Death is Only the Beginning

The Dinner Embarrassment

Casey was so  damn tired and already regretting coming here in Sandra's stead. Her roomate would have a lot of apologising to do when Casey got back, that was for sure.  All the girls did was talk, talk, talk on their phones in their rooms or chat about nonsequencial things that bored her out of her skull.  Rihanna was still arguing with Kenneth their voices rising and falling consistently. It was quite awkward actually and she was debating whether to just go for a hike or go downstairs and grab something to eat. Her stomach growled loudly making the decision for her as she gave a chuckle and headed out into the hallway. Surely there was food in the kitchen easy to prepare. Hell she didn't even care if it was noodles in a cup. Anything would do right now. Especially if it was quick and easy and gave her a chance to duck back into her room away from these entitled and rather disgraceful women. 

"I'm so hungry" Candy wailed dramatically. Or at least Casey thought it was Candy to be honest she was bad with names and faces. It would be embarrassing to have to ask though so she kept quiet. Surely it would come to her at some stage anyway. Besides they would only know each other for a few days. It wasn't exactly the end of the world. 

"I heard the cook in the kitchen making something" the other girl Sandy? was saying as she joined them as well."Cant't you smell the food cooking from the kitchen. Whatever it is it smells fantastic" she exclaimed. 

"Huh" Casey said "I guess there was a cook provided after all. I thought it would be a fend for yourself sort of thing to be honest."

Both girls looked at her incredulously "did you really think we would have to cook for ourselves? "

Yes said Casey silently in her head and rolling her eyes, because that is what most people do. Normal people can cook and prepare meals, these women were almost helpless and it was almost laughable at just how much they depended on other people for things they were more than capable of doing themselves. Because otherwise they would starve instead of being able to feed themselves. They were not aware of the harsh reality, hidden away in their mansions were they? This was so beyond normal life that it was astonishing to Casey how much her life was different to theirs. 

They had just made it downstairs when Rihanna came storming down, a very silent and furious Kenneth following behind, his face as hard as stone as he glared at the back of his wife. You could cut the tension with a knife thought Casey. So much for that relaxing vacation. 

"I'm hungry" Rihanna hissed, turning back and glaring at her husband "otherwise I would still be yelling at you." Her tone was derisive and cold as her husband merely shrugged. "Thank god for small mercies then" he said sarcastically as she gave a loud hurrumph and stormed into the dining room, everyone else coming up behind her cautiously as though she was a rabid bear that could attack at the merest thing provoking it. This was ridicuous thought Casey. Well if Rihanna thought she was going to walk around on tiptoes around her because of her bad temper and attitude, then she was sadly mistaken. If it was anything Casey hated more it was someone who put everyone else in a bad mood because they were. It sucked. 

"She's just as bad if not worse" she heard Candy whisper to Sandy. 

"No she's definitely worse" Sandy agreed her voice hushed as well. "She's still just the angry bitter woman she's always been, just more aggressive."

The dining table was long and wooden with handcrafted timber dining seats covered in a soft plush cover and cushion. Although not exactly the height of luxury it was practical and Casey thought it had a rustic feel to it. She felt right at home anyway. There was no sign of the cook though but the table had been set up with little place cards and cutlery prepared, all of them finding their assigned seats and waiting to see what was going on. Whatever was cooking was delicious, Casey more than a little excited to see what it was. Her stomach was already growling in anticipation. If there was one thing Casey enjoyed it was delicious food, especially if she didn't have to cook it herself. 

Finally the kitchen door opened and the cook came bustling out "My apologies for the delay" she said in a french accent "I had to use the bathroom."

They all just smiled as she began to serve them plates with a cold Caesar chicken salad with the most delectable dressing. Slices of bread were given, rustic white freshly made, the butter fairly melted on it and Casey gave a moan as she bit into it. 

"It's delicious Ms" she began as the cook gave her a large smile and friendly nod. 

"I'm so glad you like it" she exclaimed "My name is Isabelle."

They all muttered their names around the table, Casey the only one polite enough to thank her for her efforts. She felt isolated as she sat at the end of the table, the other's in their small group talking to each other and reminiscing about their years at Stanford together. Isabelle continued to flit in and out, her black braid beginning to come undone and her body glistening with sweat as she brought out the main meal and disposed of the appetisers.  The only one who even made an effort to at least look at Casey and talk to her was Kenneth and he was too far away to be able to hold a normal conversation with her unless he wanted to shout across the table which would have been extremely rude and most likely anger or upset the others at the table. 

Casey loved the main meal just as much. Nothing beat southern fried chicken with creamy mashed potatoes and some sort of homemade sauce. She dug in, happily feeding her hungry stomach while the other women looked at her scandalous.

"Are you really going to eat all that" Rihanna said nastily "I mean aren't you at least a little concerned about your figure.I don't see you as the type to work out to get it off. "

Casey opened her mouth to retort but Kenneth's voice filled the air with anger "leave her alone Rihanna. Christ it's like you live to put down people. Let her eat in peace" his voice fairly thundered through the room and Casey saw Rihanna struck dumb, sitting mutely with her fork in her hand and looking down at her plate thoroughly chastised. 

Good for you Kenneth thought Casey approvingly. Just to spite Rihanna she made a point of eating every single morsel on her plate and moaning with delight at the sheer deliciousness of it all and the way the food was so tender, some of it almost melting on her tongue. 

Isabelle was well pleased when she collected the plates "enjoyed it then" she beamed at Casey. Casey was the only one she smiled at, very happy to have someone enjoy her cooking. Especially someone so polite! It made a refreshing change. She was definitely not like the other air headed girls sitting at the table. No, this girl was very polite and so well mannered. It was a shame really, she felt very sorry about what she was about to go through, wishing she could warn the poor girl, but orders were orders and she had to obey them sadly if she wanted to keep her job and it paid to well for her to want to even remotely put it at risk. 

"It was so good" Casey moaned "the best fried chicken I've ever had. Is it a state secret or could I please have the recipe" she begged as Isabella laughed. 

"I bring you the recipe with dessert" she promised "it's simple but lovely I promise."

"Thankyou" Casey told her sincerely. She really liked this woman. Shame the other's thought they were superior to her. Isabelle was a lovely woman, extremely hard working and friendly despite the rudeness of the others in the room. Kenneth was the only one she had seen even acknowledgeable the cook. Rihanna of course simply turned her nose up and pretended Isabelle simply didn't exist. 

True to form when Isabelle wheeled the dessert trolley in, she handed Casey a small piece of paper with ingredients and instructions on it. Casey was profusely thankful as Isabelle just winked at her. She couldn't wait to try this recipe out at home. It even looked quite simple which she was glad of, she was no corden bleu chef that was for sure. 

Isabelle had done the best she could to ensure that Casey was not going to be affected by what she had done as well as Kenneth. She was betting on them both eating the chocolate cakes judging by their healthy appetites unlike those girls who had eaten like birds and leaving so much food on their plates. It was insulting and very off putting to see that much food wasted like that. 

"I must leave now" Isabelle informed them as she gestured at the trolley loaded up with desserts "will be back tomorrow to prepare your meals."

"How are you leaving?" Casey asked genuinely curious. They had been told that there were no more ferries for the week which evidently meant no one else was coming, something that seemed to have slipped the other's minds completely so absorbed in themselves they had yet to come to that conclusion.

"Helicopter take me" Isabelle said briefly as they began to hear the whirring sound of a rotor from a helicopter close by. "I have family to look after so cannot stay the night" she explained, grabbing her stuff and rushing out the door. Well that was definitely odd, who took a helicopter to work and back? The company the woman worded for must be very well off and valued her, if her cooking was anything to go by then Casey could easily see just how much of an asset a great cook like her could be. 

Casey eyed off the chocolate mud cake as well as the small bowls of sorbet provided. Chocolate cake prevailed and she swiftly placed the small piece in front of her and scooped a spoon full into her mouth.  The flavour of a sweet and milky chocolate combined with a moist chocolate cake made her moan in ecstasy, the rest of the group silent at their end of the table. Kenneth was next to take a piece of cake, giving Casey a smile as he sat and began to enjoy it, the other women looking dejected. 

"It's really nice" Casey assured them. They just looked at her. Well clearly they disagreed. Screw it she was going to eat it and enjoy it. Hell maybe she would eat two just because she could. 

"Sorbet" Rihanna said to Sandy who nodded and got up, grabbing three sorbet's and placing them in front of herself, Rihanna and Sandy.

Guess it's too fattening for them thought Casey with a sigh. Oh well at least Kenneth was enjoying the cake as well. She sat back and patted her full stomach, eyeing off the dishes and sighing. Without a doubt Casey knew she would be cleaning them. A quick glance at everyone's nails and she was dismayed to find herself even wondering if they knew how to. She really didn't want to be doing dishes every night but on the other hand she wasn't going to be leaving them for poor Isabelle to do either. I'll get up when everyone's finished she thought with a groan. Man she was full. It didn't stop her from managing to down another piece of chocolate cake though just like she had thought about, unable to resist the sweet goodness and temptation of it right there in front of her. 

The girls finished as Kenneth ate his last mouthful, chatting idly amongst themselves until they all heard the loudest growl ever come from Candy who blushed. "Sorry" she stammered, clutching her stomach suddenly as everyone backed away "I don't know what's wrong I hardly ate anything." Her stomach began to issue more growls as she winced and moaned, suddenly making a bolt upstairs shrieking and whimpering. Her bedroom door fairly slammed shut as everyone else looked at each other. Oh no thought Casey.

Sandy was the next to run upstairs, holding her stomach and crying, A very angry and cursing Rihanna next. Only Kenneth and Casey remained, both seemingly unaffected by whatever was happening to the others.

"I feel fine" Casey said.

"Me too" Kenneth was puzzled "but I ate everything the girl's did except for the sorbet."

"I don't think sorbet would make someone sick. Is it because they don't eat this type of food maybe? Like their stomach's protesting?"

"Who knows" Kenneth said shortly "these girls eat like birds just to look good. Maybe they all just ate too much or karma is getting them" he added darkly. Casey shuddered. How angry he seemed but something was biting at him, something was eating him up inside. She could feel it. 

"I'll clean up" Casey offered "that way you can check on your wife." Though she doubted he actually wanted to, to be honest she disliked Rihanna profusely. Whatever she'd blackmailed Kenneth it would have to be extremely stong to get him to put up with her all these years. As it was she had wondered if she should be afraid of him, after all whatever he'd done had been enough for him to go to prison but he seemed so nice and well non threatening that she decided she was safe enough for now but would remain on guard. 

Kenneth gave a grimace but went upstairs as she did the dishes and wiped the table before heading upstairs herself. As she walked down the corridor she winced at the sounds of vomiting and another not so pleasant sound coming from the rooms she passed. Casey felt a bit of pity at the miserable night they were clearly going to have, confused about why she hadn't gotten sick but shrugging it off as having a better immune system. Hopefully they would feel better tomorrow or at least would have settled down a bit more. It was going to be a week of hell otherwise. But she couldn't help wondering why her and Kenneth appeared to be the only ones who hadn't gotten sick. Maybe it was a bug instead? Most likely their immune systems wouldn't be as healthy or as strong as hers. That must be it.