6

Ayala was relieved to arrive at the potluck and seen no sign of Remi. Deep down, she wished that Remi had been fired and she would never see her again -that this last week had just been a bad dream.

But, she vowed, to take this opportunity to start her promotion to Sales Lead off right.

She remembered the speech she planned to give, and decided instead to speak with every team member at the potluck and give them their positive feedback directly. She didn’t feel like herself during the first two engagements, but by the third, she felt like Ayala Diner, soon to be face of the sales division at Thompson Cookware. Anytime she sensed a strange look or an interaction that felt off, she used her charm, wit, and smile to weave her way right past it. She felt like herself again.

She had just finished making her rounds when she spotted Mr. Thompson watching her. She had an instinct for when someone was monitoring her, natural to Dyani. She could feel the energy in the room, and was happy to be in control again.

Just as she turned around to have her final what-to-do with Mr. Thompson, Remi stepped right in front of her, a large pot she was holding the only thing between them. She hadn’t seen Remi coming and felt all the hair stand up on her body. Her sense of smell was overwhelmed next, as her nostrils were filled with the scent of…meat.

Ayala felt herself go slack jawed again, frozen in fear, of being this close to Remi. There was something about the smell that really set her instincts ablaze. Before she could speak, Remi pinched her on the ear, right where she’d been tagged twice before, and smiled.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t forget your SPECIAL dish.” Remi whispered.

Remi walked over to the center of the banquet table, and set her pot down. Ayala gasped so loudly at that the conversation in the room literally stopped. Ayala could not believe her eyes – Remi had been holding the Dyani-matic the entire time.

“Well, now that WE have everyone’s attention.” Remi announced, making sure to nod that the “we” included Ayala. “Thank you SO much for coming everyone! I do think that sharing a meal is the perfect way for this team to learn - what is it everyone? Say it loud now.”

“DO THE RIGHT THING AND TREAT EVERYONE HOW THEY SHOULD BE TREATED!” everyone in the office said, except Ayala. She never felt more alone, especially as she looked over for support from Lily, who she observed to be gleefully clapping, nodding, and chatting with several younger men she’s didn’t recognize – they must have been “the guys” Lily had mentioned on Monday.

“And in the spirit of family, and community, and everyone here understanding their place at Thompson Cookware, I’ve brought a special recipe passed down for generations….” Remi continued, pausing to build the anticipation. “I present to you…” Remi said with a flourish, as she lifted the lid, steam quickly escaping the Dyani-matic. “Scratch made, freshly harvested, slow cooked, fork tender venison stew!”

Ayala’s ears rang as her thoughts were drowned out with cheering and celebration. She felt glances quickly directed at her, hushed conversations, and laughter, but she just tried to remain still, only the feeling of her heavy breath in her chest keeping her from falling to the floor. She heard a familiar giggle and looked over to see Lily sharing a joke with one of the younger men - the only thing that differentiated him from the others was a nametag that said “Rob.” Ayala watched as she swore he pointed straight at her heart.

“Because, at the end of the day, when it comes to MEAT…” Remi zeroed in on Ayala and let the word “meat” linger in the room. “Who would want to bother with anything but the real thing?” Remi declared.

Ayala felt her dreams snatched at the screams of “that’s right!” and “as God intended!” from the same co-workers she had just shaken hands with moments earlier. She could feel Mr. Thompson’s glare on her, and saw his eyes process the seismic shift in the room. She had spent years developing the Dyani-matic to propel Thompson into the vegan space, and now, it was poised to do the opposite.

“And before anyone gets TOO carried away…” Remi continued. “Miss Dinner, could you come over here please?”

Ayala felt the embarrassment flush on her face as she felt hungry eyes pierced into her from every direction. She felt absolutely alone, and thought that it would be “the wrong thing to do” to correct Remi this time. Instead, she stared, wide eyed, broken, and soaking fucking wet.

“I said - and excuse me, honest mistake, of course…” Remi said, her tongue firmly planted in cheek. “Miss Dine-her, come over here. NOW.” Remi ordered.

Ayala felt her feet begin to walk before her brain could activate. She just didn’t want the attention on her. Not right now. Not like this. But she also couldn’t do nothing – so she decided to play along, and hope for the best.

Remi smiled and put an arm around Ayala, as they now stood together in front of the large pot of soon to be served venison stew.

“I just want to clarify, so no one’s feelings are hurt, that the venison in this dish is NOT Dyani…”

Ayala let out a sigh of relief. But then, even after going through this torturous week, she found herself surprised again to hear a few coworkers audibly groan with disappointment at this announcement. She just couldn’t believe there were people in this room who WANTED to eat her. She felt some of her wetness run down her leg, an orgasm clearly building within her.

“…but this is simply one of Ayala’s cousins I personally hunted last weekend. That being said, I assure you the animal is very fresh to the kill.” Remi said.

Ayala felt those last four words vibrate through her body. She felt herself shudder, letting out a small gasp, as her eyes started to roll in the back of her head. It would just take one touch to send her over the edge.

“Now, who can we fix a plate for first? Let’s go ahead and form a line.” Remi softly commanded.

Ayala simply stood and watched as her coworkers lined up in front of her to be served a dish that could just as easily have been her. She couldn’t believe she’d been reduced like this. She no longer wanted to be sales lead. She craved to be something else, entirely, forever.

“Oh, Ayala, darling, be a good doe and help me fix plates.” Ayala said, with a stern, dismissive stare.

Alaya felt her hand wander towards the ladle, before pulling it back. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t. As she looked down into the stew, she swore for a second she saw her own reflection looking back – seeing just her head, as if it were detached from her body.

She had to say something, anything, to break the tension, get out of this situation, and collect herself, before she ended up the next meal served in the Dyani-matic.

“Oh, I brought the mashed potatoes.” Ayala stammered out, the best she could think of to change the subject, looking around for Lily for backup. After scanning the room, she saw Lily was pinned against the wall with Rob’s tongue in her throat. Was she aroused by all this, too?

“REALLY?! How perfect!” Remi said, looking over the table, and finding the pot of Lily’s world famous mashed potatoes. She opened the lid and smiled. “Nothing will go BETTER with the venison. How thoughtful.” Remi said, sliding the pot over next to the pot of stew. She then smiled, and stuck her chest out, readying herself for another announcement.

“Did you hear that, everyone? Alyaa believes venison belongs right next to the mashed potatoes!” Remi practically screamed, and the office broke out in an uproar of excitement.

Ayala decided not to move, or speak, or do anything to make this worse. She quietly noticed that this decision made her resemble a stuffed trophy, and nearly orgasmed at the thought.

Remi took a dollop of mashed potatoes and made a thick bed, before scooping a hearty portion of stew on top. Remi then smiled and handed the plate towards Ayala, while gesturing to look to her left.

Ayala looked and saw Mr. Thompson standing first in line. She looked over at Remi again, and tried to shake her head no. But, the look Remi gave Ayala made her so uncomfortable, was so full of darkness and disdain and hatred for her, that Ayala decided it would be best to do anything but challenge her.

Ayala gulped, took the plate, and quickly put on her most docile look, serving the plate to Mr. Thompson.

“Fork.” was all he said in response.

Ayala scrambled to find a fork, and helplessly watched as he carefully stabbed into the venison, mixed in the mashed potatoes with the venison gravy, gravy very much like her own, and slid it into his mouth.

“Delicious.” He said, staring into Ayala’s doe eyes, a look of a predator flashing in his gaze, returning from a long slumber. “This product really is going to shape the future of Thompson, Ayala. Just not in the way you thought.” Mr Thompson said, before scooping another bite of venison into his mouth, a decision being made in his mind about Ayala’s future. He then looked over at Remi and gave a nod. “Compliments to the chef. You’ve really opened my eyes, Remi.”

Remi gave the softest thank you as Mr. Thompson left the line, another coworker eagerly stepping in his place. Ayala looked up and through her blurry vision could only make out “Rob” on the nametag. She looked around in a panic for Lily, but she was nowhere in sight.

“It’s so nice to meet you. Lily’s told me so much about you.” Rob said.

Ayala realized she must’ve misjudged him. She smiled and extended her hand for a handshake, but he simply stood there, waiting. Remi stepped in and placed a fresh plate of venison stew in Ayala’s empty hand, and just as quickly, Rob picked it up. She watched as he mixed in the flavor of her best friend’s signature dish with the meat of one of her cousins, and took a forkful into his mouth.

“Damn. The only thing that would taste better than this would be, well…” He slowly squinted, his eyes zeroing in on Ayala’s heart once more, which beat wildly through her chest. She became overwhelmed, and felt herself begin to faint. A hand caught her, and she hypnotically turned, any ability for self-preservation lost for the moment.

“Hey, maybe you should sit down.” Lily’s voice said. “You look like you’re going to be sick.”

Ayala just nodded, and staggered to a a dark corner of the potluck area to sit by herself. She watched coworker after coworker line up, eagerly accept a plate of venison, and take their time enjoying their meal. Every single one of them flashed her a glance as they ate, and she but could tell in their expressions that something had changed.

She would never be their equal again.

Ayala looked down at the floor, and began working on her resignation letter in her mind. She would quit today, quietly, and take a long break before finding a safe, quiet job that just hired Dyani. The world was not what it used to be. There was no one left she could trust.

Ayala felt a familiar presence and saw Lily sit next to her. She noticed that Lily only had mashed potatoes, spinach salad, and a few slices of cucumber on her plate.

“I’m a vegetarian. What about you?” Lily said, lightheartedly.

Me too.” Ayala said, giggling to herself for a second. She had nearly forgotten what joy had felt like.

“But, Lily, how could you give the Dyani-matic to Remi? Don’t you see what she’s done?” Ayala stressed.

“Brought people together? Don’t you see it, Ayala? The Dyani-matic is a huge success, just like you’ve always wanted! Just look around!” Lily jovially said.

Ayala scanned the room. She had never seen the team of the 38th floor of Thompson Cookware share such a moment. Everywhere she looked, she saw joy, satisfaction, pleasure, connection, and togetherness.

“I can’t believe you’re saying this, but, you’re clearly right.” Ayala admitted.

“RIGHT! You said it, girl! It’s because…come on Ayala, say it with me…the RIGHT thing to do is…”

“…treat others the way they SHOULD be treated.” A familiar voice said. Ayala and Lily looked up and saw Remi standing over them, a personal sized Thompson pan in her hands. “Happy potluck day, Ayala. I told you I made you a special dish, didn’t I?” Remi softly teased.

Ayala felt herself start to stand up, to run, but Lily placed a hand on Ayala’s shoulder – warm, comforting, safe. Ayala decided to trust her friend. As Remi removed the foil covering, Ayala’s eyes widened and her mouth watered at the sight of homemade carrot soufflé.

“I told her it was your favorite.” Lily whispered, beaming.

Ayala shot a look of betrayal at Lily.

“What? We are in this together, right Remi? We are here to do the RIGHT thing.” Lily convinced.

“Yes, well said Lily. You’re coming along nicely, I must say.” Remi affirmed, before looking back at Ayala, a hypnotic, controlling look in her eye. “Now, we mustn’t have you get too lean, Miss Dine-Her, otherwise you’ll lose that A grade.” Remi said with a wink. “Eat.” Remi commanded.

“You’ll always be an A grade with me, Ayala!” Lily confirmed.

Ayala didn’t know what to say, or do, in response. Her body was in shock, her brain was fried, her wits were at an end. She decided that trying to keep her senses on an empty stomach was a fool’s errand, and she’d best just eat and then plan her next move.

Ayala took the entire tray of carrot souffle and a fork from Remi. She was nearly overwhelmed by the burst of flavor in the first bite – it was just incredible. She had another, and then another. She lost herself in the perfection of the dish, realizing that Remi was an incredible cook. This, somehow, made Ayala wet again, and her eyes wandered to see the same look of satisfaction on her co-workers faces, and realized that the venison must be just as delicious.

She wondered about the look on their faces if they were having HER for lunch, instead. She allowed herself to lose herself in this fantasy, dreaming of being portioned out and eaten by each and every one of them, any other purpose in her existence long forgotten. She became so lost in lust, just as she was thirteen years ago, that she barely noticed the commotion as Remi stood next to Mr. Thompson, shaking hands. She was giving some type of speech about how she’d continue to shape the culture of Thompson as the new…

…Sales Lead.

She would be Ayala’s direct supervisor now and have even more control over her. No, she wouldn’t, Ayala decided, as this would be her last day at Thompson. She set the now empty pan of souffle down next to her, and took one long, last look around the place she’d called her second home for thirteen years. Just as she went to stand, a familiar shadow came over her, one that had been cast over her destiny for nearly a week.

“Well, well, well. Someone was hungry. I do hope I’ve done my part to fatten you up just a little bit, Miss Dinner.”

“It was delicious.” Ayala said, matter of factly. There was no point in going back and forth with Remi any longer; Ayala wouldn’t be coming back. With that realization, Ayala felt she finally had the upper hand on Remi, for once.

“Yes, well, I’m a bit religious when it comes to food…”Remi said. “It’s the ultimate transfer of power, from one state of existence to the next, and as such, it deserves to be held in the highest regard.” Remi contemplated. “It’s really wonderful how things worked out, isn’t it? Now that I’m your lead, there’s no denying what happens next. I will help you achieve your true purpose in this world...” Remi said

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” Ayala said, a tinge of flirtation in her voice, knowing this would be her last interaction with Remi, ever. She would win this “hunt” that had been going on all week without even stepping foot in the forest.

Remi slid her hand on Ayala’s right oblique, releasing a surge of adrenaline and sexuality Ayala had never felt before. Ayala wasn’t sure if Remi KNEW or not, but it didn’t matter. She was white fucking hot, dripping wet, and offered no resistance as Remi pulled her so close that Remi could taste her.

“I will make you into the only thing you and your kind were ever meant to be. The thing you’ve quietly craved your entire life. By the end, YOU will be the one to admit to ME that the only purpose you EVER had in this world was to be MY fucking dinner.” Remi said into Ayala’s ear.

When Remi released Ayala, she crumbled to the floor, panting, her hand quivering as it ached to slide down her pants and deep inside her.

“I thought so. Taste you soon, little doe.” Remi confirmed, a look of disdain flashing on her face as she briskly walked away.

Ayala had never craved an orgasm more than she did in that moment, and she literally sat on her hands to stop herself from further embarrassment. She studied the room, and found that most of her co-workers had left. She didn’t know what time it was, where she was, and worst yet, who she was. She looked around the room for any sense of normalcy, and finally saw Lily, who was sitting in Rob’s lap.

Rob scooped up a forkful of venison stew and lifted it to Lily’s lips, and she shook her head no, her lips clamped closed, her nose scrunched up in disgust. Ayala watched as Rob assertively teased, flirted, and pleaded with Lily, trying to wear down her resistance. Ayala’s heart broke when she saw that familiar “go with the flow” eye-roll from Lily that she’d seen so many times before.

“Just one.” Lily’s lips said.

Ayala’s didn’t hear Lily, being so far away, but she knew what she said, and the symmetry in using the same words Ayala had uttered last night, in a similar moment of resistance, and then surrender, was too fucking hot to ignore. Ayala’s hand slid right into her pants, giving her cunt a gentle rub. All of Ayala’s other senses immediately turned off, and she, with bated breath, she just watched as Rob slid a small bite of venison toward Lily’s mouth. Lily kept her eyes closed tight as her red lips slightly parted, allowing the flesh so similar to her best friend to enter her mouth.

Ayala’s edging intensified as Lily slowly chewed. She watched, and moaned quietly, as Lily’s eyes shot open, impossibly wide, and she looked over at Rob with an expression first full of wonder, then, of satisfaction, and lastly, of a primal hunger. Ayala slipped a finger inside herself; fuck it, she was quitting anyway, and then another, as she watched Lily swallow the meat, take the fork, and make herself a second bite – complete with her famous mashed potatoes.

Ayala’s body convulsed as she quietly orgasmed on the floor, watching as Lily took the plate, her best friend’s look of innocence washed away with a determined look of a predator. Ayala finished her orgasm with a loud exhale of relief, and was able to slide her hand out of her pants just as Lily looked over. Ayala saw Lily’s head turn slightly to the side as she chewed, as if she was seeing Ayala for the first time – or saw her for the first time as something *else*.

Ayala felt the post-orgasm guilt rush over her worse than she’d ever experienced, and decided now was the time to make a discreet exit. She steadied herself, wiped her cum off on her pant leg, and rushed out of the office. She started to cry as she hit the street, but was relieved that her nightmare was finally over.

Back on the 38th floor, Remi stood in a dark corner, finishing her last bite of venison stew, before tossing her plate thoughtlessly in the trash. A bleached white grin flashed on her face as she shook her head, processing what she’d just seen. She licked her lips, and walked over to Mr. Thompson’s office, knocked quietly twice, and let herself in.

“Good afternoon, Sir. I’d like to get RIGHT to work on what changes we SHOULD make.”