Megan woke up at high noon.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJCqXNHuSX
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QtXFNnn4f
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoO8Kxs1Y6
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFklL9KATC
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ4wABotCa
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtWm5d0rNM
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbHyhlOvJu
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xCEvHGvOp
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvovbyCQnC
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVa7tDU2A2
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKghiM83PiG
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOUimwFlY1
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzxqIIUbbQ
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VDsBE7rRu
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExYkLIAyNa
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5LGQf2hKD
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM07JRSULbM
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEAmVRHGOq
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QPslgZRBm
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQnL299WVi
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02s8vvBUQ8
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzrLIqR5zd
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRP3It0Ytk
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLXbaFJlrO
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5myk7lINw
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2ucAgbrmU
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbmWVgARJ5
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbYdRCEttn
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcRcm3nvgk
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhp3m8QJS8
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6IA5ys6oM
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLckfDeD7b
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqEZE0Eo3m
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoFHh7qYJ5
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiZTa5npnB
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH4O0pf1NU
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXalNOv8mjG
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMupafIVZUs
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF8BcWdTj1
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1VGFcnRfy
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcWQdqt5ar
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOsLT0tPmR
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4WTjw4yNj
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkEpzeBHXJ
apologize….”
The girl stared at her329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVOY66wS4Z
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MlcwIJjPy
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymdSFKkbNq
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvFFZ4QAqW
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s9wXUaobx
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMp1CicLa3
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRwr9mVbPk
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVulOJNONr
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6uoKBbVJw
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB0S7KiE5G
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTmqNGCNRe
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYEnwg9yAI
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6uGccyFwT
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoBYmXKWM4
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FMo7oN9d5
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzF751AAKm
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlp7n3Bdcv
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHX1OOPp55
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfAiMu60Yy
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdqwHvCB6N
counter.
“Brisket hash with329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLQlngSERs
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILcycKTWWS
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvWCQi779k
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHTIo3Rlrq
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25MmmjKGa8
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsnsz6maJP
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tz7W0qjYL
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3OCAnlLVT
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y5c67Du4K
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTEuGATaZU
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObu4p2mi5s
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGTpJOjB7C
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAH7vwZqI3
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHHJfD4tgV
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWHJpRIuk1
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RtUp6CODm
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKOMECZGbM
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqVdtbcaNg
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmNNw2Z0mM
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJV4sMuxpP
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoJoSP8Ttf
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqNqVnTya6
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwZu7l55Bm
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo8p3NTBJG
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlY3PvxWiL
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6dwIPxFbD
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq7IGhsdMC
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrszcf7Lsj
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMOgLzpl3X
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRAyhL7wIp
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRehaQLeEFg
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2my0xRgsd
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DHbufJmNz
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BktaGZCPY
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAijNXXTrBk
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMABK9QE4PR
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0lQotiSi2
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKPt0y0bzI
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t9sJwoAHE
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXJLCpyvxz
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXetdZyKvow
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGogR8RqOW
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21EvQNJaBp
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWUXpWWiw1
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpbXfr2NEz
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeQuy4zWXw
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZckw4lPc8
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTZMRz7Cx1
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3SmjdjPxG
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqti69QdnyA
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I7II1pr2A
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfH3bglgrM
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAJxbCXpWg
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHQXB8dxyt
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBXitQfmAa
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe7Diz5dov
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOXa6ZOsTZ
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe86stZMNqh
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjCSs7EDkf
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMFa6UxqD9
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2Wpnq4wfk
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyi63VbAxQ
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7zarCNJMY
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vaenX4Wlx
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbPqaE1Abm
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VcLUtPcs8
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJpsIA7zu8
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZlBDpRs4K
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUuxwuJvO2
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCGmtQFDYt
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwj6q5GyUC
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4d6oseTap
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX813ZPEgN
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1rHubGtpP
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWOgH35ODU
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bSS5zqKq1
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ks6VkZbtX
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC1dcB2Qig
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSLVcgJGTi
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3sDfopXwi
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDNIKYy1t0
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2ilfCJUCx
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mxcZDm4cP
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qxMH98rE8
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJVvZeZWRZ
to her that way.
Standing there, her329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7aCnIl8tP
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiW1MhhzzL
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhbS3K1Zwx
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK5VoH8kdu
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpygYucpKtr
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfB7nF67Km
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNeYBgtBSe
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMjaMECxE8
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANDDJVSWUx
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKItmvokBB
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqILieD5dSC
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpebZaxXl4D
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBDAYBXLxp
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4bG9pBb5o
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pU7X4PAan
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCpkXsoJOs
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY452N8W3q
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NGaRFT1cB
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCSOXJhuUM
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlycctzxDNW
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJqy66ZWGr
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdQUzYtvwD
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zX7YyXmEU
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaScmhutcCv
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0QvO5n7ZK
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dEhFNVJuP
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUhhl2WwPT
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwD3Y0DT4B
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5OBqDqH0H
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNjclCt35g
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KBA7sit9w
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5aauu2Dbp
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaHbHDdV50
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWEplXEznM
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkos2bloIi
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwN6SwpYr4
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VgHBv99xe
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXSY4w4yuQ
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZS8NpShFVZ
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoof8HKPyQ
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlhDfs8Y2o
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrt5TbTTqy
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGslirD8wI
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2yllFY9mx
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3iA7MUDvO
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1EJsjzpy7
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTw7e9drkO
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92s4s9LsJw
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnrPjYofxy
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuCtLpuaqx
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MRvbaIEFf
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ys66OnrWJ
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxbn6yYVGX
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf5jP9N6oy
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe4u7XmL3w
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8zxLw6LAO
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNToJfeIAvK
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrXttnTh6W
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQIaQzEtY3
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8lhmV8Bq3
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOXkFjqzeG
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsQxSM4VUT
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAkGibwcdM
dating,”
“---What is he waiting329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeNpajWBQs
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4u5bD7FF1
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpgzxIjX14
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrbv0FInsl
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80wniPUyFZ
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENwVhVQeJX
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaee624KmC
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB45pxylrid
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjealZQA6cD
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjGISKPNZI
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53f3t0a7NX
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HqlX8hRq4
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0oUjrAEWv
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZi8DKJWPk
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OLoCDULnC
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
