Megan woke up at high noon.301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQiovqHZIr
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLD5RGAMqL
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSudtpmRggL
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFfRjSYhRM
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8wurFpMQR
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MtD5Qz2Ze
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVzhvnAFEF
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7XWmY2qj9
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7boLx1K1C
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBLZNykPWt
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1ou08Z6zB
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0O7pkXeiV
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgERPhaEJgh
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2scSAJfs67
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2o2ZGigCX
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozS2uHHr2p
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda2VGYmS5g
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEnir0DhQd
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp2WNeyutc
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQMYKWJlim
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q8AeZaM4c
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqCHSiVn3R
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjHS7GjNM9
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45bOv6L24u
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiJXuQ6mqx
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwLBo8gRZr
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kU7Bq5Vah
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZftQcebSP
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbdcigb6MR
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9ESQVgqlA
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRauFKqCog
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaIP6Q5osQ
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux7XXcau4e
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdw2knM9S1
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mERsd0y8b
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcitVP72hb6
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAh7B0Vnwy
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoRvncHVzZ
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwp657p2oW
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKypRICpygw
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXFLOwxZtM
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcBkSQ8ubT
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5WMwpJP5S
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kRDxtTw65
apologize….”
The girl stared at her301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbPs4Z7rLW
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzowkoQdJ5k
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYoKirfYrG
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIva4JSdVME
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwVx7NMlre
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ0IsJMkC7
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEKtPlKBTN
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm770YbXyR9
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMFFuwghTW
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfhUB19Tkg
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQZo5SgWd9
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnD326Wy9d
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl8UuIpDRY
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6yRwVHrF8
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjPXo9sE2w
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxUnnCU8bx
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5vDkqprim
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSdYrHNL6O
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvrWtsmBNo
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcec7rtbsE
counter.
“Brisket hash with301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmQVMWPWSc
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3s9ARKGQo
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmjih3wx3h
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo1eIEzaKq
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IxuIdQIza
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MaoFo15xc
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVDRi94HOi
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE31ENLuGT
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFOPNYIAgx
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCtrt2zoJE
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyX6Ygn4Ti
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWRDWHB7Ww
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pnaIQzVVt
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS31YGS4RF
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpz1R7KrTF
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tZz6XoGdp
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSPLF9sQ7l
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozn5b7ryZE
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56A5sLP83Q
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjpgV09K43
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb78dDEruam
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcBBm5zG2O
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBixJwMy64z
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ33mdcFQz
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOTNyXaC0L
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s0T7Y0c9j
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNulAsQ9Ic
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vejBKRPIk
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MH9CjKrRo
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluTFK5WKOY
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApVmLC0AND
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAwF4S5znR
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhUGGL57ge
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX2O06pbEq
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6Trt2laUB
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy46V9rdkH
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8ASmVXsaE
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMMt7s6GNY
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7MhsdTioX
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1pbGVK6dF
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kH7GrT0VK
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv34Gsuqks7
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WbWMznKUr
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIodWDXupL
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNiYjXGzaK
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIo6WfXfIH
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiAMqwdnat
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZkU5hVZMd
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXfiZLlxGE
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQUkSW2XiB
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MQAUvWJlV
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNMiP5MYvy
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlye8VpY2D
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16WpTTZ7Zw
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsxOEXoQE7
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZnzd8P6p6
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKArGKqydPo
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjOv9NXkSN
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5wr6Ib330
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPRZ4HdpmV
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQj3ve4rPy
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEmtvvlqsX
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nzJYdLxkC
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NMRxcAI1d
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGhMkOuSzj
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqXYwVZ2RO
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL1Iav5bXk
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJvafulSNk
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAUr2DrbTa
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b4VEdRSes
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRz3lM4Wc3
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAhuNkVe2A
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBjFSDfmem
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2POGDcHveq
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWhEfkAySu
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzvtXWviXD
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQWdI8swnc
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0iUCUoeCX
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKdfoWy2DP
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJjKs25I99
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsihawTaeOq
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRxu21b7qP
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbXTnRjeCw
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgMW6rpVxb
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIAhcam2dv
to her that way.
Standing there, her301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNQrTKvfvm
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIB85WkV5o
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbutLejBvdL
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc6KwAZGUW
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc4QIQWaIU
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2EA7aoYHP
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0fY0YZ8y2
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qOHim756R
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaXUxyWjN2
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbKkXBLkP3
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ptjSsthDU
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQkae1owkc
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W69vOtDtI
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTUqqem644
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrrTVV4Bfj
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJExVl2mZ0
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwmkSgXTcT
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqadMuJ1yx
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aBWLodQk6
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShyVYze38t
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ow4tiHcl4
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw0LHDaWuA
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0lSv0ZuXW
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZDvs8j1lb
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbU6LkW9U7
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArNSrV5pWP
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZS66E762R
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SSltBnqAw
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1E1RkKVmc
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqeXRnEZUY
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cqsIYvMWX
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9gvQgBfoH
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JyEvpJyIu
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIShjzbLJ9
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByfHdQjrXm
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJm3z0gRD2
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8hEJbjTMX
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6Ndc1SgOa
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOAGCN5Hbo
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwslK17JWW
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelTUb7eo5h
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgWjWK9fqC
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpp09HJLNd
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNEJ3zYtDc
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7tXIOuHKv
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMylcFY5FD
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZQABlPSXj
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NHK8jEAb0
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RVAWkaJT9
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5f43DqoDT
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimipLQvlZk
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFnU74vKS8
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVVliPuEE0
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZpfMxWgjS
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5yzeExQWf
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2Yl6aji5N
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzAAC6tWlI
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqamhAMjl4
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5LO1294AB
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9l8A9xN3G
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnncK9wTK48
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4Mz3BcXfP
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8x4m6kuzd
dating,”
“---What is he waiting301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgInmgywyd
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UdYne3nv7
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20w5MV24zq
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO9lzKv3gA
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds7ygbKHeU
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoitQwI4nY5
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZLgzYNMDT
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw6gkoaAEy
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvBCWbicpg
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKidFclJqCq
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu7G6KcKeT
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM7ppwnRH6
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmT6iQOhJb
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYMdwUA3Pr
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder301Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TWQavmWUd
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
