Megan woke up at high noon.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMZzKfPrXv
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOOnKywhn1
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlTD97S1Dm
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGFTDjq3yO
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FDo8kBPyK
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXTbVQ9psW
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzSrdQx7YB
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZpunnAkJw
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduVNrsr7w2
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukYHQaMYW9
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffOMXuy4rU
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KhP22SgkX
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDpiY3ab4X
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM3SmnAiOg
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc6MNlzmL5
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJgDZahOD4
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGdki0B8rH
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth8309Xwea
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws1ruVzOj2
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI05KyDn40
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dDmQtc8F0
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kN9XQnC4l
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKpA1iJVu0
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qAYmuo4cP
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAe9T61q7H
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYyUDPcTsw
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgDdYlaG5v
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MNNyQn7Sx
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoG1P3d9EG
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfRAYiJe8H
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV15U7vHTo
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdbUdCqf5y
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK48u4pmzSR
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9EowkYWZZ
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dqu3rJZny
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9zc0eHxt5
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxW4f0qA7B
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WCXAVnd8N
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1VZaCKBSY
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhnjrb9gHv
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkGKU6LNUk
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6m4SZWlgd
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU91y7RHkEh
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxCu6XXnuP
apologize….”
The girl stared at her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKWEAMSZl0
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXC0uSrrJq
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M3PM5SCXB
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIPlzQu0wU
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9zeXaMblZ
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqGNd1tH0K
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1YHlWIFBR
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4fkc6JxUz
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7QG1cAIdg
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqCcGVz1uz
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnQSvyABiz
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMScNZ4Vm8
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEfFurkbRG
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4S1e85ahx
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq96xRdTig
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL99TFn6bi
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ758KKh1VTk
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T6LvqWrTK
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovziac94GS
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfXiXXhpPu
counter.
“Brisket hash with361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jAFSp1KjT
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfjn4yWMBR
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGdCew8p45
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpvW8LdA5x
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl5Z4LlvDF
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3qW0xGKVd
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwLPE8yR6j
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87a4Zlg4jf
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ5aaVQdER
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAj24IXPcj
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIw0DOiiKr
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBotTNkb101
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM6ys8gS7b
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEgCzG8rif
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzyf0S8XHP
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC65NlLn4p
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7b6GWPYHx
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwJLQZ7s87
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F6l9xXsld
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFjIljlbmq
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7f2XB73Vn
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFkyqTVLaq
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah9fx1hxgj
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPilaq3JVs
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1CAEff9RX
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlzGFEovs8
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTxdL80Mku
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi8kvBN6qB
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEFOQbqlvX
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqD2hERkkA
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1jcyjm0w7
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SMrzs1oWn
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlQ5ZDNGwn
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c9lDofPi4
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaynR5mw74Z
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkibKOi6mFS
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQvaRatgly
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpfA6rxpry
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92rBihgvbV
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJEKfWWvqN
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTohPjk5X71
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbK60exlKF
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IC32iQIPu
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRE7kCrTDV
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1PD1hXkuC
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm9AGcgTcS
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvpYEHrjuf
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzidzWzOLZp
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2kPF8oZFA
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUek0RajIIH
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c5N7KaHvO
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh8SOBqAS1
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV16L18lyaz
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vsr1BXm6C
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3w4gmRDpV
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKJWoXXdgC
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S9hltj7RI
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneArySQUxr
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01lYRM2pvu
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHP82J5TX8
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBJepFY9as
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnXLAfBqZP
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFWHHHEjVB
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaJQF0tARG
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaJAAdvpOW
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhDOdJoHzW
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEcuh4Kkzu
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP6Gm2TIf7
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayPpzHJBjp
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY0joBeUt8
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lnXFIC1SA
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRThB5i7mNa
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQppv662g6
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yXVxGNhOi
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozmt7KjlvI
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1Wlv8LfdZ
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC9GvhsymX
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91ScFSJhDx
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4CIAvRR4z
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ6OX5HN5I
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IsYDVpdPH
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgteLGCivjS
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iXu8KunuX
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoTKkekZ18
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7oDcpWUAy
to her that way.
Standing there, her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vCRQFyi9q
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3YatmZ5kB
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CHqowU9lF
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh9wytqRCb
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNEC2mli7x
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF09LG4xwF7
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q5DcPz57K
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5nUPRzaww
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnhojHst9a
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k7JgGUXBO
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHaX0UTayD
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB730jHhdzT
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4IXQ8VepF
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19y99TfZGF
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w6pQVCAb6
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzj47rAn6LI
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJfTw4UXWD
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByMw85kUVK
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2iI57aZDq
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5U0JCezHk
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFlEOb5YXV
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0v8iMFz5O
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCl7i8SyYL
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXOujou650
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBozFs6mxIg
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnsji8tgGG
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLGRf8Xg0U
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdgnBgJjPR
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3a5WnzsOp
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXQcwMaZx7
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BQYqbt3Pv
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04kx89YtIm
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6QjQn1mtR
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H8tBEDDMp
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv1lfPBEnb
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYn7hZzLm9
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW2ChIz6AK
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw07n1CKMe
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBMqglsyv6
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpkEgwVVhk
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6lUCyylTj
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06vC8ehOvW
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk0FwGeyTf
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Eo2XvAjea
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmemvCAHUdG
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCnOVmgZBU
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqDrzqyjGF
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQsgjQLs0X
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSqmLllPsc
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33p8NjGiNM
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6qXxaneQ1
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0SkQR9nJV
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR53UBq306c
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs3eg5XCmn
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODn8PtRBAz
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy9Hn5fdfN
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66NT0NLz90
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgWK5G840R
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZreXZ0XjK
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdErBr1ze3
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjHVBe9VLp
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPIFtYHjEa
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvuhf9IspU
dating,”
“---What is he waiting361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3SSf3Mk6O
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VCqa61828
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2FScVL2v7
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvN216zlL7
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18bXAQiE0s
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5AzJhOCEv
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQomdaLaYT
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioM6T85zVi
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzRdMBL5o6
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GBwfU6Pu6
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBLzXWUp1E
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfKWtSSrbZ
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFivsAUsQ2
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTROjQ4yf7L
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGHiKBCwgB
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
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