Megan woke up at high noon.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKwCiZaWaE
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl5SMtK2Vf
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhjWkBWGMk
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi0pm5YEy8
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6fZuhkhT4
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyyqda0h5d
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtN0ZGKN7T
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLDXTwwKl3
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8A72MPO8u
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaUjKzfnXh
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42mFXMozZg
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf8ovysgBR
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87eJa1ZqyY
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzutU7HDhpx
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1IqKlnWa6
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6AgnzyGGf
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISgVI5cXRR
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JulqVAHQB
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk5G1GKc4d
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDAf9fHjjL
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eFLgdl4qf
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VegaSX0gA
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBq1NZTu41
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aNQUfKYAT
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm4q89SXwk
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2OMyv4kuU
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj0DdKkGHY
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfAKCTuPL7
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTttyO1xoTw
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbo7Wa7WdB
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58I2Bv3dXm
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDIy0x6u5E
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtnKwUNMwM
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw56VbAMIK1
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhtSDUdYkm
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB62KdbtEHI
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEl794cxDA
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYqv88Nc7P
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnqUA4n4q3
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxgkEw3ohz
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VkHoLWV3Q
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljTaCCyJmr
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VPwFSmEQR
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxCUk2U5QX
apologize….”
The girl stared at her275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv00WDcPcw
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR8hdKY57J
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHwfVmMxYh
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IFo12rsrV
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaTA9RpfNF
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNieVnvsmY
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0XTTXEXIN
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLp3VWeM56
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQFrQi0BJb
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcs72WeGFo
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh6zVIdNP5
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xAtYzRaDy
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhtA7NDVyR
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePVPzCHlea
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCefpFFmsY
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ypuB8xE7k
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBbK0rza7x
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sTf17HMXe
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbG9tPZnDE
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuGMTrVlDp
counter.
“Brisket hash with275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAkwTBAqf6
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJJcAqy6RR
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWKQ77A73L
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5d2AL5xCO
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOXWO9deLD
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM7ASOq23F
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHsorZl7WY
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI0WLhVCEo
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnE0IbaZxB
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KTakzChBs
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3RhuUuHRG
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKA44kGkX4
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuqMEJbjtk
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1hEzWDLjc
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabuJCgggwo
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTmIAv60If
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfalVJBMwu
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpFaCdKxxQ
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XAcwa8mJt
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrjr0LTMuh
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjaCOuxz5E
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWHokYlZiv
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgUsIkkua0
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDy1pYuVnS
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9R0OW4SHS
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboXROvz27i
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXLf6q65V6
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlvS6DQB4W
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoDjWY4NDl
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedUYcBs0af
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxj6RfqSLM
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeum9rHbpB8
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRc2TudfOr
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVoJMJZflx
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFln3x828sx
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqTBDPnOCJ
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI557rsNBby
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrs4Tkx77E
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdQ2zQ99TP
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib7lruIB3Y
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFADP8RMru
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpxfOSCU8x
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp90WHlGwpS
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MixfxrHRX
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpCVdiT46y
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWTjH61etm
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrks08ndFD
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDiFxUCFy1
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o9hq7MWv4
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKlSRyhqAU
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi7cdNdmlN
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KYQZFqBNI
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaCx3Z93oN
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDHmt386ji
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoZwfT8lfo
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUcJoWUNqY
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKVHm3DkDK
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjXwQtkpvO
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hgxOFmHf8
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTih2scNcB
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspuLUK6POc
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsaxnrj1li
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgJaMvFtR0
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u6QZS4ses
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uFWFbe1pa
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9KbodCWzS
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqywQDmgFv
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhY91i6EH1
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWv3dwOxub
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b3f9XHlhJ
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NoUyzwEFt
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqEcfB35Ws
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8bFn0EwOW
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxguPjGEZm
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEikd9RAQPj
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAUPh9PtGB
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD3Y2kIHut
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeWUt1hoip
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VmaPs5wS3
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ042w6eyKk8
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMe0pOaIdv
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqcWmw6HAL
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81bXK709bd
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx455dcWtp
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKTUG9PN06
to her that way.
Standing there, her275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxAX9SeWjS
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vpDTOlDfL
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82KSiKFscT
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSoqz3ija9
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMIolzUR5j
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXJnx4WgD2
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGNOfgL4Kv
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2YGy2173Y
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNxdAGXRXP
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ueNqyZoIy
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOiGmbZU5c
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO93BPE6zD
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlCJrJ2cMa
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6RrZAfWgF
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpjehuVL6U
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIfC5afQGC
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI5EJoLZET
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhs4XaX9TF
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokuKCLjcQY
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIs3EpNbr1
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0XWxGSOHw
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFz4L6I1RB
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI0EOQEW14
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBFGUSbpVm
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzpdxX1OVS
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2nL9vXl2S
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIixWSTkG6X
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cgUx0j1dG
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ8aolEXcN
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS3AOa0YcQ
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Pd9ajvVkr
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoJHgqGE5i
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSXMA8KVUW
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECKIkFre7j
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBBYZWuS2X
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6jdLW5c57
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNeZnzfhJS
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIURbBWz9z
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPElovK0vX2
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3EpKFci4A
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ118GBsMTEA
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLS8I1DVUk
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m6YxPcYSl
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9emAPmKm1a
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHQRE6IQP2
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP59bib943
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJlAeMMRZF
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn0lGwNCL7
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9shAGlCYY
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcoxcEkvsu
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ehjttDb2c
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeOYDI8oYV
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZr319PP3N
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmr4G0caDQ
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H3Kmg6CIU
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMyrqf1xKC
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7eH4Y0YHM
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BtR7Wj9gk
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4SYNENv7I
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ43Ib2p9FO
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2z0IxpmDK
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09fLCxsWB3
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNDT1TzZIf
dating,”
“---What is he waiting275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDntl4o2uu
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lVhsAuUnN
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL6HfpXLb3
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwnmEx9ihR
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MVvTI5mTR
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJWYkFfVzg
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6M7q7nyrw
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr2avViyDO
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VMMv0sSz1
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvvCqpZ4qW
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuenkXDoVh
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7rPFZKIa9
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzcasJAz87
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HoWwwjSID
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryDvMsrYKB
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
