Megan woke up at high noon.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPkikKwHg9
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EbxDHqiBW
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGwMS9Y1G2
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzSqRAKuzq
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F51Ni8QvP
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxaCdH9YxM
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB85gpozByb
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzOmtXyOt2
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQgb7bY4vs
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIi79rbfwL
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrJ5skZ08z
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wiDxao3hD
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi038FtdNz
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13ziDjYXxV
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwb10mIUwo
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX73siRNYFw
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW59k0RQG6
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4g67Yp8l3
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYkcqBVsfg
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDGsSAKoS9
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe89ZXIHaE
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi62ziXOC4x
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcHjeTozes
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5rryWd0u5
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BdrDGg411
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8lDaZmlSx
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNoZQQIfaK
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYpmrbl5Qa
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaNrsqJ4BL
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTi36zZekE
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyIJJJIB9W
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f5TAG2k9v
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoed2hJIOJ
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG7NVDvWl0
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxvBgqsNOU
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB3NAFuhTR
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdn6rGztjx
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUBO7rfSa8
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc64iPhYslL
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnbiCYaNIA
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3zMKKpawf
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWbHvLp1Y2
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcUxXobA8M
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6K8jr8hMM
apologize….”
The girl stared at her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUGtIZ6rVt
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy6okYt7cL
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCF3wf0thp
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87isQcEivn
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT70YXfVL2Q
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzr6eAHeCC
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjCchc6Om9
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDneE5MHXq4
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfbivKuNdC
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOlT5hS47E
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSQGUoq0Jm
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaud08kF8aM
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFGgatnVVB
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DyDbfpLPx
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2zT0dkERm
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZUPzTxs0H
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDJQ6rwRG0
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIENnzpHZ1
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUwU00Du7V
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIW2lAigf5
counter.
“Brisket hash with379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubTSWM4Sbx
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvXscc87ly
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTJ1oZV6Ul
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXyawCzfDz
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiMol2iVSG
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8yCaenlNa
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXKWp6zY1v
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaToTTDQ30K
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6fAgC9LS9
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5igF6N7dRq
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXKHQUU6we
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM00xLGAM2G
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VTuXnTk8r
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldbAD6p2f3
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAugwaZqxtN
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8iNgc8guG
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nR82D60R5
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBNKg9pCW7
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DE0mSHhTD
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSvnHcyPZP
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy4Vuyts85
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdX8Z7q1Ip
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBThdXMbqVu
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQxNXyqrDu
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHHew0ngfV
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCMNhGk40Y
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEwky1ACIZ
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcSZF0tGoX
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUK7kKyvBG
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx2XOjgGR5
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukQQ7LOLiL
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKPfRxBQ7W
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKtVIwVXYW
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2OoxXtzQl
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ar9fJOOzV
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWPrVCbjRj
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtSby0mMPR
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiODYamuoi
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTUJdCQkwA
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnzeygz3W5
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcak66hChpa
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2I13hiznr
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslX6UXhd9u
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9FTimZcPz
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIy2rq5VAw
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjyKaH5TN9
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SwBMczRfz
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd4yK47rR8
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqtdptdqoa
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQT2UUhuE5
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6IU5nEsLx
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRYSq4au1w
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHBXESY2CG
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O8Z6PeQM8
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BPeKtMWlJ
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2ylV6zVIz
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqCnm52qkw
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KiKfe6KLy
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vrwgWrhi6
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYdkwQZlf9
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi0E1Jd2vJ
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObo6dYgN8N
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjcD5u1Dri
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJUzLd7KJc
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvcocRNjCv
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wQH7D1wBK
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6GEYet22Q
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE7msaVcTg
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv3uv6oq1v
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSrZfNXwvP
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypeZKSp4hh
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y4ho7F5CA
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmBRtg743E
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2Nrc2tqlc
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOvpbD67PV
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xEfLdcCMQ
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXWkvfNOwO
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUQ2z37zJ3
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7awjteeVy
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2rD3Agtlm
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmEgrbeWAL
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkjiqEECGI
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kNyZmfbgZ
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYFWWbXgmj
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXpskgxIAW
to her that way.
Standing there, her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyCdFOxd4d
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LirBaABtv
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBimFNoHrBA
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxKwkif4m2
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhiiMtE82D
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjNoBkCpiu
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBCKNsLLH4
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gpi31xDXd
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCOkXYpALt
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0HapRcOot
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaJRjVLHFb
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM3BORFELk
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGOfgoi1Qo
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOQrgF36SY
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5iQBjYCte
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV89RqsAvNn
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mE0czgBqj
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdjGK94mnP
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUIOGI31ZX
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmThH27lMn2
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAYivSgAU0
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1TTs6a0NT
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTnuHUh2r1
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZxq9pOgIr
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DZH6Eh42H
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ72iV9P3HQ
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrMX3hNzJQ
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ynNVi2VE7
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z7ED3xIqJ
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfvXhfM1GO
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4Vjzglhcn
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wB0Cp0ARF
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsGPDPfaEg
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nYi8oaIxY
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCnFDwWOS8
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBayBWuILz
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfMnVRhCIR
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7QpQAigBV
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbwg0Cdpej
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnhlgqOX75
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrLXKWk52p
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqOg5qPWKv
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l95I5joDh
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHpSy7hSdB
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEczz6go9h
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSoJT3rmWG
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOQw88CHBC
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHy3Q7qO16
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU9orLfgK6
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLchfdEcwfo
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm7NIE6e2f
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIXToPofUc
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5gsDwoERW
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAozjtJy2Cl
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhYHb2xlUN
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUA85xwqa6
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtcnm6d4Hv
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx9sOVv7jI
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRMhdYEZT6
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe344XC5iKe
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwzBlT1onP
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNlG4Qimaq
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmjDin8dMN
dating,”
“---What is he waiting379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0Wxvs4cZh
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f4fPPHB0E
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa4FMaJI9Q
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtivngDknB
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9yFKHrmS0
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt7PxzHlxC
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZIrkSAJOq
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1SrRxOjxe
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALbwhCkq8h
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbFA1Hnpoa
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8leNmAbTl
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfEqBFGG27
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m81dgRluq
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRwJ0twFjQ
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP0texrtCJ
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
