Megan woke up at high noon.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlBEA5gvOn
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVi5rEIsMq
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZBo6An1G5
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi42U3i1FoB
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2bwGSl4l7
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5Zh1Adl5D
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkuNZAStj6
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPImTtRziCV
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSGiwFI3T5
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUXrPnwFBI
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS6tMbWQ82
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56wkn09kok
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1f2NQDRaP4
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtPUADaoTZ
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xKTQvNsHz
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyqQNDhFJj
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvmWJ2zKPM
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGDjE9bo5Q
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0kSR99d8A
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbivuvSvib
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7dSH0QHxA
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTKuK8Eqmu
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeNNl81tvV
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7847YiYAED
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbHUNj23rN
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoKH2CuZeF
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyCVV4gyAN
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1koK5PaJez
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9x1VTKghn
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MPPnVSVcW
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtKlRJVn7A
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5eDQZcqPH
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3VK9lTx18
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAV87lnnW0
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQX24WommX
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qJMJSbtCY
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ4FrJEKs0
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWKW0Tn9mw
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9hOoKMuMH
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBCsjIgkDx
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikNp9QZaau
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjt1QkPBdA
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDVCvqO96X
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXYcTnlGcH
apologize….”
The girl stared at her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5xAE732XZ
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcngGbsfgfp
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdPiwLVDhI
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTROHtfnDuy
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WdL7v1Mzd
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyt0idUor5
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRoX4LBqVp
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vXL51npjd
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ06ZI8vc4
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPDfw8h9Kw
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdGWBkT1iF
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqbK6iABZV
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeq353naJX
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0J9ZMl5hM
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU9iTA9pZ6
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J3t6PSRoo
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7cawYgmBm
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMCueE5dcS
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d7gErtUBI
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ksFS4fd3C
counter.
“Brisket hash with407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrGlXIklr4
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQebcibBdDl
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8BHqq6JoB
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNF00LM6zt
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM36bmNKJIz
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LArXxVQso
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINuiRQjooK
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik2Wt3gQq1
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje8GSdU42m
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarA4dvnl1V
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLbGvS9vTR
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EYJOAgpjA
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOclZTyB2q
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6etRgNZVV
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZzTB43voP
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0dOOJEosx
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYoefA34Fm
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo2guSXU74
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCNILJ8F9j
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3nwqTljIy
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2BYK5qhRU
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXgWphjgaZ
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBA6UZyojf
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TJz8FGBn5
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxhmkxasSg
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHdnjrfGwu
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT4ovYVoua
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76FbPCKVvi
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE92T0yaxJw
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUA5AsC7UJ
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHqCJlszac
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGD3z0aCYd
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN36u8cCUuw
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMVKClyntd
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVmYkCI9yN
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3obwjRq4aj
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHoKeNpkcu
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOH538lLj6
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSrQIQMQSq
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY6YglEtA3
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vp7MlciZB
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8LCwKjKin
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxznGqTm6W
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKK5W6eTNH
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGPLmb42np
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZFfY8TYgY
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpBXxUqho1
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphGzXQYn6D
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf9nUDIu52
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IeHgKPSKD
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8JZxigOom
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nEnW1yXn6
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjzv90N2wq
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEJRhfxVpV
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEsPyNZqkO
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wa4SEO07s
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqkvJn6vMM
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRoWQ5Zjfs
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQEboEIvGs
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoL3f88FwE
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiuKR5En1k
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3EGrcByFk
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawtybL11e7
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwD3VCNSpx
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrTPMnh2e8
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpzuqow1Ob
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxqUTlNYTG
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHkLyYcWj3
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocCgzfrzHy
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmcTf9M0qH
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVGji8AKDB
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdidrtAlb1e
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4m7mrU3sE
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsecI1SdYj
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJFUsix9M5
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZka4nK4DQ
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEUYeQWiX1
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cC7LCQGRp
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcJwldAExJ
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33TlX38gGr
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdGoB7Nil2
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnpTKSP6jw
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6H5ag7YAt
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKjX3cvJbF
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lw9Bfw5nf
to her that way.
Standing there, her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDYnSe1HNN
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwRtZgopy1
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8hSoaZi3B
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowkrIppvm3
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp7ljD1im0
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrQLZHgQ2k
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35ZDTh2nun
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92sUqtz08k
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhvxtJzO3s
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA5admdrR2
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImN8fy6FF3
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGJbmT0UpP
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJgAuXTzwe
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzEpXH0fDt
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD9iCt25JP
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cdw9pcD6d
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUHxuERc38
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83HovlUE7p
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrqayWhEDK
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUvsNO6jeu
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgA8igHSgE
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS6RXs7SMD
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWNAjpJtcj
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtKlmTR5s0
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklCZjTAeJJ
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtaNcdAdXu
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJFnlsQXg5
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuUlVEGEhr
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6wOT9XzyZ
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk9sliEKO5
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVfb24TVRs
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYPPJ8mw1W
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNuuCRBvxu
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8f7SgAXDZ
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92NCb8moh2
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnzjEjnktR
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEdc69c4S3
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGvyo8PSdF
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fg16Z4854
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I6OIoO7IJ
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zMSVBtbcD
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4daYnij6M
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9gnuuEg0n
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyHAHUWw26
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ5EoJtzw4
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvN29bIBnx
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyGh9M8jmk
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TQorMyUJ8
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjZghQ7Ews
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSG3uuqGBe
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq4GHDtxxZ
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcMJ7tEOff
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPerLT4KvAN
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp6T8cvD3K
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHblg7pSzeP
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5KJvF6stN
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGv2JKRfc3
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G1qxRRAzt
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuofNadauae
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrAVwHFjdm
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9YRIDK1de
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvvA2gU9QQ
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aAMmpy1mB
dating,”
“---What is he waiting407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLA69cLoHr
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqxzzqqRL9
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wdIHSCXKO
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcXrmeSP3K
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI5mCPCRlm
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCimRsfktJz
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmGFgOImHL
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF01yyKnUnY
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoLq6XoViG
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrg0ZVVOx3
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYwUoemBwu
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnWQde500L
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhivalk2V1R
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO34RSKJmrw
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIEpLyRNAz
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
