Megan woke up at high noon.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHcqapXEdI
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYUJNCsNc1
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0YWZoVYXH
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBf6ttlIxi
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5SrqV1WFH
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmGL9rTkvx
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXlLjRU8gC
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVChSrY6Fd8
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoG0bkBS6o
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qWV466LfV
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Yie0mRzaX
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSGXSBkHuS
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ411GY5eFuX
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXdMUrNSSO
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pucZpyEXK
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuqSQzhNft
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tUhv0FtqA
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE9RiAOmiO
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXXHhRHw2a
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvSR2sT4IW
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO32vqeCxNN
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYkzSXCCsW
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH5RfIX2oi
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBrVfg6TjI
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8hmdRj7Zo
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKgVcHOMky
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS4PGpOcbv
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNYPhEA4ka
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKgiD4W3Xp
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB3WWOSZdJ
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15ndJHGGs1
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbJ4ptXIqB
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYnuDgMjOJ
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDI0Vgf3cW
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCs8SN6o3y
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFFCPEcE5p
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLJTMjhlJ8
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IRykG8rn9
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLe22yhmYt
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe5993PD2D
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSHVCyQCSS
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXQAosR64g
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVpmT6OyO0
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK485YDG3IE
apologize….”
The girl stared at her192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4bXw1jQiT
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnymf3ZwNyt
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQoPVusY1k
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYSJ8UCdOq
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu8hUjbTiU
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqPbYwHK8i
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f1uGx5l7c
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANI2bpBAtT
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNk2kiDc4L
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoglqdxyf4
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66yx7QUoUX
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCPjQBLL4g
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZW3xuCwkY
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXStyODysY
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqov4b7SDQ
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GkIvi6bPi
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BU80KF0cp
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn4TIb9qgJ
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJcm9UQrR1
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s6N9l28xT
counter.
“Brisket hash with192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR9VVhk0sZ
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUikisnS7I
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkYOHE7kKE
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDWcJ8ahhB
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESi8JLA6rS
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIoEc3gYx3
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKVuZv73Ou
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zk00wRkqJ
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUypVw0NGNv
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcyIDyBdXE
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQfoiIuiyy
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYLEaCoDsr
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqXmjpzJcL
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewa7fAExLq
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv68zySXuWz
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8YVYhZxW2
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjL0BagU75
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ0HbgLdF9
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyoVtEnqFj
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCBhGFLXAW
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHXoLkR00K
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIYHXMI4BT
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmlwt0FXa5
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ccpa5j3LC
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLKRkDH1wJ
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtO5knqhZ7
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80t3oa7Rxy
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlsbBgvo5n
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCv7QV4FbgZ
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPGn0QNmPD
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCi57L1Zv0
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgZQlmdaWf
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN28PSkbKw
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJHodtk2as
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6K9XZZ1fh
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3eeSWhPAZ
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpktOYScZ2
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PWzxbpgrP
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfCUjIp8Yj
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvRtfmzlEQ
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI531U09ku
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlY0xhE0Dk
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflk9F0RZEV
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9KQ3zH4zU
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz3YxrM0mf
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjKvQPNttX
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITvfXcNToY
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBzQxuJeTj
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbU8SYhu0V
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJiXnBqGVn
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghvzfFZIfB
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N9NHMi2Kj
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmfu9N2O0Q
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38Uk957wPm
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31oWSpZ6AX
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8k49kxjzP
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYECVdKW43F
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OBzkG0tzQ
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbxUjFrTtD
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaOYNfafAz
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G2suGYyUy
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRydAdjfVxH
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSxWYbJV0d
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxjye8gWVQ
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KoEemTON9
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tzPk8DQhq
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u7xkWHFK3
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HPZ9p3cGs
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYAY7RcRww
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn2aVkZgyE
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPVXGqfv6h
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZKGDYHEU4
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYtxxgxBEh
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR8c6pVb84
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54RkMHKMEA
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnP2RVwFeV
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AaTg5BBjH
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuqhr7HdYt
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRen0hVeiO
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nMieAAeIm
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY1VnHPj7g
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEQ73KTmru
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DmxlWoumL
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nolgRsurF
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh813GmOPi
to her that way.
Standing there, her192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KJMYf2lrD
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUN2sKfN6d
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OuG5dp3Ob
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL59IfdjG5q
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOFxDiZUZb
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcTuWF0cdp
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMrFvLGgxA
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdlIGmxtZJ
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ8eIxYUsG
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiM4fQX3Sq
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ4EQqW1DU
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp6C5pd4Pm
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDr27IGUgTs
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK1cMCB4l6
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsBDCQS7FZ
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1KdBbqR6x
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAldJOIbCyT
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR0D5k8MPT
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4nlc715VJ
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYlXkxjU8Z
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4ZjyT8cFe
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUalirk7lil
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JrSu1wZLT
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dizGHPRd2
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsviYPz7wh
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6fgGAbNwt
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpOuCgbTN4
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9as71CLa7h
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuI295Cr0l
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc07B1lxRi
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv5TicYkQY
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIqKh8iVMc
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnoBSrQRgA
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CTDcNawod
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEEEEPePmA
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAR41NveGU
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DWEJeKuGd
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sNGDAmMzM
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxOURO4u8T
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhafwM6qPcI
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3Qs4mVw6E
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxITcgaK5V
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBgNJmJmCA
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktXYuWEYci
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMZAjDeixN
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAXk2cpr4e
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFC5HiwPbN
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjwMXOyAv8
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89SwvTXFBG
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3zHWbjEbD
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yeqbfNEcD
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMIkVTKrlw
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQld800TqQ
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEQWRqAdLE
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvejNVPHct9
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsvFiqX8Br
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sgc9OliEV
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0s5rwkXFZ
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F1Otl66RH
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFTrtN3Qrn
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo5SwwyzDg
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s4CKX8p4U
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDak7sgrNYr
dating,”
“---What is he waiting192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVRqcjBq6N
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmOBYVTtz4
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkeRsyN08m
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNPq6E3Iq5
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSzVckIut4
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYHDGdN2jx
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjKvkCQfOB
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArXTeDVIM6
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvfPDcGGtD
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsh8MCgS7w
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCwcLRB1Km
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq2C9c3vFs
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfB4BzmWdZ
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3jc324w2Y
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8DTtjG8wV
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
