In a swanky Frixyian revolving restaurant in Betrico, Annie was holding the menu, pondering for almost half an hour, and still couldnât decide what to order. Standing beside her, Jessica, dressed in the waiterâs uniform of the restaurant, was hiding her face with her hand as if afraid of being seen. âHave you made up your mind yet?â
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 couldnât believe that Annieâs 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. âMira, what catches your eye?â
âIâm not sure,â said Mira, who was still wrestling with the menu in Frixyian.
Annie patiently explained, âJust look at the pictures and point to order.â
Mira flipped through a couple of pages and pointed to a dessert picture. âThen Iâll have this one.â
Jessica looked at her ordering the cheapest item and scoffed. Clearly, Mira knew nothing about the upper class. Jessica asked disdainfully, âJust this one?â
âI just had dinner, so I canât eat much.â Mira waved her hand. Although she couldnât understand those dish names, she could still read the prices. Things here were surprisingly expensive even for a small portion.
Jessica grinned and asked, âSorry, my eyesight isnât great. I canât read the name of the dish you ordered. Can you just tell me what it is?â
Mira couldnât find the words to reply.
Annie s***d the menu away and gave Jessica a cold glance, saying, âSeems like someone hasnât quite figured the situation out yet.â
Though Mason wasnât here, and Jessica was temporarily safe, but Annie still had her photos.
Jessica gritted her teeth and forced a smile. âBut Iâm nearsighted and canât see the words on the menu. Would you like to order instead?â
Jessica thought, âWhen 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 didnât even know where Frixyia was. I just need to claim that I couldnât see the menu clearly. Letâs see how Annie will handle ordering. Sheâs trying to embarrass me by bringing me to a place like this, yet whoâll end up being embarrassed first?â
However, in the next moment, Annie spoke up, âBoeuf bourguignon, la bouillabaisse, blanquette de veau, le foie gras, oh, and Miraâs la quiche. Two servings for each dish.â
Jessica stared at Annie in surprise. âHow is this possible?â
Annieâs pronunciation was accurate and clear. Jessica couldnât have done better herself.
âAnnie, I didnât know youâve learned so much!â Mira exclaimed, looking surprised.
Annie smiled and said, âItâs not that big of a deal. If one is willing to put in the time to learn, nothing is difficult.â
Jessica felt like those words were deliberately said to her. She thought highly of herself, but in the end, she couldnât even keep up with a country girl. Taking a deep breath and thinking of those photos, she managed to hold back from walking away. âHold on a moment,â said Jessica.
Soon, the ordered dishes were brought to the table. Annie glanced at Jessica and demanded, âPour the wine.â
Mira waved her hands, âI donât drink.â
Annie smiled. âJust a little sip. Nothing strong.â
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 Annieâs clothes. Half-heartedly, she apologized, âSorry.â
Annie maintained a smile on her face, not showing any anger. âItâs okay, I know you didnât do it on purpose.â
Jessica was surprised. âSince when did Annie become so nice?â But in the next moment, Annie slowly said, âAs long as you kneel down and wipe it clean for me, itâll be okay.â
Jessica couldnât hold back anymore and shouted angrily, âAnnie, youâre going too far!â
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.
âIsnât that Jessica of the Sanders family?â
âNo way! How could she work as a server here? You must be mistaken.â
âBut she really looks like Jessica.â
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, âMaybe someone looks like me No one would know how lowly she was in front of Annie. Endure today, and sheâd 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, âDo you like it?
âYou wonât be feeling so pleased for long,â Jessica said through gritted teeth.
Others may hesitate, but those familiar with Jessica immediately recognized her.
âJessica, what are you doing?â Selenaâs eyes widened in shock upon seeing Jessicaâs clothes and the situation. She couldnât close her mouth for a moment.
âYouâve got the wrong person,â Jessica muttered through gritted teeth, almost wishing sheâd never met Selena.
Now the others were certain about Jessicaâs identity too.
âIt canât 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. âAnnie, what have you done to your cousin this time?â
The accusation sounded as if Annie was the wicked stepsister of Cinderella.
Mira looked at Jessica in surprise and asked, âAnnie, who is she?â
Annie hadnât told Mira about Jessica being her cousin, worrying it might stress her out. Now, it was time to tell the truth. âSheâs my cousin.â
Annie expected some comments from Mira, but Mira only replied with a simple âohâ and remained silent.
Selena piped up, âIs this how you treat your cousin? Maybe I should get everyone else here to make some comments.â
âEveryone else? Werenât there enough onlookers already?â Jessica felt flustered. âCould you stop making things messier?â
âWhat do you mean, Jessica? Iâm trying to help you out.â Selena looked at her incredulously.
Annie smiled. âHelp her out? I didnât force her. Everything sheâs doing is voluntary.â
Selena was doubtful. âVoluntary? Iâm not buying it. Jessica, tell me the truth, and I can assure you I wonât let it go.â
Annie couldnât help but chuckle. âWonât let it go? Jessica must be so eager to turn the page.â
As expected, Jessica glared at her angrily and said, âIâm doing it willingly.â