Megan woke up at high noon.286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOqZDYBzDq
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACoBJeJspa
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eLpTEUP5O
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFfQ025fRT
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95zSNhtlQC
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkIHacutL5
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs6H2KEfll
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrYJWEBV2M
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQixj5Km3Mk
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77yGdQ45Vp
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg6FXnHhSY
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rIUOJtjA7
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGAnuVq8yb
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaPHN82mdB
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb0QaloA5v
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtqKDnXqw5
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMmxyY8KHp
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonvz7v1AQr
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ezNfPYgMa
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck9sH9bfXD
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBfQHW6IOf
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkgsDgKFrl
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9GK2auCXk
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGpPh1cAJR
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkwdlNgfEl
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGuZjmIVo6
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJNGQpFnAK
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6NHDzuQlw
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk3NDvvc1i
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyVYC0QYcW
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSpq8wM1bK
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHeH2aB4iy
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1sh51hcAt
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCJJZmQu89
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhdr6IM4Xq
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrKYdGNs55
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkXSSvxoem
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNKuSgKAse
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwAZGnJc03
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0SJQ2nvmj
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47LOnfYCjp
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rVUoBhbXe
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6XTr8pYMi
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GfeDkZ8Qb
apologize….”
The girl stared at her286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qs7n6ZfA3
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLW1a4fbgC
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBwNmAtZWC
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaepQtYJezs
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX33caV4rwQ
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNCU9UPuhR
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWPnrk4nOY
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBuEJRWndL
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHk9nE0kB8
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2DojsGlIH
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EF4J44zAB
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOiXTo8SQg
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC0gGxTiNB
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9goBjRNqS
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ525V4AWmLl
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1I4b1qwS4
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMx5QPPnS5
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1Pr34dyiq
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC1tLdu82p
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54h5vxoE5T
counter.
“Brisket hash with286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF67o3vNi7
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAy7spNxVk
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SdojsVpDs
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrrmN0k42y
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dw8UtZRcp
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYihmgOXlss
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK474rEWAhh
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs8OKFUOx7
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoi9V3yno3
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmBCEHL0tE
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPX9GIqtqI
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEnAmkZ2Ji
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO6FN5VzKo
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVkT8CL80r
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72PAxqq9XD
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYCBg37rjZ
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOGNTOZ8pd
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8vxNQNLcA
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlQlaFR4th
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzeiG1eugx
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLAxWyfdVm
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3XgurAxpL
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPA0N3l1QF
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvu6FWz5tY
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO17CD3Czcn
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrOxhqtOxT
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1JenlkSG1
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL79f0bhDX
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tUSsdY7NY
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LDzR3YtPX
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEguerVuPqG
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa7NjQ6sHt
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvtyv83sSC
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypkepANodb
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh662td1BeG
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz7bnBIPgw
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAQddqfFNf
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOURlyIuBk
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ44xGF542
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T5XPXa3Xf
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhowQp2j7Wj
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJaWwQlJIe
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡribO5eLMjK
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZn1Ql1VTt
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjqtjngQ01
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8m1wTDYVK
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV0QCou4HH
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZaHS3plem
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYW3AsRq5M
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqXgWcNnaV
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPruiQFqsc
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnVJSWICKq
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D4eAgdVKc
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsDyzvlpGX
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm5FodtvID
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljd4VupJw8
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV6AylRM6G
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3ZXgt8G2a
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeWHoysWS0
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgz9Ysp1yp
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrxwzZZ5W1
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFu3RaJ0af
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxBRdZ3Ss2
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDBXyaPPby
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrmI5mKAbh
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuZUpgz1mv
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTT5oisxcC
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSbbdalidP
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOE6Zmbgkt
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lYEY5aD7f
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkNVLUyEJN
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBSN8YwnxY
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNwtWPwOWH
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlm4tfDnz2
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRSC5H7smv
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjK7bX0Z2A
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5SQtDfyhD
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7YltmXX7V
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wvFHS0rR5
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnFx8AAq4e
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHVxUhPUFO
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsncjzmsXB
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡressEtGA8s
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTrtQovuXz
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpF1YhbXQn
to her that way.
Standing there, her286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtrx8YjGp6
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLjbP7772S
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqPaj4kokn
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsDH7ELtKv
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q7xR6hmaY
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDomDrqP8X
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUlWVqx3wX
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9qlJQNRti
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFr57GUGN6
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwyY0x1IzN
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI25VWjRjWP
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRms1WajEK
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnYePC07N6
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxdzYQN4cH
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQR4lWNXOa
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelT4eXZPis
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxH5oldMp1
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9Rr7566aN
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf6GBMrz5K
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnBOJ4ryG4
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry20ZRbLZf
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYmu8x7CIM
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgV5GSAK4m
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOsBrc48oU
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAZm2Q2kSs
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPnPwLDp29
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAYl4BwcU5
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQI4nt0AwG
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtOAFOy0ot
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZeId8eBVl
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L6ndpACL8
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiteygav9N
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXljOKuQrx
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvNWRK0TMG
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYR0rGXShP
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIHNOVJXtt
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyedDfIBmH
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTgbmMRRkI
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7klb8n5AuH
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9zMq0s7TX
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAABHr2YUn
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlSPZN4oq1
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0o7hTGHmw
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99METCXwYx
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpizFHGhLJ
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD3lyVC7Ue
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMtCxKih2Q
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pneu6xH8q
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6aVne3x7M
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX4XJMvcVk
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLA8BaEWCM
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNxsTUW5kJ
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf84Q9tI8a
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dyk4opxwL
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX83NWXnGVH
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJvBpQNCD7
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI3m83iuqa
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmNimp3AF5
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkGMRanoeX
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CkajL4TJV
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ031MTLszDa
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxTVqx7ij3
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjczf9BpyR
dating,”
“---What is he waiting286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bvkbagT3F
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNnR4Kwzvu
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kGmfDUcEO
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1bdt8Codd
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEePCV3Wp1V
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqb7psAuP0
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqJqXyTxO3
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR5SLNTlUj
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS3ettpdCw
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQDnMjIzhz
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KfNg3Aihq
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28XTahmUuH
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmdj1oheU4
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSQU2hhKYj
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTsMqFjvhc
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
