Chapter 8 - Cassandra

I got distracted with my thoughts again that I didn't notice that we arrived. Rob opens the door for me. I went out, thank him, and strode directly inside.

"Good morning Miss Collins. They're already waiting for you. Please follow me." A plastered smile of the Maitre d' greets me at the reception. My family has an account here so they already know my name and I don't need to be on a waiting list as we always have a table reserved for the family.

When I reached our table, I thank him pleasantly. "Thank you, Dominique." This time he gave a genuine smile.

I always make it a point to remember the names of the people I meet whether in a business meeting, charity event, or even restaurant dining. Acknowledging someone's name gives an extra boost to once self-esteem. I've read somewhere that the use of their name will ensure they will remember how you made them feel and that is being important and special. Though it's difficult to remember all the names but at least you made an effort and I always make sure I do.

Turning towards my table. I pleasantly greeted all six organizers seated in the table.

"Good morning ladies."

"Oh Hi, Cassandra. You're late darling." An irritated Mrs. Fitzgerald reminded me. She's the oldest in our group and the most notorious in punctuality. She doesn't tolerate tardiness even if you're just five minutes late. Well, safe to say I've never been late before. This is my first time being late though.

"My apologies Mrs. Fitzgerald, I was just having a wardrobe disaster this morning. I couldn't find a perfect dress for today's brunch." I told her with great despair and with exaggerating hand gestures to add an extra flare for dramatic effect. I have to look truly in distress but inside I was giggling uncontrollably. With these people, you have to always play the part of a spoiled heiress.

"Oh, you poor dear. I had the same thing happened to me yesterday! My maxi dresses were mixed with the new clothes I bought. And they were midi!" That's Tiffany, the most high maintenance socialite I've ever met. I don't know how her husband handles her extravagant lifestyle. Though he is a billionaire so it might just be a penny for him.

"Oh my! That's truly catastrophic!" Exclaimed Amanda. Another spoiled heiress that only spends her money on surgeries. Hmmm...Does her husband ever told her that she looks like Michael Jackson now? Her expression doesn’t change a bit.

"Oh, it's really a disaster! I had to fire my stylists for being unprofessional and irresponsible you know. You can't just mix the maxi and midi, they have to be in a different closet." Tiffany agrees with great exaggeration. Wait, did she have a new surgery too? The last time I saw her she didn't have that breast. Wow, her breasts are huge like it might burst any minute.

"It must be stressful then? I can't tolerate those people!" I look at Veronica, compared to all of them I think she's the most underrated. She's more natural-looking and less spoiled I guess. And she always has a genuine smile on her face.

"Ugh totally, I immediately went to my favorite SPA to release all those negative tensions." Wait, are we still talking about the maxi-midi dress drama? Is it really that a big deal? And who does that anyway? Separating the maxi from the midi? I thought they were just the same.

"Right.. I mean, you should go to my therapist. She's really good and...blah...blah...blah..." Yup, I tuned out most part of their conversation. I just smile and nod pretending that I understand what they're saying. I just want to enjoy my meal first before tackling the crucial part of this gathering.

I finished my sumptuous brunch which consists of salad and more salad. Ugh, I might become a goat after this meal. I look at the neighboring table longingly. Hmm yum! bacon, sausage, egg, and ooh they have steaks too. Why can't we order normal food? I should have eaten something before I left home. I'm still hungry. I want to eat more but if I take another serving they would think I'm an alien. They already looked disgusted when I took a second batch of that dreadful green-leafy food.

God, how I kept my sanity intact with this kind of people is beyond me. I mentally said to myself.

To avoid looking at the other table I decided to follow the other two ladies in the washroom. I was inside a cubicle when I heard someone talking.

"Do you think we will finish this meeting soon?" Is that Amanda's voice? It's a little high like a little girl shouting, yeah that's her.

"Why? Are you going to see your new boy toy?" And I'm pretty sure that's Louise. She has a husky sexy voice.

"Oh shut up Louise! Someone might hear you." Amanda said giggling.

"Oh come on everyone knows you're a slut, Amanda." The other woman said teasingly. Well to be honest they both are.

"Ha-ha. We're both sluts Louise and don't you dare deny it. My assistant saw you at the Ritz with a young guy last week you whore!" Now they were both laughing. See, they even admitted it.

Well, I don't condone what they do but I also understand them since their husbands are doing the same thing too. They just want to feel appreciated I guess. And since they can't find that from their own husbands they pay someone else to do that. And it's actually vice versa. The men are always stressed and pressured from work that they needed an outlet to release it and they can't do that to their wives.

I don't get that kind of mentality. Why can't they turn to each other if they have problems? They said those vows when they got married, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. I guess it's easy to say it but difficult to do.

It's kind of depressing seeing couples that look so happy and perfect outside but deep inside they're all broken. I pity them and I hope I won't end up like them when it's my turn to get married.

"Did you notice something different with Cassandra today?" I stop with my reverie when I heard my name. Are they talking about me?

Laughing... "Different? I didn't see any difference she's always an uptight bitch!" Did Amanda just call me an uptight bitch? I asked myself indignantly. I might be a little uptight but I'm not really a bitch, well sometimes but still.

"Well, she's always uptight, right? Like she has a stick stuck up her ass." Louise said mockingly. Seriously, I was just with them talking and laughing a while ago. Now, they're insulting me and talking behind my back!

These sluts! I know I mock and insult them too but it's only on my mind. No one even knows it but me. Ugh! I hate them.

"Anyway, she just looks stressed." Of course I'm stress and now a bad headache is coming! I just told you I had a wardrobe problem.

"Oh yeah, I noticed that too. Did you see her took another serving of that salad? What was she thinking?"

What? Are you serious right now Amanda? I was hungry and I need to eat. I didn't even feel like I ate anything! It just made my jaw hurts because of too much chewing and I even thought I might get a lockjaw for it.

"You know what I was thinking?" Rolling my eyes...Yeah, I don't want to know Louise.

"What?" Amanda asked curiously.

"I think she hasn't got laid for days now." I almost choke on my saliva. What? Seriously? What's the connection with being stress and not having sex? Ugh, I really hate these women!

"Days? I think months!" Now they're cackling like hyenas. Yeah, these women just love to ridicule others. It makes them feel superior bullying someone.

"Thinking about it. I haven't seen her dating anyone. I haven't seen her with any guy except that bodyguard of hers. Wait, do you think they're having a secret affair?" Seriously? An affair with my bodyguard? He's married for godsake! And he always talks to me in monotone. That guy doesn't know other expressions other than looking stoic.

"OMG! Yes, you're probably right! Oooh…what a scandal! I wonder how her parents will react with this." They sound so excited like they won the Miss Plastic and Proud of the Universe.

They're just making up stupid stories! I wouldn't even be shocked if this crazy gossip will spread after an hour. But I'm not worried I know people wouldn't believe them anyway. They're known for their false gossips.

Enough of this foolish talk! I mattered to myself. I decided to go out and make them realize that I heard everything.