Megan woke up at high noon.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjmTB19G1G
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKncAshbL2J
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEmRfVLEHR
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1vQksNwJt
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUvdK7QsqQ
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jbOLWjVYF
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWAyG2uVuo
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLO5L7dQhK
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs0OnFhiLu
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctqXhnJNFa
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrmnurVwcf
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrwGaaVhyH
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeXke0yRao
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jFkZQVxKJ
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCeKzRn3VI
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgdluQ9tU0
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivUuWNjmJ1
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTM3SMgE9N
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci5YxDyEXp
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAFh4s3Lag
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstr86fCpFe
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxDRXmmom5
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykJxauYyL1
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KnxHUEd3D
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4qrvGebGg
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBR2tIkZztE
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbneX9pvEgx
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkowXWMCnN
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK5ppbwGXI
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhGz6d7vd8
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxTnMsMnjv
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnxb5q8WXo
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ65cjTxfu9
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgJ2SE3wOR
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuG4I7uoi4
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfwbiGfAc8
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgHfFoOjlo
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5Fxgrp3Zd
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp6zBXPX1o
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYuJzdB7gg
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOVt5xEVUt
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaxJJJ4yiZ
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPOohw6xlG
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDvMD7kxXA
apologize….”
The girl stared at her390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKTaVgO4nk
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpm92S4VM8
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoUqQJ1eWv
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn8XIvOPxr
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBCT4TdoQq
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02Xe4BtkVU
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG19B2hce52
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8nweVADlK
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEIBykI2aq
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2xHG8LvbH
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MDXubT1C2
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqosOdwJ4q
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAelH8hz3d
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61kghIpZKJ
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8noRux50Z
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wfeaeKAld
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUAoqL6SEk
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA0XGHAb2y
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRwMAw2H8c
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktmsUxulyx
counter.
“Brisket hash with390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBQ2DOXX6k
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalb2PQSL8n
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2emymMROuK
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXtHjcJHQg
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQUmRKl3aw
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdL0UuwHiH
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOceRzJ7JQS
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzvcGZstNs
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbUp7RnqUP
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtzWjKrJ1T
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvcFAJxl2K
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhRnGw1pJU
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSxmHQyg14
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0duwDia0mC
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dCyKSRXQu
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS3a8yVNjA
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpTKiVx7yH
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1ZGEdIFdT
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlp0YZUvxe
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DW14ktnAV
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMGUWHUPXQ
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaWSqeEzhu
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrXMNSaDHa
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRdYe8gVgw
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvSPpZZTcI
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgMjlSoBfr
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFa9eqmc76
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSeDBKY2cp
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkWBlXHx54
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jOIGwWOFr
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs8pzdyvl6
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE1P51UU9M
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3N20OAKRV
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCEik9yV6M
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSlr8ngdrj
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5RsoSJbnW
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzitVPfWukA
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPiG6VMoTt
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kuu2lXbLM
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme8zaaU8Kk
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiThdNg7wNg
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNm2FbwfPn
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt9E1Me3QA
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbJjrUv0n9
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMemQ7OHnK4
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcMPZQUAwf
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8Dd3vcxTU
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YyidTCGJU
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfwvYQY1mK
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowYEmOjCaH
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjyh941G9v
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm8qu5hAbJ
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2tyCHFEgV
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTAiUxri8D
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvudmfnYrxm
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nPoIWHpFj
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOs1Io3KnR
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDtwuW0NEZ
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j8Cm0Ec0O
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQJ07od5Cb
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz3oUgVT4C
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHLAHJr2U1
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlVAlNwifv
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp0lds9Z7G
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbf7br6D1M
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm88oAr18ka
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH6sonfPpI
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UQOt6ub1h
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlls5MlF4I
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAW8ZTwigs
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSpwLpjzkt
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vj3Vf6F1t
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IjKZyQRmf
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4lXU8IJPg
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0YXtawLR0
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDx9kyiTpa
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn68vfgRsk
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILxNU2DhAf
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacpFevIo3h
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpEHzdJKFC
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TcIkjolL0
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhKARUasGD
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LckySiqmC
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8vZOY2hqJ
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn85s1HECrN
to her that way.
Standing there, her390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqamhkOOaCU
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKR2M4cU6C
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWA7kbUzlh
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTU9L5Ej5t
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqgSXsihMK
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTbaEUshbc
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahSXR4xCfV
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2DxLuMKDQ
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl4RpiH7US
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55KuT1mp0I
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjSOjv8iVg
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrqsjy1Jkc
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZFjym9rjf
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwZhfhCZCB
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nxy8qh0v7
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rd2T4QWaI
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTm7NQi6l1
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO4CSY4NSY
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoa90OWj7d
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgO0WCg8Lc
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyDG1ADXZi
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleWtebXobJ
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb7EsAIjzp
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6cmiJakkn
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KSujyJkBa
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe8mYpkI2I
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrwZ8vEMe2
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpAOBoblpD
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEAVaAPy8N
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhceKwkXaSe
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeKJqXEIl9
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P7o5zPcAv
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q2FR6Vgn9
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJieoZvS7p
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPQ9haneal
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzVD5wfZjv
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOa7g2KsVr2
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrZyvoi9N3
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvenaWB6OIx
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWZp8CydaL
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfScdB5TpYk
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZERS9Qfgi
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZhcLWQqjW
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32cv14iP4a
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxYHSLNXxe
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenKvFb3zdp
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLqmZHV3Vf
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YUBonakHU
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu9naTiStF
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLydCaeeA6
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsYMLkq8Kh
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OtSGFC5I7
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsne2TKFqBB
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiC5pN8PdY
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2itMOuT5B
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdn8a0XA9F
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9wJDJeCcj
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dNtmULln3
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kUKBymOMF
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlS4L6Gz8x
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpbUARHtNi
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJehUjfp5E
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iHJ9EIn0P
dating,”
“---What is he waiting390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaiVKXduOx
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8hPp0V3Wk
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHkD8K156O
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzm8ZnE5dl
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnjwCyZ85b
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvmu6OBgyo
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOu0g3PA7z
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprgbcu1fit
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc5J2Lpnu6
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4z2PaDYsn
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9Az4OVIgr
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgNjtcnick
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkObvX20zxG
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFrnZZXRpy
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDrraL15Mo
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
