Megan woke up at high noon.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESBClbRrYK
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4UbZn2pCg
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFbDBQ4nyt
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiNNoe1Ta1
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfMVCcP1NB
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb02SEaTZc
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJZVMLfwLV
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYunFhugWup
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uDOBMvZrK
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUQLFGigZ1
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXeNX1Gri0
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoOLMHS5Fc
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ3jyLGQzz
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzs3qXPK6X
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTF9VztoZD
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CX5vFujzo
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1YrEXfsGq
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYvz4okdPL
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7eghhMTFI
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWvFjf2XIr
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwziQZMAeV
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsR8HRcMTr
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNE01Rpgp0
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WMp97MCEv
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38kGoaMmRE
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ9xLVpzER
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGmbOrP74T
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpje6gZQE0Q
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvftjyLtNuK
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroSIxASsvg
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wSJ8sV8Ch
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfC6MbYW3j
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU11fgy5n3
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtEJpAWhVR
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4nJuJVXl9
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNDnEyRgk2
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKwdw0ofVw
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWDJ1OazPC
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup0lXbH26J
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwelc0B6FHt
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmXhFtjJkx
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8l6uMuT0s
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8DPuIk0rJ
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezkRcIwbN7
apologize….”
The girl stared at her376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaghiSCapu
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAaB5qp3Od
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRaqvOgjxK
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8iQ9mX7cT
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuziwOOlMX
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkHF8jcHgu
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm70DnTyUD
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8gM8TnVJ3
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5LxqDoMfA
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0bwBi37WW
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvpdtg5xY9
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAhlexOyWn
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOp7R74jdW
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypBohio5fB
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXiMUIF27O
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ITgEewmAZ
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDNs9AGXjb
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjNiBnEkUu
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFhv3RFvBX
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqFmbq5um4
counter.
“Brisket hash with376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7ikl3ciG5
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZagrLo2j7F
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISuACFU46a
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYDT0Jfa6C
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AP68vzNvs
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBaVjgjPvY
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPn05v6kPC
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU24oTGIDN
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzrtTvuGq0
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAYw854yvw
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWPE6zR0LN
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn2pwBWFc1
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzUPvHlUeN
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGganAbGgjW
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDck69ldoc
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiFaRONtMJ
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNZMokqQIT
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ9U0y5Kdv
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8Phb8VhHo
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOVxy78Mmx
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xfHNn3g64
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9sVe8MFfN
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIohkwGyjLq
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJLsoXOGvi
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFcGzpoIiV
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95KVnCK73C
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIkYU8UmkW
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQncKj7AHp
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1udqMpB4f1
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sYwfCZQTG
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eIwPdT5nl
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJiyWTcCq0
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl3vxf2Ybo
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJEtTxACza
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFcyNc9jKy
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzOqQkpp78
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp31864Ko5V
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLih22oWCuz
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DHpFGXMkK
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VkV9RfdRT
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNVnreSNvH
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVj5ZnPbG1
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfWc5vNnad
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBu1GZH0vz
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRdB7O52re
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxsYDHdcPr
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QlSKCTtCE
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyAKtLhpuU
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a1mSKs0l4
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI6JOhEtiV
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKU4mcYUVi
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNhdl9Gz3D
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyJcng298t
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61nS7kXUFM
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqNa46Gsft
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHicRTboR15
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oXtTfZskn
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDlMN0Z0qL
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHkiGL6i16
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVX3NXMmlc
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCClctA0YTR
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq1zudbQa7
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbYj9Qg81p
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ3rxo8xWS
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpYvyAegJs
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0FMTVcWYZ
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i9zqzh80G
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDapUB2cWD
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzFasi8RH9
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5ttvFwYBn
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsdus1tOzR
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K26wmKtqb
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sTXt32a1v
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm1qRwSB1L
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9UOWb3i4a
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdYKtTE4d0
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhlFn79m0O
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ711O4JpRTM
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkn7wS8aUQ
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkpfiVmIuz
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRVvvROhPv
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdCAkCqO4T
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZCZUHHXad
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoo7PvkI4u
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2syJTTRAzR
to her that way.
Standing there, her376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09owrIV4Jk
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9p8TosiDD
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI1Om6XoAD
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YEL8kU8Nd
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhAwKQERs5
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2VZVCw61T
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhTHev0PMa
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF48hEY0xed
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfeOCtlTrZ
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNgluSk1I8
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobIZDhQt2O
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaErIK3EPhq
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8X7UBTRdU
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHG52iXJzC
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QThysbYfH
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvRswBcSEt
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3XOOhtPAn
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOnZMbK9XH
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tyUGYlGiP
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDduT5eiKC
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKv2bXNVM0
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nFWqRAOwh
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SYmpf74Te
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRrAnjlIqL
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNJwSbnt9D
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS3vxeMTco
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1SWqqRneO
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHVK44OGdt
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjFC90kEZM
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzk2YZ27aP
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QpA1hwdnu
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVBcaPG4qI
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkCF7ES11j
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j2IdimwG1
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfqMkSYFcQ
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuZNKjfjua
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6FNCdHBXl
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM4F6enuVD
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A8dn4VP4k
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4HvMAMnob
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MFoFwoMjz
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibd2v351ql
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqOlUOuDT6
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPyBnl3FKO
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw6lm9IYDa
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLSaGjCf9r
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrHsq29mKk
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcZx0GLxTw
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdQBMm3HBk
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXReCFEtySG
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JpCasAnN0
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcBMh43eWj
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB2DTdwitP
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKQ1nmiQYw
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIol810Jbx
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrWN1820vI
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBti3VpAosB
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBvDylx38V
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDla7xcQ0Z
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2cnu0kh8s
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHxVTCTZxc
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61SqBvKX5h
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvtNcSpn84
dating,”
“---What is he waiting376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIiQcdX3xr
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoW55Tg4ao
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGpPKPkPaq
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bp2QBO8kP
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiRcYIlvaH
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCBLbVeuEc
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQK7AXKxFj
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySotYSDFuG
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5kjqUzZfK
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98Wv40Lkcv
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SfMbM1sUR
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUBetnkNB9
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNuFAOmJhH
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXH8ISf8h1
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpQkIQ6Okl
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
