Rena took on the awaiting food deliveries, picked up one of the restaurant's scooters and quickly drove off to the first address on the list.
For a moment she remembered— she wasn't wearing the delivery department's uniform but the large logo and the font of the restaurant's name on her outfit was enough to prove her identity so she wasn't worried.
She drove quietly.
The place she was headed to was an estate, precisely block twelve.
The estate was quite attractive looking, showing without doubt that the client was rich.
She wasn't puzzled that such a client would order from the restaurant, after all the restaurant was famous in its own way and had quite a lot of distinguished clienteles.
She was allowed in.
She rode to block twelve, stopping Infront of its gates.
After a few knocks, someone approached her. It was an older woman, dressed in an attire, pertaining to that of a maid.
Her face was stiff as she opened the gate for her.
Rena had expected her to take the meal box and sign but she did neither of those. She only spoke, expressionlessly with an unreadable gleam in her eyes.
"The lady signs herself, so please follow me."
"..."
Rena hesitated. She wasn't familiar with such situation.
Was it possible that some people only desires to sign themselves after receiving a delivery?
It was a bit odd but Rena had never delivered any goods before so she really didn't know what to make of it.
She followed the woman in but for safety reasons, she kept focus on her surroundings.
The green lawn they passed through was silent and devoid of persons, well until they reached the backyard where a few people were, conversing and laughing.
Approaching closer, their figures grew more distinctive, causing Rena to stop on her tracks, stupefied at the sight of one person.
Estella.
How... How could she be here?
She couldn't believe her eyes for a moment.
Surprised, she stared.
And of course Estella noticed her too.
She had been waiting for her after all.
Forming a wide smile, she walked towards Rena, who stood stationary with a box in hand.
"Oh Rena, you are here."
There was no surprise on her tone, as if she had already expected her.
Rena was stunned.
Her brain had already made out a few things.
Willis... Was he involved in this? After all he was the one who gave her the list, leading her to this place.
But how? How had he predicted she'd come? How had he figured the timing of Aunt Martha's call? What about the absence of the co-worker who aided Aunt Martha, did he arrange for that also?
Rena was astounded and... Angry. Very. The deception was quite clever, they really used her kindness as a means to outsmart her. It was outrageous.
She clenched her teeth at Willis well-thought play and in turn glared at Estella.
"You designed me being here with the manager, didn't you?"
Estella didn't deny it. She laughed, clearly pleased.
"Of course, though I wanted to invite you by friendship but through our last meeting, I realized you won't agree so I had to choose another way."
Her eyes for a second turned fierce at the mention of their last meeting but soon she sneered, a hint of scorn in her voice.
"Besides, don't look so upset. This must be your first time in such a fine house, you should be glad."
Rena didn't want to listen to her nonsense. She shoved the meal box to her hands while stretching out the notepad she firmly held.
"I don't know your purpose in bringing me here but I came as a delivery person, so please sign so I can leave."
"Leave?" Estella wore a look of mockery as she glommed at her. "Do you think I would let you leave? Rena, you had and still is provoking me, tonight you must learn your lesson!"
The cruelty in her voice was unmistakable. Rena grew increasingly wary but wasn't chanced to speak further.
Estella suddenly called, her voice twice a pitch higher.
"Guys, look over here, guess who came!"
The other people behind who had been indulged in their own entertainment quickly turned towards their direction.
Mostly, their eyes roamed on the newcomer who came.
Rena, a bit flustered, stared back at them.
For a while, recognition flashed between their gazes.
Some gasped. "Isn't that Rena? Or am I seeing right?"
"It seems not perhaps but it's definitely the same face except a bit matured."
"Wait Estella, is this the person you said was on their way?"
"What? Why the hell is she on a worker's attire? Don't tell me she is a...."
A pause.
Everyone stared at the clothes Rena wore.
It was the attire the restaurant had given to servers, it was somewhat different from what the other staffs in the restaurant wore but the colors and designs were nearly similar.
The bold font on the outfit was visible and clear to the eyes, evidently displaying her identity.
A staff under the restaurant — obviously.
Rena frowned, now understanding Estella's intentions.
These people behind were her former classmates, precisely the ones who had bullied her a lot in the past. Rena remembered Estella being acquaintances with them. It was needless to say they wouldn't spend any effort in not ridiculing her tonight.
True to her thoughts, contempt, confusion and shock immediately clouded their expressions.
Rena felt a feeling of discomfort. Being amidst these presences, it was akin to a lamb between wolves. She just wanted to leave, she had no desire in remaining here any longer.
Estella cleared the silence, feeling the moment to 'kindly' explain come in.
She smirked at Rena for a while before looking forward upon the dumbfounded crowd.
"Ha. Rena here is indeed a worker, a server at my father's restaurant to be exact."
An uproar.
Realization dawned on their faces before all of them burst into laughs, a few sneering with no hesitation.
A woman, clad in a gaudy red dress walked over to Rena, a derisive smile on her face.
This face... Rena could remember her. It was Lois.
Their story began at an exam where she had not helped her in malpractice.
Lois had harboured a deep resentment for her due to that, cause because of her constant urges that day, the supervisor had caught her, brought her parents to school, making them all to lose face.
Rena had heard that her parents had beaten her up at home.
In the countryside, domestic violence was common but it seemed it went too far cause Lois had lost two tooth the next day. It was horrible.
Glancing at Lois now, she could still see the hate on her face. It was plain she had not let go of it.
Lois drew a contented visage as she eyed her. "Oh Rena, it's you. I almost didn't recognize you. What is it you said again years ago.... Oh yes, in the future I would become a surgeon, make a fortune and save lives but look at you, you don't even seem to be able to help yourself."
"..."
Her words brought about a round of laughter. More people left their seats and approached Rena.
The people in the yard weren't many. A crowd was an understatement. There were about six people, Estella, Rena herself and the maid totalling it nine.
But the space to her felt quite small and populated.
One stopped Infront of her faking sympathy. "Tsk. Never in my wildest dreams would I had thought to see you in such job. I mean you were the most intelligent in school and had won in a lot of competitions. You in this state is quite a pity but you did deserve it anyways. Maybe it's your karma for being such a annoying brat."
"Yes, those times we asked for your help but you stubbornly refused, now it's indeed your retribution. If you hadn't been so stubborn, wouldn't we have felt compassion and aided you now?"
A lot of voices. Rena didn't feel pained at their words, only a pang of discomfort until some certain words pierced through her drums.
It was Lois. She spoke tauntingly.
"Ah tell us, why did you leave school so suddenly? There were rumors you ran off with a man, is that true?"
Rena felt her skin chilled. She didn't want to listen anymore.
These words weren't it but they at least were some truths to it.
She had indeed disappeared because of a man. Because of what he had placed in her.
Her fists clenched.
She uttered coldly as she glanced at Estella who was smiling in satisfaction at the reviling words.
She spoke. "I had delivered the order as I intent to, whether you sign or not, I'm leaving."
She forced the box which Estella hadn't taken unto the maid's hands. Whether she received it or not, she was determined to leave.
She made to turn back only to hear Estella say, her tone filled with command and enjoyment.
"Joe, stop her. Don't let her get away."
Before she could react, a hand reached out, damped with sweat and dragged her strongly towards a seat.