Megan woke up at high noon.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmvLEZ0yGA
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGvlZM1cNT
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTbB8jksJM
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2k6pO0hE6
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjwlKWyHYw
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDGVYGynKN
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVUrYXPyqg
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFIrvBcFQR
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpZr0hxVGV
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx2dJVtlOc
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lV3pIq2zZ
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkgwKwnUws
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWzVkjrH2n
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OsKak54ww
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XrT5QkaT4
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKI5cNfQOV
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SmEVX5hQu
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd1zlTZMQS
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRkY3cyz9T
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyDmM5cyS0
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwplfJQUQb
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6mdVFUxTD
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ6OzufVpg
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp7gk0AEnc
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E2plmEvEZ
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNxHD1NLg8
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNUrrnWHQS
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuznYKOU6r
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvdvTVLYiy
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho3x4bWpdD
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XSoTGNhgu
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJx3d76irR
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLWIslxdt1
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYcSKHoFB3
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2EnmO64zI
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm6qulJbkP
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUiW3MDZ1J
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFhMGjSGWL
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlAx8MkicO
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JmCeEt4oF
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapKiakn4ZL
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym1QuGO9Ye
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tNwpysPud
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjgAh78wLa
apologize….”
The girl stared at her304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtbFNqi3Ka
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31WdE27Q0B
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI6FZDLa5m
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpVql6vZpU
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPqzJ6Uvtl
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkti9biBwW
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53w9nsoKxN
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyIvb54aWn
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRztmiaq1Y6
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAHVJ5K796
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBXJw7gXNJ
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsaDadf3VM
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJGg05rvSv
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHE8pkuElT
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7I0lJcrjU
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0Fr8S3U7g
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw7dTAYx63
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBCLy7IFMu
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT5JAPjGDu
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyHRqd0Czi
counter.
“Brisket hash with304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlW0Xt5IHg
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrzGu1wCcR
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXNnomNDHA
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXSunkhuKv
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSd4S3yJJa
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGqvaoPbyz
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dxgh2KBCw
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaW6CmOWvM
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmSsD9y3N7
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa09wkuSIlZ
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiuvIYQzbZ
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpmND9kcrW
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwAoX6X8GA
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2ID2t278b
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyIHIeSSE0
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj49Y4WvEev
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTPYJRhP8n
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg8abUkdOZ
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQGF0XzACn
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1wONXC60m
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxFedhOvBp
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WmKvAT1h6
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK278p9bKL
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSYCdEnHr2
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkai9tR8Bjd
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4PcxbbWFQ
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36khKF7qCQ
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHdeqhtz5Z
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN7EuKRPKo
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaPge9TrLx
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ndoocgwLq
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWegiESMYU
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLWQpbeoMR
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdkQu5HHmE
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIysBfEipU
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1fWQySqi6
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpaENRPLpf
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1rjNpiDS7
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22DgLDu31d
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfgA8R9av5
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumt7R8kLgM
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMMNhenEVz
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdfuoICYTV
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkYTi4SuY3
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf4QkpLseB
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpAuLQaPEe
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXedYO4vzkE
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvLWGGPT5B
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ5PFCJhoo
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPE6JF3EFu
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40vdF2R0Ag
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjdutacsL8
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBEYR5ELfj
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIbxFPzPy8
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCKvmL4TjL
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRhAoZ8hau
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCozPaTWtQ
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDKn3pwHpx
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCdHTRIvV6
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVGhk2Pntf
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh62rmFFM4r
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nWg01qIgH
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWb78PjF2g
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrEk7vVhPS
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXQHfR0AzA
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbssty2NK6
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2KWUBxUvY
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPZOwiR7yz
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCp4OnGTEK
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMolaBPlwcJ
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkrPMOrCvf
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6y6h7GEMg
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimYtN57x15
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGbLqwY8wq
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFwpjgLprq
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhelxjsMNxH
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jyeLVY5ar
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhlnaqdDkN
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyn9i7fUwx
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yESXjqncn
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcuIrGisDW
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFCZJEXy5y
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3D9gZE8WQ
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lUCppLv1V
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgzbNlrOZP
to her that way.
Standing there, her304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1sCUWbzGr
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUPEu2HZjr
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzyw83NbHW
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FbQUdZAms
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fdKAD5ycq
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9zNVVpMu2
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5u3bvg3pv
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQRHk2oaH7
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ533LzhYmXq
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSknvUY4Kb
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQHcKAmzpC
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmOAmO06kE
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLVHde85gO
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32Cdp7bRcn
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsi9KCDMpv
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2oFx14MkW
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveBwOXGltM
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSm2moQ1FJ
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hkHQ0vMe7
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf9avff9FP
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEy7yForCP
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuln7UAz714
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81nZppcUrU
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzGHE48z1l
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwJcd8QhhW
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DrQo3Si94
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBUEyYrkrq
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTcUeERVxH
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG28av1aCkY
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWW55o9EZr
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ8Tds7xRW
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmR7v6Nfwj
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtZiP88SDs
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdlYBNsjSI
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn64nmflUw
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJQBt5BXGK
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsW9m9xxpP
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14tI7FA7RA
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRSZFETr7v
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvEoEMMvpv
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56TzVmIm0d
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGnslQi6Ik
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ1OS9ymAs
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNSzBQfb4g
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1Qwmxg8nE
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI5M3GFxAJ
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhWfWvLLKy
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDFI9az3Sn
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSGCNcps0r
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp0YXtcBRN
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J2OgOI12t
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaExqmIq35a
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl5yqorAMW
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ964Fslhcnn
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdfqgGYC6w
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ3tIQykMb
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ299e3GKeyf
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLhfoMsVY4
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBLvBkwlG2
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJoc5p1Gg0
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOcOR0qoCe
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBHKtXXq2v
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlRkVzsXD3
dating,”
“---What is he waiting304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQMesFHybQ
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRruIBLS5wh
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkuoxgWP26
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowcam9USkV
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA609dwOSy
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCopdS1YC3X
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYkf8CifAp
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24l2qdEmaH
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1iyDvRc9V
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM9JOY8uPc
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMzoM4HFlA
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBmla8ZUw2
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7DseRyAXS
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDOA0kKJ4l
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmXQ1qMsNh
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
