Megan woke up at high noon.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnCgLCHmO2
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1lbMqkd6x
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBRu6pmMLH
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zH0HizE1A
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaWz5v0TmL
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pW0mETIcY
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFkP7GI8b4
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGqR2YRHIl
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyTVASR3tn
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoz0tiXMf7
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6il7YVUS7F
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgaFoOiVGq
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtakFJkCPGp
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTsc0Wa4i5
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQpXgTvGj6
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFDt68zY0q
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE28YznXSB
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJW7HTQ87M
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeQWNHlFt3
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wAJkqWUBV
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdjxNWwOVr
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UEnjyw35d
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMursIbO3S
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2GY1NjYyD
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiO2fruzHc
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUn9fOjLMc
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdtaUNeh0C
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfU6OibdGZ
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7CTL3qIau
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNiEJnElnH
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzRdBHbMfF
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j00z0lXdb
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLiv88xuQx
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHbiofPABw
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx2X6wuc04
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4kNWI6RXw
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaWPWTDi9N
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSCIhhsNKL
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNqBGBKT8X
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VO0Ra9viV
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexWFsgKitM
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk34a0aqX17
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuRn0nHtOh
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjno2gmRewh
apologize….”
The girl stared at her377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU75HYwQ3yo
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkYIvoyvjA
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGbpdnpHKI
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjxTyDGmtN
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NDqnPu2cL
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdt2NRpuuM
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL0pbjJQvb
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuFu4ww2zB
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr6jxDQaNa
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslAouK1pcg
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqMgcsF53j
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqmOAws49g
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyARbHqTbA
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydUwZeyaEa
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOHR2KdFDm
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HvZIinj4t
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREq1JqpmUG
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLax4GYydLf
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjsvxxolsj
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpymePomJX
counter.
“Brisket hash with377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggVjCwQ1HI
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmt9wm7WxI
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovkXkG65ZN
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzfuGGwTaV
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3Ide6XeZR
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JZl8mVNbo
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLDQn8JU5e
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifbTj4zG6D
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZBj9loR5B
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF2fuq3uqn
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkOSjJKBS9
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwCKwSGS4b
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTq3qyOJSG
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxJwpg5O4s
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2OXVcphqf
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o2YtzuWRZ
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaJSyE0MW6
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEbAwkZnCe
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYC5uaWjXi
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOSSXzWh5m
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNheyWw9auF
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCax661WfX
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0ARhMiFvF
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZlnHECRfO
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvknQoXo9d
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqttv08qpp
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwah2IIa8i
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5llxmAHo7S
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ153nBDJ2Nr
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB43RyAivj5
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzeETSC1hl
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXXYCNRlLz
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvpNEvz8gS
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp07zcydHk0
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU2coC78lQ
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nzlQMAZMx
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1RH0FgJAL
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlk6fwq7vY
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUctLFpmkqn
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQH28uqjb5
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnspfdV9WIF
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXyrW6BXpV
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqm005XAWk
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XVPYXnIA6
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU51GVLIdZp
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPVhA7M106
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiokWPfbWj
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAYcqfxDAu
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT0A2QtQpG
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9b2VLAPcA
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H2dpphKhH
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkKe1NIlDx
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpThY7QLGMo
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkANkC2lmw
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY3NCFG4c5
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3bgoLl32a
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoEFsa4dsx
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsitMVjjtGv
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHyABhlBDc
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE3wbiMwrH
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLvQdNJGIA
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpbAuohCqH
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCqlK0Eu1G
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2gIxb4tUl
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpM4LKcNGB
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWRQUK2uVI
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uRiPS2PDF
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfEVyR4WM2
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ee5DkbiM7
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IZBFIQ3Hd
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXHW5DASgc
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuRnGdpZzf
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT0FKloIUC
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnGl15crZS
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXoEIHzsQ4
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDEml8R98V
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL46CRnuQit
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hYYM2mSIc
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnqwv68GDQ
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatNAGN7zuV
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKaK0qg4il
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoSRQ2YTJu
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4DYcfkTqA
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqRHBzZ3xc
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqCCyPcLmM
to her that way.
Standing there, her377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi4SH5Bb2q
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wlq7mGeO7
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksIwHHGXPH
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWHRlTsg1Q
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5W18qguzl
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdzdErls1m
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegoEbC2CYq
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS52qLSfcy
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8w5ecB4Dy
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmsKX4dKDf
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0EatW591W
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wj2RsYmza
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cngqO4NdF
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnayzy75fr
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphHtOWhnnW
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrkBEPpRaV
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JRr7lcRve
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QcTufzthN
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuUKMEl0BT
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLrgZlSR6s
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLjdC8He6b
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TJKjTlAVb
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz29DwRPsF
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhfTerlOHG
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0xC7sbJQS
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvBkq8yMuv
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatRL6Fo015
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25LNhsrOIH
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAYff3Xqjh
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq7eWy33EW
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhNlLCJHaQ
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfSDmaNOpS
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CMvLd70kW
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLtrm9PyhF
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcC3gdf9hc
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJchTCaboC
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdp6Hkrk0M
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5wsagPn97
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpk8OdBqAG
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1haz4Ssrwj
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX9gYLkla5
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VLwwAQHq0
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H7Y0OKIyM
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ33m5Ba4t
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezTcnHUHtX
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF2O4pHqoo
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTkOfDCwhS
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0LrBrpxfz
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVc5SBynHh
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIYHFci5i1
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXk6uv1x3V
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnW5bRtvDt
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5udR1Ty56B
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHoyhvcCn5
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITjKujnbxE
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchRXThTzzx
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf42e6NsWOq
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo0znGoRKY
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLn9DjnoKX
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq0ZaAB5o9
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjfAEQThJk
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrtaSwq9ZF
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LKeJksQqp
dating,”
“---What is he waiting377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4BubSisMI
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt9ygloP5e
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMLYlO4HtG
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArSGy42cr6
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3KRnbaag6
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY25LY0Ab1w
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs2IbgkoMQ
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKtudxb2dj
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yxq4WV4JW
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01Q3CnrU2F
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEIY9D2lMi
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzfdr7ImAW
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO5e0w4pU5
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39E3mqAgHC
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYgTiMUhJ0
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
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