Megan woke up at high noon.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVINu1mF4bP
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpHV1Q4kdL
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW41NTsedyK
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh81vxUt33b
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59zUyR5ASC
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlds1Pfyzvm
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4eTw0Iic6
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapsHWHXi7Q
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9QUB1eluC
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qdNP2Ggck
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzupIp7Riu
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQtfy2AboI
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqN1hrWuX9
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK8LlEQeBU
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRyve40w51
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6aTdYawZS
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8KpZfBVTs
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr5GIVX2ot
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlwyhjTV42
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzA4PNCAI7
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1rlIEmnHm
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsas6NnFanC
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApoCWjAnwL
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez7nTh9GPj
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4t3HcGoTn
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVW01t8e6W
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIaKjSisUg
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y6wGH1Zok
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVyTfo3hxr
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEQsxurBd1
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMaJfOhwoV
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ261Dt1BfGo
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3u0gfVCEj
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjI6GOGaEU
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr2Xwi6LAA
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gln7ZHBqH
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEs0u34idj
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8sdZ5xrm9
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkefL0cufP1
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBFuv8KGV2
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPJzfpWmvP
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXtOnkU8uQ
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmYmKL44Lb
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBvRFAEhCI
apologize….”
The girl stared at her392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SJfWvK6Y5
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMrXr3FyJl
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5zwOKDqvd
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOn4KAMOXx
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NyY9C06cg
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40tEydqzWr
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq32l6mKbl
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWilCwrqGsb
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlobLSB3LGA
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ROvfJ0Oa8
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DnbWslXC5
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSytRAbRcT
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogopDqSjzA
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxoR552PCi
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAZyPgQn0f
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD9lnaSbJg
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTisQRIIgo
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxjzEKpxXI
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtJMOqdTlk
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzey6iMoca9
counter.
“Brisket hash with392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3CiGNMJEy
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmtjNaF8zJ
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdGh53mYZO
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQm0vAyZp8
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GtCwi072g
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1ylhyPS3D
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOY79djOBI
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxll2QdX0Lz
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2fdOdzaud
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvNm4pwVd3
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5DhGZjgyx
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g9553IklJ
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFPWHIlZ80
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdjtNsi9uP
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ128axs4ucQ
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKF6RBjUqY
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRYgSEJgMV
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHNvoNyHcw
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7itdjLVtH
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eG4vrzl1W
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk2frvZCQw
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFZHYFodaS
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4T3jRHrGl
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPcOyz5zsz
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OYNMd6cbS
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCRHRHCf3L
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjSHS81Ob2
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6wND8SeuP
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn3eUmjIsy
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4vamaHHIn
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcSBwIFzyS
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8rRIGK4Ib
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT3uy5oRtL
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwInATuPZ5Y
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3k6870C7b
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx91OWOscP
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSjBkZM5OM
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj6gVfKJB8
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFpfPKHf1O
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRAQxvzpaU
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSwiPgWCX4
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzcmyoodHn
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbfAqkbDXo
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL1JlCrr85
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VcFwvNenW
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlEBJGFht5
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uhxct47gA
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOo7ensVnz
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSpcTr7Qp2
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYQ1NFy2yU
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHObNA2AWp
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq2ayFcgHv
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqsXVnhXX0
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSpzu3tReg
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK63fQ6SiRc
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrFvmhREdr
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EONHmadX0
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKZyg0jwjy
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3LLzp0VG6
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqX497Nk7Z
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDigYZIbbKt
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqsVkfTiOs
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEBPTKo1vn
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtdxR7Vgbi
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJGrxv9zzC
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpPYrMgmci
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1z43EDwMz
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccjBLDd8ip
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR9Ub2HBEr
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigfqS3bFc8
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiBrUm3lUO
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopgxBGtVnR
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQCznjD64l
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN5zGu38XR
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB3tm5NNzx
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqdzIqlHdU
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYRheZMQpG
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchaCQcI45u
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElVfln97sB
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVJdoCHD4M
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj36bu26vS
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ywvq1yVnm
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOeJgXs1Ry
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9DKgVU038
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVcZwgQoL1
to her that way.
Standing there, her392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2POvV8Zu6q
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPhDoYwaaA
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR2eSCNyqh
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64TGDDXFJH
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePnzu2AqH4
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdPBKA5htY
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9KAKPm3N9
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjbl8f9vuF
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoyZEu5XFm
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREb1sEyTWG
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw27EphzR8M
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV4VejOFNY
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ETP7PTN6L
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblbQ9Whw1O
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVwpZxkLMD
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKx1Emv2GM
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXd5zZMWdq
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yAFkTadLc
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVUJiOewZR
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOr0xummSh
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExeYLXmbe0
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv5VT3n16Y
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMfZ2huHz7
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBDnDUcKeB
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30wzsv1SjX
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbmuY1FB16
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxz2ETSPV0
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E1ug1bElf
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc1eAz4gX4
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0kR7ynXv0
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFyNLC8Paf
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy9BvGzCnl
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTW7CUHQXD
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVOYwmNgat
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh83zvBItZ
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhyrk8w6B6
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI2sgBnziE
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlUUlI3GWW
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5n0tdxSgg
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkHNz301tB
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sm5cAxXK1
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnhDaHCpCv
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDpRQRRgkf
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshWetxJx5q
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YL5OJPVtp
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk1xBSqmIz
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwTkVSb9J4
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZwEYRtsTa
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx8lQIA80N
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fIfYqUBuo
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhNiSgQqj7
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloOns97JcN
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUluDTjstJ
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMswfmDUEFe
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kMRSlE3d3
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2AmO3Wess
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSQwujjNfq
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6YA0PF8lx
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjYSTquI6v
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGLKbOP5uL
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwXSgOUPYb
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkQ1MpJCin
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUM1OqM4l4
dating,”
“---What is he waiting392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F8w9s2xXZ
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaxfoBqxlr
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb21pTyzcw
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqZDZUAKGy
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUJ5A2dGZz
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEt4nd5A4X
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wzZSBsrAs
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yH1FOGQCT
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ0huzUNtY
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxRMfMvBhz
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5ezYlS3TH
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GfGTTqz2M
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxvOwLeo80
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ga48YW1CL
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEte5GAhCt
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
