Retribution Rewind: Back To Ten Years Ago Novel by Novia Osborn

In a swanky Frixyian revolving restaurant in Betrico, Annie was holding the menu, pondering for almost half an hour, and still couldn’t decide what to order. Standing beside her, Jessica, dressed in the waiter’s uniform of the restaurant, was hiding her face with her hand as if afraid of being seen. “Have you made up your mind yet?”

This was a top Frixyian restaurant in Betrico, frequented by the rich and famous, many of whom were familiar faces. Every second Jessica spent here felt like ages. She couldn’t believe that Annie’s condition was for her to be the waitress, serving Annie for a meal.

Annie did it on purpose, of course. She ignored Jessica and handed the menu to Mira sitting across. “Mira, what catches your eye?”

“I’m not sure,” said Mira, who was still wrestling with the menu in Frixyian.

Annie patiently explained, “Just look at the pictures and point to order.”

Mira flipped through a couple of pages and pointed to a dessert picture. “Then I’ll have this one.”

Jessica looked at her ordering the cheapest item and scoffed. Clearly, Mira knew nothing about the upper class. Jessica asked disdainfully, “Just this one?”

“I just had dinner, so I can’t eat much.” Mira waved her hand. Although she couldn’t understand those dish names, she could still read the prices. Things here were surprisingly expensive even for a small portion.

Jessica grinned and asked, “Sorry, my eyesight isn’t great. I can’t read the name of the dish you ordered. Can you just tell me what it is?”

Mira couldn’t find the words to reply.

Annie s***d the menu away and gave Jessica a cold glance, saying, “Seems like someone hasn’t quite figured the situation out yet.”

Though Mason wasn’t here, and Jessica was temporarily safe, but Annie still had her photos.

Jessica gritted her teeth and forced a smile. “But I’m nearsighted and can’t see the words on the menu. Would you like to order instead?”

Jessica thought, ‘When Annie first arrived at the Sanders residence, she only knew a few words of a foreign language. Her pronunciation was heavily accented and barely understandable. Frixyian was even harder. She probably didn’t even know where Frixyia was. I just need to claim that I couldn’t see the menu clearly. Let’s see how Annie will handle ordering. She’s trying to embarrass me by bringing me to a place like this, yet who’ll end up being embarrassed first?’

However, in the next moment, Annie spoke up, “Boeuf bourguignon, la bouillabaisse, blanquette de veau, le foie gras, oh, and Mira’s la quiche. Two servings for each dish.”

Jessica stared at Annie in surprise. “How is this possible?”

Annie’s pronunciation was accurate and clear. Jessica couldn’t have done better herself.

“Annie, I didn’t know you’ve learned so much!” Mira exclaimed, looking surprised.

Annie smiled and said, “It’s not that big of a deal. If one is willing to put in the time to learn, nothing is difficult.”

Jessica felt like those words were deliberately said to her. She thought highly of herself, but in the end, she couldn’t even keep up with a country girl. Taking a deep breath and thinking of those photos, she managed to hold back from walking away. “Hold on a moment,” said Jessica.

Soon, the ordered dishes were brought to the table. Annie glanced at Jessica and demanded, “Pour the wine.”

Mira waved her hands, “I don’t drink.”

Annie smiled. “Just a little sip. Nothing strong.”

As Jessica finished serving the dishes and prepared to leave, upon hearing this, she reluctantly picked up the red wine bottle to pour the wine. Her movements were not smooth because she was only used to drinking, not pouring. Who would have thought that one day, she would end up being ordered about like a s**e?

Feeling angry, her hand trembled while pouring the wine, and the wine spilled onto Annie’s clothes. Half-heartedly, she apologized, “Sorry.”

Annie maintained a smile on her face, not showing any anger. “It’s okay, I know you didn’t do it on purpose.”

Jessica was surprised. ‘Since when did Annie become so nice?’ But in the next moment, Annie slowly said, “As long as you kneel down and wipe it clean for me, it’ll be okay.”

Jessica couldn’t hold back anymore and shouted angrily, “Annie, you’re going too far!”

The peaceful ambiance, once filled with soothing piano tunes, was abruptly disrupted by her cry. As the piano fell silent, all eyes turned towards the source of the disturbance.

“Isn’t that Jessica of the Sanders family?”

“No way! How could she work as a server here? You must be mistaken.”

“But she really looks like Jessica.”

Whispers started circulating. Some recognized Jessica but were unsure. With her status, it seemed unlikely.

Jessica was worried at first but soon relaxed. If anyone mentioned it later, she could just say, “Maybe someone looks like me No one would know how lowly she was in front of Annie. Endure today, and she’d have chances to make Annie pay in the future.

Jessica held her breath and crouched down, wiping away the wine stains from Annie with a handkerchief.

Looking down, Annie stared at Jessica and asked, “Do you like it?

“You won’t be feeling so pleased for long,” Jessica said through gritted teeth.

Others may hesitate, but those familiar with Jessica immediately recognized her.

“Jessica, what are you doing?” Selena’s eyes widened in shock upon seeing Jessica’s clothes and the situation. She couldn’t close her mouth for a moment.

“You’ve got the wrong person,” Jessica muttered through gritted teeth, almost wishing she’d never met Selena.

Now the others were certain about Jessica’s identity too.

“It can’t be. How in the world could I have made such a mistake? Selena insisted. After all, she and Jessica grew up together. Selena turned to Annie, infuriated. “Annie, what have you done to your cousin this time?”

The accusation sounded as if Annie was the wicked stepsister of Cinderella.

Mira looked at Jessica in surprise and asked, “Annie, who is she?”

Annie hadn’t told Mira about Jessica being her cousin, worrying it might stress her out. Now, it was time to tell the truth. “She’s my cousin.”

Annie expected some comments from Mira, but Mira only replied with a simple “oh” and remained silent.

Selena piped up, “Is this how you treat your cousin? Maybe I should get everyone else here to make some comments.”

‘Everyone else? Weren’t there enough onlookers already?’ Jessica felt flustered. “Could you stop making things messier?”

“What do you mean, Jessica? I’m trying to help you out.” Selena looked at her incredulously.

Annie smiled. “Help her out? I didn’t force her. Everything she’s doing is voluntary.”

Selena was doubtful. “Voluntary? I’m not buying it. Jessica, tell me the truth, and I can assure you I won’t let it go.”

Annie couldn’t help but chuckle. ‘Won’t let it go? Jessica must be so eager to turn the page.’

As expected, Jessica glared at her angrily and said, “I’m doing it willingly.”