Megan woke up at high noon.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2ToKyRXFd
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz1HLuuHra
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZmwumpnaC
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1811wvp30
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf7Li9srjQ
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXSCU537CR
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vNJl7yiBc
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2QOhe8eA4
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLekOdPbE18
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzKLeC5Bt8
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyZ1QOepNY
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW9aNErfzf
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWMhQgIJyH
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtpDaoMAFd
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmlLgzE8w0
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IzTztj3TK
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8wN0nyX0b
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vQ8Spr46C
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeakTIAoKEo
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8o0e4HbAE
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOWCX943Ae
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW2CJTkMHM
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYttZTzsAyJ
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiT69CqMYr
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMIv0DBmfz
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdFrbBhvNr
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKV9n1bpOt
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7CvDlpPMV
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkbaYIwQ3X
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkp2FEd6IQ
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs43rIuOjpN
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J4YnDLlgF
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZHyePUD9b
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncTOQWUnKM
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CNINZyQis
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvu784N71H
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3J3FQElcY
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoevUolyJy
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e2LaTpeIu
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC31YyErW3V
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjsUdYhz2K
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABPddTq73H
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gVDh1240v
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91WehUI4Iq
apologize….”
The girl stared at her330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZZ6jFaKiu
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCPzVW6Ivw
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPSE8cIZxx
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWPbJ0WWdP
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2gBJhdPoK
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXCjQc5KCY
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysAiPSZczj
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lrhI5OcNv
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJNmiSmwRp
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pqtjFdvEq
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxUCOIiVbU
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZfxNwqFAY
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmJbc6nePS
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eSry5ikML
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1COrHOFkf
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fepUeUTD8
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3koFCzQ53
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgyQcoQgLa
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0xNxvHHZj
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCZcU9oQ9i
counter.
“Brisket hash with330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPzpbjz1X1
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGmIfBu8hM
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yP30jFoFM
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmQeXoXmTh
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUblYgykFRw
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwN5cAuhx8
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxcFegllQZ
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY5mSmDMQJ
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqB0hdRX8E
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHI09CiUAk
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKFcGbxwql
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQA2xQcm2z
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfZKcNElxg
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JLBLrIYh6
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BehXmEtsL
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvzwuGaUiU
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvClLkVFT9
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ug5aEjSnQ
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP3Tdj7xZe
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyvFUwSz9B
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53UAgrMsFn
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6lCWPxSHw
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRv8qaHoEi
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGeP2bOSZm
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHb3z2qx0w
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8okj0y3BK6
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvC4ZvoWKS
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL4tBnec96
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIAHkdaoqk
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GwOJR84KT
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB5PTqIp0Q
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4wr5hy1rm
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4DKLaAKqD
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5PGjmZuag
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxj6yP3NQP
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6HW8DlNOF
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYeawIV4On
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0Umj58yaN
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9wF8sQsKy
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyAhUTKG41
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XhlMG7EVn
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBs23LIQOH
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcw8HuofAn
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f1sGluSQ8
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xOLxRH3ns
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0PrVeo3rb
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8066UrfqH
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVZRhJUS4U
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TuIdkMEPp
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y8c2dfj3V
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp9bH42DIu
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL9of0Hhql
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cJaFoY1QH
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgkZxQXNkt
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBLVNS2Cw7
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoTMIA0P3i
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWHDcSd5CD
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfEKFODVhw
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE3vmvspkF
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhxVKluBdP
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80S4bRurkK
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoI0f0V8Sw
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU3NT3Oykv
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIIkUpWgMD
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfVndXNZHP
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab2o6frp45
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFsmYFunaP
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebpKym1mTu
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGUdTQGGfc
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLVfsRcx05
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu2zeNOiyV
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUo1pXgF8X
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j4zPLXyy7
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMkFsOEG7G
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVKuKu68AI
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU45hmkiV1
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbvFay515O
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7T7scNtU9
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM0zf8yga2
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4FdwmmVmh
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVwT2HQIYU
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TN6tKpeGU
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyElz2btYH
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf8ywKfSeO
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7M1TYs3QN
to her that way.
Standing there, her330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l5Raa3zyr
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm0jMCB7ne
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65cgEBicVh
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwtAyqxJJT
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjTpSi9ds1
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHRcoBN96C
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZbkOlpIc9
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONhgO1Y24W
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmQmKGC8a7
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSCWxdap04
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwfJgfNlo9
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElpLYsEmOe
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhsDVppDyw
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi783efksr
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3uNpdNTpt
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDQUIix5nx
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgXxJpJA5a
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2NRkKfGXN
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJiKc2GOFE
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY1os0uKsQ
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qcHxHgrqj
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p6XhAMBVN
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTPCVmHD5T
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu3K9w7XlQ
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaZVksVuah
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOtxI1tFjx
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXMkYOYwhv
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LYFibZS3h
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzO1SC9OxC
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTQMn9iWhQ
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjzea4RanU
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19IqDcIabg
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEnHPeM24Q
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOVOt8sm6m
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOg3JMDv9P
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZJ3uvK8nN
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReemsfHEnE
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICHCGYKzuv
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4nDxjWsUS
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGSN2FZ3fl
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2POv27qdX
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86CkbSLWvl
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IrY8gtFH1
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwBYN22VYr
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFfbcffMRh
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFcLFVoPEL
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbh3BgfwAK
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZWzeOkvdl
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisoEbIqDLz
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN8iXVMry8
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc1cHrwGkP
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUcucz0GWG
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSuG3Wuley
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4smx611eCN
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIxfasGIWK
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8CHeGHtD1
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZCMzBNmr8
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGI7l9aMAy
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiEWd6bP7B
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9MEMEv2Kw
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUwGDbwbYg
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5bdJMtJPu
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOtNxolQCh
dating,”
“---What is he waiting330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRnplVqAW3
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tqapj5mMc
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hK1PMqA8o
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNowgL9nRz
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8XEIG8YmG
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvM3haPohP
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26IOL3SLNE
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ox0BC28gC
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK03GRsCARE
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk9deHaf4y
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZDZPNkSjN
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXue2L4RhH
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgS993ccki
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10TcM9DCxe
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOkYVQltUN
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
