Megan woke up at high noon.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcxsChi1NN
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5GNg9gJVi
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpwCOge1St
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0ZMlyawta
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuDR0xLT0D
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiT7s7wEnA
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG32ARvLSxg
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qZBhlV59w
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNsAEBit3t
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaR3s2451R
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdROLrzk5m7
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNr8FNUVhW
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmcz0kMDo4
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwFVgNIDni
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvQQROOrGx
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFnmNqTEoQ
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EYmwTuRdh
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7znovNi0C
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRLYdxEv7J
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNbCsB2DX1
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIDkiN8a4o
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFrr0jk8rK
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9al4af5mVI
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHGZUg7XIr
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMqSlidXTx
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKAJwNEYqv
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciZzIWG18K
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMRVi6dNWW
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqSsurPLem
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoqCWuWfdU
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFExCDkMel
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ505qalWLYV
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRu9h4JmSa
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7IuKK86ey
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVERZ9dyQff
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7OOZzewXv
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTskwhfEZa
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO7AiygmFJ
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS7Ial9CkU
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8nO8TIhLp
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DkutV1qTB
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHW9lyi0eo
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2QxKbevcA
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuaPnWrBoE
apologize….”
The girl stared at her308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQFwptjfoy
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr6yE5kBRG
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNo9F89Cuv
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LHgtvMNgy
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCNIK3HynI
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJVUdiBIcX
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu2HkRuN4x
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cfifTVnEr
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdXx1hPloE
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiTv4tRJn8
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGippyKNQ1c
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9YL7cLVTN
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIyC3S7lIj
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZahVvMMUh
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnX9JrXsBn
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlzAMHEEAE
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW078fiHUfU
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNEkFOSJdj
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldUeVd1euk
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cEQosHTq7
counter.
“Brisket hash with308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaCpvhNt1X
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpiDTxK8Aa
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteg0ey9Pqw
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SiS4eDLdv
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyD7PSN1YE
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP96O7R2YaR
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80YH1noYqx
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1CdLeepzn
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFl9uURzGk
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFMniTeS9I
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8sJflztZj
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyrke6at40
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQd3REnIiA
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhzJIG1nzA
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBxKH9NjuF
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D6zyir2yp
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlmlrEKEzB
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsGb24ttoP
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm3bucFSWq
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrXAmPusgw
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU16YYnNYS
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsTHLuEDZn
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjF2j4yVKN
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwlDKEMXN7
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOwP6tX6Uc
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4o2tjefcX
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fMkESPuUv
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGLeKRCe04
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4COeN1Eqo1
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNSEYYPj47
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe3fIYaqyv
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqsxue0Dq7
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ9XhQCrXp
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzfHX4P3oQ
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf3XbfwHVY
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoXFXKKbia
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5tKYr01JJ
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6MZ8scT2e
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGuqy62bdo
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK1KllcG99
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtSYqGiFjA
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGsE44KhPS
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYSc010WHV
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKES3pgIJT
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGuiV4A3jg
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm9IzIeiXK
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvsQmDPlh5
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6kU9NlMZ6
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7oFougrqs
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKumN1Pq9Y
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydVgG4Jvs8
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf8jbydJUy
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy49YUmpzq
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRvwr1tyQU
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsKMXyEZtJ
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfkHCtZbQu
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRGeBH8Kb8
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8viK5QX9OO
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMMxfjD8FH
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXBSFKzLNo
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMwNthfNCU
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTobPZdAhuS
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLJ0HAhqfm
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYY22ggSrT
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8MZaFoECQ
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoAulyTu9D
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU9AbqLThi
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrl5546jzJ
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y7VYuFZQN
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TrwXszmIG
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl2GK6UGP7
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRjQkCLoeJ
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPiEaC94BB
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAL2Y4xV6M
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogTbs9oXkY
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJAmfkN4dG
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUANzUnZEb1
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5QLIih7P4
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKovHl8cZVO
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptYU4hWpxC
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOkxx7tsYh
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6vrW7VxQo
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv65jmG7aZ
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CKyxafLwd
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GUkQPj1KV
to her that way.
Standing there, her308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkartaBj4nV
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB1o5mcbBO
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjzvoI7BKf
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZZl1xGTMk
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAwnnHhf1H
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYfTDWIF25
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrSteArIHX
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbXxAgOGni
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nbbwfidUC
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ7cYMNL8Q
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WjkjiO3RX
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO2iUsGr9j
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tFYpzocvB
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZCebyP0bS
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX6q5BHGfE
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4SAx2BLom
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJgfXStYUq
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTTWn4usgc
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3bJAL4aDE
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSErMwEuCLf
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F5s6AIDfb
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqmHJ8SDDw
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQEGiq1zKE
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe65GAuYDZh
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI65RBFMxFg
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ARfjPEPZr
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzpUd9xpdV
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty7A80vWto
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41G30DMBiS
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kcZRPPrxK
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjmESpeu7g
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlw8mICyFS
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHC5ea6U01
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl44bndN9ZI
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzqmCXpufU
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjB68xaYJFY
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuuHTLhs6P
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBdOZAzdGA
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP007p32yKx
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SSnxBS9lr
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6bD4S0o8t
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTHln31Em3
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12CRtiKiOf
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk5YImVb9d
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1o8wOmnMm
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIfJOnHx1m
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOhrBq3dN2
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaih0yh0QF
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxugBz4asgY
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5YUqwgGm3
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNiLuZXrti
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUec8M57byG
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTc2KkJiUv
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoUiWaS1rw
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglOhsMyem6
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhTYvFIcj3
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQMUkD592v
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8vL2XElp3
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFPIf19DGI
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDg1FRZriJ
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZVndMiOGP
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLGL4FusSf
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQfcWfgt2t
dating,”
“---What is he waiting308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRPGg7GymR
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsY0xIohvJ
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQS4DLbar0
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92PkeC7bqq
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4IHWL6MGp
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB10d5Sxbw2
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo8EWiIBEB
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z3Kem3w8y
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9Dn286Fij
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6wuJJMSUM
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjElMemQSTy
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8Ix4vuPGn
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKNJfKydEf
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70fq8caiWC
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdy6j8BzTA
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
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