Megan woke up at high noon.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16tKJwgnkg
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm7Qq9dTpG
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxE1otPYWt
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdzUjvw2dO
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcICjbTHhvG
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrTWMNKOey
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw5EgYtGZx
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7tyApS52Q
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvnXnjNFl1
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe3MAN1A34
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia6zDSreNV
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzs2oVrz54
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwt88dbQUR
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvvTK1irvA
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTUYdS27Yt
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDBcGFNvtO
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszLkLFx0hg
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKQwmqluDB
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCAVacuJMT
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsm9EJFkGv
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAozmB6izX
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX6OBSzqbq
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx74fYQkTM7
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xw0f3Kaqa
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4j1xj952x
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJjGVe1OR3
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9wRHcth3k
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNVI8RBIfe
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijBGa4NfvR
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiroL706XO1
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeIkG7ihws
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKyKPOx57p
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeqp6C7G3C
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxZXhKIVx8
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkq9pHhu94
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0nl4EJB6k
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mG86daRhF
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GUm4ZnMAQ
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV44imd60C
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiWM9VvcUt
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnfuqZqqaa
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMbKubzHyb
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0qlKk4OpP
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo8nN9bJMA
apologize….”
The girl stared at her367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmy0dxfVSb
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj7G6z6jGI
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBdU7MhmF8
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk9AebueZH
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxVTx8xi6W
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VMzoewYIt
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKuvT26a5u
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHaaecyuKE
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH65PK3FEr3
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol3PPWse2z
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC2Z3q6hxV
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFghFiUNMK1
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kbNLmeLgs
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoF4B6sYgG
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkIIBaxy1d
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Dt5pSKEO
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLf4jmqFdm
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTmuhLub2Z
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwizs1mRHHR
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0GtTWHQOE
counter.
“Brisket hash with367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlNEVIA2Ex
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaKLegUUbF
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht2ZzCb6O0
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyzDeDaOdw
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesy9iBkvk6
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgsV2efUeR
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFExEVaNfz
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDCrh8HXQj
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawbuYgayI3
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S7C0icyHY
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiCzZ5JQwB
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVxC7LXDoA
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoPsRWcJxe
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwSxibAp6H
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRJTALANdA
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9bV9aM9Se
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKUCuK1Kt4
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SmQPpKv6u
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbgC4GWUQX
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvQaAdk9SX
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFoQBNXTZn
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbedtcbdadm
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbwSca2JD3
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kiPEYIR5E
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRyUtKH5bf
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoT5AC0RJ9
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY3fOWlMci
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsLM2X56m4
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkztFvgYvaC
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXckDwDedcx
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflbF5frTO0
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt84iEZrgMX
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUBMkJSjJs
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsW7saGpSK
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71BykUjypZ
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb31wFGeNC
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiZqiHAJbm
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WXbuDpU4Y
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RXsBbpsUM
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaYVDj8fpp
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzA8yeNF8l
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqygpwekziM
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfSN833mOG
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2DrtpmJof
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NdzO8G5Gh
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WRX8zylS6
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf3kBGdDfN
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLvFZAbVx8
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOYe72SpFc
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5E1r7wjzK
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R3tiKf1nA
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmErBYxrD8B
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwkqMi4DNU
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhAutZ9VHN
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNoGmR4gfI
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV2kxRsOKd
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wbjqDWw7o
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaHwplLtJt
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMvvYZyjtX
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaBGAfvoEm
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMpbkXAFK2
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6g3pee9z8
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmPSHB0MYo
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksb9v1TK49
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhBhEv1YLn
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhfKkVfkOX
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuoETgASOT
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIpjZ4of8F
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2ItnOOgyq
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwpDFI9mrm
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlUY2lSC5H
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXnvuFz8Vr
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHCbzpagbz
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXegpUgDHk
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMffwJt0JEb
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq4iYGZK5n
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9SUZew2G8
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6JVL0Nak4
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWLbNWgky4
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyPhFul0rY
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo5c2UuWST
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLXaBl7vWw
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Bdmfxptxi
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnKZfCMA9Z
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddDsVtr6bU
to her that way.
Standing there, her367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgUC5isW7k
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG6Pjwlgnt
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3psIX1deJh
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy5StfRRml
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqmBLc24Po
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YDBR6jhdO
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGKoigPwGi
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9IZPOyL9M
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiedWqRnTk
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV12R6X1MZ
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOW3fYPUVC
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTGlsNYYWi
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbk5Xc9cUU
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5TuigpfhS
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzPNMJS4bn
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xGJsWBQVJ
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFwVQy2KiL
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE7TanBYmH
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pjDktzWzh
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiNMyf7dpE
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SJnC03vYb
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gPOYOOktF
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkadEtw50B
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y2wtneG8Y
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMr9ptFq6j
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtokJm2L649
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hAlMRkZmt
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EZEi3WQ7v
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMZF7lvmsW
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P2B8FqQ1V
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xZI6maO0u
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHviWpT61z
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7Fr91tTzn
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C3AwNkBDq
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspHx0UdZZB
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmLElPW6yJ
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMaTnCxw11
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJAmOz2LNr
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrqENEkjw4
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o2PeaWLR9
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpdLDWutYf
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5m2eovQpJ
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XHkxKUUBa
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G2deKm0cr
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1XnhyKwIB
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCpjzNJBkD
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3Sf04t6iL
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg1GUr92C8
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtA0SuDcNo
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DUvrLF4lZ
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzWduEFlXv
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvyxyuJrI8
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBsmwPYyzl
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFSNfIsEoF
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAZr1NbUT7
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pLlAWMv1V
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSoVA6Xvbu
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtLoDN6Uap
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtPCAKTnmJ
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZxsmPQjXc
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wlLqBnNWZ
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFpVrzULIh
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1n4WgYHDB
dating,”
“---What is he waiting367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96tBV2CgPk
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmtayurKtQ
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VIkgPTxRd
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4jsxeuFUA
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wo3LrF8BO
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDJiCNDx9f
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9hTb3kAFP
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFlLZ2XDkT
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt51XEEUucL
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRoxa9LtFY
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBV93461LW
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5EkDAWhtV
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqgEXv1iAh
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDsM1Ao3cH
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe51EYEr3x
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
