Megan woke up at high noon.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OKoKswWUC
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbai7nERRQI
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0fMlMeVlu
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P4VrhCBil
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2eTOtRloN
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXPfEqH1Dl
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnas4bsgJTj
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuTvJo0miH
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM5dGpEU4h
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnklyIvEqDc
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsavRVR1hku
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJlTQ9gvoB
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMchqfcSpOb
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKrLu6Mykr
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTufB4LfnEw
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlAv0zSz2t
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqH0vtiZbC
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM2gfl3eQz
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkG1ZkMWmb
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFPJaIb56B
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4pYCwA9qI
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZNM9sHOpD
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzwTEugtBM
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPjdcRit4S
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrSruCdnPs
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOJMf9TCib
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMWgqwz64y
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxPaqBVj7E
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9LD4JE61h
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wQMg4WbMF
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcsgg3uhWv
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIghLB2HGg2
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr1Tzx9X5t
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0DGejMrpv
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm25qSHU8g
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yBVTLmUKo
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOW6zQwwBx
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpy4ht4DR2
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2SO4sdROL
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5xQIibUq3
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatwBYwtWBx
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fXvQ3Orlt
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz71gZJ6FI
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFQJ5gL34G
apologize….”
The girl stared at her388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb2jsAtItT
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXjObVNw4t
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzS8xU80JQ
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6TZodrHxA
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjItpYeyr8b
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJDU9FAuwt
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wtdo1HThj
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyr9uA8uEG
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSb3rzDkLH
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T2C2TS6ok
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRghC1BfKnG
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFex9kQzZE
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qp19u1XQ5
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlWzXX2w77
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDac0UezKl9
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF7bBubipY
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGTQRHAcQt
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnz1McJ9xP
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P9tF8bVxT
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pWQ9LsYRe
counter.
“Brisket hash with388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuDdFEnsvJ
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71pJ3gSpJr
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpANX3z01l
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIxI4oWirx
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZRdEgoXjd
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXh1PAUDi7
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxsv9ZfvH8
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhau0Db8Cm
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AHQRSxuKB
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ3vvKAjhD
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk0Wu11oKE
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVC4PdwVyY
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgtK9I9lPl
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXNDOzK6uS
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2RC53vcNc
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm0sJKcm8m
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO8T7Gi3pQ
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZAkz1RjEN
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdltqjWir4O
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQHuFkhB9M
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OhVlbDPBZ
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWSewnNmQJ
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9de22T5ka
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlqyFM3or1
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArdZLlyKaU
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz7YCQQhNT
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbThK1ehXx9
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjuILd90g3
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVNZ6kBW6K
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfBoGe2HQg
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMfg1vnDgz
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51iIJGMLbg
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO92m4uvuq
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvo1AXoPOh
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftyeg9Dx67
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH85O0Y6MCg
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD34RFyJpAB
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzS1MtLiGE
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXQ6AWFMCW
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKogX7iKcU6
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiQbGfhJcL
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9cRT3Ksmb
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDwP8JRMmR
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF9Rp1uyh4
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ1zTGYj1T
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9rhgTv8sG
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiVOXFXwxg
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTHnhTrt2h
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDm9uPBt2C
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70mWEYCcIb
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNJfVxSNU1
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWyZ4bSJCQ
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yt4Fv2vZ5
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcUWciMe1b
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFGENIoXTu
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK86WYtXtH
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAchdEvmapV
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFrfRlSsZd
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0T8IPzMOh
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjwuwvL21Y
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIyLENdvZi
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWME5LhImkd
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd3j31TZo5
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QHDh5Ospm
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DVJLw6NIa
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcy6VJNyrH
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeroNULYzD
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxe9lhJqKz
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8oBZPegLl
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOhTjujO1f
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcXNChbFAi
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0n4JIhSgH
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i7dZcTqlN
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HDMXMSc64
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxX00aBsCD
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7v0yDJAoG
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxCa4nyZ2Z
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH6JvLCiPs
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFbvRzaTBW
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnwuebYyOl
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRha56s0Wjn
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q3BGKMmLK
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm16AJdRWLZ
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrjQA42ndU
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy85aaP4KjS
to her that way.
Standing there, her388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6FhJyGGjI
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ5ciIH5oo
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdspBqB3r9j
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzXk9g5YGr
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMQZynsQ7e
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7RzSRufMv
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF6OoZN2F1
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoQC9JLwhL
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I79QKDQdm
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz1KBhEoOO
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsQCPzCb40
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4Ri1Ek2d9
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABFxzql6Xs
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0jxmQo2nh
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciia7Y7YdD
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ5rsx3Bnp
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t1oLFkqfS
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGOVPEgPsw
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVLBlysbqr
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmK3im9x7G
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9VrAonutb
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTzLCjg3Dx
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7lpgzWmYa
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8CjVMDaPU
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzXY9hhBNg
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwIkaxIHTI
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI7mC3C5oG
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZVDHoMEMr
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3T5pFHdQF
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibNyv3qhrv
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcj31u5km4
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkz3kE8JOd
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshPOyrDUic
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDDv1t0a1q
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDixoGR6Pfk
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH6FOpNiZt
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXYUCS6gAJ
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU09R8B7La
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TqOGGz85L
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYr3CO1Sh0
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQclj48rRD
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BoNvJx5nZ
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjsskY4JNZ
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoROmMrbjot
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56KLkZFBjw
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRsdtSheWH
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp8N4r1TnS
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4cM6K04NP
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSAvlDPxlM
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UOWWfbNDW
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUz3M4Nmti
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlCfu1evc3
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4ewspxCin
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUU78VsG9t
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox6h8Qgwxc
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIPMvgl0fA
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvHemr7nb0
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVAj0dWbjU
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TWfZ5bGIK
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZmtfU6MVd
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uDLwsjGLw
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmkKUaGaEl
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4gnjMhXNW
dating,”
“---What is he waiting388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0taJJYP2Ue
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtkUd3bugp
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLgMdTbMkw
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWXd0RhCKP
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1YUTDHnVh
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMxsTpiaAG
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvZTLcB46R
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3ZyVyT3dt
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FoFwmJ9g9
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEyGZNJKFS
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CVBToAEbX
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbMHd8JcYQ
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8dP8NWdw9
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xVNFb6L2u
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgHU2kKAkq
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
