“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 133

**Chapter 5: Do you even know who I am?**

Josie made her way downstairs to the dining room. She couldn’t wait to see what these *‘favorite dishes’* were. In the five years she was in this family; never once did they ask her about favorite foods. In fact, they didn’t take the time to learn anything about her. As she made her way to the table, the strong smell of seafood shot up her nose.

There were several different seafood dishes. Fried red snapper, blue crab, chilled shrimp over ice, and grilled lobster tails. All of this would have been great if not for Josie's seafood allergy. Josie had a serious allergic reaction to seafoods; one bite off the wrong kind and her throat would immediately close up. She wondered who’s idea it was to serve these dishes. Just then, the family all came into the dining room. Vanessa was the first to speak.

*“Josie!!! I’m so happy you’re home!!!”*

A Vanessa bounced over causing Josie to take two steps back. She didn't want to touch her. She was already hip to Vanessa’s little games. One hug could turn into a drastic fall. As soon as she backed away, Vanessa’s face fell. Guess it was time for the waterworks. As if on cue, Vanessa began to cry.

*“Josie…I…I’m sorry for trying to hug you. I was just so happy to see you, but I guess you hate me now. It’s okay…I deserve it!!”*

Suddenly, Jamie spoke up.

*“Ness!! That’s not true!! Don’t say that!”*

Vanessa began sobbing louder.

*“No Jamie! It’s okay! I understand if Josie hates me now!!”*

Josie stood in silence. She was immune to this shit show by now. Jamie looked up at Josie in a panic.

*“Josie! Tell Vanessa you’re sorry for not letting her hug you! Tell her that you don’t hate her!”*

Josie looked at Jamie and raised an eyebrow. His face became ashen. Why wasn’t she saying anything? Any other time when this happened, Josie would immediately apologize and explain. Now, her expression was just blank.

Suddenly, Harold spoke up.

*“Got dammit Josie! Do you plan on making us all miserable! You just got here and already the family is in chaos!!”*

Laura began plead with Harold.

*“I’m sure Josie didn’t mean anything by it! Right Josie?”*

These fucking clowns. Josie hadn’t said two words and yet in an instant, it was poor Vanessa and mean Josie. Christian spoke next.

*“Josie, just apologize to Vanessa so we can all eat. She even went out of her way to pick all of your favorite foods. The least you could do is say thank you.”*

Josie looked over at Christian. Still thinking about the bruises on her back, his eyes instantly averted from hers.

*“Exactly what am I apologizing for?”*

Everyone fell silent for a moment unable to answer that question. Exactly what had she done? Jamie tried to give an explanation.

*“Y-You…well you made Ness cry.”*

*“How?”*

*“How what?”*

*“How did I make ‘Ness’ cry? Did I hit her? Did I yell at her? Did I take something from her? How did I make her cry?”*

Jamie’s face reddened from embarrassment. He had no way of answering that question.

*“W-Well…”*

Just then, Christian jumped back in.

*“Look…let’s just all move on. Vanessa picked your favorite foods. Say thank you and let’s eat.”*

Josie almost wanted to laugh, this family would rather eat crushed glass than admit they were wrong.

*“I’m afraid I won’t be dining with you all this evening.”*

Reaching his breaking point, Harlod began to yell.

*“This!! This is what we’re talking about!!! So ungrateful!!! Your poor sister went out her way to make sure the cooks prepared all your favorite foods and instead of you being grateful you want to leave.”*

Josie looked at her father with a black expression. That pissed him off more than anything. No more were the adoring eyes of a daughter desperate for his love.

*“Mr. Taylor…I’m skipping dinner tonight because I have a severe allergic to seafood. Something I expressed over five years ago.”*

Before Harold could say something, Josie continued.

*“A fact of which I’m sure you probably forgot being as to how it was so long ago. The fact that it can literally kill is of no matter.”*

Harold’s face fell. He had no idea she was allergic to seafood. He quickly tried to replay a time she may have told him, each time coming up blank. Suddenly Laura spoke,

*“I-It was an accident Josie. We didn’t know. We can have the cooks make something else.”*

Josie smiled eerily bright at Laura causing a slight chill down her spine. Her daughter’s face was so lifeless now.

*“You knew Mrs. Taylor because I told you multiple times. The proper terminology would be that you forgot, and as I said…I can understand you forgetting something as unimportant as a food that can kill me.”*

Laura’s face paled. Was that how Josie saw this? More importantly…was it true?

Finally, she turned back to her three siblings.

*“Although I’m not sure why you thought it was my absolute favorite, I thank you for the efforts of cooking my ‘favorite’ meals.”*

Josie’s eyes were icy, causing Vanessa to look away nervously. This hadn’t gone the way she thought it would. Josie looked over at Christian.

*"Will that apology be suffice enough for Ms. Taylor? I can do another if it’s not."*

Christian’s face harden. Josie was doing this on purpose, but it was also what they asked for. Finally, she turned to Jamie.

*“As you young Mr. Taylor…I’m not sure if you’ve figured out what I could have possibly done to upset Ms. Taylor, but if you’re referring to my stepping back. Right now, due to the injuries on my back, it’s uncomfortable to hug.”*

Jamie’s face fell ashen; he had no idea she was covered in back bruises!

*“Josie…I didn’t…”*

*“Of course you didn’t…because you never asked. You assumed, and then I got fused at for all of your assumptions. Well, at least that much has stayed the same all these years.”*

With that, Josie turned around and left, leaving the family feeling embarrassed. The servants all shook their heads as they watched it unfold. Over the years, they always felt bad for Josie. Everyone in the house knew Vanessa was the one that murdered that person, and even after taking the fall, the Taylors still treated her like an outsider.

Laura was the first to speak.

*“Vanessa…why did you go out your way to tell me several times seafood was Josie’s favorite?”*

Vanessa’s eyes widen with shock, her little dinner plan to make Josie uncomfortable completely backfired. Scrambling for an answer, Vanessa began to cry.

*“Mom…I’m so sorry!! I honestly forgot!!! I was just trying to make her feel at home!!! I’m sorry!!!”*

Harlod chimed in before Laura could say anything.

*“She just forgot Laura! Hell…it was years ago! I don’t remember everything from that far-”*

*“But we remember our other children’s allergies Harold. Just saying…she lost four years of her life…it would have been nice to at least remember her favorite foods.”*

Everyone stood in shock as Laura left the room. Vanessa was seething on the inside, never had her mother got upset with her before; much less over Josie! Jamie rubbed her back.

*“Don’t fret Ness. Josie will be okay…she always is.”*

Harold looked over at Christian.

*“Do you know anything about those supposed bruises on her back.”*

Christian looked at his father, his expression uncomfortable.

“They aren’t *'suppose'*. I’ve seen them.”