"I am the buyer. Would you like to purchase it from me?"
Serena turned to see a woman approaching, her smile polite yet unsettling. Despite the pleasant expression, something about her warned Serena to stay on guard. The woman's smile was almost pleasant, but there was an undercurrent in her expression that set Serena on edge. Her instincts seemed to be screaming that this woman had come looking for a fight. And she did not understand why. She was sure that they had never met in the past.
"If you're willing to sell it, I'd like to buy it," Serena replied evenly, refusing to let the unease show on her face since she could not find a reason for this unease.
The woman's smile widened as if Serena's words had amused her. Without breaking eye contact, she reached for the ring from the shop assistant, her manicured fingers wrapping around the small object with an air of entitlement. She lifted the ring toward the light, her eyes narrowing slightly as she appeared to inspect it.
