To the Love of My Life

Despite everything, Ruby Gregory picked up the chopsticks and served a portion of Steve Burton’s favorite braised meatball in gravy sauce on his plate.

While serving him the food, Ruby did not forget to carefully gauge Steve’s reaction. Seeing that his mood hadn’t become more depressive, she felt somewhat reassured and proceeded to serve him other dishes in his plate consecutively.

With every serving, Steve’s demeanour would soften marginally. By the end, Ruby also felt somewhat relaxed. Noticing that Steve still hadn’t picked up his chopsticks to eat, she couldn’t help but utter, “Mr. Burton, you should eat something too.”

Steve’s face suddenly turned worse than before, his voice chilling to the bone,

“So, you want me to start eating, so that you can eat in peace?”

Why did his mood change from sunny to overcast so suddenly?

Steve’s frequently changing mood left Ruby somewhat helpless. In a fluster, she shook her head, “No, no.”

Having said that, she subconsciously raised her head to solicit help from Mrs. Taylor again.

Mrs. Taylor had known from the very beginning that Mr. Steve was uncomfortable because of the “Mr. Burton” from Miss Gregory’s mouth. Just a moment ago, she suggested Ms. Gregory to serve food to Mr. Steve to make his heart comfortable. But who knew the moment she had managed to soothe Mr. Steve, Ms. Gregory would utter “Mr. Burton” again, undoing all her efforts.

Mrs. Taylor shook her head helplessly, seemingly ignoring Ruby’s plea for help, smiled, and said, “Ms. Gregory, this isn’t the office. You calling him Mr.

Burton all the time even makes me, a servant, feel awkward.’

After saying this, Mrs. Taylor looked into Ruby’s eyes, signaled her and continued, “You have known Mr. Steve for so many years, you are quite familiar with each other, just call him like you used to. Why would you make the relationship appear so distant?”

Ruby was quick to realise Mrs. Taylor’s intent, except for when she faced Steve, whose mind she couldn’t fathom. She glanced at Steve and hurriedly corrected herself in a soft voice, saying, “Steve,” paused for a moment, and added, “if you don’t eat now, the food will get cold.”

Steve’s face was still cold, but he was no longer sitting motionless, maintaining the tense atmosphere. Instead, he started using his chopsticks.

Ruby heaved a sigh of relief. If it weren’t for Mrs. Taylor today, she might have needed another ten years to figure out how to deal with Steve’s fickle temperament.

After lunch, Steve rinsed his mouth and went to bask in the sun on the terrace as usual.

Ruby, with a desire to learn, went to the kitchen to help Mrs. Taylor clean the silverware.

Mrs. Taylor wouldn’t allow Ruby to do any of the housework. Thus, Ruby’s idea of helping was limited to receiving the washed silverware from Mrs. Taylor and placing them in the sterilizer.

Ruby was quick to understand that Steve’s somber face was because she called him “Mr. Burton” when Mrs. Taylor pointed it out. It wasn’t because he had changed his appetite or started liking parsley. But then, she wondered, if she didn’t do anything later, why did his face become even more motley?

At this thought, Ruby asked with a serious face, “Mrs.. Taylor, did I do anything wrong at mealtime?”