In highschool, Rena was the center of attention not only because of her beauty but also because of her high intelligence.
She always held an unshakable top score that no one in the school ever came close to.
Estella as a classmate envied her so much and that envy gradually turned into hate
One, Rena won in a beauty pageant that she had spent all efforts to win.
Pretty clothes, attractive makeup and even constant training but Rena who just randomly appeared won, aggravating her spite.
And as if that wasn't enough, the boy she had been eyeing and immensely crushing scolded her badly just because she had asked her – Rena for her assignment.
The same boy to her horror became close to Rena in the end, almost causing her to die of anger.
It had been years, yes.
But she haven't been able to swallow those grievances.
Now seeing Rena again, it was like a floodgate being opened, pouring back those intense emotions.
She felt a heavy sense of pride.
The girl who had been imagined to have a bright future was now living poorly and under her shoes. It was quite laughable.
If she didn't take advantage of her situation now and revenge for their past feud, who will?
The smugness on her face grew even bigger, appearing sheerly conspicuous.
Rena sighed.
It seemed she had underestimated her. She was awfully petty, same as before.
But she didn't disobey.
She was a server now and no matter how rude a customer was, she had to do her job.
Yes, in her eyes, this was currently a test and Estella was just one of the many customers.
She left to the coffeemaker and brew the order, filtering it carefully.
She presented it thereafter to Estella.
Estella sneered, feeling supercilious at Rena respectfully complying to her.
But she didn't show it.
She frowned instead, wearing a look of displeasure.
She didn't take the cup.
She snapped. "You took nearly twenty seconds on delivering such a simple order. Are you a snail? Do you not know how to walk faster?"
Her tone was overly stern and piercing.
Rena bit her lips.
The second floor was spacious and the coffeemaker was a bit far off. She had even increased her steps just to reach there quicker
Normally it does take forty seconds in delivering the coffee. It was obvious she was deliberately targeting her.
But she didn't complain.
Even though she indeed felt a bit angry, she put on a smile and apologized.
"I'm sorry. Please do not be offended. I would definitely improve in my next services."
"Hmph, I don't need sloths in my restaurant. If you can't do your job, prepare to leave!"
Rena didn't speak.
She continued. "Get me another cup and this time, move your legs!"
"Yes."
Rena went back.
She returned with a second fill and handed it to Estella.
Estella again did not take it.
She glared at her for a few seconds before snarling.
"Is this your posture when serving customers? Do you not know how to bow your head?"
Everyone was flabbergasted.
Her tone was very fierce and harsh.
For those who peeked downstairs when she was supervising the first floor, they knew this was not how she spoke to them.
It was either she was told to be more strict with them or she just had some grudges with Rena.
Rena tried her best not to scowl. She spoke meekly, her voice low and gentle.
"This is everyone's usual posture when serving. We were not instructed to do otherwise."
"Do you want to disobey me? I am the most superior right now, so whatever I tell you you must do!"
Rena was speechless.
She lowered her head a little and asked tentatively.
"Is this okay?"
"Bow your head! If you can't do it, then you leave!"
"..."
Rena obeyed again before asking.
"Is this alright?"
"No! Is your neck too heavy? Bow!"
Rena did it a few more times, her whole upper body literally pointing to the floor, touching her legs.
Estella seeing her like this felt a surge of elation. She smirked wanting to do more but seeing the baffled look from the crowd, she had to stop.
"Enough! Serve me the coffee, don't waste my time."
Rena rose her head, her neck quite aching. She gritted her teeth, feeling eminently annoyed but nonetheless gave to Estella the coffee on her hand.
Estella took a sip but immediately spat it out, the liquid landing on Rena's clothes.
It would have dropped on her face instead if Rena hadn't shifted on time.
Rena couldn't control her anger this time. She frowned visibly, her fists clenching tightly.
"You! Why is the coffee so cold and unpleasant? Do you not know how to do your job?"
Rena retorted. Although her expression was not good, her tone was surprisingly cool.
"It being cold is all due to your delay, miss. If it's unpleasant, it's certainly the machine's malfunction. How is it my fault?"
"What?" Estella was shocked. "How dare you talk back?!"
"I'm only educating you for your lack of knowledge. Do forgive me if I misspoke."
In spite of Rena saying so, there was no remorse on her face.
Estella was livid.
The calmness Rena exhibited was even more provoking.
If she didn't see the irritation in her eyes, she would have believed she was only 'educating' her but that was not the case.
She was indirectly insulting her.
How dare she be so bold?
She was the one on top now, Rena was on a much lower level. She was supposed to suck up to her, how dare she fight back?
She was enraged.
"You bitch!" She couldn't help cursing. She poured the remaining coffee on the floor before commanding ferociously.
"Clean this up in thirty seconds. Anytime more and you are fired."
Everyone went wide eyed.
If there were any doubts before, then it was all cleared now.
Rena and the boss' daughter does have some animosity between them.
A few were pondering on how they could had known each other beforehand while the rest didn't bother to care, watching excitedly, utterly enjoying the tension and drama.
Rena however was unfazed.
She voiced nonchalantly.
"Miss, you must have forgotten what my job is. I serve, clean tables but I certainly do not wipe floors."
"So what?" Estella didn't care to keep up a professional attitude. She became temperamental, her face growing darker.
"Didn't I tell you?! I hold the authority here now, so if I tell you to clean, you must clean!"
"I'm not a cleaner." Rena repeated.
"You wretch! What is the difference? Do you not like your job?!"
Rena of course didn't like being a sever but does not mean she did not like the salary. If not for that, she would not have being not so tolerant of her behavior. She would have taken off her uniform and hauled it at her face long ago.
She responded. "If you think there is no difference, then you do it yourself."
"..."
Estella was left frozen.
She stood there, trembling irately as she pointed at Rena. Amidst her boiling rage, there was a rising pound of humiliation.
"W..what did you say! How dare you!" She was pale faced.
To say she was flummoxed would be an understatement.
Years ago in highschool Rena had never had the audacity to speak to her like this. Even when she was backed by her crush, she only became rebellious but not so courageous.
Now with her position as the owner of the restaurant offspring, she was even more at a disadvantage.
She was supposed to act more timid, like a cautious mouse.
But yet! She still dared to speak so carelessly.
What did she see her as?
It was obvious she didn't respect her, she wasn't taking her seriously!
With eyes that could kill, she spat out venomously. "From today onwards, consider yourself fired!"