Megan woke up at high noon.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAmFRl9cfs
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2pi94EaHN
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrRTnDYj1b
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ldZCeqWHm
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEDYJEkwdE
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVXOvy6SZ2
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GgCoN85CM
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrUgS6Tqri
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhw0rxYZxs
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP82Tc4Up4
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ1F6qhKLf
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBUJxi9qMd
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkMMItuYUV
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDbEV9COvT
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws7TFm2uqk
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorli6QAfPX
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60QtCNNUH0
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SlmjT4jmr
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5949BkINWJ
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKADlzF9E8
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARhwmfzsEb
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jvGwq3RyS
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbMCr6FUs8
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09fgjcoKKx
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiQQwLyDoY
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcun9r9XRs
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc89jyNtO8n
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlJhwTFUMF
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb7QMesINi
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2fDDGdXuc
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoawtwp6oe
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8k29EaVRA
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBWumZ8yKT
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VFxdkDOuW
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRIrHK2bnd
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCabNHF3BPP
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBrxoWGkgl
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2tNnQx4oM
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupKxXgyYNg
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZJp409DWD
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALDgxy6cdF
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHGYJk6NK4
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpd922vjKq
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYYxgZ72JK
apologize….”
The girl stared at her307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hj9Dw4CZS
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33m6KQyQIO
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBY3gXJW6v
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qpohsi9vB
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixmPfeDTLH
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N2fRJx1tn
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoErliqy5yW
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXreeMr5nO
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsYrMplDa7
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaSJgyMCc9
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq9de4b3kL
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm5YYHYHOf
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnCaGJ9nEc
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTsAuWqR3P
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwSjlzUwp3
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHjBuTYSCL
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi7VBBjZsO
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy6yMjZwll
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU9MXoYz9r
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGvV200unz
counter.
“Brisket hash with307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6mxxhJUIr
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcqnvJSyMB
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WDYmok5Va
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnoz7xmc3H
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37UnBrPcNH
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGduMOyE1gW
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGgOlp8ffY
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c65adrj54
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn9PNrB53R
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssBAHJIoRG
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqHf3eZP4l
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIBmTn1dNP
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FguqmWZDM
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJH2hMpBAp
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLojCCo88w
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g5mJ7q584
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaxrd4f7kD
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1tbJ2wUkT
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ArlMia2iA
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwENNnnSs6C
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuyDUJ1w2z
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabS1IV0kqN
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7KNQdoaZH
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk81lJNHdrl
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLdNWhsfyG
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrlUyitR2B
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOjwF2PJO8
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHGueQ5VID
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW87W5239z
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdoPPRQRyb
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV2rerl8nM
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ696oeoyk
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB5pZ7QRNu
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6PLRaZ0eL
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oZpRVr6L3
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlWOcELeWG
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL3CwWObuO
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVjTv9VS1j
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJzlSMUnRm
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb1nH5qnqy
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b3dmopDHB
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZswjGl7ND
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub1JYJTpO6
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO2Gz0mDsQ
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdtKQdygqO
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBstEGnxpP
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGMjym9vye
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPFQK1vTyY
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J0SI48oeV
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCkN84qMJM
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxYQy66Veh
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWsqXcORAM
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOzawJjD3C
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAQxptCHQG
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhifnOx7S06
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOo5hbVHIa
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJUuucmzk5
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98ouhVTMKM
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dley6FTjj
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWkHawFQBg
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGkvnDAFlU
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA7Hnn4rFF
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwCKwQQ1RI
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YdpW9TChH
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp35RgpUuR
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjWfgelK8a
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVO10hvQ3P
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjVNZz6S4I
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gOKd07oj3
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8dFmcxK41
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zs76vupft
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUqTjGZ2qw
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTRDJ5cRc1
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke5wJAb6Ps
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNgeG5DV1L
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKRPTucMVS
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlgCqEPazr
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZuD4QbTSm
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlU1l7k4or
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViWH3G0dYV
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif9P7c3qOD
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I2rVHjn1L
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ltGpj619n
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ111dzHK87U
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPW3DM01qo
to her that way.
Standing there, her307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYByXOTLur
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXNA2GuzSV
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aKZwmq9aB
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOfvot5F4G
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybQGKnkXOl
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX69Yx27HS
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek2a1wrAq0
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5QXrr5gKP
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8JicKfsNS
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNzI91pGTw
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCaweIa5Mg
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTknPAwWKL
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZskN9kdc7Y
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6LxviKWcd
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T92m0f9yc
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGkstjNh0X
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmja4ym8d2
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q3o54BGjq
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TqkYGaqpD
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZJ01SpC5x
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5b2oKhz40
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86jAImZsSN
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUUWOaGGIK
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMUevrhEt2
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfLQbnO9Ks
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxWpESuKZj
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbms3Cz0Qw
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWCdzlLd3N
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VSBM4nmG0
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9EbosVHac
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI7fnHq76K
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBbQUd3qzm
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnlbYxrSR8
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptpm94gAJQ
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5orJwZqEM
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQfNk5dqvb
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsUocyAkSx
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDfQUBbFY9
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6AsHypifU
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5hwkEJaXG
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1XvmXnYeK
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk13z00Bp86
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcMNljZAgR
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIBhIZeIie
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUvqBLQUo8
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmal2CqJbtc
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0hEP4GQyh
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeYtfD5I9i
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2NeZmyRuu
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnW89vVWsj
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSlFBzbD5g
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuehm1V60tV
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49RlUFKCBz
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2esjaWXOwS
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNDcB9Ff65
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMOW7rMf6O
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxznnzQHyt
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ2LVGt0SU
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrymm9K4IG
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDr396z3VM9
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjT6fJGBfs
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf5N1RQFlQ
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAd5Sz80u4
dating,”
“---What is he waiting307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d1YEuKMet
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27aSf7mPHj
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel3T5Nu3y8
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4TCwWY7RJ
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6bNQVfYlD
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI60FHYJxC
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexikzwKxih
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMP3JCNMxe
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01PRL4xV1x
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCgmkJJ9sN
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9poKYq0HF
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPECw3GHk3L
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM9lj283H9
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjvhYX64uR
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtpa2GTFnl
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
