect it to get this bad. Then it hit her—the cold beer she had drunk earlier.
Before starting the set-up, she and the team had gone out for a barbecue, and she had had a bottle of beer.
Her forehead broke into a sweat, and her hands trembled as the pain intensified.
“What’s wrong?” Manuel noticed her pale face and asked, his voice full of concern.
“I… I’m fine…” Ainsley’s voice wavered as she fought the rising pain in her abdomen.
“What’s wrong?” Manuel slowed the car and frowned. “Tell me, Ainsley. What’s happening?”
“It hurts a little…” she whispered, still reluctant to share more.
“Where exactly does it hurt?” Manuel’s worry deepened.
“Just take me home,” she said, biting her lip, unwilling to say anything else.
Realizing the situation, Manuel’s face hardened.
“I’m taking you to the hospital,” he said firmly as he turned the car in a new direction.
“No, don’t take me to the hospital!” Ainsley protested, but her voice was weak.
“Listen to me,” Manuel said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Ainsley wanted to refuse, but it was clear that Manuel had already made up his mind. They were headed straight for the hospital.
“I don’t need the hospital. I just need some painkillers,” Ainsley murmured, trying to reassure him.
“Do you always have this much pain?” Manuel’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.
“No, but I had a bottle of cold beer today,” she admitted reluctantly.
Manuel’s voice dropped to a low murmur. “You shouldn’t have forgotten about that.”
Ainsley sighed, feeling guilty. “I was too caught up in the moment.”
By the time they arrived at the hospital, it was late, and only the emergency department was open. Fortunately, the doctor on duty was from the gynecology department, and after a quick examination, he prescribed pain medication.
“Take one of these once a day,” the doctor instructed, handing her the pills.
Ainsley nodded, grateful but feeling embarrassed. She wanted to explain that she usually didn’t have this much pain, but the beer had triggered it.
They returned to the car, and Manuel’s expression was dark with concern. He parked in front of her apartment and got out, carrying the medicine bag.
Ainsley followed him, still a little dazed.
Once inside, she opened the door to her apartment. “Mr. Gage, it’s late. You should go home and get some rest.”
Manuel didn’t reply; instead, he walked past her and took the medicine out of the bag.
“Mr. Gage…”
She headed to the bathroom to freshen up while Manuel prepared the medicine and heated water for her. He was so serious, almost as if he were handling a work project.
Soon, he brought the hot water to her, along with the medicine.
Ainsley took the painkillers with the water, trying to ignore the growing discomfort.
“You drank cold water,” Manuel remarked, glancing at the glass she had used earlier.
“I didn’t pay attention. I was focused on the medicine,” Ainsley said, embarrassed. Her hand trembled as she set the glass down.
“Fine,” Manuel said, offering her a fresh glass of hot water. “Drink this.”
Ainsley recoiled slightly when she touched the glass. “It’s too hot!”
“Yes, and the water you drank earlier was too cold,” Manuel said matter-of-factly.
Ainsley felt a little guilty but agreed. “I’ll wait for it to cool down.”
Manuel nodded and sat across from her. “How’s the setup for tomorrow’s quiz?”
“It’s all ready. We just need the quiz to go smoothly,” Ainsley said, a frown on her face. “I’m worried someone might try to sabotage it, especially with Kaitlin signed up.”
“Nothing’s going to go wrong. I’ll be there, too,” Manuel reassured her.
Ainsley took a sip from the glass he handed her, the water still hot. “Are you sure, Mr. Gage? You were there when your family had the banquet and when Kaitlin had her birthday party…”
“Aisy, are you saying I can’t protect you?” Manuel asked with a teasing smile.
“Of course not. I don’t want to trouble you,” Ainsley replied, blushing.
“Of course not. You’re so capable and strong,” Manuel said, his smile warm.
Ainsley blushed even more. She felt like Manuel was treating her like a child.
“The way you’re comforting me makes it feel like you’re treating me like Serina. Are you trying to coax me like you would her?”
Manuel shook his head. “Serina doesn’t need me to coax her. But you? Aisy, I think you really are a child. What else explains the way you drank cold beer during your period?”
“Mr. Gage, you’ve said that several times already!” Ainsley said, both embarrassed and irritated.
“Maybe you’ll finally remember next time,” Manuel said with a small chuckle, getting up.
Ainsley tried to get up, determined to handle things herself, but Manuel had already made himself comfortable in her space.
“Let me handle it!” Ainsley said, frustrated.
