Megan woke up at high noon.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFPL5kQH40
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFMd7MwpB0
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTKshE6TFF
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgXVV4IRdw
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EHpa1Zxru
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD368pMufbu
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfMmSzTVCb
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6ayDIXz3E
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBwMF5uKA3
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLu5FmuIUV
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLlWDpCXIx
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf8loPaYTp
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbiHmR7VHm
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXklhDlRcIY
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm7AHxHHtq
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNnzRK6zM5
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H1VrxYh3E
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oJhK2ztox
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn48PpW8mR
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGIZ4YDSWX
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSO2xXqSME
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0oGVpq4Tx
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlKDKTu3AF
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW1ZXaOIcr
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2XgpJ7DTK
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeDgJuN0Yg
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhbn49QbXl
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2rBuVo9xT
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jwt4qIGfE
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G6wbVUD7b
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2LZVMGHA2
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQMlnayhqf
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUYYIaeN4w
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2UYUekq0L
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9SE8DseKa
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ098X3UbtXP
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqAJ0M4Vf4
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6GL7nrIQY
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxrMMMN47S
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzChlTadQMe
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9SeFyE6zb
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMlsK604jW
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT475m7AQ8
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvKvQ1tWpU
apologize….”
The girl stared at her274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKu7ei7MyL
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxHLrKldMV
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74G8DPG0fA
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbQjz5wuwZ
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrgthJXglE
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡths6eDz2jY
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtXHf3EMxQ
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4u3lsOSYO
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNKwnSZGYv
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFAHyFluZU
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDO6GNGxWE
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNTKQfq0QQ
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ilAfd1W46
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLpzPXCSiP
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk2t8QfLED
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgZADQmYS1
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93J06oKiMy
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVBNqAUX8e
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5krVt1SQU
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CCuAudWOa
counter.
“Brisket hash with274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZGzAneLpw
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjko8ywKxn
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ73i0pEKY
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR9Ub3rjVH
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRWJ0yniDW
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVKvaEEMa1
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7iY9X8SNz
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGmQs19Zro
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T07ZQVI7l
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DNxJEEd3g
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08rRvX0xUp
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7D33XNVwq
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qNF87FOyT
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jRrOf5Fui
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRGWkrgvlf
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HCxhwf98P
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuSoNL7sK6
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtG4earZur
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeiTiwdInO
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrendX26Tq
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh9gRD6bz2
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVlbtAljWg
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeCqKOK0Ym
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQs3XRgdJE
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWFeyRIZIz
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBQ3lVNCTE
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToEJoHTw4m
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylxDE7JnAJ
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqZ0Xkkr0t
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerUAJyUKqE
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IgOtiqj0W
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKkQuQGMFU
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGju2R4uAP
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pP7Atqp3P
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrvxbiw67A
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYcfsAEH8z
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qsOkuRIW0
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOJoKLwGxr
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHilBukfRCu
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuK5HzpvUQ
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJFlcwLJue
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHi5cSWjcv
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojpkCzR3U1
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprFR8T01RB
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HYM5dhyEW
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHalF4oSAg9
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpBtB2jQLK
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxOvYwTBox
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8O5eP6EjD
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOi39I51d1
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZspyTHLeYj
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmAEJzrXxY
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvwg6GbFlR
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OCvCVUsTR
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkui8ghJol
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC2n9m1v9Q
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgEgFODcn9
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWOLo8uTA4
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBOBCyx0KB
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcohSlaHQe4
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCXUNifilz
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnHwpB6Ezh
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn9FpGQkJf
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ROWXs5DSL
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFL9L12zUr
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT12XdP6V05
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LMPaLxpqk
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNxnqk2KqM
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpbvCTZO1f
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeLhb9A19d
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mJCoCGg19
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPYX5bOn7d
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYubOYOWLpO
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtM81PUPIm
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor9QWYWZGm
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvVaVliWQc
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HcmyuzUSb
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2FI7ZNkYU
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyu7ZtqHg6
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekLIFFlInI
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xH70kp2Or
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIKrw1FQif
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfAolEDh4s
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhs6URop8t
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dogBu4Wl7
to her that way.
Standing there, her274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFOCZb7KBB
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2uCTbqrRr
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKVlRatrM3
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMq5Zxx6I8
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikGQyJC3xO
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rkqpegnnf
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdll8bu9KhI
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tOKQcXLq6
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8HqCYTJet
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwPkMeRIcr
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiGHxHXUNs
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6TWC5s9sH
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZqAxQPFIH
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC1B7VrsRn
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvhRnl9JFy
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj5nvD5B5s
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOLr9S0yTK
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuVHC0UEI8
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5qYmF2TxY
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfun0gobq7
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wnISYIxX5
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZds8WG3Unc
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2ffXtq4nd
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTyeUMeqBP
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh9lJ5uDnD
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsK4Ajj497
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0W6JjIfSW
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7vbwpkuvQ
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5PRCKgQO4
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFMY1vn82k
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsGkoNL8IZ
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0okBACkPSl
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20qg7eyIAk
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCMUtNx3e6
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq8XzJi9g9
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx4FR463g4
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KzX0xd64K
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQUyDvdVHu
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY805rb20w
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgbUlelRt3
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oWI2coaby
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nbFKQ4TFM
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdujNccwcL
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjozgxE99H
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3MKWXMLLi
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ7Ojspf4P
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDm7EAosWP
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF4aTiZe9R
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11SBFEoWKP
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQeNyPooC7
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgneDThfmlE
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0rWTbYBhq
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAUUvFuWbl
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49zDOjvRUg
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08EjyDBlTl
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG7XbGFfCv
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzfLc28CJD
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy77NC5uqA
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJHF7KXw1c
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx2mrDvY5x
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjd7X7oabz
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c4drjH3sX
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1ro3wBde3
dating,”
“---What is he waiting274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOoClvnCtt
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvTWVQF1qp
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzlZ379bD5
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uMYZGy0va
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVR1R9fPnp
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKE7kbnnb2
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7U31n6IN4
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNawGmkS8Am
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiEr2bM57Q
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR2EHXcZBw
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX7aBNc8xD
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTzVnbBzQf
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXoRpomoxk
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Z1vi8oyt
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMHX5ZbdCv
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
