Megan woke up at high noon.289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3Fy6bQqps
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY0euUsIVf
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj6ZrqTpqB
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXOkW2yIeQ
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8yxNbgJCR
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYtTGG9FBs
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk6phU8kjL
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxbpu0Osw0
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrKiu6U0Pu
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oTydyODAS
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSQsuejHOG
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZLYGMkMCO
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uwl2xw7nM
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT6VYh2O11
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjhHaVVbhr
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKhvYPyg45
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX24RfR5cLR
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQWp6mOpqs
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3uNDveRkZ
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5Y2CbMRuX
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX25G447h3c
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOLe9TiSUw
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLPfHtg6BQ
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDej7dMP1g
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFVYM1kwKs
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJX20vbojf
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURvgWFkuE1
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMSEa1JFAN
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnycN9vBm4B
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcs320xnVV
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKtdS0EhEH
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhHpRpAIPJ
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojCRyfFSS3
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuumaWZCzk
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHMXK98FZh
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDneNN8kQ5n
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7wYBN5HOF
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzC3lOmRu7
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfv6S8cya0
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoDiA2zJDZ
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1hwpj2iwY
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrWGZCcCSw
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO2enmnDdc
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt7gpKb8AQ
apologize….”
The girl stared at her289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7Du7M4Eu4
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpDlt02leC
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aDwwUaUnW
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzZoyjVqeM
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVsxWvTwb0
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXH3eb8cYh
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuZQ2oku0t
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AKor9jec0
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTsnbGNOJ3
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NZtxpB2Cr
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMWgYqH3O8
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne54IC3skh
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMxFdK5nev
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFGJz9kIb2
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr3x35oAXx
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG8HsTm8UT
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi5LODAKzz
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysiHQVSeem
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDAsBr9oLT
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevYBQ1ZJj6
counter.
“Brisket hash with289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qpjgiclXY
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY28FJXogvH
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKY515lrJt
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB62ltFltWE
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx3FOY46xa
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKzdS0aHtI
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXXNyDqwDV
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdheivuCa4
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uqAOeZPXz
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieSr0JByrJ
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vnU7U7T51
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAfqUzRvgs
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbcp1OPs1h
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvr0up4DYV
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31akFguqtu
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2CqGEqt56
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkt9yt0TxG
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2AtP4bPvI
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDLaosHA6P
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN3UneNiXf
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeopMCnhuNp
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXsoRzwldV
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHiOAGtw8c
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9cvFQOYrq
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOILb0C7GIf
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt0J7eg4di
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4Ma67P2Ba
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJASeOB96h
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6FkxyjBAk
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCLwE7IGhN
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJpWK5N0gG
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihC7mD76fo
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRZ2zk9zRR
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3hNr1Oh4D
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnqSXm92F9
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8csF6aXKG
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcXT7hPWDe
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtGvdOlTSa
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj84J5Dqeu
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pLW4YF55E
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4XP7KfwNR
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvRjd1CTqa
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPZgl9cLHK
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjHSYMgB0X
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTluw9lPAf9
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOBpLP7JhI
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFS8YvHh7U
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6HTh422RS
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9oXUGGnGT
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY1J3c9ssf
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHNLCEGaMH
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZJ8mL7wjD
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rn2HCPxEj
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAeIqbXrBg
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaW4U6TkXP
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CXH1N2UzW
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FLK6s457G
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD6BJL6aUC
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Kj4BjGqq
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebTHqdXO3A
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFLIBj3HmV
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhFmNjoi6E
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4BLs0Elxy
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BmgmVLv71
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9DBAdRQ0s
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vx2WzOEJM
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHndb3W189
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy0NmSDNaU
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUIz5x6buN
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJnjiXRgOz
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHk1fCtbSE
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg1NCOyDzw
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGCX8uguyA
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsLAMHgQKA
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ofV6nWmDG
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI84MivRGY
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvpNJEDJHu
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OQUN9o5zE
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfndcqWkLcx
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJTFLSvWn4
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fHiH5WAV8
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE5bTfy12a
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qFh62i7co
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEUFaHoS9z
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL2Jiwa78o
to her that way.
Standing there, her289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXs1fbMdOL
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZBtqNkd6K
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8SnDIaJjJ
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpMWNjrnm0
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOzBNmunC9
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenT4txbCKS
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyRSFICFrC
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtx6hXP7io
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnnaIXHUJw
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu69r9LxG0I
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4lWDsQ4Ki
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXmgaGn7wY
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs3w0doK7t
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uHhCIXu3K
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2SG3dSjrL
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadoXEMCVTX
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq0ERra6SZ
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqPGTaX9DZ
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUc8xtfKHi
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyE2IAsUn0
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskohwLuBna
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZli0bjCqVU
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf7MxWMM3H
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZlM2eqJqJ
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQUfcFCuPF
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbJbpsq0dT
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9beFy1s93
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAB7ZeBOYf
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gxVFWpITZ
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEvzjcHVwI
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm8823mRu8
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIP28TgXwC
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2pogf4CYr
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQDqSy8ZTd
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VlIEJYCVA
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNBMyEJywQ
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFjjHrP9s7
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z7ZFZZ853
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLhdeNWKjb
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGdKs5LpOL
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisIZFT3C7F
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzj10m0uZGW
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG3PBjdz0S
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP5jurPUcE
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsSdEhFP1a
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKQFNXjeww
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7z1n5QNHy
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdNA4JOra8
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOJ5qNSPLw
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZDjtW8fZr
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBC18atCwf
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40UpmwbKru
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHwYk7WOF8
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iJPyz3Gy1
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTxSmtcggi
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLPKHEZGDu
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd00G4zgtd
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4sQankaU6
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhdlVPZJOG
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdrY6GhG07
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIkGDxwh1Q
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCNnKswT3s
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UNBV9e8v5
dating,”
“---What is he waiting289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu6P6tAy3u
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5P0gcI4pc
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl69sxjXAmS
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyfay3yQPK
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFgOtLPcm1
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9lqN9OFvP
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYiKbNXkkr
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t4m7kGlON
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzaqfMQY7P
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBV9msdhnk
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AKp9Jht32
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pIyoyb4kF
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPvqv9KtrL
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R7yLzPqtF
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu4UccgaCv
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
