Jen remained silent. He probably thought she was making another excuse. Why was she so averse to a ring?

Eventually, Deborah chose a brooch with a star sapphire on a black background, etched with gold stars.

“This doesn’t seem like a design a young lady would wear.”

Despite the staff’s cautious comment, Deborah stuck with her choice. It was her favorite item of the day.

Deborah wanted to ask passersby if there were any other maids dining in a restaurant alone with their employer.

“I’ve never seen someone open their eyes during a prayer before a meal.”

Jen remarked, noticing Deborah staring blankly at her food.

“Sorry, I was just lost in thought.”

“Ah, I thought you were praying, being a devout person.”

Jen sarcastically referred to their morning conversation at the office.

Deborah, with an embarrassed smile, was told by Jen,

“Anyway, eat up. Even the best food is terrible once it’s cold.”

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy the meal.”

Deborah scooped up the warm cream soup, which felt like a consolation for the day’s non-torturous torture.

‘It’s delicious.’

Jen, seated opposite her, seemed to enjoy his meal too, although he kept glancing at her, scooping air twice.

“It seems you had a tough day today.”

As Deborah’s soup bowl became half empty, Jen inquired.
“No, it was a bit startling, but thanks to Mr. Baker, it was a good experience.”

“Sure it was.”

“Really. Honestly, I thought I’d be chased out of the department store because of my attire.”

Deborah joked, and Jen lit up his eyes and said,

“Who in their right mind would do such a thing?”

Surprised by his fierce reaction, Deborah quickly smiled and spoke,

“It was just a joke. But I can’t help but think that the special treatment I received from the staff today was due to Mr. Baker.”

Would that doorman have held the door for her if Jen hadn’t been there?

“Ah, I don’t mean to doubt the character of the staff we met today. I just wanted to say that Mr. Baker’s influence is remarkable.”

Deborah added an explanation, worried about a misunderstanding.

Jen frowned and said,

“I know. So stop making excuses every time.”

‘It wasn’t an excuse, but an explanation.’

Well, what does it matter? As long as he didn’t misunderstand. Deborah picked up her spoon again. The soup was delicious. The recipe must be similar everywhere, but why did this one taste so special?

While the same soup was served to both, one was marveling at its taste, while the other was just swallowing it, feeling nothing.

As the soup bowls were almost empty, a waiter approached and said,

“We have two recommended wines for today.”

One was the strongest wine in the restaurant, rich with oak flavor, and the other was a sweet wine, the pride of Gracian. After the waiter finished his explanation, Jen replied,

“Let’s start with the first one.”

“And for the lady?”

‘Lady?’

Deborah’s eyes widened at the waiter’s words. It wasn’t unreasonable for him to see her as a married woman. She was of an age more fitting for a mother than a maiden, and she had been married before.

But the ‘lady’ the waiter mentioned seemed to imply more than just a general term for a woman. It was likely a misunderstanding similar to the one at the department store.

Before Deborah could correct him, Jen quickly answered for her,

“The second one.”

“Then I’ll prepare them accordingly.”

The elderly waiter, with his characteristic elegant smile, left with the empty dishes.

Deborah spoke in a daze,

“I’m sorry.”

“Another apology. How many times do I have to tell you to stop that?”

“But…”

Deborah felt a headache coming on. Why did such misunderstandings keep happening? Were men and women always mistaken for couples or spouses when seen together?

‘Stop and think. Does a flashy, handsome man like Jen and a plain woman like me look like a couple?’

She knew such thoughts were not good, but still, according to conventional wisdom of the era, it was improbable for them to be seen in that way.

‘How to avoid such misunderstandings…’

Lost in thought until the next course arrived, Deborah was suddenly asked by Jen,

“Are you planning to pray every time new food comes out?”

“Huh?”

Lost in response, Deborah heard Jen ask,

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“I was wondering how to prevent these misunderstandings.”

Puzzled by her unusual answer, Jen’s frown deepened. Then, as Jen raised his glass to his lips, Deborah said,

“About that, what if I start addressing Mr. Baker as ‘Master’?”

“…….”