Megan woke up at high noon.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4yB2ujLjx
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ULp0ihfx2
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW8xTvs1oJ
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyZMMBIeZ4
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRXeCEVHut
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xoh7BqKUV
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDyZyBrZAw
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCIM9OTMNU
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYVKscRe5h
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloPv9ZY7MK
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVq9h99rq7
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEltaOa8Gum
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr92h3WR6G3
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwQRgjRcsB
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdXygdte3v
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUJgbcmPT4
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY5OFiQ2f0
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVs1gjGO1q
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD59Cg61l3a
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTdCfWcHwA
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoabRNjxQ8
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbXjaky5be
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqwKnvlqhW
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhS9oMVbMc
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd23wov2q2
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVXjJu9AgW
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXSwrq60Bn
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9J12g0nWH
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3RBZqyvA9
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScgKKwTO3q
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRGBcECZHW
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84mDqfiwN1
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon2MKGRJKq
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH6WpBZSmM
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nxd7feYkL
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrCDNduFWq
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU09R3TCaSK
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitKKHDmRNG
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABqOFbkjvc
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TVU8Yg5eF
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzgAnhXtN8
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r2Ezt5Kba
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88aa6TTML4
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgE68HU8jr
apologize….”
The girl stared at her368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqn65BJC6W
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSqFman7wG
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4IbpwKnd3
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLmhKMHIkm
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLAQDMyiqi
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKPNsNSg3x
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidKmWSyu2j
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDf3njSrTU
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2j1pdOcdC
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7FjC22OKC
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zkoz0s4wn
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45wxKk7TyQ
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuEzyiC9Q5
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk3iedhdSk
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMWnMaXHpG
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgne1gxPQi
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJac6GVtHB3
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoySyh4fTm
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPIukFjr7g
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3lVXX5RsW
counter.
“Brisket hash with368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zf588FZyc
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m7BUe9JZS
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cLrozcS6N
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRWImvtFeC
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3sKFEPel5
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bs3YBV6ka
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNFOtzBwDP
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUkJkxYCNl
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW43TzMsYNA
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNohLZZrOii
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXzZsI2XBH
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7kMdCv01w
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV4aWaomJF
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjvVZJc18C
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUNwkUYsgD
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj1w6nFkL7
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2MoDIdudT
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZbIwXP4go
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaY1HHK98U
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqegLRFQzpk
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngZwztaWjx
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37v9JMXqFk
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHugWsOBoR
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsnyILkNSW
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYR5ESb9Mu
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87r2fxLG7C
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOXNDMa0sk
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYodMc6D29
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomgUSKdEC0
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrmBZdBf6g
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE189Ff4ZuX
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvu0hUAyE5
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWeodIFmbv
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVnPql91oA
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2LgbAiyMP
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAhwOp9jp7
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PUGsnBRc4
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9ZicjHV2M
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9eLGrcexA
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZS3rmCvy7
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxER8FmWfH
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZWvWzEXTo
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFNgW89Gzv
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTk1aum0s7
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpq9Nmuii6
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb36RnSqFKk
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcupZ1yUGj
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5rFPkxQFM
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudLBelHiGD
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2v5sAkVVZ
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUSelqmCW3
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RftJXeRtg
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJnjTTFecz
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuJHR8nNHK
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWvW1hFhfN
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk5LOOwuxe
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3elQtS0PDE
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBoA3RSCZL
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIXJBqUxIm
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCKmi7H5c9
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmduzbHW9lB
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkfSVtuvtB
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV3LYuKlWu
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm5zHYSekk
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGs91R4HND
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduTjbdavpi
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUZfIOovmQ
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwtAskpbgE
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK6EJXwweK
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEynNI0sEgs
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eQJwEfFRQ
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3LPDqdPpy
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrDHHPjY0B
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoBHGjq85m
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAsZle09Hg
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06Q2KfTaXX
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaQmvjTX8X
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWmVGQGAea
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHQfdatbNi
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh5vhheqhh
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfqLBIDhyN
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5tFBuUqFt
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6DiSMQVkh
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kNutzXjcE
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXnqka41Ni
to her that way.
Standing there, her368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r4Gxjstqi
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uau6wM1H5
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga7qyz6Uf7
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS6bjKLsTF
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZs8nIANOM
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7MwcT8Vme
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kBvbBRJZW
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1GpJkt4tU
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQSfYH1iLT
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFaK4flURB
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeyIZTsfjp
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcphwoEb8z
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpvM2kpBsd
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGO2sZcd61
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjTENHP6qk
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ0rIvWDZQ
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5w4aP7N7y
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDhVqX6CEG
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ8j9PrFd0
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdpq4f6PEm
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe986g3YK6
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBrFmPuqfP
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnR9iMZPfV
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvGI2MO54I
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6liZxX57bN
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqnK9ZdBjC
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmNujMlTFQ
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFSmOthEQ3
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kzGYuZO21
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf0j1nf2Qt
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYOZRd5BNg
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFOLx8QcKC
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvwdODZ0Ww
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkYBg0SFoJ
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKWgnIaQLf
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQTxLPYgIr
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0ovGrLeRS
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtYJM9EOaF
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaVv0x5rQF
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RwEvXFJeX
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB5E8f1j2j
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbEi8Mf9QK
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDcuafXd47
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4GXl5Q1gA
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIe3FMQKHy
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwRQMKRxS7
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyGj4l1IrH
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tOnLGfJuT
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AtD9Ihq5D
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIWQpV5gmR
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdfVEPafbg
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p1k8LcAAV
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yDPGPnRwZ
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0raDHOpPSj
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBS6u07lap
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22972VgSU6
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQDVUgwIMz
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzvWhrtins
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrOEgevmGx
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHquZ2N04xP
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaYjmrdcJi
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s16WlRB3f
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkyuqConzt
dating,”
“---What is he waiting368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCDYQnjOxA
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysL5l8VGBY
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7euNqkgmn
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmObVwzYGwP
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkMFXnxNBL
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NiGrTTN6d
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH6XtIRWNX
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNyKMHS9WX
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GT1XB1Ufc
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk2h5NMByl
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5YnOseFra
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXGn8EceN8
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcQp1m2nH3
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCqo1vUf0h
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHJJH94Lb8
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
