That following Monday, Lily walked into her best friend’s office, without knocking, as she always had, but found it empty. It wasn’t like Ayala to not answer Lily’s texts, especially for an entire weekend. Lily had a sinking feeling in her stomach, and quietly cried at her office as she feared the worst – Ayala’s final text still ringing in her mind.

Lily joined her co-workers of the 38th floor as the workday concluded, setting her world famous mashed potatoes on the banquet table as Remi had requested. It was very different to have a meeting at the end of a workday, but Remi had approached Thompson very differently from the moment she had arrived. As they waited, conversation turned to the sudden absence of Ayala. Some speculated she simply quit over not becoming Sales Lead. Some gossiped that she was forced out. There was even a joke or two that Remi had eaten her, with laughter being shared amongst her former peers regarding how good she must’ve tasted.

Just as before, Remi entered the party last. She beamed as she carried the Dyani-matic pot in her hands, setting it in the center of the banquet table. The flavor from the pot immediately attracted everyone's attention. It had the same delicious aroma as last week, and somehow, it was instinctively familiar.

Remi took a moment to make eye contact with each individual in the room, nodding to Mr. Thompson last, before speaking.

“Thank you so much for staying until the end of a workday – especially a Monday – to participate in this very special event I’ve planned. It really, really means a lot to see how much this group has bonded forever under a common identity. But, as I always say, and can we say it together, everyone?” Remi raised her hands.

“THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS TO TREAT EVERYONE HOW THEY SHOULD BE TREATED!” The staff of the 38th floor of Thompson Cookware said proudly together.

“Perfect! With that in mind, as my first act as Sales Lead, I spent the weekend preparing a VERY special recipe, one that has generations of tradition in my family. Last week, I had to make it with a small alteration, but tonight, I’m able to share it with you all EXACTLY as it was passed down to me.

A hush came over the room at the implication.

"So, without further ado, I present to you...FRESHLY harvested, office to table, your very own - Ayala Venison Stew!"

Remi lifted the lid with a flash to reveal a steaming pot of Ayala stew, her meat still simmering, her muscle breaking down into fork tender flesh.

There was a hush that came over the employees of Thompson Cookware - disbelief. This repose was broken by a gasp, as Remi revealed Ayala's stuffed, lifeless head, displayed on a plaque, and mounted it above the pot of stew.

It was one thing for the assembled masses to joke, tease, and even envision eating Ayala. It was another to see her helpless, defeated gaze staring back from the plaque that simply read "Miss Dinner, Nov 2025." Some of them had worked with her for years. Many considered her a friend, at least, before they met Remi.

Just as before, Mr. Thompson approached first, but this time, he walked over with reluctance. He stared into Ayala’s blank eyes, shook his head, and sighed. In a lot of ways, Ayala was like a daughter to him. His expression told a story of disappointment than anything else.

He looked down to see Remi had fixed him a plate, just as before, with a mashed potato base, and a hearty portion of Ayala stew served on top.

“Try a bite.” Remi flirted, offering him the plate.

Mr. Thompson pondered for a few seconds, before he shrugged and scooped a bite of Ayala’s tender flesh into her mouth. His eyes widened and he nodded with carnal pleasure as he savored her flavor. He nearly took a second bite before stopping to speak.

This is the best meat I’ve EVER had, the depth of the flavor is incredible!” Mr. Thompson remarked. “But how did you do it? She was so much older?” he questioned.

“It’s this special pot. There’s something about it that really brings out the flavor in Dyani. I think it’s because she wasted so much time trying to perfect it for the vegetables that she enjoyed, that the only ingredient that meshed with it perfectly, was, well, herself.” Remi joked, flashing a smile.

“Well said. You’re right. This is really just-“

“…Perfect, Mr. Thompson. Just perfect. And if you ask me – THIS is the future of your company, not going vegan, or woke, but back to your roots. It’s marketing THIS product, to the next generation of Dyani hunters – and what better way to convince people that the RIGHT thing to do is to eat Dyani than share this very pot was invented by a Dyani who was cooked and served in it?” Ayala pitched.

Mr. Thompson heard cheering behind him, and felt the pulse of the moment. The path of his company was now set, ironically, with Ayala as the face of it – just not in the way she expected. He walked over to stare into her eyes one final time, before looking over at Remi, noticing a line had formed – Ayala’s fate had been accepted by the workers of Thompson Cookware and they were ready to have their serving of tonight’s dinner.

“You know, for a while, I think I forgot who I am.” Mr. Thompson pondered. “Where I’ve come from. Thank you. You’ve done us all a service, really.” Mr. Thompson affirmed, finishing his plate and giving his blessing for plates of Ayala stew to be passed around.

“You know what…”Remi said, grabbing at Mr. Thompson’s arm softly. “Why don’t you keep her? She was so special to you, and having her head mounted in your office will be a constant reminder of how Dyani SHOULD be treated…” Remi suggested, a soft smile behind her teeth.

“Are you sure?” Mr. Thompson said, his hands already reaching to claim their prize.

“Oh, of course. Besides…”Remi said, before leaning in to whisper. “I much prefer the leg and hip bones, myself. They make better soup.” Remi teased , her tongue jutting out between her teeth.

Remi and Mr. Thompson shared a laugh, before he took Ayala’s head, and a second helping of her meat, to his office.

Over the next half an hour, every worker on the 38th floor of Thompson Cookware had a helping, or two, of Ayala’s meat. They all complimented her flavor, and brainstormed ways to best market their new pot. They would rebrand their image entirely with a campaign to normalize the idea that Dyani were meant to be eaten. Remi’s transition of the culture of this office was nearly complete.

There was just one person left who felt differently. Lily slowly walked over, tears in her eyes, looking down at what was left of her best friend, cooking in the pot she helped invent.

"She was my best friend..." Lily said, before bursting into tears. “I…just can’t believe this…”

The camaraderie of the 38th floor was challenged for a moment. Rob walked over from behind Lily and gave her a hug, his teeth chewing loudly through a thick portion of Ayala’s flesh, a smug smile on his face.

“Don’t be sad, babe. She signed up for this. The dumb doe probably wanted to be eaten.” Rob said flatly.

“I just can’t believe that. I KNEW HER. She would never…” Lily whimpered.

"Rob is right..." Remi interjected. "I have something she wanted you to see."

Remi pulled out her phone, turned the volume all the way up, scrolled to a saved video, and handed Lily her phone. Lily stood transfixed as she watched Alaya feverishly masturbate in the forest, complete with her screaming out in ecstasy as she came. The video ended just as Ayala caught her breath, and Remi reached for her bow.

"She...wanted this?!" Lily whispered, shocked, processing what she had just witnessed. She felt Remi’s phone lift from her hand by Rob, who took a turn to watch it himself.

"Thank you for making your mashed potatoes again, Lily, really. It means so much to Ayala to be served on top of them." Remi said, as she made a bed of mashed potatoes, and then scooped a hearty portion of Ayala stew that she carefully laid on top.

"This is where Dyani like her belong. On a plate." Remi said, before putting on her warmest smile, and handing the plate to Lily.

Lily stared down at her plate and felt her mouth begin to water. She felt her hand tremble as she slowly lifted the fork into her hand and began to scoop up a bite. She was startled, momentarily, by the commotion behind her as the video of Ayala's last orgasm was passed around the office –she heard laughter, cheering, and some ridicule about how pathetic Ayala really was.

"Go on." Remi assured.

“I think her feeling would be hurt if you didn’t eat her, babe. Besides, I’m your best friend now, right?” Rob convinced.

"Well...she WAS just a Dyani, after all." Lily concluded, taking a forkful of Ayala's flesh, mixed perfectly with her signature potatoes, into her mouth. Lily's eyes widened as a rush of flavor soaked her tongue, her gaze looking back at Remi, who shared a nod.

"She's…absolutely delicious. I had no idea." Lily remarked, before quickly fixing herself a second bite.

As she did, she quickly wiped her tears from her face, letting the moisture flick from her hand and left discarded on the ground. Lily took one last look at the pot of Ayala stew, her expression of compassion changed to indifference, then acceptance, and finally, a curious satisfaction.

"Thank you, Remi. You've really open my eyes on what the RIGHT thing to do is. Ayala really got what she SHOULD’VE fucking Doe-served all along.” Lily joked, a bitterness flashing in her eyes. “It has a sort of ring to it, doesn’t it Remi?” Lily wondered.

"Oh, Lily. You’re right. All of you are SO right." Remi said, happily, as she looked around the office, her work complete.

Two weeks later, Remi was gone from Thompson Cookware, claiming she had been offered a “dream assignment” she just couldn’t refuse. The staff of Thompson Cookware tried not to forget her, but they realized the only thing they knew about her was the impact she made on them and the culture of the company. Her only parting gift was an offer of Ayala's heart - which Rob eagerly accepted on behalf of Lily and prepared as a romantic dinner for two.

Ayala’s head provided a firm reminder of the legacy Remi had left – as it was now mounted in Mr. Thompson’s office. Ayala’s helpless, vacant eyes now had a permanent view of the portraits of his father and grandfather, as she was displayed directly across from them, a juxtaposition of the ongoing history of predators and prey.

Lily was surprisingly promoted to become the new Sales Lead in the wake of Remi’s departure, as she was able to make a pitch that no one else could – she helped invent their now signature product. As she traveled from business to business, Lily found a knack for embellishment to close her sales – her soft, innocent face hardening from the deceit she practiced daily. She told her “true story” of how her “so called best friend” secretly only wanted one purpose in life – being served as dinner. Lily enthralled audiences as she told them that she “discovered Ayala’s secret all on her own” and only helped “that stupid Dyani” perfect the pot so one day she could cook her in it – and one fateful day, she did exactly that.

Just as Ayala had dreamed, she was now the face of Thompson Cookware – as each box of their new signature product had a cartoonish rendering of her face, complete with her now signature vacant stare on every box. Underneath it, a caption read “Developed by one of their own!” with a warning: “Caution: Dyani meat is delicious and should be enjoyed often!”

Finally, at the top, a new name for the “Dyani-matic” was listed, as the original name was scrapped by Lily, as she’d come up with one she felt was “more fitting.” Instead, in bold letters, at the front of the box, it read:

“MISS DINNER'S DOE-SERVED IT POT"