Megan woke up at high noon.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVunYOvYfm
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8fpo1tbyQ
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KsifDIrqr
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj6urskLCk
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcVeYuyzpu
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrqIF4IkFY
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1NcVpkgK0
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtnp45jnUF
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0viNgW04U
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxTKnsuuKO
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZqlgqWjJE
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0wwir9OGA
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNHXReVNQy
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIUqpVefO0
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm7e0wBvgd
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBahmehRWDg
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtewjP9ai9R
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLHLpVgsOS
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNXKBs5K6E
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhUD0vaR75
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPaE7qq8Bz
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31cxY6Eg2R
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKHhr0LRTr
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJCMMMf6Kf
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19RkLVHCZB
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZzqVQFrLm
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOVUyXbXZY
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uPTxmKLJG
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmCbQYjVWN
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo1or968Vj
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKq49seDSx
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrn8KG5pOO
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI39DL5wjY4
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVxKhihrug
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqUiLE5Z1y
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1Nb0UGSOY
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3s5NjrzSg
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D2wFfHXDJ
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLcxWZAnf6
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6IMbvwlfV
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWKfK4wKPM
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMe10pIooO
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUPPtSR5j0
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCqreuhhS3
apologize….”
The girl stared at her219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQhAFP7RUx
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cc4Il4vxR
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxLNSUExOu
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbwSXY2wPS
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zqeu2seeD
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0chzRRenKf
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgy6pNhYSS
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVK2Oww2xY
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8UhpLkaTe
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCrIj7OUP6
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwADGBMjuDh
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH4b8PbiQE
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQAYgpH9l4
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQgQtKJEr9
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykR4wiPwFR
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuYh4rLj6B
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWVkXiAlnJ
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9rokreOwS
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUcLahO3fV
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d6GiqPIQM
counter.
“Brisket hash with219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuJbB7Bmb2
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JnRu6Oeei
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7ZIcd05Df
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsFNSdEwbs
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdEmIBtCwd
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNGmyito5b
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ysnbbodeb
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxr1HFp6tJ
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWk8IGJGJe
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIFxKEHdZo
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2TIUb2cFj
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90QV4mPWgx
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFelhAQdl84
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7uGvHDyxX
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaXrmuZwVG
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJB005AZ9X
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg79aLM1Rqt
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8mu6FLE0a
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLZMgJFwBu
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQag6lz8GlR
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGl0XWBXnz
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPBRY6qDTb
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBsWrTBLkZ
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeKS4PzPnD
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmThPq2Dump
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxFIeSwno6
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW3fYgNdDa
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16UgJll0ZO
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56QrXaTxWv
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdLLaOdsT2
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxZGtVwK5d
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vmuFPIjS1
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKye86H9he
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0WyJ3k6bn
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgw6d3dPXe
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUlaqzgc8Z
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5ERKO7ZQC
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72GPGyo4fa
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrs6PDh5LV
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVYTP87iJt
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGUEGQeO6Z
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0ZeFdImrV
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrRqPqHZQN
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEJLNaBp5R
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrCKWJ2H41
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnEfcIx8jp
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RjBIKq3D7
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5taVlCIOs3
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbznLWJh9h
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdYB7sU7bT
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgeTodg5V9
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV1Ibq5661
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zHmUqlTlx
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgzv49NzEK
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO2a6DUESE
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ723d1mzlIg
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI47pEEZbU
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0nWmJZOjR
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSmGKpW8Ku
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxWRysHOOT
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOQHw8cyDe
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ys3Ho8GDQ
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTNSgtMqwS
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbShoNheNw
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51TN5bzlK0
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeScvRDHlB
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAdcmc4wSf
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vXovrcVEr
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF2lbRB5M7
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5nihExkfT
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHDDfGnLYB
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb7M96gREu
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWnGtsRiZ7
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1AuOOwFSr
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMB10XQSuQ
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD50OFmdOy
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcrZwHr8cQ
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm06NMCiT8
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28Pc6lXNKw
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLxAFEmdmt
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BiS72YVAi
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4rIZf2YyF
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Mj3YN7JzN
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOAtRjMPDD
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfftGzQPJLD
to her that way.
Standing there, her219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwRrq3rd2r
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlDxkcBgkF
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpgylFINRM
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XHEkQpELP
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFn43sm9Tb
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgnwZBtGw1
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQMxgkGvXd
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxUweSLsEF
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZywNfEfsos
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4UiBXsGv6
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNw56iFnM9
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXYbUdOab7
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzHcVUWoo4
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EthOGtCCO
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIpHaa48In
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC6HIrLt2A
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLfATZ5iEg
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4joyOgWRW
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN0I8aIuHj
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWVILYYkDC
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yGTkeJSkT
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLC0V82haQ
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XqDBzCBpH
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnozYh5g7tf
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn6afuvZ9c
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbZZTbesum
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLgRP5B9aJ
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP1S305h4p
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRUFNxUtWW
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbEGAm5N2C
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKakMY0uu5
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp3pLIu158
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvben6fqe1
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHh4nOVSf6
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wBKDx9PN7
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpomZCimjGF
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigko7VN9HW
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuIK0ExCBr
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHVELXsnlv
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZkUIYSxgb
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf6hPr6LBz
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3YTXG4LJE
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK0yqilRyP
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEiXpJoXXC
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CQuh6ydMq
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu1XFjpUkt
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUBlybTKMR
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2elSREKnTP
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83eWpjBgV5
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BghAAz7fU
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8UwEu0EPy
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV6lOfq8kp
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQXt9WWSfN
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8go3zZfks
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV9rbOayzH
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iFwiolFFD
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrSfB50iOL
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhPGQp9xDH
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiWw6JYs47
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtpmrri7uy
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG0a7jpjAe
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJQKv7sn84
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaLBVjupsi
dating,”
“---What is he waiting219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcJmouEJ0Q
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx01NTNpLpk
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpvR2yHUq5
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7wwj5HiN7
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCjS6SHAHp
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuX8GYnJob
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfU465xBNW
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwseX9XnAZu
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGc287lD8G
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9kEQlaXWn
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt1mUbdQSX
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgifbgCx0Ot
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUzFSjGmeU
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uz5W5PUCA
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerHpR0Ti1J
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
