Megan woke up at high noon.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrJyqEAyhM
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq41b2uzAN
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnBymIRkHF
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xul1L5bd3
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaJyY5eRig
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb9RhhX8fh
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUGx5hpRsx
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jV4u9pEhD
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmJGuLYwqF
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz00b3Oesep
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodF13HdTiY
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuObGhhtRv
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAIOu2HEyR
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHJHs8hUw8
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCmojBg2OT
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntBGvtpOlq
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgj1ALZPIy
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uSTLec9j6
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7fGy0y3E9
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wU9UrQF0Y
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vuhGsaTZr
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmHYa0g9sG
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAcVvijw8E
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBZDQjoZoo
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgCCriWfNf
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJomTSWRlj
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXH2rPDLsO
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzSFf26C53
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqoq1YSze6
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKWceijIrO
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06bXv1B8VW
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJQBP6gJH7
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXU5GS32i7
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM1ksFNxX0
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw54xSTW1kP
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplRD2bDUC1
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSwbgMbTQZ
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySNT3ZgCFd
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiDHlS3XPY
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nrbjA4eGZ
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnsbqjlBE1
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy7khr0REG
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LXmCqsKOe
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIs4NAsFrg
apologize….”
The girl stared at her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz5FAVOsWp
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIOKAlpOUo
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0oM6v3GFt
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0LTd9pgbm
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJsVR5oDm7
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUqupQhr4V
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL77D9xqZt
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74Yd9rELQt
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3TIMiUQQS
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTYbTzsjnI
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ndYG6ShNq
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbJcNpdWXG
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu80yLnb6Ym
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzueVezUNLb
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5qc9wHVHW
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxldh7AhkOj
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvQ7oPSi86
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N8Gx5ycR2
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcrPGHsQxF
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtqcRyGdzZ
counter.
“Brisket hash with411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKRmKHDu6h
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGMpmYpTHm
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4wvtPWmYM
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlRRc54lfw
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U0ITqVoWh
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJAO6Bzhlf
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6mbmwTShK
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrycpTUNUX
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHP60JJmtI
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pDLEnGnic
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuFKyDxvGq
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6YEuho4jR
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7OBvalqMB
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVkVsPc1Ri
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP1CBUpOKL
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FE7iahkbZ
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv3mpdRPCf
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DTawuFqGv
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHC3SDXvQl
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1y2y2L7m0
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2zpVj9h6H
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ54t7NkLD
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMVR9bJEvu
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VEFrF3Bx8
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx57P3nmpA
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH62tLMQDL
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNelshP00Z
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUQdj3uJc2
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90279NyWOX
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGhVYgDTqs
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLhMvv6pUq
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXswBtfBjD3
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMFR5OMc5n
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7gzxe0nEo
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt99l6cfsLl
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCvJdPMHga
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z3elgwxWv
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZN1oG66io
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24oiTLZ9PZ
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vhSsZz8lf
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2PXI53L9N
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufNmXIZ0E9
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0rCdjQiJv
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Um88fcGtC
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG2sPXMGly
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCWszsLSwl
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERfpZg1zpS
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoUvOJ5VSD
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iQ85A7Tk5
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JyReQrSa6
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1daaoU5Wl
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoA4V1a1Dn
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZyDhMRGlZ
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4x8yfyk2H
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWq0vfjJmT
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwfZLltyOM
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W8r4YAJQE
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGyrvzlRl9
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2fkcH64eM
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDmnGO7qve
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTobu1QrySD
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9EBfzyWgu
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyPOub28Xb
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0sFb6GLDX
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBoU3bhjQr
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENoEV0yuc5
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3Sf65dE4H
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIwtDRXi3I
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpQMHTu7Kt
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwivknDCxb
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ5i18DzU1
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3cpMgJ36T
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStDwoFj3LG
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Iv9dz1qPU
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnFFo3WkJw
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRcvOjsyvY
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg7SoHeBWj
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFu3HWLuK2
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35j7viCZKu
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8Qbna4mHg
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxwKM6zDSu
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbDM3dDmSZ
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6SeWpZybY
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcDWjXoegA
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXUsiXCbHA
to her that way.
Standing there, her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOvthwYsc0
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAahrhQPBE
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0JH129znK
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoBdyn0j8R
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYyuEmJk5R
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeeYtUaRuF
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsOiGw9FPc
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq3edffrjM
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSaDXfF65T
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMypTiA1Gj
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUOQNLhBdw
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Fx0dbZZ6L
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2ea9nz38R
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ksl06bl4u
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbHU7jm1YO
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07PKXkTsG3
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB21nCP7iZ
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5uTDWCR8w
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu1mphF6yB
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCoktwtdS1
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGo5y8B67z
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeY2HsZQQt
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbAk1ydPDY
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZYaDivHbz
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiChsP3ci8
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEZqqwpmQD
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweyZ3hCqRS
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3IFKUFj70
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAwyQpm1LQ
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD03ElkJG6
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ00IAjzS6
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18DoInlxPr
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQazOxC37h5
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwy1Hw9wuu
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfKkEOCcTr
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgUnotjY7i
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8p6LqLig8
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBvDlSTBWn
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkpkHKvNM5
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d8t6kv7Nd
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN6yw3z5XP
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASAdyvTapk
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfJXHd5UVX
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLyww9hTqv
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnl282Pezd
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ONMQC7r2g
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2OhRfOucy
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5souSb0Gwk
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7YABu8icm
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MNBtYWwV3
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIHL1T3c0X
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIGSfdqFgm
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkkKFcXItY
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJbmmSaNdt
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpiyNqrQb1
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxujfOaAOW
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdFSiwWvOV
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64Foz5HHa3
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yFGbMZkn4
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tCeS46Hk8
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61DyFgs4Wz
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DVTxTQUqD
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb5pyCf0i2
dating,”
“---What is he waiting411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDz1G9EVVG
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsxqEffT8M
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgNl4DKcEL
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHnXcu3tMC
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx9pQHifui
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO5RLdGP0g
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrjGh5msAc
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59ohtE0j2o
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNT7D9ofjU
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IKk14WsKT
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNYQq9yu0U
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Mme6FP75W
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6kvE9ZF6i
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQzHicIQyj
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFA6ydr6kf
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
