Megan woke up at high noon.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAY1Ez0cmE
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC4YDmcbhf
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMJyWR2MJJ
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHU0hND6Ha
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqfo4av6JC
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOYqpfN5uc
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsOL2uRDhu
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrd910XwAZ
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvETy1Qq6Bb
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiOcVdEF9D
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7jFgSibxU
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAIUUO6kH3
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu981YlZ92
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe68O2TK5k
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZRZH0N0q3
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7EEORZzg9
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURG8ksq3DP
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3W4VYFh1X
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrF5LAkYZH
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpjFPYq5gS
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y0NDDv69F
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvzVNwKBF0
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBYtdQz7X1
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde9s5QPIhe
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2igtiHhpLA
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ6TA4yL8v
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Bu791HX3J
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix6oexFaiR
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodcC6zEVXC
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l1S72WFNj
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPkLrcAgiR
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV6IVGRXI2
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01Rghwq6VU
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rnSBSFSNp
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH55Ke8rmBo
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70c2zomVqo
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6KmzB49JA
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5spCaSZ0N
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ifuDfYyLU
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FGAxrY7m5
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJrDHDmmVk
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFE3Dr2Rji
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNPbGHP2TL
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxHPh52XCn
apologize….”
The girl stared at her323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdWksO58xN
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKmL5ErxJj
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD28dZhTTH
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqSa6X4FFJ
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAkO6kCykC
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHnIYv8tG8
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFCizDpdcT
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyIGNIDBLP
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9NZFY4Q6G
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGt00bmSm6
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQDWN2Tk8f
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKxwiCZj9I
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAupOiogIQd
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQNbv96hRc
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlneNHa68qo
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20ZSJ8zAWJ
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zPJWjUzM4
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY7Ni3KlVj
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbnJBZUxYJ
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3D5SSVJc0
counter.
“Brisket hash with323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fZd7U8iLA
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYWZwIUczG
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSnSoP1O8u
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE4Potf4Gm
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3p2N7z6G9
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS1eCsVD8F
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OHtYay3gp
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHq91snR8V
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6pcDTNru3
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN9D9yoiAL
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kxZg6ebEn
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMWBXD0ZTa
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ym7vz2RzC
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD4gx2k82l
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3lfGH4xf3
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A9fiByEtk
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8n4fe8A9O
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIAAoJfAIg
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpPqHnMhOW
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8s9gNRP2T
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlka3eOEo4p
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxeD4cWROc
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXkeEY7jgr
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9NzLUp48r
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewHerHSuLl
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNKUDQezJa
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhYGnWwg0S
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeiXzgV5Tq
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zD6Bxr51d
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRlBeFkV3n
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBBD2pRQUF
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuIr5BZ7EZ
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD43yDxN95
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7bDpeYMVt
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRGNWqBb6I
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw03LcukiB0
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC99bpNPCX
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjr5uA9bm3
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aaKTdvgLT
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8iVRBDmpF
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuXnSGJvKp
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP3wdcFTPF
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh35crmM7wl
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRQ4qJAMrN
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHtIfMV9Ru
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWck5OpZjYc
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ6AK08Cpn
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFAY2bIDHB
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJzpwPLAag
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3gl5EKPC4
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmVYEhoSvX
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6FBSc6Tgk
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjn4TBRAfa
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhLO5QOnQK
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJoJK0YBPw
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyE1MzQy93
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiSNSmH0Li
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PgBL7kAC9
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8meliGbrp
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAVAV0dCSU
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcU7KgeQ4U
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnD0IzLKBY
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlyYdNs8t2
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC98lUTSLV
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe33fRXwipf
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbQWhPCUFJ
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ywDVncrvI
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ770AY1Sfxh
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtiiH6YoVm
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yArqH44Cu
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMsHHeDKNi
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuo5aIsXdD
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEpGjldFOc
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMmdzTyYvn
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNobXSlMS31
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7ynGaRz2J
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVwa9ZQb3Q
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuqSWdMur4
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95jY2NYVlD
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfuLtBR5ys
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaCfdEUmIF
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxro2pbMVf
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f8cKkZs0B
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16kokSLZFR
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwrI8kJPEe
to her that way.
Standing there, her323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIll2ksW5LQ
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8t6tRV2vY
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuPY8Y2X3T
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD8S9Cks1G
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzS7iWrW3t
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3Yxdnxss3
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKXLmOIqxk
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU9HQkc5ED
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprQzR6cUMy
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ948JLonMQs
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LBonAn2B4
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXrYBxSqYs
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98V7vrBtwl
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKURKzJ1DZN
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHJ2eJs2Sl
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu8tcM9T9T
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnI1JY0lUb
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI0eglKDgZ
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfctB8o8OFL
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjItuLolW6y
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJX5mhVDOC
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitVWJdDSJU
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcFp3TaiTR
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgar0USEHA
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGpwwdTCSY
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz087ar1dCZ
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qTBO5ySeB
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1CewgsEa9
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8J41SsjPi
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfmQ3IW8LW
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHgRLaTWnA
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW91RhkLAA6
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdthz7r3XrO
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCeVn06EKw
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspMODDM228
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmYfaJbQRG
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya4wiWbRUC
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66pX2fcnKB
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxvOjk7OOW
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGAGeVDW5D
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdRq1w9H5j
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDqn2s7FI9
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifBiUvhuva
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjGGbH0fvU
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpDBiEhC2O
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe5Q87jmxi
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy3GZC1nQ9
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqH3xnXZKC
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnTzPPrAMS
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtUAmso1Ii
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBAS2E43oc
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZUrwkq2Pr
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjU3Ydyu9Q
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Isi7J3TEK
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdmk29eZac
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ772PKh9Nje
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvQ8XjQ5dz
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KWyOiKcPx
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqNw0tzjgp
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIURAsedlcp
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfMFYPJk0Y
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zsc7t48M7
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkf5j6cdCU
dating,”
“---What is he waiting323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB90N57MAz
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbz9MAKM3K
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMyvDB6xYU
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsmgSOX6pS
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCikZxFzjV6
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar4azApLdg
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eureo1DkM
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sqX8t6IHb
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikDxRSuSvC
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUCpR9eBCB
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFegh8Z9DoP
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOfUPvIJgZ
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhxhTajYNO
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAh0kEoiXP
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcXx2gEF6I
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
