Deceived, Yet Drawn to You - Chapter 9

“It’s an honor to see you again, sir. We can escort you to a private room.”

“That’s unnecessary. I won’t be staying long.”

The man who strode confidently inside raised his hand lightly, declining the staff’s excessive formality. He walked straight toward Blair, who stood before the glass display. Now barely a step apart from him, Blair placed a hand over her pounding chest. What should she do? Why was her heart racing like this?

“I’ll bring out the item you reserved, so please wait just a moment.”

The manager who had been attending to him bowed politely before disappearing behind the display. Still acutely aware of his presence so close by, Blair found herself struck by an odd question.

This was a jewelry shop specializing in women’s accessories. Whose gift had he come to buy?

“How about a pear cut, miss? The design makes your fingers look delicate, and it’s very popular among young ladies.”

“….”

“It’s lovely on its own, but if you encircle the band with colored gemstones like this, it becomes even more glamorous… Does none of these please you either?”

The clerk, who had been showing her various rings, glanced at Blair’s expression anxiously. Blair, who had been eavesdropping on the man beside her, snapped out of it like someone waking from a dream.

“No, it’s just….”

The man, who had been looking down with an indifferent expression, lifted his eyes at the sound of her voice. Their gazes met in the air. Blair closed her mouth and stared up at him in silence.

Imagination was a frightening thing. Ever since their first meeting, Blair had let her curiosity swell into something far greater, enough to sketch the man whose name she didn’t even know. And now, standing before him, her heart pounded uncontrollably.

“The young lady seems to be having trouble choosing a ring.”

The clerk, who now saw Blair and the man standing side by side, laughed softly. The man’s long, narrow eyes curved faintly in amusement.

“A ring? Could it be an engagement ring?”

At his blunt words, the tips of her ears flushed pink. Since his gaze was fixed directly on her, it was obvious who the question was for. He showed no sign of mentioning that night or recognizing her, so Blair replied quietly.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“How interesting. I’ve never seen a lady come alone to choose her own engagement ring.”

“You’re right. It would’ve been less troublesome if someone had chosen it for me.”

“That must be quite the burden. Your fiancé must have great faith in your taste.”

The remark, pointedly highlighting Isaac Dorman’s absence, carried a hint of irony. Yet the man’s face remained composed, wearing a charming smile so polite that, had she not heard his tone, she might have mistaken him for a gentleman of perfect manners.

Looking up at that flawless face, Blair blinked.

“I’d think the burden’s greater for you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m only choosing a ring I’ll wear myself, so I can pick one as I please. But you have to choose something that will delight your wife.”

The man paused briefly, his eyes moving back and forth between hers before the corners of his lips lifted faintly. Caught off guard by that piercing gaze, as if he’d seen straight through her curiosity about his marital status, Blair struggled to hold his stare.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m unmarried.”

“….”

“And choosing a gift wouldn’t have been a burden for me.”

“I didn’t realize you had such a keen eye.”

“More that I’d have quickly figured out what kind of things my future wife likes.”

“Ah. You’re quite confident, aren’t you?”

“Or perhaps it’s confidence earned from experience. Don’t you think?”

Blair finally closed her mouth. The fact that a man of such noble bearing was unmarried surprised her, but his words—implying numerous experiences with women—left her uncertain how to respond. Maybe it was a joke.

“My apologies for the wait, young master.”

Just then, the manager reappeared from the back, carrying a neatly wrapped jewelry box.

“This is the item you ordered in advance. It’s been gift-wrapped as requested.”

“Thank you.”

Unable to suppress her curiosity, Blair glanced at him. Judging by the size of the box he received, it seemed too large for a ring. Perhaps a necklace, or maybe even a tiara.

But hadn’t he said he was unmarried? Then was it a gift for a lover rather than a fiancée or wife?

“Will you be writing a card this time?”

“No, the wrapping will do.”

“Jewels truly are the most certain language of all. You’ve prepared the most beautiful gift again this year, so I’m sure your feelings will be well conveyed.”

Blair, who had been concentrating all her attention on the man, silently added one more detail to what she knew about him: that he gave jewelry to a woman every year.

At the manager’s exaggerated tone, the man merely lowered his gaze and smiled faintly instead of replying. Perhaps because his eyes were naturally sharp, the way his pupils stiffened slightly as they fell on the gift box made his expression look tense.

Then realizing she was paying far too much attention to a stranger’s private affairs, Blair quickly looked away. How rude of her. What on earth was she doing that was so unlike herself?

“To offer a bit of advice that might ease the young lady’s burden.”

A voice spoke from beside her then. Lifting her head, she found him still there, looking down at her.

“I think a classic round-cut diamond would suit you well.”

“…You think so?”

“Yes. A platinum band with side stones for a touch of variation would be best.”

He motioned toward the display case with a slight tilt of his chin.

“If I had to choose among these, that’s the one I’d recommend.”

Blair’s gaze shifted to the jewels lined neatly on navy velvet. Until that moment, she hadn’t been interested, but suddenly they came into focus. Though the rings the clerk had laid out were few due to her limited budget, the one he pointed out was undoubtedly the most beautiful.

“With fingers as slender as yours, anything would look good.”

Their eyes met again in midair. The man’s gray eyes held a faint trace of a smile. What kind of smile was that, she wondered. Before she could figure it out, the gaze that had lingered briefly on her slipped away.

“I hope that was at least a little helpful.”

“…Ah.”

Before she could say anything more, he turned without hesitation and walked toward the exit. Just like before. Offering a troublesome kindness to a stranger, then leaving without a trace of regret.

“Would you like to try it on?”

The clerk across from her asked kindly. Nodding a beat late, Blair watched as the clerk removed the ring from the case and gently slipped it onto her ring finger. The cool metal wrapped around her skin, making her fingertips tremble. Blair looked down at the ring glittering brilliantly beneath the light.

A jewel that symbolized the once-in-a-lifetime moment of a woman’s life. Yet she felt no excitement at all. Then where did this pounding in her chest come from?

“Will you be choosing this ring, miss?”

“Yes, I will.”

“An excellent choice, miss. Once it’s crafted to your measured size, we’ll contact you.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Blair accepted her lace parasol, which she’d left with the clerk, and stepped out of the jewelry shop. But she hadn’t walked more than a few steps before she stopped in her tracks.

Amid Fitzrovia’s colorful crowd, there he was. Dressed in a muted suit, the color of a cloudy day, his tall frame made him stand out easily. Standing in front of a car near the curb, the man was smoking. The slow rhythm with which he drew the cigarette to his lips, inhaled, and exhaled gave the impression of someone lost in thought.

He had said he wasn’t a habitual smoker but only reached for one when he needed it. What could’ve made him think of it now?

A non-smoker would never understand. Standing there, gazing at the man as though stealing glances, Blair suddenly realized she hadn’t even exchanged names with him.