Megan woke up at high noon.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JInofcb6U
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4doP4Rga45
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Dyw7eRMgJ
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt2jRj8oVT
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBDNWyJ31e
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV8e68i4da
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v9NDs1pSR
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxttajo7TS
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1WYl8oXlG
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV3qS6ovo7
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ00iUMMKN
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E4tSBy5gM
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzLIjjqoox
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NYHQsxva7
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWIRHMYFtR
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBIArwWdEO
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixcjpCZZZP
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjjHi9bo1n
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZdDLdeWik
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLEufzEHJD
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuqF96YKxk
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEyg7XPLXm
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNH0m6gs5a
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hcZ2ZlX7Q
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV42DemST8N
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulh3PNVKC8
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UNPSH7yhw
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZqKugEDPo
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3LnVbS0rk
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZDanUh6Kl
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfQiB6Di1F
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BymLDSSm9
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8aAknCpvY
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqtKgu26ic
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomNGqoLslx
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs7sOLknP1
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLdasBNkAG
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoRzKsS1WN
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARrnhEP4rp
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CSUMN9H5E
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL9mpcBhZ8
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcC4r6EtTP
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmViUq4O05
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajaGfuGC0o
apologize….”
The girl stared at her305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hXbxyQfJZ
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziDiWut1Xk
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhIfki27Ez
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5gDwYl4WO
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3hqAKmpzU
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDikObmViaK
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyofDjLRTHR
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk4k7CsSfS
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhNmk7lYBc
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKuHkfJ7cP
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIETWqpaJU
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJi1IT8n8C
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0NfQcho0h
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojfKLveYOY
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa08st3cxo3
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2OkGgL31x
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RmnoYd85u
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o1qgWzie6
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDW8s2YNHA
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPCflvk4Bp
counter.
“Brisket hash with305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrfVLSyhKR
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSfwqcimIX
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeaZF8RRKV
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nTamVESa9
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvTPtzDB1q
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCWqQ2xwCv
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4dp8F1LpE
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpehqBEKLX8
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWEeDyF5We
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplFi0QqqDy
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1EnVx2PVu
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoHArVnhFk
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NGpkiD656
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fXASYx10K
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9x4otXk1y
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB0koIppUU
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKQiTHchIV
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOFLnF7ahr
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfohCVjXQZ
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbjUBhojg3
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbbgzVNjqo
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYg4RMHhL5
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXyyOTaLFx
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9H13uWCYE
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF2mEWwSV4
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4SzZ1FX4W
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIKvw8P2cU
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFw5v3dfOG
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq2xpZnpcm
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5ufwnUsIl
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn2NHLEPH4
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLo2V7tU7W
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N7uLaWY3x
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhLtIOYbGL
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FE1NllJnQ
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EwXMfbcVZ
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7AL6YbMRo
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5tlpmsqWX
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstnMiCHY7D
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V9zaQPMtj
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa833AqHZ9I
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPIaXDXKQZ
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCffsqOFrFs
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6osx8uZIts
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplTV7iytdc
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB1wFAJJG8
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4U6bnOeEd
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrATw5rCIDk
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSM4E9lb0z
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3e6riCGvz
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6JLPe3HSl
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhBPY4GZz5
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2p1n9hliQ
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklIST7iOS6
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlbNvbOBRB
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWG0sGkEYM
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIlfoU5rHL
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LONNb2hlB
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac3eCSdlJv
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYhcKzm3d2
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRhyl1fB6A
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOFD9CjZba
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyvhYpbRFF
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdklQadYOo
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WbFpfOAHH
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tJvS5g3J6
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZq7xxsQSr
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4aboqHQre
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrkGGwhVwt
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPhoMIoozl
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwNwKPxtr5
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT38VzIvJhX
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ084jX4wry7
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH89D4fmgrg
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKZiKQWqlf
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUeBNBG9S3
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSVhuuxbOI
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yq6CchiYO
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhzaFL8J2i
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEghVpXr2h
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0yLRyEoNq
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47iGMNjABo
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKI6OnLNks
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQnFVG9nt7
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq4ADsBFsz
to her that way.
Standing there, her305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfla66PjEA
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrjDdz2nvY
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8PN7QzcPO
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeYDscM7E0
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHg9lWl9H1
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69KZa9lKtF
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvsOCz4PGy
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxorDWJV4vh
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe49kJ9r5ty
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG1TmLnDQB
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrAWETeXE1
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6g7eBWc9i
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW6BzIXQKj
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQN6FRritW
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafHgC6FdwO
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynh8fSHcTN
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDit99iJ7jf
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuMKPnKF0g
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAUUXN80uv
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR7UJ77E0m
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdicCRy90s
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczNFPLjkoI
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekBIEToaOF
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EQ5tao1me
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V8opamqFo
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMkbTenYQ8
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c8KeLQpg1
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOywRusxj6O
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0CgMMml4X
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9KH69zzay
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50G1KDju1k
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PrV0ISt8Y
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCv3PCj5Io
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9T2ZAOgyY
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBL0MUfp0K
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sw433tNHw
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7F1eN86xv
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvGko11v1e
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdohMN96v9
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxsEiCygWz
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ros2YId1o
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NKWSHqTbg
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcoxk1o86c
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg37hyp2Tx
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr4OC1u1AY
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljp6uD5vQQ
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82JOMLCvQ3
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBWjFGgyA0
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q4AtgViqL
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKquMFBe6ff
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3pfr6hebn
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNqZA0Qino
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzSxqUk7C4
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRXjfk8VJc
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSWrCvAadt
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6A4D50dKw
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe39I7HTeg
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVraDTYj2C
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuqFlzJ9YZ
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54xOrEfynj
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjpt3ym0AU
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWULR4RtXlC
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepd19kmXYQ
dating,”
“---What is he waiting305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld11lNGoqC
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XRFQUnKwT
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTZ4ApEXP9
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO3cePet8j
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCBLgXxjGU
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HWwceaSVj
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1MT3F4efa
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28NfUdDYFq
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVI96FpTiv
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy7wuzTuol
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Tr0rnpRwc
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0gOvfBTzg
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yCYuwTTFb
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3Klnal3re
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9vBk9Fqwn
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
然後按「加至主畫面」