Marianna got back very late. As she walked in, she suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes widened with shock. The dining table was already set. The plates and forks were arranged neatly. Everything was in place. There was a vase with a bunch of red flowers. There were lighted candles on the table. Caesar came out of the kitchen. His face is bright and gay. He had an apron tied around his waist. When he saw it he beamed.
“Hey there, what took you so long?”
“I couldn’t find it, Caesar. There’s no place like in this town in the town.”
“Is that so? There was a surprise note in his voice. “Well okay, you got the wines right?” When she nodded, he grinned. “That’s good. Have a seat. I prepared steaks. Louisiana special recipe. You’ll love it. Come! Come! grab a seat.” he helped her into a chair, tied a serviette towel around her neck and dashed into the kitchen.
Marianna looked on, her beautiful face an expression of worry and fear. Caesar had never for once thought of going into the kitchen. What the hell is going on? Then she had a sudden evil thought. He planned to poison her. Yes, that was why he had cooked. To kill her. That was the only explanation for all this. He came back into the room. In his hand were two plates. He placed one plate before her.
“What do you think, looked good huh?” He grinned at her.
“Yes.” she said, mumbling, looking at the plate before her. The sweet aroma of the finely cut meat suddenly made her hungry. Caesar carried the other plate to the head of the table. He sat down heavily on the chair. He opened the wine she had bought and served them both. He lifted the glass.
“To a new beginning.” he said solemnly and lifted the glass to his lips. He picked up his fork and knife and attacked the food instantly.
But Marianna did not touch the food. Her instinct had gotten hold of her and she wasn’t ready to shake off the weird feeling she was having. Caesar must have noticed her not eating, because he lifted his face from the food and narrowed his eyes at her.
“What is it? don’t you like it?” He asked.
“No! No it’s fine…..it’s just……” she began but fell silent again.
He studied her face closely then a realization came to his eyes.
“Anna, don't be dumb. You think there’s something in the food? You think I laced it or something?” She opened her mouth to talk but kept quiet again. He grinned at her affectionately. “Don’t be stupid. I love you, Anna. I can’t kill you,” and he stood up, picked her untouched plate and replaced it with his own plate which was almost empty.
Marianna watched him in disbelief. He began to eat hungrily. Seeing him eat the food she had thought was poisoned, evaporated every fear and worry in her. She drew in a sharp breath of relief. She picked up her fork and knife and began to eat. The meat was perfectly done. And it tasted really good. It tasted so good she requested for more. Caesar, smiling knowingly, obliged her. When she was done, she beamed at him.
“Wow! Don’t know you can cook so good, brother,” she belched a little. “This tasted really good.”
“You love it?” He asked, chewing meat in his mouth.
“Absolutely. But I’ve never tasted a steak like that before. What kind of meat is that?”
Caesar paused his mouth, amusement in his eyes. He leaned forward so that his face was a few inches from her.
“The only meat you can get from a loving, troublesome, selfish, spoiled cat.” he said gently.
The smile froze on Marianna’s face. A sudden wild thought entered her head.
“My Amor?” She gasped.
Caesar's face turned into a cruel, vicious looking lunatic.
“Yes, sister! Your Amor. He’s right there in your stomach. No more spending of the Davenport funds on cat foods in this house.” he was grinning evilly at her.
Marianna suddenly went green, and vomited on the table.
Caesar gave her a violent slap with his open hand. She hurtled out of the chair, fell down in a heap and rolled on the floor. He sprang to his feet and walked over to her slowly. She half started up and backed away, throwing out her hands and shaking her head at him, horrified.
“Don’t kill me…….” She pleaded. “Don’t please.”
He looked at her absurdly. There was something terrifying in his cold, ruthless face.
“Kill?”’ He scoffed. “No sister. I’m done with you. There will come a time when you will remember this moment. A glorious moment of how we both comfortably ate your own cat.” and he turned away and walked out of the room, leaving her staring at him in terror.