Megan woke up at high noon.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8BqTjfZlM
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZpyYxVBFT
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29f1zx7bJ1
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PN94KGa4z
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q4VXXLrzf
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0FukUhxpi
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdte3cwfFQt
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzGnHR9wMz
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqnAleJBZ6
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexy1AjTdBT
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPnAZxBdAU
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcRiMYYWDe
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1NGnLXtml
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeoLwyZHWq
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8zuVHFWV0
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5va7E7d8xS
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Be6Su4tMo
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj24UdNLyRl
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOpiAUR4bs
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkwSYS1avQ
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4QPdolXJn
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqsFWlJCp7
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XAKWqEpB4
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9R8lmHF1w
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRs2SM9VRQ
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQUXYFVTih
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH56d7huHpN
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWxWF0Y4NL
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUePOnCu3TD
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ9aFIv7Q4
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtIr2rsYQC
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzofWn92Lz
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbye7Fm3Gi
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIxoXSe9i5
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa41I3HwHIq
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mPGe3ZzXE
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJNQm6KwrL
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RfuJ9O5sr
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVZANkSnD5
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADTUzjgRy7
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejpIobizph
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IsIUkplJj
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDbyCKGhMo
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklIOwpRCCW
apologize….”
The girl stared at her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQbu2pEf8I
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFcS1RVGwy
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHlRXbrzFD
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb8UPhYhtf
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ozMGrw7KR
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZNmcQ4m4D
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXspAUpQ6u
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rJ0uTM01h
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBwgAXmw7S
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1cARixxes
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj1pjb7DV3
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEuskpofYW
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCas0duLET
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanFO4EfMlA
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE97WoFtum
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH67I0ylwY
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43LvIMwBF6
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHYH956xPp
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVa6EPByMo
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxPHlg2FqD
counter.
“Brisket hash with361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNZO6SPS4q
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez1WuRNUqJ
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmC4TXAAGu
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI7zB45zLh
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EeqR1G8bl
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW833036cU
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gv1aP5mWS
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpGmkptvUn
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOONDifVsb
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3du9I6HL2
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPyhLcz7LY
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6zQOFHyEx
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV1pMjoiTp
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYktd6ojYcx
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi35ZrgQB1z
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OWypXNQFb
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyRI5lKxSg
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkouBRsQBb
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdfp8G7uhj
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ1LF2fZ7R
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTebXjlS2d
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BYqpOFb8W
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZm4iSRmxw
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHz4zWDOes
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZUtT894My
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw7T2pUHdl
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0bnVN5hHI
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpviGE2Z2n
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrCs6Dy8nF
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk21Ar6DDRk
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIypuQmqeQ
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8cUdSI7uA
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMjA28yqhd
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevXuZLEpZW
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupwhyFkL1x
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJbpVl6k7z
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXGKYy0pqs
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GJsbrxu25
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYoBH3Lqw1
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJHaWWSf8T
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL7AGMVXv0
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUJebUJFET
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCzOqiL8WA
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuaa4X1QFf
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLH59eqk7L
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1QdnXKNDG
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKUtLYUKuF
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4EpZ1Gw9O
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KgDY8lTG2
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMcOX8xheM
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDNd1oCa9e
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14OoWnZpgL
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20qVfxL3U0
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfRne8TxS0
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6rrhGTpG4
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKNYrg1Alz
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvNlHB9sHm
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYuqYv4pwI
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbEF6zsXIw
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkpSSktR50
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGlc8mwQIu
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Sf0OMuArb
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdcNgdf5Al
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3v6LlqSOT
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNl8q3P4Ln
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJlnYGQIxv
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WaE77U9Fz
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwNvLqSZOf
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Bvq3HXKBY
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9MDFhrZXO
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPIc7RK9zC
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrK2RUOPEC
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTOqBXRTce
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmQ2phoaJf
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDo2sE9GPn
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4eGo7oFyu
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReFll6KYeB
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PNi63VuIY
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac2IPlTvNH
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FPYDE4aiB
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9OnNyggV5
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntc27CYqj0
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGfnQBYBQl
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnaJ9Q5OpN
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuKrZaqeQY
to her that way.
Standing there, her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt0PtaOl8h
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYbcKBct98
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsyxjU5PO5
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIV5be7pzs9
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfT4xTdNqQ
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb1bk0oqln
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnufPN6960Q
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBNlvw9V2N
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ6UfKxJO6
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrWVbozETt
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKV7J3vTec
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqA21LEjZP
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyOSreRqHi
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kib3bGfDy
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9Z04NTp1h
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDadaihfo7
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JGjaQoIi4
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQNehY2gFJ
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF0ShpjJJD
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA8RPNfI6x
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx6OP8LXND
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp9d2vzlHy
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tS6sncG3K
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwxrTK1ANF
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu07vrSvhBr
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cWUvBV1Ae
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgKoqc132S
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIOyRTano4
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkarfQa7BiO
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwG8kaBpz1
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60Oq9rem7x
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvz4GUaEdc
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3tSFon6Mm
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzAMg9vG6t
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLOkxrkAD2
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8ZmiB873l
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsv13RSdUl
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpQzMib7Yo
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46c0QdfJGT
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDycjbkcv7
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCN3ChvesP
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YzFljzUpV
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ksMDVxfVd
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3dHxD7H4N
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4mb4oYjTN
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNBKf9rCz1
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4fEl7SWRv
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxQI1uYUix
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OmzE3yqEJ
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cdaiVxzgP
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3y2APZMWx
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOswAuj8xA
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PwIjj6a1q
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdubHszG2G
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOQOEwxM8r
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfVkyRWSZI
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5knWnqQvP
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbKrwN15TE
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrKXmITkUJ
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8LbriCa5f
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQR9TPNRWO
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxiKCfMtNr
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznHiFaOckc
dating,”
“---What is he waiting361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RRzcxGJyS
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhPX8B0n69
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfpEhqGRps
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6kOWmW0Ah
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7w9CVFEdxc
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6W6W0ujLD
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK59C7h7Pp
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8JTjv2CIc
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrfS9TMDDi
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJGAE3xFJz
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc80IFcLfA6
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtdelvwsYC
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa7E1zJ7C3
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1ooqnioD1
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAgOqIM7hs
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
