Megan woke up at high noon.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxcnDPokSv
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc7BP05QSk
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbh9fzpUlY
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0lNahydFI
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBxwdZxBDS
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4D3ihUfG6
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKubDaNvA2k
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5M6654FGx
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRhy4kaJgn
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaTxJRBcJk
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhilYEnMzE2
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ34WD3jVHQ
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BTZYrc5ls
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPc2wf8HbX
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzlCL8Xhuz
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0qZFwTONo
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwxATsrGsp
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY3STzss2o
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZMKOIlxv1
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsLC4xqvgg
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFIgcb5Uhj
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB1urLclv7
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4d2lGZo6A
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYzRVnLJwt
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME1s1PUulK
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE0r8xWJaR
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVaR0Nd48Q
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lDNiPfd1i
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB9EBvLZVJ
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5cj3LTWxF
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOIPfRbd7s
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7ZFff8eN0
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCE7udbVsh
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjFK8t9eVf
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXWn7xHkdm
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlIzgrt3Kx
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrpzCTvgsu
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmj2evS60w
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoB0TKdFLe
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1kwdvstpA
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w7xlROZQB
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmdnbKjT6v
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDMdLuUfMy
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡromX6DmUmJ
apologize….”
The girl stared at her406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0S6ruUlp7
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDv0NDw9nt
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwmfBOdc47
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzej5GbrZJj
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aPWHao2ZD
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoki8dVWXeX
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb6wh3dqkL
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcqHtdGyCf
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhQhRCMcHO
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITgTlsQmS3
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoSoZDWnlm
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsCmoSBBQg
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDk7cs4kud
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iK2C1IK8x
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1lRwbP0aR
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuXJIw2Zxr
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcQMMels7h
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe0gF0n5OW
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr44KBjYtr
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8vJjFNHkS
counter.
“Brisket hash with406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zES6wqdw1
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDImx7t2sH8
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdiA0x8JfT
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYO3bSiC0n
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBUbA6ObdN
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJKA9yuhTL
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05miVatkkA
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DRFQeeZb2
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yqy3xWtCR
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B0skueZLr
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1t06oaVik
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvWT6iQEXh
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqrMJx5U63
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmPptuFXic
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jpWpNvlZV
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurOZklsJTF
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUAkY7oiwg
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0dm31cMo4
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd9MYhd8JP
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzk2srONqh
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QZiR5MYhZ
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFij9OOLrK
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9PctxVRbb
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuI2XkM0zc
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJVChfuZ9f
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVBhk95qu7
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WkhujIabf
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogvnZqvXs0
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZfnyvrIRY
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MoQlks30I
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWHPEQbBka
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbZWnwcmxH
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkWhApB9fI
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZw5BcMnyN
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wXfwElaMA
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqelB433JCX
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4RWilIRiI
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwELgjm5ibQ
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cICdhZwgt
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H6IyOKCA2
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FAyJ1uSlQ
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmB8gQeeKs
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifwqabDPQ2
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg91JlAxzXt
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jYtt28tsa
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ztzX3gXgT
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34kJzGlxgA
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqxbnznyPS
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp21INMazHe
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgIOjgEVAl
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xTmgwOt2K
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZwiCHxRe5
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwDf47Hpnz
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3pPnlicdV
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbHoDc1xt3
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9HMgr7WAB
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNurKljw63
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjgBNAlKMW
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATcjEjnd8S
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZODqnnbXTG
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezijdk5Hgw
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sq0YbyUGx
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjuZawy3Yx
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEgq9mro8M
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHiGjmqwM0
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4GDYNzYCc
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN1RK71jyb
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCDfCadDZJ
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnzGg4E2IE
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYiYIA9gvl
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0eR2UtaMQ
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjGPJAo3eL
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs034RN1cC
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltXdiB1NEw
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG3eHqFgEA
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLeqyRvsF3
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfFbwwjut5
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU84lY3Yl8
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMttz4QeBfk
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHt17oihCD
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJqK3uesgY
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYlM3gxXjU
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfZcshK0Ef
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANu9jWq1A1
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO2LEVD33b
to her that way.
Standing there, her406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzcnBmIYhq
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenW6eFuUoh
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJlQk3M01l
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1adQtOsQO
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1rbsReuE2
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqaX0VQNvL
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX2D5W6SIG
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDbh2EP5Ru
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxtz7sEcae
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z7s0djeaN
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsiC78C2o2
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXr6MqL4df
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL3IFJmXyt
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJmYyST4Sd
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FFbC1vwEB
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2ZGryKuV8
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfpRaKOBay
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkgWyOymx3
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5iIhOLCVJ
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiws5q4aw0H
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzOxg3g2AT
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7zqy1ABpp
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Skml4ydlK
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5tl9zUQFh
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaAJd9Pqaa
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zKbWc9cWc
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4tMTvnmVP
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq26twVmnvi
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy44LZZXu04
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6QJsz5hEG
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YDiZhd5EU
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc09P3P0td
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WS8FsE7ca
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ReKsBOr8w
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG06XGzYIG1
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezEXORN2rS
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg1rcHkwvu
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcAVM2wZIU
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvc3A45DSL
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNl0rsnQMR
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqEvSoXTcD
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmBNTVHHFw
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvWfeIHos5
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF45BVUlkJ0
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtATATwlrW
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZOQPkS6Oi
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyUfnIIBVW
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE2ENMrza6
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx67SEVNBmz
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhqDRFDID9
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCapSk8H71
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIE0jeNyfL
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxJPtRFcpq
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pK3WwPVL9
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsQP7utCyO
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP07tXWr6v3
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyde182V72
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kcKwHnzhR
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHCBFMNRmW
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP1t54R646
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe194erw0EK
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9NXlT2axL
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36riq84anU
dating,”
“---What is he waiting406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepAE4aNXGg
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4dcBl6iYx
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkvAgwTvi2
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEKUxoVw6z
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbWgSrZuYb
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0B7NTiOk9
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOkXF9pOIu
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPYg8PJEOA
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7PekER82O
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oZicS2rje
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7bRddlXs2
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLQl5an4CI
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEIsQnU3cj
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkp2ixW7AO
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOotXvZoYx
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
