Megan woke up at high noon.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2mObT3Q1Q
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMMtLhi2Wh
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHwUr4WxaT
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AsJBg1ONH
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJj7pXzors
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqGTXaorjY
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7he1qHpnR
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDaiNeDzSm
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp40pBIPXu9
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uM9t9o8Mx
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDzlneXr2S
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9CrwDkVP3
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMe83C74gO
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmpqzOzaR0
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPW9HZQ6NlP
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyghhojWoI
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7Rs44v8qD
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81tVUSha05
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudEchbMYkn
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bILERJKzg
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyXhFrE7ES
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYY1rt1QFb
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLEPIjJv7l
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7plBbY9c2i
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj3sTi3InZ
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN3TmDmkbF
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ622gEi3Ig9
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4UhGuH4cC
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoMBFNPE8H
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhU1mYAPY5
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy8GSkzr3O
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNfIshcnTY
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrphGVDZY3
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFANzfS8CJ
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau9BVMi9lQ
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGjRZgDUWH
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHooygFiNul
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzhwXkg5dY
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdCHOO9qiE
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgxsoHJtDH
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldyOOhvLEG
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecT2RlUHYi
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGRwoSgYXN
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UYa6x41Kf
apologize….”
The girl stared at her358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxLdo7Ajym
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJiZkSdXRa
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpCNvCzU0P
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPfffr4TXm
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOGj6079sf
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJxL3Y18QW
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyLnB99yGj
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyIr2v8W6w
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI7JNzSrBL
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAzSgbbYxX
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHo0gAKIFf
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mTUatPWYi
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jWJOQnqwG
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5xsNpze2Q
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnprZXekXyT
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsxkFlWt2y
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWifJZidWy
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNK6JNhQLh
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdSfRQd4YL
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy29fx9yfMb
counter.
“Brisket hash with358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwJvYpj6Nm
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc69VOW0ex
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvinBIdI8Wh
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUq2poQo9R
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnPaZ3O2zE
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl77X0QYHPm
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3g2WPxwRr
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5n4ssM88N
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwwTWDj8Bh
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjcZp2zf2X
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKA61ctsSh
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURzoGOMcq8
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5b25QpOlF
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7NYgiGLC5
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5FxNI765A
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1xAPmne5U
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg71BihNeWp
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVs1fN4Npq
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYswQvNKlMW
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5FlE0puQf
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h57kYM6h6
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlJex3JHMr
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDcfsjWWoJ
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVfnBMFx6x
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaid6MlI7C
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPfmaefzrR
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zzn1EIQux
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsrmnQViIJ
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sgBKVFfDa
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSKYqzvvOr
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsxm1sCMQ0
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALsFuaCWkV
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvNvRZkRtR
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolMDEhZ3O8
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uXTNBSvKe
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ftfIyzvLR
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4HPYtuUGM
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZRUKMyNFa
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVIKn9c4rD
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9py2i7XiH
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8I2ZZsZi7
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDtIry3R81
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSLV67wQM1
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93BxPAk3au
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlRtmqqKfy
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrbwR9Wpdf
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAOU9uMqPm
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHPx0EBXis
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4KnVpGJDr
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wMgqhkOjN
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQaHZRmwXR
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmgJipk164
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF2syGvezC
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GccMijJ29
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVIZS4cIjp
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivipc3G8Db
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16VWcldbgg
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEeYTxgYy2
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpXVgrY77D
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmJ5kGTXFk
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy5sEHpeGL
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzZ4no0Cdr
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqeE5OkXxa
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2lLIv4aaw
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEeHGjEkYQ
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP4eT2Icf1
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6dw4xj6e1
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92VSUUY3Pt
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa4viBThZk
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zrgnJ2pUA
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyy1SIbTvj
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWiAwZGGLX
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KymlqyOyM
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqvyOoAThh
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoXU2H4Rzi
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4cugCTZH0
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw1TsZk8UH
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFZLnxTE4g
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn7WTy0sR8
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bd9SYqoi7
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw83yaMHc80
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1GAF6acwK
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIT4XsjVqf
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFT8b56STi
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT84FT27Bat
to her that way.
Standing there, her358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHlHsTySi1
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WBfjyflHP
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6slwTVjEv6
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BgzARQqOO
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIzmo2b5Gr
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2nHWecoJ7
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H2PlTDIsE
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzL2ctKykA
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ai55FXvnq
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q5lqDQAH8
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6jGF31NV2
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx2f8N7A1D
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6xcWvYVME
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRmIHEV4j9
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFhMjOK7dh
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah1AxJP3R5
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK5v8ak8kU
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfon8RiCVTW
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqRbgnR8eL
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIv5GESy2v
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZx2RqIgbp
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj6r7aEXag
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt47hqAfmG0
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14yNStLHXA
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh9WUsCy0q
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4BTnvR1OE
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3M0IJeOkB
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2CqzvR2Z9
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hIVgZ0ELo
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdypDgBn8Q
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04HCS3Kj1z
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDKBmSbdn7
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZiCCjHtkY
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrBFMXKGZN
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqRVvMblTM
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj2ZdOA3Wy
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pazCgvh8y
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnHkcFhPZi
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gFZPgtWdh
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W1IARbNrQ
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTT0vEFubh
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoB3LPwNYy
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgLIECihAl
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CgZCbFEkK
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TT0U2dGpb
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8Bbrr9mwo
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYvHU6TVWU
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKJaEwTwcZ
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGLyaHfAz2
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufELeblF2C
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfHsDvUzTL
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaDX6yOjyp
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmsxIJw6wg
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIxFU5wEHD
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJc1qvJBPm
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFLExTwlUo
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhtPVUaN4h
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9UNyOBiHj
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbepM7ZpA5b
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BvIYLMr2g
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW00lVD24U
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj4D7MAPUZ
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff7892HTq6
dating,”
“---What is he waiting358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCObSxpnp5
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gdw490jov
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVM3SNLGDx
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIfpOt2S8t
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDA11lvz9O
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmZiEJeUX8
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVvkyrGsol
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpgnGQeqbG
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEv1NPsolT
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr0O4Fy4n4
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEMW8w9SnY
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52xlNtR48c
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL53hpigWRh
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KEaKmY69W
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErstcWoRtn
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
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