Megan woke up at high noon.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFBFo1Pacr
She sat up on the comfortable bed, stretching and yawning like a lazy cat. She302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dRxiEZ3Et
felt energized after her beauty sleep, thus putting her in a good mood. Her302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejTFj8AE7B
stomach grumbled resentfully as if complaining about the lack of substance it302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNktkYhZcK
hasn’t been given for more than six hours. Megan tried to remember the last302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZmXjx20yk
time she had eaten; that must be the three muffins’ cupcakes she had to force302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciK8h5tloM
herself to choke down on the plane, as her upset tummy wouldn’t give her302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMj3pchXKx
appetite for anything more. No wonder she feels a headache and was mildly dizzy302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRVnNNNtZb
when she stood – those were her recognized signs of hunger. Never one to forget302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5FRCin8Cg
hygiene no matter how hungry she is, Megan moved to the door she presumed to be302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeRs2h0qUb
the bathroom to refreshen up. When done, she headed out.
Long hallways stretched out302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpROyaJOtw1
at either side of her, causing her to pause with a small frown. Debating302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeyMJ2WQNi
mentally for some secs, she decided on the left hallway. As much as she tried302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxEkMyAXDr
not to notice, she still found herself admiring the unusual, yet sophisticated302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyYDsaOgRl
interior design of the house. Priceless paintings displaying Scottish history302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkaPAZFknB
with artifacts were mounted on the golden walls. Various-sized vintage vases302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEWZJprwrx
noticeably worth more than she thinks, including the plain-looking ones, stood302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MRBMsSo6d
at every corner of the hallways. She’d have spent more time appreciating if her302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgOki3G08C
belly didn’t protest again, this time louder.
She walked faster,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNbR8sVhIF
coming out to a staircase. There was another flight of stairs in front of her302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF63ylfY9E
but she ignored it, choosing to locate the kitchen. Thankfully, she didn’t302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7PtajmtSV
spend much time at all. The spacious, spotless kitchen equipped with modern302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWnY6cohBE
utensils almost made her giddy and Megan couldn’t wait to start preparing tasty302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYjeC9CG0R
food on the big counter. She opened the double-doored fridge and grinned302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JBw2wRycT
broadly at how well-stuffed it is. As someone who enjoys cooking a lot, she302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBCdRRTPvp
always appreciates it a lot when the fridge is filled up with all sorts of302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOkf50OlQb
varieties of foods.
“Oh.”
Megan glanced behind her302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UkQNBdRYD
shoulders to see a young girl, she doesn’t look more than nineteen years,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP2MS6KoLq
standing – frozen more like it – at the entrance of the kitchen. Her pale green302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hMATluaKR
orbs were filled with anxiety, reluctance, and tiny curiosity as she held a302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi2KDEejJ7
tray holding an empty bowl and cup. Everything regarding her, from her posture302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Byi6WuJ5p
to her expression, screams she wants to be anywhere but here. Megan felt302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxkeCjXlGM
strangely fascinated. Shutting the fridge, she faced the girl. She noted how302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVMTfClzF7
she tensed up immediately and Megan raised an inquisitive brow at her. The girl302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzCwwHWuGP
crimsoned. She tried to stammer out something, but under Megan’s bold stare,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY3QouTFx8
she couldn’t form anything that made sense.
Having a strong impression,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyfCpJiqJ5
she was terrifying the poor girl, Megan eased up her expression, putting on the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kaJ77GxfQ
winning, a failsafe smile she used whenever she wants to soothe her302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9ZZY0zM4G
not-so-polite, demanding customers of her culinary abilities. “I’m sorry if I302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuYfN6PjSx
frightened you or anything. Believe me, it’s not my intention.”
The girl gave a brief smile,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf0VItlzZ7
her stance relaxing. “I-I’m the one who’d apologize to you,” she went to the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTFVoW551g
sink to drop the tray. “I shouldn’t have behaved like that. It was incredibly302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5OHTITZ9P
rude of me. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
She’s still302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw2Luz9pzw
uncomfortable with me, Megan thought. “You weren’t rude. So, there’s no need to302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXZ6k66PiR
apologize….”
The girl stared at her302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC4p8krXQ4
blankly. Realizing she was asking for her name, she quickly replied, “Arabel302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcphEiWKWl
Shaw, ma’am.”
“Oh. A lovable beauty302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02v1SuFqUu
worth of her name.”
The girl went red, almost302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddpge7WVnw
like the gingery curls on her head.
A low growl sounded out of302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dj70l0PZc
Megan’s stomach, prompting Arabel to turn pale and become frantic. “Oh, my God!302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7dUUYKDOd
I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I’m such an idiot. How can I not know that302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJKAhNUGSw
you’d be hungry when you awake?” She pulled out a pot and pan. Going to the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUBC9WwqlY
fridge, she was just about to pull out a crate of eggs but was stopped.
“You don’t need to do302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8WZlZbeXa
that. I can make something for myself.”
“But—"
“Even if you cook for302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yl50SVxQU
me, there’s a high probability I won’t like it. So, to save ingredients and302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYU7oRIwLI
time, let me do it.”
“But—”
Arabel has led away302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87w0eObq5a
from the refrigerator and lightly pushed one of the stools in the kitchen.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWS0OWWux5
“Sit.” She complied. Like a three-year-old child who always wants to keep his302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeq8VTi476
mother within his sight, she trailed her every move with large curious eyes.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky2GH1n413
Whenever she sees her not knowing where some things she needs are, she bolts up302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uXtsPEhD3
like an antelope. Providing said items within a blink. The smile on Megan’s302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnozHPzq6ho
lips keeps increasing.
“So, what are you302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRrT1Fwl9j
doing to cook?” The young girl, unable to hold it in anymore, asked. She was302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptHhflbxhY
standing alongside Megan, taking in the things she was preparing on the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNMOFWM9Vs
counter.
“Brisket hash with302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8UGRR245B
eggs."
“Oh.”
Done making ready302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPKnK12ZAk
the ingredients, Megan placed a large skillet over medium heat and poured in302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zTuWp8q3b
two tablespoons of olive oil. When it was heated, she added diced onion and302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynS6oWmL7w
fried it until it was translucent. She put in minced garlic cloves with one medium302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks804IU2zj
red pepper, which she’d seeded and chopped. She mixed them, leaving it for a302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yI2njjiYU
moment. Adding the potatoes she’d cut into cubes to the vegetables, she had302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCfo7R9RA7
everything cooked for fifteen minutes. An eager-to-help Arabel, who had been302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5T1NeqWpu
salivating nonstop the instant the mouthwatering aroma spread out, was in302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAjLNA9XSm
charge of monitoring and flipping the mixture every few minutes with a flat302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVlOcWVKNJ
spatula so the lot browned evenly while she whisked down the eggs.
When it was time, Megan302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhPepMd480
tossed in the cubed brisket. She combined it well, afterward seasoning it with302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UbLTzb3EK
salt and black pepper. She gave a quick turn after that leave it to cook for302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcfhVr6b3p
some minutes. Until the beef became brown and the potatoes succulently tender,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzTBBWJsDJ
before removing it from the heat. In a separate pan, she made scrambled eggs302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQWt3PwAYz
and then plated them, not forgetting to add barbeque sauce.
Arabel was genuinely stunned302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQXcoE52Eo
when Megan gave her a sizeable portion of the food. It took a whole minute to302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQpPBSlb8U
get her to stop thanking her. The second Arabel took a bite, her head never302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFSdUJtNCD
came up again 'til she’d wiped her plate clean. Literally. Within a few blinks.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB5EOx6lEb
That spoke of how delicious the food is.
Megan had paused from taking302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2iKp9Yfqv
lifting her spoon. She googled, half shocked, half amazed. But secretly302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A57zvukts
pleased. Arabel felt embarrassed, even wished the earth should open and swallow302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1JT3DtIY6
her up, when a light belch sipped out from her lips, despite her hard best to302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EsPewCYxf
keep it in.
“Here.” Megan handed302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhJdVOnaeT
her the glass of orange juice meant for her, which after small hesitation, she302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO0SEIhs2r
gulped down. “I’ve never had anyone react that much to my cooking, and quite302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdSamuOd53
frankly. Arabel, I love it.”
The girl pepped up, looking302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJpXfHBcQ9
partly convinced. “Really?”
“Cooking is a great302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWmSyyqvzI
passion of mine and as a chef, there’s nothing more that delights my soul than302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoLNIrn2ZY
seeing my food consumed with such great…. relish.”
Arabel ducked her head.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01O7h2JGJo
“Okay, whatever you say.”
“I—”
“Arabel!”
A voice called from somewhere302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJZkTxV5rF
outside the kitchen. The way Arabel jumped from her seat would’ve been comical302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzTrl8c1BQ
if she didn’t nearly trip over her feet and fallen flat on the floor. “Arabel!302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou30yiNg59
Where are ye, silly lass?”
Said person had gone302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow2tRN3KzK
pale, as though she’d seen a ghost. In a flash, she was at the sink. Dropping302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvKqiDIbhi
the plate, the one she’d eaten with, she packed the bowls and pans used for302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBQNP42kkI
cooking and began to demonstrate the quickest washing and rinsing known in302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKUR8yOxnV
history. Megan watched like a captivated audience while eating. Drawn to the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dpLs56bNr
clanging of the utensils, footsteps drew closer to where they are. Just as302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaRuGgqpOj
Arabel finished, the woman Megan saw yesterday stepped into the kitchen. An302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAI4R3fyzY
exasperated frown covered her expression but there was no misreading the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgl0av5XnK
fleeting surprise and repulsion Megan spied in her gaze. This time, she was302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtD1Njynrd
certain this sweetishly-looking woman has something against her.
Whatever.
“Ye silly lass! Why302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IRjEovo13
didn’t ye answer me when I was yellin’ for you at the top of my lungs? I was302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjNAB21ngZ
expectin’ ye back ages ago!”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rhona.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0iOMgRhNe
I-I was busy preparing something for Mrs. Henderson when I saw there’s nothing302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKpcm7SI3b
left of breakfast for her.”
Both women flinched.
Rhona shot a nasty glare at302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhreBKojvu
the young girl, her displeasure apropos to the way Megan was addressed,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oGGzuhazj
however, Arabel misunderstood it. “I didn’t know ye know you’re conversant with302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOCZW5Ftau
Amerikie’s food.”
“When I knew Mrs.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uh8rtOvGj
Henderson was an American, I did tons of research on the country so I can serve302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UXhn21wdE
her needs better.”
Megan felt incredibly302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX6pjgBR5d
uncomfortable being called that title again. She glanced at302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vJmxEZGyh
Arabel from the corners of her eyes; seeing her sweaty, bright face and302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDNLZmLX4R
quivering lips, she pitied her and decided not to expose her for her clear lie.
Rhonda observed Arabel302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU6fbAg4zW
suspiciously. She’s not convinced of whatsoever nonsense she spewed out. A few302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvoJhHEn2T
seconds later, she waved her to leave the kitchen and the girl readily fled.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA69pQ4a8Co
Giving her head a shake, she turned back to Megan who had gone over to the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCY5dVV7my
sink. This time, she didn’t bother hiding her feelings.
“Ms. Michelle, I’d like302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEpt462lzQ
it if ye don’t make Arabel cook for ye. She isn’t among the maids302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQczpsXfJdQ
in charge of cooking, so don’t force the poor girl to do302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoBlyc7zHI
what she doesn’t want.”
Wow. Way to rip off the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4CQ2qqWRF
bandage, Megan sardonically noted. Wiping her hands with a napkin, she met the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHEnTYxCQf
angry older woman with the angering smile she uses on the people she doesn’t302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntAWcB3MvH
like. “Hmm, but I wonder why any food wasn’t left for me?”
“I told the maids not302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyogZDEvj3
to leave any because I don’t know whether you’d like what we cooked or not. Ye302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47l4Lb2Rxr
were needlessly finicky of what you ate the last time you came here so I took302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBO4IOqfhv
it upon myself to be the one to cook for ye,” Rhona paused, casting a302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKM1NeGQ0f
depreciative look over at her figure. “Though if ye don’t mind me saying this,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5NYUTCGpF
Ms. Michelle, I think starving a bit would do ye a solid good.” She jibed,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi36FMKiu4
smirking when that smile was erased.
Megan dropped being302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNHZ2EPszj
polite. “Remind me again, what is your job exactly here?”
“What? Don’t tell me302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9xw5JQZ9c
you’ve forgotten?”
“Oh, I haven’t. But I302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU8VNkidcR
just want to know if you’ve gotten promoted to a new high rank that gives you302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6qCvdqH11
the unrestricted authority to disrespect me, the lady of this house? Or have302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyozjIfk1Lj
you forgotten that I’m married to your boss and that also makes me your boss?”
“Ye---”
“Oh, how scatterbrained302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mpNmmhFGb
of me. You’re what? Sixty? Sixty-five? Your brain probably isn’t as sharp as it302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQdIpsrx1N
is if you were my age, so I’ll take it that those stupidly inappropriate302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQQbL3VwXJ
comments were caused by the parasite living in your head because I want to302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC8kGH9oMV
believe you valve your job and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFVmrF3sDc
Perhaps I’ll talk to my husband to let you retire. After all, you’re getting302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66f517sEnZ
old. It’s obvious you’re no longer fit for this job and it’d be very cruel of302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U7c0s7ndC
us to continue to make me do what you don’t want to do. Don’t you think so?”
Rhona glared with reddened302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJRXSaokhl
eyes; her smirk long gone. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaie9ofRTeR
between them and serve the insolent lass a well-earned slap. How dare she talk302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZSLGsrdIS
to her that way.
Standing there, her302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPz2PpI328
chest heaving and looking as though she had been abandoned and betrayed by the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8kXC4lqDv
world, Megan felt zero ounces of pity for her. And why should she? Out of302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeNEQHT9B9
nowhere, this judgmental woman – she had mistaken as someone good at first –302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqfvrL8gPB
start spurting crap concerning her, disparaging her. Megan knew she’d be pissed302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVyZacAFYJ
at herself later if she didn’t return the favor. She might look gentle, doesn’t302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXvtKVQRDS
mean she’s not a pushover for anyone.
“Y-Ye j-jest! Ye think302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX9Zg2D8Kg
after what you did, Elie would want to listen to anything ye say, much less302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S3QhjZlQ9
believe ye? Ah, you’re delusional.”
“You wanna bet? He’s a302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0ZCZxnH46
man, isn’t he? Please, a little seduction and he’ll become pudding in my hands302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uCYBNyetf
in a flash.” Megan tilted her head a bit to the side; the slow smile that302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhxDppqYyM
stretched on her face made her look very much like a vixen. “Would you like me302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gmoH1kI1o
to show you how it’s done?”
Rhona rushed out.
Megan dropped the act,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjNGrW7MtH
disgusted beyond expression. What a pretentious, elderly woman. Brushing the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAic1ewC7Dm
conversation aside, she strode back to her room, put on some workout outfits,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CpjqLMqk8
and did yoga for an hour or so.
|!|!|!|!| |!|!|!|!|
“So, how is the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH0cdc7QZl
bakery doing?” Megan went straight to the point after exchanging pleasantries302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt2GKHBbZq
with the vibrantly dressed woman on a video call with her. Clad in her lazy-day302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVD4rYD36J
outfit; an old, baggy shirt having faded baseball logo – she snatched it from Shane302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tKpB6JqdA
months back when they began dating – and her favorite woolen cutoff – panties,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2Kw9XRWML
her aunt claimed they were – underneath. She was standing on the veranda302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZxbyuhzfB
outside her room; enjoying the pleasurable breeze which slip in and out of her302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0obgnrpfPh
cloth and the beautiful, green scenery that lays around the manor.
“Oh, we’re doing302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5m7HGsvE4
alright. The guy your aunt brought, Kilian, is a gem. Granted, the cakes and302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9J3V0IJHJ
pastries he bakes aren’t precisely as great as yours, but the customers love302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvLQylBhH0
them! Look, just the first day and we’re already sold out.” The camera shifted,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW3rsemfC8
showing her the inside of her shop, which was crowded with people – just as302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPggP1gvdc
when she was there – and the show glass was empty. Megan's brows lifted; she302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQSj7ydOOQ
was impressed. It’s good to know she chose the right person among the four302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFXMt8TTQE
chefs she’d talked to.
Jemma’s excited chocolate302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvp7shmQTJ
face came back into view. “Do you know he’s quite a shy guy? When one of your302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGuXN8TYDp
regulars Mrs. Copson, wanted to meet the new chef and Grey called him out, he302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEvMLcHJgW
was such a cute nerve wrack. The way he stuttered in that lovely Greek accent,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT2eplH4hh
fiddled with his back hair, and blushed nonstop? Ah, I think I’m in love. I302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli5wQuhI2B
don’t think I’m the only one; all your female clients are also in love with302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLreprjIHwB
him. 90% of our buyers are females and I don’t think it’s entirely our goods302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8QSaRBDfo
they’re eager for if you get my drift. Not that I blame them one bit; I mean302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeQoF25822
have you ever seen a man who’s so sinfully gorgeous you just want to lick him302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx48an6d2z
up---”
“Godmother, please!” Megan had302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQEp6qHf6e
to interrupt, or her ears would be filled with descriptions she’d rather not302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDj3gAQYNz
have regarding her employee. She wondered if she made the right decision,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkiOcOxydt
allowing her godmother to persuade her to be her temporary manager. “You’re302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EGPVvlpZ2
fifty-four years and happily married with three children. For goodness’ sake,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPq22cNXqR
act your age for once!”
“Killjoy. I was just302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9wzaMU6it
looking, okay? There’s no one yet that can make leave that delicious,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXED4yEMjNY
one-of-its-kind specimen I have for a husband. Besides, my observation isn’t302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaRIGLJGFr
for me, it’s all for you, prude.” Jemma had that gleam in her eye, warning302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fXGdIPVF7
Megan she was going to launch into her usual advice/speech – cough, nagging,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBnZ19aXoO
cough – before she’d rush her off the phone, she went off. Leaving her with no302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIKQcdQjna
choice but listen.
“I’m not saying waiting302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpaWfOd4vx
for Shane is a bad thing but you have waited enough time on the man. You’ve302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKZFp1Hefx
been obsessed with him since you were what, nineteen?”
“Twenty. But I’m---”
“Twenty! For six years302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MjRuulBOY
he never looked your way once. Why then are you still pining with that kind of302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eeGMmuIcH
man, huh?”
Megan gritted her teeth,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFbNvHxNih
“He confessed to me five months ago – I told you and mom all of it – and we302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXjTK7BbhR
both decided to take it slow. I don’t see what’s so wrong that everyone is302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntpLRrTX0L
complaining.” She couldn’t help the sass at the last words.
Jemma narrowed her jade-green302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriku60yZmK
eyes, threateningly. “Don’t think that because you’re far away, you can run302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZVc8n74nW
your mouth on me on the phone anyhow, I won’t tolerate that.” Thank God she302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22mMCwkhWf
wasn’t close by or her godmother would’ve slapped her silly.
“Sorry.” She felt like302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBHHrjRZjo
a schoolgirl as she apologized. “But I love him, Jemma.”
“You’re almost302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wtUeStv2H
thirty---” Jemma started.
“Twenty-six.”
“---and he hasn’t put a302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG2SYHHiPT
ring on your finger yet---”
“Again, we just started302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xo9L9ywHU
dating,”
“---What is he waiting302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWjPC755Ej
for? The apocalypse? He isn’t sincere with you. Well, it’s a good thing you got302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl9AXxGTCD
married to that Scottish guy, Aneislis, right? He’s the right one for you.”
Megan looked302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN3olcJrWK
incredulous, “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s Michelle’s husband. I have no302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPAM0lgRRj
interest in him.”
“He’s yours for life,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWL9d6gznj
whether you accept it or not. Even though Michelle is found, she won’t be with302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W1dTV0WFo
him. You should know this. Also, it’s best if---”
Megan was distracted.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlJIC6JQnO
Her sight was drawn to the glittering, luxurious car – a Maserati – gliding302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpvyzp9ROn
towards the manor. It stopped, the backseat door opened, and out came the man302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNn914Wbad
her godmother approved of. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste. She stared,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotqlC5auvb
sour-faced, as he helped someone down – an adorable, little girl. He shut the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJT9sdXqfO
car door and walked hand-to-hand a few steps before the girl made a demand.
“Daddy, carry me.”
Her cheerful, childish voice302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAZ5C5nQ7w
rang out. Aneislis obeyed, continuing his journey inside the house.
Megan unintentionally302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh9WPwpF3t
pressed the end button to the video call as her mind pondered about the302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU4h66Hh27
information she had learned.
So, he had a daughter. Wonder302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaAyw2Ebqh
why that tiny detail wasn’t told to her, she rolled her orbs.
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