Megan woke up at high noon.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniPqa4YS2S
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYMTyFBt7g
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSki1r8Rnjs
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnYd6AEtOF
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDiHheSE5U
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV7vbiNByh
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UWhy8zcLx
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lqG7Gnjjn
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsplUHK21iO
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEopHfQlJVt
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqofyLFS4U
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXKoPtGtNg
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJL5s4Mki1
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQnD5enBFW
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXV2MO4pYx
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxa2NNFC85
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xWMcXIFlT
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH9ot7v2Dm
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtorPc4MT9A
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VyBTBno70
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCUW3lmyce
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sAeFjQvdB
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxu4nW2Vn8
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAK2voFcGv
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEvHajOeL5
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmdcKdMbJF
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEXHUXF8Le
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWClFbWFKs
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0ww939Y2t
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRoGRWkI1a
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAlnS6cp58
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2EUPqSjHx
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDP6y8pUqh
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YeavxbQ5S
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa64aebSxcF
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyQ9fKAHVQ
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOZI0Hs5iD
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXqT5XOnxD
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptcWjYE9tj
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaFiXm8JOS
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSivvzwQyR9
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKFBAng1p4
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcete4V4do
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAiMIYpDAZ
apologize….”
The girl stared at her326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciXzpmKGVM
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3JjP6Ni00
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA9zjhuyNI
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX69vjBicnA
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XRmYrhJS3
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qBUdZPvhf
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTxTl8C36q
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Unm6Cvxv
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeGtWhlDr5
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLmstf5uM6
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM9qCPXqeD
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7neWy9s8D
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3vzWeKvGb
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3vTAklJU2
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs4QuOwgkZ
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3sljZpsFA
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XDvxAHznu
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fVZw2mAvH
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoty0NyeTK
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz6qSbcyqr
counter.
“Brisket hash with326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP3j6eR9UU
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08GjLB9ZHG
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPHimkjgaH
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarmLRdRQiT
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAMfnqKrNR
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsTAmjZTsq
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsTlhv4uKC
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGw6zgyTT0
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO8hkn46Cu
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6IhbPZef6
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3IQOF8Rht
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2Sv4L26Pt
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaN2yXSxUv
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIiEsaMhfi
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3jgAXRJ2I
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWkp3oxjRo
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM1izKZRQw
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdfpJqurL0
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTLeyHBSkI
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91EAvkoAcz
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXzwEWSYZk
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrzPwOkktE
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk5nINSwxS
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjaMW6VMPg
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6tG0bTnBB
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ05hjQTVrO
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUAtrVioGJ
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkSQzQWDJY
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8sPtH4fRa
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu3yQDF2Ys
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4KBK2VDJ3
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1cpUnBhg7
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17wygM1QJb
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF6OW7BxGP
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmcuAs6UT4
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAi10q2lm3
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UkQ7HKY2p
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtJngqbNpy
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgha3xC50Gm
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop6axebfmX
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ysofphp3H
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD8up8R6OZ
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK8PXSgrbI
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjU9enxGXM
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qokEOGwXp
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffwhw8wlPh
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgskBHOAoE
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZInG7UGbAH
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UEhhwh57R
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiaOwGZKaM
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2tGKnrHoh
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN80rRNCH9e
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfDDgRQqCu
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorYTK6UM0l
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJDJzPcdCq
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPKRuKsyr3
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtsBaNN9m0
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSXs5pDUgH
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmNuKLJG9v
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPBTxMwZwe
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9S8cZj7md
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvTJRjrdJU
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3JptN39Gb
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe8KVBhrVE
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlddEDyJRlr
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs83Thby2NW
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM9jL8Mcu8
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmJa5BHORU
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLd39ATVAk
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlSlJVhHeU
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S7pkFrd8V
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zswpQi9sb
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaTcfbOEXJ
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLJvkVN2O7
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsXTDOFWwJ
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrKgyty3jS
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxSkNQWq5y
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o2Zsg9CnS
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8Ger1zeWT
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHXkDZGPKT
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aevWaqcuf
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxMGzue8Y8
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdTnBKH3YA
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTacEE47Qr
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1vyWSpFIf
to her that way.
Standing there, her326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xC4jfj2mN
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j66S3qJWy
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I5IUgbtKN
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbYbz2qbYf
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSrnTtxbZM
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAspKPqbp3
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I84FPOQxo
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRsnTexjZP
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlfDx6b3vU
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL6gVWofhp
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBQu7DjgRE
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFIVikKbgb
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnZduGosLb
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vkYufCarm
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsHKAkgpgR
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QOd69LEFk
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGznPUbFvpp
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NXfSarxIS
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIwbZ2OsQM
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmgnJRpb9a
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjLw0CGq08
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubzSdNfbO8
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVPJbq8tmZ
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzzxX1FlKa
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiFRCGbUKO
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ8hQ12WPQ
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSeVpptgAi
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoGjjPr6gk
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18aYZ1hcCc
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1eO3GbmmR
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hST7affgI
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdchNhSqvQo
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45oM2MxDTH
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS8W8a3z13
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTihGoBkedx
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb9xHBJbZI
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaOwQI6LAT
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyscQvnDAk8
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5T0HwKbvB
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWMKcPFRWJ
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF6E5snflY
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVkUnPbxjf
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGX05k4NgG
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriZ0w61L7U
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysIcDJrtcK
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2q824fVMU
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIHxMA5fYt
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKafregvN4
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu8O5Y8zdn
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBnyt2yrFI
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ669IyKUeJQ
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpr74fu5xz
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9pYn3UOEA
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0npHedkK5
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCarpKZQJ5
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ldPuqj4E1
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM17gGqb1Fv
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFknI9FzO2o
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6E20nf446
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGA9yOYxk4
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe50wQu6mO
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0oA9zvIjs
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9P04QFsGD
dating,”
“---What is he waiting326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bTbLxt0zS
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnryWT2boLb
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHQBb4YJ8M
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqW72mYziq
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7Qx4905Yh
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHHAD9s9pA
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYUHNAqB3X
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TYx6gadfE
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQLERtz3Y3
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHTePWbmo1
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsJM1bV9ua
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiSt8vPcGz
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKg2mqLKr5
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2OvkoPU2f
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs8Pk3MeGL
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
