Megan woke up at high noon.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLqiwdciJF
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6ZkW0C0Td
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxv6GUQs93
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AjJMokHEK
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSom8KCbtbD
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xdEFG4yvx
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbgpSYKB4u
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX9SNma2zU
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnThRFcuXwD
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7k9eLYrW1
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUDy0pJdlg
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD0CWgL90Z
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqf9FDOd2l
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuFRsrih9G
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUzXpZfTAy
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVJVB7wNey
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVULNO8isCV
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfekmGj7K7M
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz5e8DJ1eQ
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKH2s8bvZ5
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNsgR91Mov
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGMX2KQKjm
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZMdTPSRMQ
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcBDiL9J3o
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5DyepMH8O
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBdj7G7R1q
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xhAxJeoLi
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxC7IOkrZf
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHUHDanApy
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO6gtjR8c0
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaAckdxWcm
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS96zpB6tm
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YJVDzxzzS
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6X9kY7MPR
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNZEMKnhUg
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NTEKq3WJi
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K5GsVG3H3
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5dZx1QGa8
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrkWinD55E
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJWFZpe0C1
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcayP3m5kal
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZW77JXmIr
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoUL39vEv5
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kd5eIA515
apologize….”
The girl stared at her332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxfnOgeusA
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8uBCR9gzV
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrneKkDmcNj
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwfD12yeLk
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa88ggSf0Tm
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4xEwnBvfi
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sVD7VqnPm
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasRUAoS3cP
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1FGQuYgwF
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0S2Q9mTDJ
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURwzsVdhdC
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o4D3S83SQ
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v37gImfwd
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA628b8ZhX
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjE8OIB7V9
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXXyAi5RAn
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSEzrNWftj
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseRO8Aaldl
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl7nWYENFN
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuJ4546NxL
counter.
“Brisket hash with332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTCWZ6kS0V
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dyIzQNOVe
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRJr99xLSX
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdyz9ZQo0D
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Qhb0eHjV
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKpWsPcCW7
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8F0vlThgW
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UIA9B2pv7
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7mrxqeRx9
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil8dmw5R2d
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDmM19GyZn
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJXm2ZSQ5j
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡureWxSMtK7
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4gpdDQg3H
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzw8HChNiv
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8IRgyQCvw
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNK254tTUu
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDB6UuvGZn
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVHKC6p5b5
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Il16F7fct
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzacx9sCRQp
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmnEsfKFmV
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHG7wVZxaq
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqFaM1pvql
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUKD3k10ds
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKIMVuvwQf
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFYFXLHCDB
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbparEHfm0T
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkKyQ1HkFR
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3yyQ1bGOO
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zegNWGpsc
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXILdvtPSV1
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgKFQhrtMr
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAKa9BCzRB
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVat3ByafH8
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZj92SQxHS
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0QFnpx8M9
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgli1yJgyUc
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOKe9RXQXw
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63lQYeeYtV
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1tBHTpvs5
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwcr58XLxa
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6apH4NvaSS
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo1GUR98Mk
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4DAtPCgWT
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSkmebHTh2
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDrmgBmMvf
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakmFxdVdqH
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ669faF5Ovv
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajhHRih3Wu
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvxM5rWrIc
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOs8YbvRkg
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Pbd4W2kg1
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAomG9UMvEv
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyttOeGxAJ
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK0yn5xGre
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHVOKopxcH
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO7rHN1YPz
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FUDjQkX9X
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLZ5WEYPq6
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2BhB9pfFo
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oet00xDma
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG9IwoSFul
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOivtDDm5Z5
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQb1A8qii3
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHRgzZox5E
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV404XsPMia
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOYMk8Z6oi
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3eM6aXBhh
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yqmRLn9u5
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiVaHdfZDW
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25PDNjYbnt
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4ISokqr6Z
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohCaOV64sP
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj5DB1z01U
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPBh9M1KYK
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq87lM8cd1
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoL94SfP3G
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡranQA70ABK
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMVBBcJovg
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJD7sppOVO
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z0dPZ1eWg
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3Tz8IphRz
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiPGDt7F1B
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfO2P2IW7x
to her that way.
Standing there, her332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahgR7VMOMA
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD3wRa0mD1
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRhrGvmHRC
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxehyjTMUTP
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH6gNIWnY0
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6oA4S0iCM
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfk4pugJ9p
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdkBJ8Uc3e
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstLO4t4YHp
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAE7ZoGyXm
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydIsb89Unu
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgyVCffNRJ
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8QWxjXmlL
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYSAFzof0n
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bgiYx2X3K
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpfZBd540h
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPTelvuOTD
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyd5JQrXVL
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2DSfyIrGw
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz7M5DWidQ
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzcJK6mwVb
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECI87YbObz
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDHH1muZMG
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkqF4TpB9y
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiHmgNm50u
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMbdPtP8jo
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb6HNq2D0d
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJINQOTI6si
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlvhMGkIsP
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM65sEC2RS
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2ix1ZBAR6
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY61ZuU81gA
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlScVdnUhu
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8a5nejOB2
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWegcPDzhI
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXofBpP0KOY
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WAt3lTFE5
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGckVAWGUj9
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXXO4rc9Vj
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfiGmE0uHb
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlTalZk4Fk
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQe4NwAQVn
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreB1jIE2uI
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6iGRRhOQG
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEaqC2SRhF
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyJyvB9GX2
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4FMHHEcAx
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N2NF6Co0z
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZeFzjabyk
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3yKZXAm6v
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcebuBFD5Ii
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfBXSUzJQ3
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsQdNUJqAJ
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5WQJJAFvk
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt7HQxsfH4
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpdaemxKKI
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafTlgbFEFX
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZfFodHo0h
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbBIIsabN9
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR1ar7Xfds
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I471UZbtD
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDYiNliZrE
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2h2AZ7ybx
dating,”
“---What is he waiting332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlvanb9BHH
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl3b0A4Ndp
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNmHrFbcvo
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pWjmZsqC4
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMBvu2esp2
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHBomPrPfJ
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx3mOeeeqr
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTNXQZt1HS
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdVf5cGunX
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SQdV4akPK
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgyBenioeG
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki9IZUN5tv
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc1m4iwzrf
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU26NczKk3W
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB7AtkXhEu
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
