Megan woke up at high noon.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreUPqCZi63
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvrmXAQpow
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5MNcal4mL
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6iOid04tl
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCTyv25IyP
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJNJ76u3MQ
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuxT2VvwTP
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4EsM1Mbpz
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YIRRC6wXN
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqvjg1G7bt
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSppvIGQEq
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVKdv9ktg6
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJZMFjUR9M
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWylrSKjh2
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzhKU5tawB
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYqt5gkxod
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoY9Oxk022Y
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7EQDKDFAH
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLftJCh0iP
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJr52VCpna
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1v7bNo2O6
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaeTlHVhZP
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSk3EE8WNS
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qc3de6f5r
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcNNy3BNVt
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YZWj6w8CI
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykU43RebIG
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSqjjGZTAJ
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw52sknhLck
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghSHK9iCL8
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrQTPHeRRp
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3ufcbMuJO
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjXphIq5kT
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJU0BCJL3r
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZmRLTipyx
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWibcAnEEmn
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXlFPz7skD
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJAff1dKDg
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjCuKoAeYe
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW6fKoKaJ1
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOPHgdMAmX
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKoXJg03Ar
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouwGKK8hsq
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprPmqm19Tm
apologize….”
The girl stared at her282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1HWH9kAlk
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzNCFxmHOx
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2vH3msQen
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg392DjzBPc
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrJHRwLLWS
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSF9y8wEbt
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2wRnEff2V
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKiYfl3YWF
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOyNFKGbkC
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw4h849fiL
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpcMYDEMPk
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIJob3dazc
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprVbC8vo7q
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EOpPQ9pvg
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9ex5MhjyV
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAUoAmI35I
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jbxCnf6Iw
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xhc9WLcvO
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V742FJu6T
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2ULir54fg
counter.
“Brisket hash with282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXsX9WrBpz
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9cFyqtqdw
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofsIDnD27p
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8tBOVMDTM
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguJCkgtRGg
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDr73p8oDyo
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm1CtlCuwX
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjfeZP0oaQ
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAHEHpH5jq
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTTvdTiuNb
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93nqG6aNp7
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexLx8kRco5
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfWVm1gHOK
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpCQKPJX4O
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3IVEyZMxl
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9cnIYfTTP
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMPpdPic54
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H3S7pmxBY
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWNgS7TgWO
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE1UkR8QfH
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCtak0Zls7
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkO02fbZBo
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT36WAFe5XA
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaWsNqaTVC
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nSoQUnerT
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHilD4SBax
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzTveqlcOA
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfr49yLvl0
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFctU9ipzK
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeRPKGjr7h
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaFw3v4Fbt
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNw1kVo9Ru
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyTXVFu0i6
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpKZfb99HY
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVpWavbAUE
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq37ryAKRP
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gKAeDykuh
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYR7uMODca
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5RNUvKeVz
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1eiTkExD1
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eN2Nbmntc
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiT2ksSJMZ
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyNytSDaib
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qlcFhz5DS
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YpBaOaAU5
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIpMhd6vFA
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lkZbPx3Ze
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4THHWpQoGk
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7JxtyOhUE
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa5cdBD9Gn
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMypok7a8c2
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JVcj40OpW
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3RRypDD9h
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcXAOe2J3A
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVT4cPDDNo
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzV8VdfhLz
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ9Dp6Nqnr
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqzfuHwcbh
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjpH0fBK8M
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQKeWzp731
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTNWsd5YFD
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfRm3aUUTb
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXm9aw6tHn
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXp9inFwsI
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc4mgFSlsX
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllNwevwA5Y
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33IzILpgKi
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRK9P6F9PD
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJILXTu3606
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNV9mJ2XcH
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cbqFfG9GD
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabj4aD3wHe
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCulB2CKq2J
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDpNP9pSvQ
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRlymC9aPy
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvaKST36LJ
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJPKPXlNq7
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHuSF4VCw4
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PHAoGgw6p
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmGqWFd73a
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBDW3NvBdx
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByErJeSezT
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyhmVFyY33
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeUaQRje1N
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDTkfP8Feh
to her that way.
Standing there, her282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnUzzn6Ir4
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2sXzku9Hd
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DcyEbsDs3
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIjFiafRo2
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5qhRHrPgY
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15Uj7o6ELN
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcyQFVFDSx
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqGqLjMBRv
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7SZzk4UTo
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhTHuA8Z9p
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKOMBreNDC
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC9FVR49l7
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ9Xs07G33
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXQ64Dih6M
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmGaEGCcDM
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwXhsPtmYh
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2GvHAJoCf
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH53p6dXmG8
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vv68nXctR
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6os2id7Xsw
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FeK9ELKd4
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutxneEdT1Z
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeKWez0laF
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT3xUjMs3N
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGC5caFmaK
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZvTRK7eBx
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRPhVBbn5K
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdz4LQo1f4
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoZwE6k1Yz
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq5iNGVMHp
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTCmEiX56B
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9stGBVQxH
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjt2KHXXdj
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhstiA9xaVJ
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXwfCUveA8
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHREJX8aeR
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzrFuEOtYT
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlQyMvBrDb
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSLOi01y9Q
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIaXrrCglw
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXWRkBhssa
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczO2NY5X2G
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4q3cNVeuI
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHfLB1biHR
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ73XyG7Oz
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibAvlEmWzG
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBebpX8reT
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTX35rzvsv
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjzqub17mR
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFucDv0Ue0
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aGGeDnlAI
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCqK8SBgZS
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm83jnAX8F
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsmNisuQRM
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN1mkTcudv
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYB9Ic1NUv
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8htpjNG0h
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQqtSkKS7v
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFhWvieX7R
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe3mtMIskX
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgK21iJhzJ
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAssucEZD6d
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJr4Ucysib
dating,”
“---What is he waiting282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2GbNDbfIo
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtojrca77rc
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EeMykG29Z
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshspCv6zci
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRawo0WXamb
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLokMSoDYWQ
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb4w3VHIHR
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid1Ci2B59K
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsAYoEUN7U
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dn1LeTH5b
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4rHN3hXhN
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi75OTaaMS
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQ9XXtrjn4
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcERKLQRCT
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSjX1Yk76t
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
然後按「加至主畫面」