Megan woke up at high noon.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI20tUNNIGn
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI8X7lEOA0
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoRoIDRBxC
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpN2oCPQyL
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSpFhBzeQ6
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7glYnsAps
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNjI9pWgWj
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6QZcn04iG
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35rmHneB72
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWtIcNxBcF
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YkQttH0z8
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnxlo3FEhj
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC8Gw7BXQq
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMsiOkW1VB
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cizTqBJ4n
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXgoOYPw2Q
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G1f0ViaKg
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLABWz3M8N5
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF0If4rCys
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnvJBIE7ol
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs56IEkpgMD
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxhwwBZ4zx
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYmzLH2XLF
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPx9ByjYr0
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j0fsnKdzj
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkX2hcH3k8
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH7uxtX91b
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwnTqZcRWO
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZxWenGVkN
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgQbWO430R
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedOIlEa2Nm
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCLRvv5Czq
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7dRFK9ygH
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoMssqcXAP
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwXQD9zxVN
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKOv0ByDlz
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUwBSPx350
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFgaes7z7T
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeKvKnkxqu
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbuBQAu0YP
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJddd8l44y
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QgEgi0d4g
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPXF4POo19
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7XRM2FHWY
apologize….”
The girl stared at her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Imjxx8JxD
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EWQfEXeG3
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XZwLNU8C9
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gjAAAEfl6
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejizSUHrcT
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fuSEtNXMB
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOBwMUckXP
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVDEL829mx
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiR4awIe6w
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6clnfEyQkR
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjgtvbJE6s
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxBzoqIZUK
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSxzFik9fB
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg0Sv7SdEh
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCixt1KaX5
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsJL6pDE9l
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXKsIY59g7
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzlPPea5Hc
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo5rnS5XKV
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X2u8pJQgA
counter.
“Brisket hash with379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdtYK3zWDX
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHKxkBnaQO
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS8PCouvAz
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03RozK57fe
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdseGOVwap
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlY1Xt1HdB
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqzVqhuKl9
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoW6yhLVEp
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtqovRraEq
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96Eo0YJDQb
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TWZt7zrAv
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2Vw86EpY6
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbZdeltZax
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM4QIGS9gA
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8Y9AROYtB
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19zFOjj3Nw
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N0QKCOC4J
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS8Gis5D48
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA5QCmUPUS
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre84nnysyQ
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBMVeqa7s8
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ78jjNW5K
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj2HGPr5vb
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIx2YoqTx8
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGRJfDhTYX
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa4zDQEjFu
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXr7ZnTzSq
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2LUgFi9Nt
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeOjkflht2
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmjbnVfDkg
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2ZP6REWfE
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwDbw6AJmz
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvta3PAUPi
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVeKzXUGZO
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tGCOWjy4z
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HNEJbvGci
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN09dKCYqX
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQegjFJnynH
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfcjXhfmhf
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZWQBYbwbr
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBI4OChINX
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj3Ra0C4dH
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNaqqZL8KA
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxwb1DOYyZ
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ109wtMll3D
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczfDMG5bOm
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5N4Zybi6m
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGlcKH8hLW
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0KRfOZZUk
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMibx4muym6
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4dJojLEHI
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L4cqM19Zl
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sTSBcR6WP
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvja88IHk0
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUpKatNjXI
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Sc3bca02z
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacPOTKDY1g
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUN9mZxUTY
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8s0PWhONx
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs2GowcmVj
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuRMDiO5o8
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcP7oXTaRr
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81PKQI5JAa
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJFmMLh50W
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAdKssNJ17
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBznnwIQEmP
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv5qxIKqUS
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgFhXCWO5o
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0vCrVzocq
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwikpT2m7lX
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaXFSOzUSH
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ27tv39vf7
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfpRjDp3NS
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkGfgPmFnD
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljhtJmimN6
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi8HQbhkse
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsziLsYyC9U
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriQDILyS5h
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlfeSRq1MC
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooP3irQBNO
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHyAH2dP2x
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9I4nPetzL
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2ZuiJapxz
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl20xNKBmb
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mrIlPf6rg
to her that way.
Standing there, her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3TE6ZDr90
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzSGHCXMss
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev8e5fHrgD
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz89RmlJpdd
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwkWkDIqP1
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARZFxXT7jv
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtV7lX89jB
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rgrnfGMH6
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9o5oyAYAR
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0pVF8tB1i
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbMAUhlkVg
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieTtTeDhIb
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vLe6yv5VM
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW2lb9nqk2
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz8DO4ZYcR
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v3INyi9nD
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F2Hkk4QoM
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpK7hTs0Si
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FkMWuVBLv
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JmeCKvoj4
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MIU5Wi9Tx
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRY8oEYUCq
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizpKC2hU4O
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgstzfOAgXR
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03gzNWsqNv
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoIOdynCGt
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UQTlKrWCv
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu5kZbeKfy
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs0b3XzZH4
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xSBJqOjb6
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDUs1ojJao
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRyLhMjd9w
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ONr8jI2Qq
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ001egxgs
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dV0nPO4Xv
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA1CDR02X7
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpluPTeKLx
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWrlSxoriu
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAPigzcwuJ
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRcypjCsJH
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixkco23QUK
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnCsYcGcSe
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg9vudz7xI
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgeRfJAulv
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJCOHvQ9l3
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxgJvvRP3K
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNEp63YAj7
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaeCpOyMIf
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOln8Dss41
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9OCzz6lna
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReBzmcZr9l
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVubRedulw
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh5Qvbu8tv
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPphJgKUcql
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9rze4O2DY
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpDRjGH3s9
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xl2jQ5E9X
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPckKlF5wA
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohtBB24Hwy
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZvI5PwHOu
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBJphEeQ8O
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEJ9OJYCHU
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OYi3DhM85
dating,”
“---What is he waiting379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAAm4cYzbt
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWge0kkLt7
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KGDLSTudq
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VldX9rEwS
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0ZGOPSnQ1
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe136VFOBj
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXcmArr1aQ
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1gSMnc2Vw
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixwCxsVFFP
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLSFk97Smg
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAdQbEcgOu
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBbghBUXz2
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc8lMvW01c
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBvrA5FJ4X
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbNbyo8KSh
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
