Megan woke up at high noon.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaH2NtOJTS
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjLzgv8TfN
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOybbODlo9y
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tdQL36esX
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnKGg0y0FN
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCteLAZYkb
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Duxul5sGe
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0o3crX0Cj
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TGfcttWPZ
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeldlzKLKf2
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthjUO3Wm6s
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVuxEUETfn
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc1Z9IUlnV
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHDHRYXeD4
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyBAdCMQCj
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF97BGy3eCT
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT5iPdeTtM
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlqFoekiZu
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gJ3VusQ6p
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34SVozkfXQ
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprwkA0EFqm
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPp8lXyMON
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIKIAxw5WO
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOsoUDSlKZ
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSjJBxYHXz
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1zDDgss5U
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9i10VEtev
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE6Q7Wbdsb
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFoZR5CTQM
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN823UB2YP
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxoyzl9Tuu
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvfh4O4mLN
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEuEEawD2w
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzwc07dTOA
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFv5fq9k2c
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZmeAFH2ER
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2fZuKIBgx
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SxpQlg038
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp6F0wFgFh
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlU2Li6LIf
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHAFAEs5Rr
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvblIyPv3W
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd293VFrTbs
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7F7MPABSM
apologize….”
The girl stared at her281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQIrfrAgJ4
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7yH3wc1bz
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPyXgqXcDh
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtsZf01eLu
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI7hUkoIaF
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEFDsDVG46
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiGmif9pd7
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITcUOJAoU1
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt75j9ADQyG
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2d3TylgGV
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyGoVSNgyA
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Pxro8hThF
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnggGzbLUDx
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz1w8zGKzt
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZgLhEEUfk
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaSSFDbRGg
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSJPQx8nPl
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA45jG5185r
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cxOvEIe81
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWtaBxNuag
counter.
“Brisket hash with281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjeVuIBzwg
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR36cldgW29
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6m0WtzT7P
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1T4eUyzYR
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQMk9Purp9
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG64obifkuD
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yHwdHqKVU
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaw0r8OJtc
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh251NRCUkO
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mPNvhDuyD
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQazz6tEvxK
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMP9PILwU2
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGCGI14s7s
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP8PoDhwTH
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOnh4bwsq0
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyDlKJMhW5
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9L6wk0qr9
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi8N1QeGdh
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9WhRmlF1y
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwq6nK3tRd
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H9cLuqZr3
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4whiIVV5bG
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKQ1ABITRc
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TEFdVd7nq
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzspv7Y6Yd
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZOmCuss8U
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LKtjr8Uwx
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRYqlH5mTu
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMdIEHvvIH
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xEKGxckbc
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs1mmAfYBL
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WQYrFdR8C
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhABh62tFs
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71GWlZBauT
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDyxnzyJy5
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCBC9GyUz8
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY0ichbXTk
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNGPIpbcZ5
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOKFFIDrFK
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyAvQyWxZ2
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZwKJFM14u
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7D3yeXt7x
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbOTFqP5HJ
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFiXiGUoSM
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgEcp6IMRU
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8jfRnbJ3N
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YUEry9LbW
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmA0ZAjSfd
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPws9c6B2oZ
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb7sYTJ1rF
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCgq8LmyLd
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDOgwEfaRk
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVCaA4iEr9
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNXlt99V3Z
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEymtIT9hHj
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7y38Ln83m
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqNf9NIONG
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8F5XXTFxj
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IXGmHpcEx
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdhBccDbi4
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O7iZNgEEt
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkM7zdHPgW
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaZc28ffJW
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPSoO1Elhx
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5wgip6uv7
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruAit2TdFS
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNfM5kHLuR
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCabvkgz3Ne
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S4cTSj1gm
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlXNKPToe1
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDdIRmFouD
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdA9SiM9B6
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CFMPmYZ4b
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ610QwQjg6P
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBbeM1QRtJ
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi1NFUK8MB
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpkQbEnMw7
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN2BHnIfyC
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvalaoGdaG8
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3DTAAVSYG
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWEEWGQ5P1
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAJSt0ucIF
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxExZTDkaE
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsrlyX9mXi
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH2ufOA7KY
to her that way.
Standing there, her281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsm7bEbU7q
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1wFnlQVCD
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaTKGyfTtP
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yyeDoQrpY
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95qIUusQDP
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA30MDSNJTT
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCiG1tXZKP
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zIAY471EQ
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf45wShcMZb
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNba6TbHynK
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX4dfTRszj
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL6f6FQSjz
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpvAiuB2o1
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRNJ4nPxFT
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7J78h0kOK
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNejrAYEmM
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kAWZ8I14k
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKkXCPgM0B
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRKM5vjZ8R
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQlyo7e0Ng
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ4TKKNXzS
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zcrnArGuQ
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1phc32eXXZ
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOf3Mdk088
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfT3CYAkt1
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbe5JWS0vk
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF8SW9ziwo
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGz4mXvZcV
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIfCoQ7A6T
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgrklGb5nL
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTw5e2Mb7C
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAME1Genan
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3wY00VtR3
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiPDRxrfHK
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yYgpmK104
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH9oiZ2NRA
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TfPI8ipPN
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBkbn7MLEi
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcJzfB3ERI
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHItnuAISd
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOlJsj9fmA
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoG8c4Ls6m
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd3v75npwW
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRLFLm4naH
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjIeYTqc3J
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUTQxKTFHA
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqT73KIRpw
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu26Aq9ugST
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5rGFbdGvL
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojDJOwTpZc
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE6jQcYAEE
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPsioX8zcl
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3OpenYsR8
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClxCTj9KhZ
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR1r9RPwLh
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsStz4j0Y6y
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ4sih2jd3
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51GEBgdoX7
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMr4BZJFqd
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6CWhJF1Hv
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGHB9c0l53
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VNOaWRy7J
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtp1AupKwk
dating,”
“---What is he waiting281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gbhYAmvJv
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3YdPNWmQl
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgOfcOxlhe
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mBfrBMPOu
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzGmEJxaJH
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLubZVAtsM
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U9OIuskGi
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwNmigmv2L
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ414Y3h1OPZ
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAQgieMkDC
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3ASifEYFD
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgud6inm3b
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsZF4pudWW
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMsL4w0Es0
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wpmAIYton
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
