Megan woke up at high noon.322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIhQX65ntu
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K2I7YwTbV
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymlKFqBb6q
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HCkvfTlw7
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL81HdaciII
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNlqFSO8Lk
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXu3vWA7F2
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmFSqWuFVI
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwluwnSOA8a
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnGuZStNPy
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8vfSrL3LN
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2zaLlyjw6
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZBqYzuXrb
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2U61kfSjV
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYMQQBKBFY
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8atZHzeK3
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAFsVdpFBN
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrP5CCwRTK
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgWSYQ61NP
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIlzTImBzg
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nPjUGh3oJ
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAUTftDrc4
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhwVtPONx8
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINAvmUgzUt
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X2yxOTXbv
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiNNSQNxzg
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRKyiArDMd
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBBACDoHnD
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBycRfjRYFe
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGbtGZK4PZ
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb5ion2LN0
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlY84vaNEN
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlyaKRABov
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomadM8IwBx
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk8MVeLySo
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQQPbEzQtS
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5gKNQauDD
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQxqj8BOE3
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVeSM9zOot
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzLWW6wQqd
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTJsSjTVSO
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOCHVpGY8g
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLDc23l4dm
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TPWCaXJmU
apologize….”
The girl stared at her322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ6F8tJMX2
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmGbdcwbpd
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d8DLO5ETJ
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3lFpoP81T
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLHiw14lKI
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWdZ3j3zh2
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lhO0EsQb6
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EAVtqlXjE
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR1sI07ITf
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jyyiMq4AG
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XnluTTC7b
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAopupiNlHE
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqRWA41Wte
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTlL1kpxvn
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9cQa45EVK
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKB1Qi4ONx
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWovUz89iZ
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOrSwJmmFr
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLujCz4faO
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytD4nJIs9b
counter.
“Brisket hash with322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4oWdY9Al3
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0s6Td2598
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1j0A6aFsL
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNjEUvYLTM
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM1MLAvDKG
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLaYVndxns
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgctvJTmt4D
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXlpCVPG65
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsXvU8nF04
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD9gGLEhDy
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhQqwTDq17
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Lax5dys8N
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdllWg06BN6
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLzFBmrt6x
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPqWA20iTq
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVp8DEyjdW
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur0CjMBAoR
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXGU1ebWxs
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhA9w9jmXF
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IfgWjmF1R
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1EhTMYIXc
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3A5I9S6hQ
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdXpiHnr1x
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT46zGYrB43
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbtfBs1yv7
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYCZglZAJ1
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRInpgkYpj
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtesntD65oI
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtMTp29aV9
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqafMP3GT50
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5st4Ewj0p
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQYQbXIDEh
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5AmjLGgs2
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXxuoAGPH9
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUMYIpxJrk
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEsLTyowLC
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBqbPs5Iqb
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3wDFVEVT4
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNauNktgj7
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4qjTlXLnx
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRApF6K2GTz
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkWT3b80ws
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeseBfI2CsO
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Zuv1JIvpX
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7sUnpoqtv
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BQAF72S5C
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKyYkGJIxh
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvldbY4GtwG
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI1QAZohRG
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KIpvQWFuu
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcVYdYhpC6
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlzngko2y1
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qmJDxqUTo
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWuJAwIUID
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue4iB5tTnJ
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeFxprKPYX
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pIyuhy4Gw
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlsKPZRA31
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p6obUfelp
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkwTzu9E5I
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzX5Djn7YO
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EFD1FUVEv
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETpYjO6kaZ
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrndamgjVpT
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8IGqWspXO
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo4hRUqvuh
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lxvYKHfqN
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEUTa7WD8s
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5FIxLZVbj
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqKTvgZr84
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8b6bKG1RR
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9vxh7SrRi
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDifowXu1g
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp8AHM2Zdz
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfJuyrQobV
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKQylhVAMu
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67fXTUJ2O0
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZzjuFXPc8
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIgfBBlLzX
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ7Gz8Ke4n
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWM2dwiK1M
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81fLuENnDs
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ80nLcQq8
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcLAoO3xj6
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXvGq5N53A
to her that way.
Standing there, her322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSbt9OsJox
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvEd13wOhg
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CtVCU1fUb
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8cnEOVz7H
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX90ONu012
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtCgshRc8U
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8oT0dsN5s
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcMHwR7Hnj
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN7dOWWBYb
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6uzmo1iu2
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWMzjzK2gr
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqraGiADqXt
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlEGADHMsX
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX8pDnNwin
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17dd8iANrr
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV64yjKDWd
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo2mwuhkof
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzKJj7SxGq
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqNNPVrSuv
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ4zupe6az
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLpTFr0lyZ
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlkRsUG4Zr
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEmTfM7MI4
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC90JAnd3P
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs15TgqJ3l
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsiHdRt0Nw
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yWOt5hzKk
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8UDQmvZ6j
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2yapbcmhu
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ4s4k6YA8
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwoEpT7w1S
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpB5nN6lLi
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvUQGVGiaa
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfH322pJ9H
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYi7IHqwmY
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4tCPgjGfH
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg3F7yiO0S
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJDeo7rU95
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuRGRaJFYg
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzZ1wAyiW8
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKnqdKQpyQ
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDML1Hmd5mL
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQSQd53WRx
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYW2e8Vqxx
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWRYXB9OjO
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdcO5wiuhd
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73YplW9mfj
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJuDQKJkEX
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslxLD8r3iG
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNTOustJTu
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhnmN0mQi3
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc32nEjr4X
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM3Ep9g6p0
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuWhnJwbXP
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgQaVeJ9fi
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a4Azyke79
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEuvN4BwRf
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmw9Un9DS9
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPTdiJCX8a
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtboqCTfp8
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc2eUuBHV2
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LvbOEn0HO
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4NnYaS2Bb
dating,”
“---What is he waiting322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPgAQEVUPd
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjawE0zKO4s
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7mGkrvEWF
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpchReBWPaX
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdL2c1RL7Z
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IHTlWBA1W
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAER4wfvfDy
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eQrd81Itk
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1C0PLOIF4
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23c87Vs06A
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZquwsOC1wF
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FLOYPO4LH
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8TaIltYOb
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2D3MJCoLX
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder322Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EeGTgpiix
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
