Megan woke up at high noon.293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAwf2RSRh3
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FYVH62Bln
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKfAHHgg4F
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj742Gxnip
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbHAtP2wbf
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkUoinOYML
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvqtF27l7c
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPAKGLWAPQ
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL5cNR0h1E
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAKApe8qpY
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsezRGHj2xm
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uWpNNgimI
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegFEppldLx
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzPTUZCiEy
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8uQLxha4g
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzbmSjSUSm
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdKFhldFGj
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuQxjkQwkB
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeC5B0l5Kq
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RITpnDyl0
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WU5rhOeSO
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhO5iqc52Kt
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa79HSvXlIm
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2YVVttn2D
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbJIUdo3SK
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6X7hTjFvy
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR4nL5J09u
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTSoc1lYyF
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapCx94cs8Q
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKVDXScG2O
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pRwSSJZ5i
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zDPCLOw3O
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kWxuvD7SC
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lyRRnSijL
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRQQRR1oT5
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk2q5sEKRK
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEQdSGIMnE
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXXmoC2hn8
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8zuK7PV0J
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeCZzwyAuk
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwudedbLxl9
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrxyg7Amrz
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqBFAnCw1x
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rGlsXvyE1
apologize….”
The girl stared at her293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2mlaNXsFJ
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsijfjX97ko
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOBvPR7rUj
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu3fC1MUgZ
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvredtChn37
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8848yviztE
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKBz3SrQei
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrJDjm6CNQ
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLeF3od29z
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP9h8zJOL1
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z7aoCGjHW
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitIXfB4qca
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTdbo3aU3i
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrukCra42D
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u4y3YE4gr
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqSBSBJai6
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwh8v2dSgu
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuwygllgdU
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqDZqtGVH0
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqSBv02vN3
counter.
“Brisket hash with293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bblLGYzIO
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CykMuaFd7
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YLsElIeqF
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89Cc4CkCyE
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQTH8YII92
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX2w3tSfcD
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfIVoHMqnG
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxf9zyvcAs
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPB5oDmzxJ
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi6h2tN125
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOjItl6lcW
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGFwuubfeC
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36G2HeDI2L
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNUtDAZ13t
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImu0jsa6aT
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQgXczuxNG
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2COBYAyEe
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8MKfVwQh0
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfOMusCGKi
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY24jDm3jc8
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClQFvqVgGW
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4zQNEnVCx
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFLsJoCv4k
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWjw3PDmbl
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTpAoHL1yG
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbnNMPXGZI
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6fVFm3pJv
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVPvJODTCp
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYdrhNhmqL
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaio2JtrvC
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm5eoX7y15
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeprXSBS4US
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnGP0ow9Gx
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8xkP1MI0e
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlwm9zpr4C
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOBjql5Rsh
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlR1qsdTNS
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTiZb3n69y
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSuc0MJ2Ba
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3KB8v6QcK
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk9xkNFzrI
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxMmyMdoZz
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiawpdQrGq
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDSFQlbQtK
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjoto9Wig4
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QQqPi7fGS
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3hEHRpSV7
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWBmnLoG9O
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbIIGGjtNm
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr2kVPraYz
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFpwhh3OhM
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7WPFiRJYn
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O3pWJx5il
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgFFA5F43U
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHfKPxHbmZ
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8SMTPPlBr
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IItrHshJI
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPLNaSpeaA
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksmDD3rwoQ
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7H48KWxYC
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KiWnxOhL1
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qYAi9MNbt
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NhBMBBV3M
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJxgvBy2kt
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEe7dZ9eeN
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZzfmhKyWi
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa7INmWoNF
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93BXtWo4TO
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat88bcLLWb
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWGvSQLY8m
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwtjBdbwFY
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v4rPb6MtB
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA3qIoLjBg
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iThvGGBIT
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRHu0AanZ3
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAFUoH494o
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHydVgsUG6
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVyPEXQnD4
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRtEVW7nS3
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDdXcIp2ph
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mg2ZBWqu1
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU52rz0Pkyl
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1b7URzfXz
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2E5F4Sas6
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLyzUl4mCo
to her that way.
Standing there, her293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gwzs5i7ir
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy34ou6JCB
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFlVQKwlQV
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8sLw4HrcB
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb9sSD7sBc
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4mfa0ccgz
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFCkPbnQi7
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5m8R3Mial
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSfgQcyyn8
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4aMcZxrK6
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgm3QVPFhV
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaHLrphw4F
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1ILlYVIck
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysqW2hG209
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA4kFgHAA2
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnX3ML3mXg
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJc8dYwHuj
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia3IZM2tYz
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTjtaoLsgk
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKOH2Ou8xQ
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnX3fzjWfA
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNxKYnobK0
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs4lDgBjiy
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4s9dA4kAz
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhMqfmsRKr
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8P66Bqnnv
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgH7JCgbQC
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQiV1ZNSn1
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GzCLTqh4u
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi88i8KbhmK
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXSZo94ukN
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo5PmggWL2
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoedZzmVdyi
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgmrvfjQvK
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaBDjl6pmm
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1KAfYnnVT
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeVAabZ65e
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgoA9tWiml
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq845LFaMN
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw9LZb7678
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXTevx5OP0
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPmgi4fgO1
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EuMz1Zkjt
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCSWkjRlts
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NRZCwDyAH
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9B4zV6Rcn
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov9VgVFnA5
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp54MG42T38
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQSuE9hlHI
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1kBdcnriU
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIII3gQO0UP
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVM6rvQ9EP
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5VPa2jZLh
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfv68qfoDg
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHhx3jcix2
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3kmXgF1eA
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0XeANm8Bx
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu5cJrjvap
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmhdib2yKm
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVaPobSYVh
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEXL2PjZJx
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYJb2LRfZn
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtAGPFZAt0
dating,”
“---What is he waiting293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHVQahOuG5
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CwIyJIfTS
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIePdB5VYau
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMmi8tSo2q
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ikw8kYqOI
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdRKcAMySE
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolYKdGx6Ph
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeq1UeUPR8
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ih2U53MiM
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFTrNFOsF8
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXUkz1mfwT
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXGl8shY5P
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXdDFl2Tzt
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TByXUze0E
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3PC0Wmfnt
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
