Megan woke up at high noon.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD53J7Nzcew
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytNixF89NV
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwImZkLHUVc
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHGgdPCyGS
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUix1luOdF
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6GmSgLhTr
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGlWNPFvnH
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9HxieGvGf
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dHvuZ9DdY
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiffZ6gpy5
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZAcPC8KAx
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89lTiZFIEB
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCs3OcAcXh
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRrZYHYOTs
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzlSgLcv93
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXpwei6PbS
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRceSsl2AB
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVWSBiKTmU
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqQPwFq41o
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIuNOhfq4l
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDIouey2A4
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDMnGDc0hm
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhw5kczhcW
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1q9GKzpOv
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSrGxwd217
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH6ZAUUeL4
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtHFNmlYDn
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm3pZTJUCi
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU01VOZ1iau
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmffWBOZNO
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0TtlzcINW
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkbvAK9S2A
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZEZH2rNMr
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYfYdBOh6L
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuuuwxdFzk
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5INoE0Yhh
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJJ8LA95Dg
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAry2aZnFk
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYydO77ALfG
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsxJmLHhQ1
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM5dlbAyCl
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrEnhvzyyR
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCabtxWoyY
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXqzGCzQkc
apologize….”
The girl stared at her283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE3Xp51ik4
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP293c0DFL
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPtYROaih4
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlh01lncXY
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtImYRhz3d1
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeSOD6z28N
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveNlB2WzQw
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf596TiSgK
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AGtP8GVnn
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6V8rsRW1Q
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOdqTPCB8I
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd26dMSJcP
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThfQJCXu7k
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez34qhPdIC
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK95rV8aBps
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGngHn30hZ5
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQk8z64baA
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5bphFC0P2
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8STToDqj8
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1XEVJjTIS
counter.
“Brisket hash with283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu3Keb676t
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqfoErJhGG
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bvtZ1VZaM
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTktFWSkqZM
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOIQvC4PWg
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RW1iFv8O6
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y4tS4fa0s
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzFYNNI8q0
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV3qJQ6xAT
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kzm5cskSH
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6jf42uquS
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYETW8KPQP1
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTRkSp1hGh
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHfElHfiJh
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkBYEQPNmj
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cGM5kPeE6
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wQS8nEhL9
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wY9aLDX4x
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SNn1od04z
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8Kgxzdv9C
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3hsMuINiD
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpZAeKFimi
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfyLgQ2V8o
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8xEoV9gss
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZWFfhE5go
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8W2Tt5tOH
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7L4JCWPhX
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDSZ1S6TDj
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9rmNUuau2
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWmf5fJCHt
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gWKAbmonf
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqDMk1XpUv
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUMBYzehjz
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPJlXgL45o
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB4d7ChIQf
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffqsnk6cIz
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnCgRGYfs5
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrR9OMF8NE
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIFfmLBNlN
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSOYXad158
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw775QfXoq
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwRfWXht2D
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHoJ7QGokR
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUJhmQ5Evn
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcUfdB3UkG
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjdXabJPjx
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWnGalBD2w
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xuy2hrxOD
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXW8wSMqNl
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3sF0RrsuH
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVDJNgrqKz
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqccD9y81m
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CwSlD0y95
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWtYQxOUjM
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFFtWSsQnL
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUpuaWem49
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VHA1aVxLn
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwXfJsf4ix
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aiyOagSTU
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnRbtVbI2M
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPeZ4RUMlK
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr8z31jSvH
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIAoGVEVVQ
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB1qwRTuqY
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHX5mDMZNl
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzk9bkBFF4
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoqOMMmFs9
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nNnNVulLr
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktH3XtdzwD
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA6hCj0Mxb
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9mxSvGXXg
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x59mgSHM6
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKvtoLBv6H
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4qvsRyLfl
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4qcNyvyU7
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGu8kHCWFz
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18UtrHsKO2
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4Bmj1eLK9
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTVpHo3EbC
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfZCAyuxUY
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOO1S00R8z
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mptm9N1PM
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt94MfzEae
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN4yC4vhrz
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSplOG5hbB
to her that way.
Standing there, her283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSu1GqgkiF
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyWX5Lcaix
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDlPcxrhME
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJwD4PTAuy
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCfLeF5AKj
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwogoeLk8eu
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6r03tiXwa
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F6qS2dKJ0
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XQP1jyn9v
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ72dPr8cnQ
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsasYx7T7D
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXp7zd1Nt2
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLS6F5bxA3
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAxEeTA9SE
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwbc87ZbSE
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqWpsa6C5u
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKkQaGxKbu
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQt8qgKHZ7
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1nSqy8KZk
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYicfeJBshe
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRgnLLCP2W
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QZDW2jn62
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgYPyWijGd
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeAaEfhlDE
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uhCXDzSSZ
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnYsFFWSLn
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrauDtaHGD0
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5OgVRtpC9
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOUZ1Lf91j
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NhqMuLvGA
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFnaKFzIZj
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi4gboD0sB
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26o6aONwxd
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqqaYLyXKg
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi65aDAWBq
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp0yUOtUZZ
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25YfFUzsxN
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnQJ4gpjLy
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOjVoJVWf9
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlMRd1XFia
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwHUZqJwwS
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfYPltVGgR
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiWZC7tlQS
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWGAz7u88C
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUpGrbtau3
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1BpWHb2Wp
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1sBr6TkLW
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zBaU4lJXA
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYEMumbfav
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxOcJ41IK1
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H2WDoP8tl
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWydjHoPSi
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J8UnZdOx3
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuV2dgl5xb
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyCWyYL0Rv
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmzeo5rNFk
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunWtfUeaG2
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MMbNsV60d
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZsZocAwtC
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xybuPqO5a
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVH1DRjclO
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8CWUbhqyl
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyKdmoEUnm
dating,”
“---What is he waiting283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lSfnseNPi
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMucTNzDGm
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpANEsBGULR
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpCLJeopiO
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQJH6ydFiR
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheTf3SlMvs
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhIzmzTi9n
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3SsbnT6FY
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliLZtIFRn3
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L35QqNjtw
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglBA9xkXjb
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dDaTjkJgd
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGcF8WDyVm
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDTNOInJRH
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS3udHjJPk
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
