Megan woke up at high noon.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFdkwrywBH
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSqzDOGC4d
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMjfzeXaTL
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJGNkJZYcT
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRmAlv4Ts1
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKvJ6Fry4i
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqRod5pa50
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp2tyXakpX
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbImk0enUS6
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyOAG4hm8f
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXkgIkdpSO
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8NUqQRYDr
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwxGfaa3lS
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIw9GxtJkC
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQji8ZIr1E
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqLZd4DHaV
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaHGyZ16o5
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXJMfSvfdd
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTd5iNkm7wg
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUPRaYUxAK
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2V30jdoTh
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgTPfLnRAZ
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty1P9Z2zsK
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6BSpvALYl
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydjN9sEvkE
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoRLNDcEad
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkcyHhDAGo
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiMZvD86LC
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXwz09JhH0
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3oF2Xeliv
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JiPYzfvRi
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu3EeG7Sha
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4NkkUBCFu
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kjmaGmWYo
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFUt2E5JGr
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs0PKm3O6g
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP1ftARwM2
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwA3OvAd8I
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ723JjdlCq8
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu07AYNqB2P
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zXwlNz6J6
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTECoswCqwS
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLGTkKg64Y
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrJylQQAUg
apologize….”
The girl stared at her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLN1iwheS7
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnDNP6BIdC
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGdd9rGqFI
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifrBmMZwQv
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYEVFMZAFt
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg4Jeqctfb
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUr8Z2iO5p
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3leCKkMOR
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5xavloeNy
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ArLnZ3PO8
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoroSuRG803
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDj5gZ0Qjl
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfzqcBBQ8X
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uD3EiqvTK
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAspgDpM6u
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKldk295U1
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HBr6uz6OY
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWFu3vAiRm
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPniEZgWDxG
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinyhPcqEtK
counter.
“Brisket hash with410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X7J0zeyQK
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06bLBxK37t
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZrjXPX0eI
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpylQ0PSEXH
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHKMpNWppo
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXuBBk4n5D
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVtj9ZPaV7
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQP5taMFSS
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzqpRdHF6Y
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOeKhkilec
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv4vLAQL9U
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAueYOJlkB
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SaKgN62nE
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQljh0rUWO3
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz2ajJggRd
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1B03LSIWr
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCas65UiwqB
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5WG8X8jyI
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5uzvJlp4H
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh7ggioQRl
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJxnCYtbHu
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fJ61decx8
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsDlDnFP9y
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgXJ6gw7H1
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeaU07f7kS
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIrrBFwjNk
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAZWw6mLN5
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwNB5FLRUk
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcN6xgmjMr
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXjMhpr8GP
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzAQgOFWif
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiZNskG68i
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkjxw9XQxI
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokOhu2PoK1
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl067q64Oi
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTNYJRhEDf
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw849tcXj8
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVrjdqpPJS
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASHGsfX2mu
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8s5eUEcsM
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlStfN8y7Ax
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYFTgkdUMD
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMksuSU2vY
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfck5aYHkhx
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn01phPhqm
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIM5oco0yT
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwJoUC9eMX
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqayFClbvmV
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ySbrhe6ak
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZiqMYUizr
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu3J8Pk07u
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO38RMjxde
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9R02vuHWN
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLokaOxzEn9
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32XqZzMD7q
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbNreDWHFy
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVZIn4sUN5
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Dss8E0kdR
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2PkFxOXBV
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bcbWyRxe1
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhVhBYsOol
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyqV5NlG6G
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5wvmaWhz9
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNOwUR96UP
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PixezQeWh
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGQHk9for2
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnUcRwltiv
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU3XNvWnPK
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVKGb9IHEA
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGbBNT7W1Q
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlitMyT2PN
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBJN74GNL6
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4XlP8XKCF
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0slNENFC1v
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0IQXvoLqK
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NY1Lp4Rju
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEInwH9iWTr
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy4pI2X99o
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy7yoawHt5
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxYrNiEwok
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk8HWS0tPB
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRc7DsDOYl
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEf8pyilmD
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpodHTVquT
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXzvmuvlJS
to her that way.
Standing there, her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinigwbgnCU
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfpxu1cRel
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllR6x1hzO3
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhHxQCmkcQ
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv45PG0tVT9
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgF7QOHhfJ
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsuM6kSND9
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01I0L8jL0O
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGshgn7GrK
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QOiWlP0yE
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQo0cXtQn1
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJbVu66Br5
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPTVokjrPw
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE4KTOXWOD
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQapGg2Upz
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENwuAq2fQ2
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ610dJGKQ5s
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsF2uZspEE
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNQGTMjMtf
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjZ7DtyfcI
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpyQlBahy5
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HZ4PgxlUw
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KED3qQLfT
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarWEbcptH0
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mknbKnb4n
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTEJlkJwhD
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvsjarq9Ri
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE0C1OM5PU
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZpsZ7ageQ
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzchmxuMGsX
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jwg6KHkNl
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2DC9FU5gR
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGjmnSk4M8
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7T0MAxrCE
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJshK4uuHck
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkKiheWUHd
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RB58OeMVd
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RsYnGMfL1
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEeadEpp6R
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2xK2V4rVg
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8lEzXUJos
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQvBdpPbN6
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzLg57SQzj
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm0fXGPdzp
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVBpCIp10H
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC0pXpe5dq
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLKdOggtsY
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ5ZtT4pa3
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt30NgHFZvw
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0Je3aeos4
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcOQqT2PDN
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fp9PP3xBu
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzJ4tlq7Gj
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWHOz3e1RG
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRSkgtaheD
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeHNS4B1hq
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr2x34eUZ8
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzgD3t7Iko
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHYGYbI5R1
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcyvNnXQkg
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAekrgBU9jO
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsaZTMYkGO
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVvrG4D70v
dating,”
“---What is he waiting410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQoRE19nhH
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaInzTJ5LU
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyasBXYfei
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPjwqiW7jU
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2E7Us1PZgR
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ4Y2xUDbj
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqsJjFdoxF
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1vegMVq5i
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt5cLL7eP1
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAlRsvFlKx
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHxPCZLjpw
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBoR3ZsQOf
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadl5TM84jj
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6SRO60uDy
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGGtptxIcx
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
