Megan woke up at high noon.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHfvinqT4R
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsnA7FWkiG
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4TMxjuSlX
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rNxINBBqM
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvbGFU2yxU
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M1XQE3psR
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ28u4EZ7E
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzyn6fK2O9
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR45tyyJTcB
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wf5YR7O5K
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3WSf9ZaeK
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTs2xtVIjZ
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27XjTpl7oV
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMSV5ARbfB
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRN6cB02QU
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNmLWKEgbu
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDpe33uqE7
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2fVYTB3FF
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOfoPte0Yi
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHystO151P
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhun1GMYOMH
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAvQFCvhS7
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLc1qx3ElM
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoUkVcXGjs
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzCAaH0cFd
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwQilyNnSW
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkWOFjMsyc
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2IFOfUY8H
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOcLXcDcWi
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2xOLaTqrZ
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM6HoAYY9f
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDdx7zz2xs
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCELLtcUY93
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdmydiZWCQ
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2Lg10wjz7
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGINYDAWTh
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaKYzJ2TO8
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJue2rDtmk
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNFArlIBU5
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOItqtc38e
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhuY37jij4
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltjvJhj3ca
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Nt9DLhdZ5
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS88lOJibJc
apologize….”
The girl stared at her328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AzoA2zBWQ
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk8Egtx7hc
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1Np96HboB
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLqrFq3tVg
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycuUAtcfrp
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IcykBRkoR
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9KEWSn5O8
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpOOPDf5tW
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFHUJqS0lz
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyzEMmHIcx
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbpgZKqTHi
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTw98AbR8E
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLTdfGXCSm
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVEpK5nyK9
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iEwVklhzn
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CzLCBbokd
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqp3Wgpiia
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99HEJg5g8n
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfE63Q4IUe
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Krr2erXHe
counter.
“Brisket hash with328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A6wtFpexo
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAPLeleRYP
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtjJaxYWW5
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rsLhJ5F3u
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1If7VSmyJ
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUmWQjzMRY
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN9OYwZuhR
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4OdzJHLOR
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKwEDVO7ES
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67YTaWKU1p
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGwXgmeq75
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRRb9ADrfM
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP9m9wqcxC
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBnMtT19Ab
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUupQWLHqzw
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8dOJ2Dn30
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrQoVBFUn2
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfd9Y5yirw
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtvCPhz2w8
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxstughfNl
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevxCBKbNxl
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A0HtC7wYX
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dtDvq4VcV
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36Wm4rriec
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzjctq7pak
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Tsv9g850I
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZRF37K1AM
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t9gGEcbWN
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LW2A6BI4m
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWIKQNMdlh
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH6y08TckR
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZZI3eeBCn
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN0QvhHl6p
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JexvCXkqH
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhWNYDFCaI
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO3XZ2smde
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmwAaqHrvS
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFy9nkL0zc
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbCh5TmTHY
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLaOhrzBFs
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeckasoypMU
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGfoMPiHzJ
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEcNR4Y8P5
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr10EaQ3J4
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q5ot9hP2X
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qbOyf0uzz
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsy1OqQG3I
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh58MFrTU3
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DEsZTPrVm
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUXExJCaMY
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi45NNyY40
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN4N7wc7of
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAJcBAY8d5
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kJtRC3Xwm
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbTtCruPdF
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41t5QUBrC1
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJNML4IP7l
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUp8sndulJ
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKuVWCPsSV
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluAIjaL2Mc
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yz9WphOCJ
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FKzMyuj1l
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrkajB4afg
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeTRlrTQvW
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPzMoeZxCE
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTGez06J5T
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWqUtWXt1s
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2a2a5ugT3
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRPFd4onU0
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUCBWQ0isq
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLUwUtSp6p
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9RA3bMT3A
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX5pTgrF60
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqPNbjNcul
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIO32TXE0U
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByLo92hCaC
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3gJZatXmg
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYjmWECJcQ
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7C6CtooVo
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCiufhR4Pi
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBLxog8KbU
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLqiI9hQRy
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JluW1vSFy
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi5vGIRI12
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aijvaL9Th
to her that way.
Standing there, her328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKYym8QshG
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQBGrSB70h
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenIPkQv8lW
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRptjuQb1U
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBtEufQYVb
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfkDOxgM7z
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21lEk8TjwU
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg717HxuzjM
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjAqZdOboz
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0ikS9tbMq
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX5P1pkvlJ
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoV6J3IWYs
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzzeRpRGJG
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp7I3vzrpQ
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOdXXjuOJL
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhXpX1sYgo
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUT6OLwEut
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMFJok74jv
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeRCraL2o4
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xoa7KHkwI
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvvL1QuXA4
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6DkRIB4Vk
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMtCIimpmi
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdquzDhP45c
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgzLBBhbXI
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37kj4o7IWj
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OtdXFhP58
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUoWV0SR17
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkuMONkFSl
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkR8FoeU2A
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjFUeQu1hg
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKzGgqxMoK
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFZFqgQ7Mh
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkABSleYI9
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bDPjb1otJ
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wBFJh6G9z
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEYckZu11v
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdet7Rmt7Mm
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGc9QChC80
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGghCuUsWo
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QDm0pxSJq
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGcXCsi2cH
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwegxajonD
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkKL5AooTM
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zCP3MKZ2S
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mNQXbIgCe
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8wVaFBXPh
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAYljZkg5Z
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uqM5te7l4
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhgVrQOU2Y
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31WeMB1NM0
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2wuWVjr6L
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4c3Gmj9b7
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTdVYQnzY6
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI0TXa2FZr
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevLjCE39Ej
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlXYNUzys2
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYKGaPMQqQ
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5vsHM07VH
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kYWXNekFE
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SbscsQzfu
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCDCB63CSq
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjiw0hFkev
dating,”
“---What is he waiting328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAaXJb5ZBK
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXTILCXlyZ
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvaeRLHYvb
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOlaUwmWNA
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2tjurdpep
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8RZx3vUur
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7stBzOCGuQ
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTiZbyw9cW
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ymbn3nQwn
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaU38Zhyjw
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91aJqVMsSZ
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWDmsg4bTP
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlq0SbHnWa
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGw9IjNtsx
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXnrzdJJZg
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
