Megan woke up at high noon.310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1etZKPKfd
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst9sMbNWMH
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR13Mw8ax4Y
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxitQ1xtDmD
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h0zyD4ZhV
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HozYJYNGt
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfbcwFbGxX
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ISryhckN4
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqEv5zblYR
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZXL84n8vo
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHQuEyNQ6u
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLW3PhnchP
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbEkCbcJoe
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX4IbHpP5m
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlTMEGfCdT
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT4MKFxAgP
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd2kqsUgpP
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylHG4xAROn
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRwKSS1L4Y
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY4wW36Gsp
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojvC354BEZ
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP1jNfJ8fg
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqKmNEGbV7
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQXK2HiMd9
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV00KDAsONn
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNHilmxNrm
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyso6ioGkYT
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvn9ePo3Rq
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK9Vk1M6xM
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvMLkiyZdu
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2McK01S0QE
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0vS8uXDi8
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsit32Xufw
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT2oY8typf
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ752nBquuD
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hxZsZQnLG
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sxkcWUVlN
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNApGP2Z7YW
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC6JrsMnZf
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ152r9L0MMz
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YmfbMugKP
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNNYIt4y9s
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvaM6mzjZC
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoGaLfLk2m
apologize….”
The girl stared at her310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKKtKcBRSY
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm4hZR85f7
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HOhlUXcW7
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQpQVBnxGG
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6RZvIrwOD
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr13lxp7Af
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgBM3Nv21D
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M9OwgRKMR
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBbi1jBHSh
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G75xjZ8Iq
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziTCPYKtW5
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfeEpUkNQS
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01dc3ZeG2y
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBQZTtFpwq
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lwv9TRgcQ
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR78jeaob1o
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc1PYd11eP
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsk3h9BJ4K
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPJQIwV3Ts
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBIQ5JSC8b
counter.
“Brisket hash with310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLbLjZewNn
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIBPhNLOfY
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9lElBqekV
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxfq4S9yQP
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLLGZakNcn
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmOBVzivjj
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nIwOFpEfD
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgFWI9U6Qp
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFjXBfXceS
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1QOVnPC93
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYKu2NuBQw
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOghRlDqfdb
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs5NnDV7CN
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySOxPd3gNt
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8gqKUOKRn
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfasILfCR0
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9oxuCY4Db
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCQB8EHjWX
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0BvBWP2NC
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcCxXz1CTE
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEV5Xcp1ya
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu99wyeOPQ
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZjv36r2WE
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5xV7KBhD5
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWL6VKWgZ3
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDCmH0Jbcg
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtnJxM4BET
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDMFWp0E1s
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKBgVKA77G
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HwEdsBBVb
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTTsDJ4736
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHdtnJxeAX
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOBuU2joip
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriHzGYgNdM
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GARINwKD2
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeGAOhjmZk
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDUXpDionN
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE9gBkO9VV
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz23DBjZ7wr
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7TX6m78vO
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVlA66tLPR
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6PY2o6vY6
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOGTeOg3W0
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyidZuDzkz
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR8bdAQ752
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNxyaHgNgJ
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfvn3U4sfK
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWGisG9I0x
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinZM7cGrri
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PodoiKtk9
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyxzdUw9W8
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWErBCZriRx
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKJVpwQy4d
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSqjjNpa61
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Bi1uVNGe
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ8GYwsSWd
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FTbnWOdHa
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbRWR7WV5c
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSCwxCpdMT
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z9DSrc1q2
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwY6YhylQW
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbmcYvixvz
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTZZ5G1fdX
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S7amlzapy
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8bQttgOYz
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6mta1I31d
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbrVRTMqYS
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPIfLgCb1T
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVok9sNVsk
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsbApAAgKe
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fT1K7ou4f
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O8bYjT3Yh
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS13DXsTyr
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSN7I99mPo
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iKBPXCJhD
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DQjU715wf
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafEkkHNgbu
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG8vjaHS75
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1Szj43DHW
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPUHAsq2Rs
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qNshe4uzS
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfs7GJZyyD
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSXXRtUmRG
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan4zRTJ78Q
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgqTwcgmih
to her that way.
Standing there, her310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP1aU7dtk7
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WPUl4nTVI
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoeJUCH5Z9
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiQu8vQ3iD
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rqQg9gHaI
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSJuM1BBbL
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyAsjlDWha
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZiy8ypfYl
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkwc1ipMsF
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAb63W3LoK
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIsL297qBH
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPESmzYciz
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wtkwYezvO
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p4WRNrtlE
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav9MdfL8qh
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wre5ooVHZ
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6ULQ8Q13m
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8uiqoQkKh
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXICFaaTpH3
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qeovXN7XD
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLtM6LA24n
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFZIEfvgMK
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgZOAF0TZh
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjGvVmJxVC
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWj4UANSeK
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg53uLRGR5v
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vM8jDHdKZ
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjawuAjNZ0
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwmQPEITs8
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnCmqoiN32
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyrwnF77Tr
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJMJoLRTtn
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUCk9s6nw7
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZsgAMcwIc
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZRbaVeZbq
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSnxVMTh4w
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftXSQ5WpiQ
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq5lQM41JD
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlejjcQkcD2
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWW33UWtLs
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfCvkJ1sZ0
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgY6JbNoaRe
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeeNHHqcLk
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpwbxaIkXy
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvRPnGwV39
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A9EPmyvsB
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9gs2alKG9
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzmhEfojQh
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe2DQO5995
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIdheujh1B
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQO8RJ9b0q
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9er1p4GQU
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdUGyVCHVW
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6heiC3g1P
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ9kr9klOM
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JYZWan366
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLKJxqDgVd
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5pdCB4DnM
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA4qwdfGPV
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif4SBA96VE
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB8icYW0Wp
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmmW9ZpyL6
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB9pPoyP7H
dating,”
“---What is he waiting310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhXqnmJGCx
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa37ElXDHQ1
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1Dr1pkNPs
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD0K6MFMlu
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc85m0EIUGl
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkF2N3pZhC
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1oaDzwAoB
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlArIM391DY
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOmsLcHg1F
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxlqY5KmwT
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvafN8Fy9eG
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrlOn41StN
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunha8SgmCl
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF1a43LCa9
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25WkoftE0w
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
