Megan woke up at high noon.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMxbFVWHy3
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6i0RZodRr
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19SdDOOJmn
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI3yjC2Guc
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE5YD0U4Ax
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvehbM67prv
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPa1VRtRb1
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu8uUFVPtv
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDnG2yiGeu
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa98FJgRP6
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfCmHftgmx
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXaHtE61e6
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO0aRNQ4r3
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4bPl5iXdK
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH0CoDYUz3
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ636spPhs1l
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVLybLGT0R
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U0zoXfwgG
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl7gPdU2c3
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbASAgcNis
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaTyZaxxri
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdNDRt2Wy1
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSgeri67AO
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpUj50Mdbe
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEvLJarKCv
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl5ibA9ovw
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED3eGbNPKb
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh4hnC4a2x
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSF9pGPy8M
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrGQwCOhL4
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkcKH8YrSE
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlVBNT6nYC
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEhr5uIs5X
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJIgDG4tzj
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CVWRfpDmV
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqEbUgP0ZF
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FU6hP9A5I
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIwAdcRQn8
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzWgyTMjVt
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3BDdogYOk
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoaB1VJK4q
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE0YkXwB4j
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpBuIFk4vH
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4HQdRM14o
apologize….”
The girl stared at her366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9osAORQ5l
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTEaomO3fr
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQytF6sJXsA
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPyiugu80t
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2sdHHAWzB
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bhnPAOY7C
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhKmTV9Tus
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gnf0EK2eA
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM0t9qCbP8
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyt1YyQ1F3
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs3mpLgMl0
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDoSCtowws
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbSfQ5SWEb
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUF1Xkfc8k
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWnwCidex0
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHSSNXEbjd
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyzCnjr6mB
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLGbtn89US
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZrQRsHgjU
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyTCiCeX8C
counter.
“Brisket hash with366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmNfaf4rzg
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYFOk4nNOK
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab1LNGtKqm
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusFcXCsfCk
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mEfY7RmgT
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sm7hS9hoN
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJNSPa2STk
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4VksuwL6i
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGBZveiC3E
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TeaB7FX4o
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDx4y5gsGW
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk03jWfHgw
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD0VzbWTIx
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sfz33EXsx
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL9dol97G4
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyCGApemcP
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz68LjYveqP
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7ui9SaPXb
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGbclygJlz
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnXBUS4xF9
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIkAJ1ja40
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVUNALv4Nl
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwspnT5R1B
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxWCAE4rD9
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtJw8l6Afo
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRdMXx49Lt
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxDQ6hv4CD
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHS8A2aVci
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz5iX4QHV2
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVi2KLMd7p
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyR0hM045D
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaCI2IR2Ru
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ477GFM6pmq
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5pI4iqgrt
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwWFPJHqTk
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArY36tD1j9
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOVNLObvrQ
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitXP9RjNhl
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpt6tWY4Ha
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiqFaovZGH
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclL6MOzEgW
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CZomHDQcL
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz6Dpl1Agt
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvwyhAAzsw
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d95cp4YXn
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWhlJLmpsI
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQTlrAnjk1
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDm96c7Swd
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMpJWVaUHB
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhD1uVRLmm
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXMGixUCge
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCMiC20W6f
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegeeNd53NP
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RRxgLiwSP
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLGtAt0jcg
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsjYCpVRgQ
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1mbKiKHUP
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1unKTrArzM
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEJSi2mZoF
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpFHjItibd
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SmivntirN
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4hb4Odw1E
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdL8jrgq9r
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQnuq3TJkx
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNPq5H2DSC
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e7HP0Z36l
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI1Ib5Yz9p
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4snRavYxN
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4Hu5z8QmK
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLfd0tTmc5
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEaFjuwC2G
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIV7CtpFmVj
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr9LM4BNmO
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW0k9HAl1O
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxU4d1pLoO
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSnkpblz1A
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK0DNY1KcR
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvfTc5b4nd
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RuxR0LQyO
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3OXYHwXiH
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HdbQPuMRy
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon0D2wiSwB
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuK3Ghu6aN
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsvPV86IX3
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo7p2NhPCy
to her that way.
Standing there, her366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbGJVUjLpF
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqD3EK9DnT
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV4yOULiDB
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclvANnJipp
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cEsBFw3aT
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLfODjE8XW
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY7ssuJAEu
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizZlzxln1S
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMCEm78O8p
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0JguyVTMw
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hnHAgMCtM
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdzPuluNG0
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvtdWWe9hr
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWAymrk10C
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGawNJR8Kt
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRCfwxOdlp
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2cDVpMCHB
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGH7ZGvqXi
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3mk3XJNTB
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuUuse1Q2t
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4fWfaq1UV
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsBUOYOJLK
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMDMAFCsaD
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunWJDyKMAF
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPBRoJOT30
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBDpVCjPqE
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ytQqW2gdt
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O7w2LZ9lQ
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXaOOb9omI
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiWJPUvnld
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhyPKooFYw
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoZKp3mD4E
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdOxlWu6cm
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDAC4lFjJr
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz7CT7yhyO
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtg27hzhXW
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp99iSh6EA
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLsMFawjry
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt9jVlf9Ds
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKmOtfdIUU
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2MyR0Y9gb
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiVXg67PqM
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T6V3eG1yY
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8UTci1Fa7
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7Cn3exfgY
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyo4nxUc85
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31ekhhLbUV
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2H00tewGT
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TXhZmGQPX
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfNvotmAdi
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYPfmCclYJ
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M8TIBFulH
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHWAFJSAuz
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9hdp4fnd1
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoF1wjcBMc
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGxRIbIqxy
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAFjPEjgLc
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMY6oM3tF2
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYjmsqdJLW
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkepVgstZz
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4r6RFJVyZ
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrMN7whjMz
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ354CeZL4s1
dating,”
“---What is he waiting366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwLRRLSmzF
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYFHMFK2lQ
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiIuSId3jf
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxPxdFOb0B
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh34eBpPSBy
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r0YTXET1A
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGxR7NWylK
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL1wpbSaiD
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb9z4EDjbq
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT0Dusg4JN
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWmR4tOYpa
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd9Nrlh5uZ
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBagl3R1NRT
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzH1UTIwzs
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS229O2XaU
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
