Megan woke up at high noon.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgulRImmhJW
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWCeKE0tbF
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBMjWVPzda
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrhjS6am09
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekpCSzFaUv
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gYEIfXMaT
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIClEedPHmp
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYqep01hiQ
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafgZuRHp2I
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fbvv2tRcD
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0Ie4o18dR
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KhXdAqBQw
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6pPR1OIUP
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkKSdo6DwD
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E7u31FDO6
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ787jYxmd4S
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ATM9t8pfc
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVrI1XkczP
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtMXb6qixQ
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rYeC2cGL1
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsL0PGhq31
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUrK0mgflG
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTNIzw5CcA
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlozPuOlrB
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpmTR4kjy1
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bjckFzNe4
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhXLeTbRbk
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqTAfsxXsC
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xCXcTkfYk
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhb2GW204n
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41C2hZ05ow
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWkVKLlnDX
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUgAO9Ez9j
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2PJxhvwiU
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEghMagbPVe
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH07eDsSlUi
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZp4a0vD7x
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSkmD72XGE
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5iF4C7Sh5
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zdt0MY59e
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u6ytt9qyl
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6kneTzd1d
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBpPP5YM24
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpLdVtnnIq
apologize….”
The girl stared at her303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaSqRhaoxV
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaa3tgVx5G
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUWkrPvUXd
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHHtsmHMHE
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5ILCS9kGs
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z7P3bXZ5r
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFgQwAfpaA
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWezaUP71VN
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIUUcBr3a9
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFhzPrVN2B
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRxBtgDLei
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoP6meQspb
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRovoh6QVO
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMsb9srYqk
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsX5590HSl
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrbjo7ZcEM
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOCfB1RlEQ
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoK7vzOWeC
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP2jDrmNWy
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpxRDRftSf
counter.
“Brisket hash with303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv3dPpahyd
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNYlWs8LoQ
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjmJwivL20
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfZGp64q08
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BvEu1KiIp
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Oy8mMgVsz
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8zJHqhwT3
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH5h2QyWi3
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX7MzAnLcu
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYpjAEF4tO
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8RMVCRrU3
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ploSkvGGt
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHClz4CkvE
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a9hqzSUrG
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCopBwazNN
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOy9SldPst
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTrhI2R4VS
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUShMD7ntpm
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLAtnL816S
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1JQWxEwcD
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xNEO8lSQL
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0ruN3TASb
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwd3RJvwA4
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctomg87fwj
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzR7IUVU7m
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdunTYSlkRx
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gfUayp2Jx
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYJYeuP1qL
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sc8NJkf7r
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ4T7zUnV2
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOmjCWWnpF
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNVhTapwry
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKaLImMhhK
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8bWKMNfSD
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RC7hciXUj
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItR7nOqyk3
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr99XoAZhlp
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrFUZKcErs
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZsigl8U1o
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMzSexuP2I
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvwfHz3P4A
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BSthcxARQ
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWssNSm8IsN
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBI8XRlEEW
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAW2tOEUWC
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwruLOULNW
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcO1HUd8bW
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55ekpAQu2b
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1Vp75hF8E
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEX3geuZJP
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjb6u5BpNc
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWWbObg7v5
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMW9QbPF2V
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrUlflueCA
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGoW8hHC2Q
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWhorORAL1
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr55PARYTmg
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucB7TbWbJ8
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3n1UgeGtWR
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIjkyMBaG4
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJzuCi1yFA
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgoStAFEbi
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9HBLf7rMb
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKS6gX0bic
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k8vG2G865
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2F81OzhIt
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8AdkOmZ9b
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4kRxPPPZg
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u0K8Gk97e
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqlUa5TqNY
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG9iIKqlBw
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UaKjBi8Qa
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2KilTfRTJ
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkQYH5RIIe
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB1KHpskTp
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfG5SDyzuX
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpm3lqfMXZ
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmErLeP4MR2
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO11FlmAi6H
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlYQ0EpLcM
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCQkJ4mxVP
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouS74Twhci
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VtCeJX2Gm
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbOaHZ2dCb
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEdHEjOmeU
to her that way.
Standing there, her303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK9SM5lWSP
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYJ3UZAoWV
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyfT8jsg6t
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SxG0TU37q
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1AZ9SEM2I
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2psPSpVMwF
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5RxOjiU7x
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprMzYM3TDT
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSCFlqWtdL
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQnwDzjkK7
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUYcKYdL0z
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7PI89lYUu
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXgdVF4kqK
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQD0Wkk5VR
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUIHaOwLyl
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDXSERwDYc
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H1dwUlZnF
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkqgRJxgA2
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1zzjUWpNS
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeWzHWUutS
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHwrLIddKQ
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCxIxFo8xk
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2j1pQayLy
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxvxDAZ9qA
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZihBpZ2hHn
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37EDpXwLRy
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGoIJVTKFS
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1JQ4xnRfN
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDlIePLKzl
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXKDeOIR9J
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7V3R9WbUP
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEEAPTzrbP
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMbptIcpX7
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtepnL2OieD
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFrdfE8rpn
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaHksc757v
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ntBN8LrP9
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrEgLpHUrr
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykE2znkONu
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEdVLER6WO
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemLB6KCjQt
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzpf785EbJ
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRLjmpi1J6
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUklUB2AAv
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6A9B7Av2W
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQAYdcWX0c
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NDRsSkjCN
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc623qhPkD
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYkikS8ZSP
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmSZGu4TYT
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBWD1QXQlG
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl97VYPu50s
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTuxHBt9Im
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRPYnTq8Y6
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKgP0EOPsz
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFV5NJ0CAs
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8D30O7Nf9
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsZP4cmddj
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyC0biOuau
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUFkjW3iUw
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RPtQh1fpx
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfsMCPkxFq
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJXp3zVGXh
dating,”
“---What is he waiting303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC39KyCM49v
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrh1h1j4pS
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5paY7MEZ5T
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHqgYLYj2b
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeIR88XPoS
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVLNp4EyCu
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8kfFkKGU3
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdwcsKELVX
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtpNF5xqVS
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dXpWUqxOB
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nPIiOs8s1
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlTdeQmKbf
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6hvX95LGZ
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWAQKZHH5O
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvg0H3cfqA
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
