Megan woke up at high noon.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsijsJiyG0z
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8tKy8vvTm
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02uZoX9Kna
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFvtNmkE7M
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ur6TF2cdK
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEZAO0mFoj
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCLcmj2Pzh
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcZLxhl83x
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWlQ7FQiIe
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQFT3F043E
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PEMaswA0C
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWxbRR1JzH
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuESMAOqwo3
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlIGeMuIyI
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoNe5h2h8v
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g7mEmnFhR
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aYAQBmGO4
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QTHpwj39A
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5sAtRONcO
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUF7BiHCjb
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoePtdxLEdp
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzs12ChOQZ
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJtMGO26hY
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0efj1Rp2W
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcyH7dPssv
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOVEj7IARO
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2li2bjvzg
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3ST5mVS9e
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeYgoXYFHw
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kWJ9Nnj9n
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWigFWOnsU6
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1tu2nJnsg
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEMLEv3xZj
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61oEkdiAb3
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjj1wgT3aZ
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4gcPP2F9l
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9agsRUGLwD
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pYlEGqFv9
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0lroS1Ojz
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9RhrrmV2J
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSqRysPwra
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXdEwLbbIB
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9NApHwIto
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsbbwP2a2W
apologize….”
The girl stared at her294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpgwr84f3J
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzodbAosol
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoBqZdTZCr
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlIImYb0cZ
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLBBGfDS3l
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacp1Ze7JnJ
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqZVx4Qr1e
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnotvKGSIGe
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUOcqFEwyq
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfstfokAKp
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOjKCdll46
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX1h6OwgyE
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4IAu4I2hc
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxkOLkKSb3
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnvgVfaR1E
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSEkVjMj4s
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayKmZTRe9R
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAaD80gFLz
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0BuDqKw9k
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrob1GoP7Iv
counter.
“Brisket hash with294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBlVAWWLrc
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lmo5tLKo2
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHo2UrECUe
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKHPg1phrb
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFVX9P4VKA
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrg4U4Hwd6
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37OASrqr2d
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6s6XGzR8M
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4wRCwPYCj
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQrQIu23Xq
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBflOehl8Fk
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrUJvJsjeD
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBAIsRAqm1
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPRhb3KXBM
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9ah97Desc
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9Hq6ID9xs
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GlqNo2Lii
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OO8nr4Qqc
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMCEhOwgDw
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr5xXSEF91
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmnMYRotkr
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0USFCip0n
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgxlGF2IxP
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMidiWlzZlg
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz2rwOgC8e
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjQZFZcvCx
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXRjj6xkE8
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGPAqa39Wn
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTMFYvwHWL
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYKCyHlTaa
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEL3aOKmcb
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoH9bBn47C
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvCNAzSWeo
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0jXemROKc
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUHkxnEP7d
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h46DHBhM0
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsAcfP3BXW
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVHylf7HHx
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaetlQ4UQl7
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr4cIEcuuN
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyUFH904Ct
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqy16lfVT6
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PRagYaoW1
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbVSftfnf9
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX36v9zdjE
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ67nACbmUu
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv0kMx4NJC
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡherm5sapm5
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwX87U8KAM
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPbtkKHHaB
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIo2sqmMqH
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvhZnH56dq
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFaqOl5GR2
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKstp233nkk
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Aahekmr3R
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI8NYcyvFL
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkgINlJRdm
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQky4AH2db
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEBxSd6NB2
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBNlbrNoaz
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONtEs9RBbS
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PAlgqmK5n
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsvgsuiRTt
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlroXmqVms
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizkT8FrJiB
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjZXYbyFHo
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dFxPY3i7l
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhknBcHtvrJ
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3OYG9alzi
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNLjBtsFw4
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdozjU1Bq3
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwzivGD2nh
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepBgyiE9J8
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wDEzeeYjS
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrt4aMvJ3A
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBmDN7IOJz
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsn6uRFgQV
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCmAK4RFYA
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FsYmkDfIu
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRmqRzxbIj
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc7wYnqA9L
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6GRupsp6i
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVYmAqfAUB
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLH7HHULB5
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELIsUotQJA
to her that way.
Standing there, her294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHpTSEp1Of
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFXS65VmxW
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMfBDt8UrT
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhOX2dJzm0
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6Zwe2xKwO
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2P8ZRYjfN
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyv7CaBe8H
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPCGyDePVi
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7yPdEWKiE
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGAaU7zieP
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD5uVRyjkN
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26hQcfECVC
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JVO4pBB8j
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVW4TTEZjr
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsykYOjiwxC
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4tV8PSEs1
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENnslEDiHq
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17Ab9fvu2T
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66HGsKGovk
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidgJdQCDD6
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0rlOwLWI9
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PY1jYeoM4
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXupb6Hqzg
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KOc1gC0p8
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oFeHE2CwN
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ag5PxsgxX
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5TymmJtJ0
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWsB2yDcid
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9ADQI4UUi
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAqaqFqIjS
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gSwV98Ie5
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOSYxRCD1e
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S0CRn6iFf
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEwrXqiypX
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOziwUg5K2l
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o0BToJM29
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOspSBlUAL
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXpW0oH6wU
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWZ8AvzJpI
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYysRaJQw7h
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGTYPLt0UB
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5u0NFztTp
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAeNr2IVni
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx4dNSDV7g
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRfETzBOSo
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRC6EKPjIc
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrsdn4VuD8
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvx9tMYJhP
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKeIJMJqtQ
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ImCiyyOUS
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0qK17INkO
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdbXZcrOo7
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqChnZLieN
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTElE3zNqx
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b3EEKfIAI
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSFPKi9xx5
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLKUEoVkqs
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbka8AT1Kn
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ikn4QOCJb
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMGWtgsYOL
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTCgFVTX9Z
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl3EqNBq0j
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC8QhETlAx
dating,”
“---What is he waiting294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZWEWnWNOz
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8NwjaKNpe
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfIVzUHyNS
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIbYdGQr3H
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU8EkEdQBq
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3KmBnoPpp
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofAqNqNm5V
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHQCkO6ngK
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1YAs7VP0K
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKjnWhGAza
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGiek8GgG9
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOnGyIyLLq
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE6pqr7LEd
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqzDtuEgbU
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5clXSp9lFA
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
