Megan woke up at high noon.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD6rgemr35
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUvCQfR4lI
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHjNna4xlD
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n4iGEDrSk
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ081rhZarW5
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kNjO5xLiz
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR5EsnJilS
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrlr9JEMAt
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmy266GFbz
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAbOvE3NFb
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTjqsP0CQt
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkp86ux6FL
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ElwftdOZX
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXUbnLlzbB
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8gU0tCaUd
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCtYI8svBY
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3KcwJxGUg
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhEpETRXAm
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezTOxuNuZb
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h3QoFCsMT
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCVK4ZUOoh
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuQADSc0gi
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9JwM78DOl
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mcFTwij7i
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2Xra3PoPw
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4lYhln2RF
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dETzH0qVO
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69NFMwcxXt
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPs9YShhEf
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjk8eDItCy
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOQ8y561vp
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn15zYBlQy
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47rwVvpFq6
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh0cj33WoY
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvRMZVfwIH
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hpdo1wOvc
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDgZRJQfqe
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ21iCJ4Xzi
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRff5bGht7F
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8VLOqDxbH
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTkAylXQ0u
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi7YhkRul4
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIXTrlFJOu
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBg4dORiN4
apologize….”
The girl stared at her252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRxefGDE8h
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSav8WvhXbJ
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUyw55J0AO
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXBmFwtaoW
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtmzOoGOFF
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncHKpcvGBu
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12msUuk5Y9
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJTFk0AoYu
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCUZgINn8Q
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO49IEZwpl
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgpPeQvtXj
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVUZMOfoHa
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD4fmR4pbK
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXiwLJSNBC
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkGW6u2Ue2
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTMPDVidd3
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVdY1WsaC7
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmlxNFug7q
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg9nMyEIvf
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi9YZUZqCQ
counter.
“Brisket hash with252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H0ymKSKOU
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrgF2S3i1J
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC8n0krjem
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLtJrYzkby
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4kgBBf4Iu
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9Ea98Np2R
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnZs5wv9CM
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jqMcYxNV3
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRiYLSp0AT
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1ODKV8Z04
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zDWgDBqFD
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1Tx0KCaUl
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwagLiHZn5J
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzFLsJAzB9
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvosTIpTRY
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZydeMgoy2
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvClR4kLpK
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzHMlWIUY2
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf99QzOAZBR
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEdOb0hG2U
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcqMZWkLVi
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCpHOUqfBO
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDeoagXo5Q
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURmBhftWJz
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4pKwnEgKN
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU0OIXg7rt
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ChqWp9kRC
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE4C8Cn9RD
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2I4YUQwjJ
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhB1cMdeLR
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K7ptofA6x
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5Da8JloB6
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicQluVwTeA
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXY7K86c1q
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2iBShBDQ3
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi8PBITdpN
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLquIrgjtQB
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaUEw9wurw
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbegA4syWU
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsC1vauJyB
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVIeNBUpID
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIROXm2NnPZ
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyF1eDdeRV
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OJp4DhnVy
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR1eXbFbRA
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuCTiPJgCR
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEPJxi4G1Q
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nf2Jr5d16
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTfOaPvy9A
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUTqqcWvzS
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZqYUqe6QV
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbxM8VIUEj
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAZpcGL7nV
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z1FgbOH8G
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCWYJMhQYe
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1E9Y85Vae
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9831iaQIA
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NX1g2riWh
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMAgHOW80L
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIxDLsQN8Y
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKBSM59TcT
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgRjcJzJnv
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk82v6u5RkS
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnAQOfjHkt
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgcOLgpUZ5
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWQ6eox6bc
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o7azo53eu
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oM8iWziQ6
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcEKIgCKIR
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfn1S2m3q4
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMedAMZZBTL
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGsxgR2OM3
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9goloSlSwe
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zN7btshua
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fJcpMtX78
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkBk4EUC86
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zOwMguIq5
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhujgbsXi7T
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGMjeLTLej
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMytqpmplV7
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJYlckKWzG
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKguzZ1tGY3
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB3R9yIzaH
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz0BCU4NJ7
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjpxcRQ8nI
to her that way.
Standing there, her252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphcp8jgtmQ
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPUYwWukfP
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNZ9h4fp9X
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP7uWpNa5A
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzyEemaZQj
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV6KA96ud6
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeABVcIE23O
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUCnO8VUEM
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbL0dLnVBL
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf94BI0CONF
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRZrHcIani
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DUZVkPSn6
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf4WcenctW
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43h1QLCtV3
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N23YkobmL
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KSmR64khf
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6d6vj0f0d
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JS4mDefyh
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWEaAMHfWt
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfYUwnisjm
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQhdVQ0Gmi
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1AObPLSHw
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi7he3fSb6
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReYyrs29VC
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQjpZi1tZP
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGqnahsyKU
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOYw375EVL
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBPLsuhiNe
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSgVgd9Vsc
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYMOD3BN1e
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsBIeBTkNj
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIYWiHpvcX
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3ihXr0D4t
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFVFaNXlun
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcWLp3c8UY
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonMxOK9ngM
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2Nc6TnSJq
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnEVaHMn4z
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tUCogzCAr
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkidyXvwDJJ
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5xFqEu9Xf
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RpGNBWFBm
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiUYE4n0Zv
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvWzWLfEwz
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepTKDmPJqo
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErWzoWe4X0
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpOPbPbEBZ
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU6tRjTLVZ
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDROBCwz3iP
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPBFOthK5t
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRmr7VYEQF
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tSSyoUeVJ
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfwRv0H2vN
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gDBYIdMuV
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS17s7Buhe
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbRgHh7uv8
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk7EYtRizO
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffPZudyPcH
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoTWX55U2K
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPIZARo25I
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMwfH0awl6
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieOiGDPquj
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWbPaC80ZB
dating,”
“---What is he waiting252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78GBdKexwz
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUV8MbfqOz
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl5AbfIJu3
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFvhxmEuFn
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLIyap7Cgw
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo9i0kb29b
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMSu0xcAcZ
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMLn7XQsMC
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrbs23Oi5K
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8gPfZydFt
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFLlQZbKKd
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkbMiyj4CR
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CSzdJ7fz3
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DesPEZHcP
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExdfbUJZZW
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
