Chapter 3: Set Up
The elevator doors dinged open, revealing the bustling office of Greenleaf Advertising, now bathed in the late afternoon sunlight that filtered through the towering windows. Jessica stepped out, her heels clicking against the polished floor, her stomach still full from lunch and the constant, gnawing hunger that had become her new normal. She could feel the extra weight in her steps, the slight jiggle of flesh around her midsection that hadn't been there just a few months ago.
Jessica walked towards her desk, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. All she knew was that she felt different, and not in a good way.
As she sat down at her desk, her chair creaked under her weight. She looked around, hoping no one had noticed the change in her, but Tom was already looking at her with concern.
"You okay, Jessica?" he asked, his eyes scanning her body. "You look... different."
Jessica forced a smile, her hands instinctively going to her stomach.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Tom. Just... feeling a bit full from lunch."
Tom raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on her midsection. "Full? Jessica, you ate like a bear preparing for hibernation. And you're still hungry?"
Jessica shifted uncomfortably in her seat, the chair creaking again under her weight. "I, uh, I guess I just have a big appetite these days."
Tom's expression softened, and he leaned in closer. "Jessica, are you sure you're okay? You've been eating a lot more than usual, and...
you've gained some weight."
Jessica's smile faded, and she swallowed hard, looking down at her hands folded in her lap. She hadn't wanted to admit it, but she had noticed the changes in her body. The clothes that used to fit perfectly now felt tight and uncomfortable, and she could see the difference in the mirror. But hearing it from Tom, seeing the concern in his eyes, made it all too real.
"Yeah, I've... I've noticed," she admitted quietly. "I don't know what's happening, Tom. I'm eating the same amounts I always have, but...
I'm eating the same amounts I always have, but it's like my body is just...absorbing it all differently now." She sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat.
Tom reached out and patted her hand, his eyes kind. "Hey, it's okay. It happens to the best of us, you know? Life gets busy, we get comfortable, and suddenly, the pants are a little snugger than they used to be."
Jessica looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. "But, Tom, it's not just a little snug. It's a lot snug. And it's happening way too fast.
I've gained almost 20 pounds in the past few months alone." Tom's expression turned serious, and he leaned in closer to Jessica, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "You know, there's been some talk around the office. People have noticed the changes in you, Jess. They're worried."
Jessica's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't realized that her weight gain was so noticeable to others. She felt a blush creep up her cheeks, and she looked down, avoiding Tom's gaze. "What do they say?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Tom hesitated, his brow furrowing in thought.
"It's mostly just whispers, you know? But some people have been saying... well, they've been saying that you've been eating a lot more than usual. And that you've gained a significant amount of weight in a short period of time."
Jessica's heart hammered in her chest as she listened to Tom's words. She knew she had been eating more, but she hadn't realized that it was so apparent to everyone else. She felt a pang of embarrassment and self-consciousness, and she hugged herself tightly, as if trying to make herself smaller.
"I didn't realize... I didn't think it was that noticeable," she admitted, her voice barely audible.
Tom sighed and sat back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "Look, Jess, I don't want you to worry too much about what people say. Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but that doesn't mean they're right. You're still the same person you always were, and you're still doing an amazing job at work."
Jessica looked up at him, her eyes filling with unshed tears. "But what if they're right, Tom? What if something is really wrong with me?
Jessica thought, her mind racing with doubts and fears. She hugged herself tighter, her chest feeling tight with anxiety.
Tom saw the worry in her eyes and reached out to grasp her hand. "Hey, look at me," he said softly, waiting until she met his gaze. "You're not alone in this, okay? I'm here for you. We'll figure this out together."
Jessica nodded, a single tear escaping her eye and rolling down her cheek. She quickly brushed it away, sniffing back the rest of her emotions. "Thanks, Tom.
I appreciate it," Jessica said, her voice trembling slightly. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I just... I don't understand what's happening. I feel like I'm eating the same as always, but my body is changing so quickly."
* skip forward to Jamie entering*
Jamie, the new guy, walked into the office with a confidence that was infectious. He had a charming smile, a mop of curly brown hair, and dimples that seemed to appear out of nowhere. He was dressed casually but sharply, his button-down shirt rolled up at the sleeves, and his sleek leather jacket slung over one shoulder. Jessica couldn't help but notice him, and she wasn't the only one. Heads turned as he walked past, and a few of the girls giggled behind their hands.
Tom leaned over the partition again, his eyes following Jamie as he walked past. "Well, well, look who just joined the party.
Who's the new kid in town?" Tom asked, a playful smirk on his face.
Jessica glanced over and immediately noticed the commotion Jamie was causing. She rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Oh, please. He's just another intern. Nothing special."
Tom raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Because from where I'm sitting, he looks like a walking cliché of a teen magazine heartthrob. And I'm not the only one who thinks so."
Jessica shrugged, trying to play it cool, but she couldn't help but sneak another glance at Jamie.
"Whatever, Tom. He's probably just here to make the rest of us look bad."
Tom laughed. "You're right, Jess. Let's not give him the satisfaction. But seriously, have you met him yet? What's he like?"
Jessica shook her head. "Nope. I've been swamped with work all day. Haven't had a chance to make the rounds."
Tom sat up a little straighter, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, maybe it's time to take a little break. Let's go say hi.
It'll give me a break from this report I've been working on all afternoon."
Jessica chuckled, standing up from her desk. "Alright, fine. But if he turns out to be a jerk, I'm blaming you."
Tom grinned, standing up as well. "Deal. Let's go."
They walked towards Jamie, who was standing by the coffee machine, laughing with a group of interns. As they approached, Tom nudged Jessica. "Remember, keep your cool. Don't let him see that you're impressed."
Jessica rolled her eyes but played along. "Fine.
Ready?" Tom said, flashing a mischievous grin. Jessica nodded, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. As they approached, Jamie turned to face them, his smile widening as he caught sight of Jessica.
"Hey, I'm Jamie," he said, stretching out a hand towards Jessica. "You must be Jessica, right? I've heard a lot about you."
Jessica hesitated for a moment, taken aback by his directness, before extending her own hand. "Yeah, that's me. And you're the new guy, Jamie, right?"
Jamie chuckled, his grip firm and warm as they shook hands.
"Guilty as charged. Nice to finally meet you, Jessica." His gaze lingered on her for a moment before shifting to Tom. "And you must be Tom. I've heard a lot about you too."
Tom grinned, shaking Jamie's hand in turn. "All good things, I hope. Welcome to the team, Jamie."
Jamie smiled, his dimples deepening. "Thanks, man. I'm excited to be here." He turned back to Jessica, his eyes sparkling. "So, Jessica. What's your story? What do you do around here?"
Jessica felt her cheeks flush slightly, caught off guard by his intense gaze.
She quickly recovered, smiling and gesturing to her desk. "Oh, me? I'm just an intern. I do a bit of everything—fetching coffee, running errands, and sometimes even some actual work, if I'm lucky."
Jamie laughed, his dimples flashing again. "Well, that sounds like a dream job. I'm just starting out, so I'll take any coffee-fetching duties I can get."
Tom jumped in, clapping Jamie on the back. "Don't worry, man, you'll get plenty of that. But first, let's get you up to speed.
What's your story, Jamie? Where are you from?" Tom asked, steering the conversation back to Jamie.
Jamie's eyes lit up as he spoke about his hometown, a small coastal city where the sunsets were legendary. He talked about his passion for surfing and the joy he found in the simplicity of small-town life. Jessica listened intently, her initial reservations about him melting away as he spoke. There was an authenticity to him that was impossible to ignore.
After a few minutes of small talk, Jamie glanced at his watch and winced. "Whoops, looks like I've already overstayed my welcome.* Jamie was basically Jessica's assistant over the next month. She gained 30 pounds in one month because of all the stuff he would bring her and did everything for her, but she didn't even notice because all his flirtation and musty stairs made her hot and bothered and he seemed to do it more while she ate she subconsciously paired the two.*
Jessica turned to find Jamie standing beside her desk, a large bag of takeout in one hand and a wide grin on his face. "Hey, Jess. I thought you might be hungry," he said, setting the bag down with a flourish.
Jessica's stomach rumbled in response, and she laughed. "You're always saving the day, aren't you?" she said, opening the bag to reveal a mouthwatering array of burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Her favorite.
Jamie shrugged modestly.
"It's the least I can do for the hardest-working intern I've ever met."
Jessica rolled her eyes playfully. "Flatterer. But I won't object to accepting your offering." She dug into the bag, pulling out a burger and taking a massive bite. The flavors exploded in her mouth, and she moaned softly in appreciation.
Jamie chuckled. "See? I knew you'd appreciate it. Want some company?" he asked, gesturing to the seat next to her.
Jessica swallowed her mouthful and nodded. "Sure, why not?
I could use a break," Jessica said, wiping a smudge of ketchup from the corner of her mouth. Jamie sat down, his eyes never leaving Jessica as she devoured her burger.
"So, how's your first week going? Getting the hang of things?" Jessica asked, between bites.
Jamie shrugged. "It's been great, honestly. Everyone's been really welcoming. And, of course, it helps having a personal guide like yourself," he said, winking at her.
Jessica blushed, feeling a flutter in her stomach that had nothing to do with the food. "Oh, stop it.
You're making me blush," Jessica said, her cheeks already flushed. She took another bite of her burger, trying to hide her grin.
Jamie laughed, his dimples deepening. "I can't help it. You're just too easy to tease."
Jessica playfully rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Jamie."
They shared a laugh as Jessica continued to dive into her food. Jamie watched her, his expression softening. "You know, you're really something, Jessica.
Most people wouldn't be able to put away half that burger, let alone the whole thing," Jamie said, his voice gentle and his eyes warm.
Jessica looked up from her empty plate, a little taken aback. "What do you mean? I can eat a lot when I'm hungry. Isn't that normal?"
Jamie shrugged, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "Sure, but most women I know can't eat like you. It's refreshing, really."
Jessica felt a warmth spread through her chest at his compliment. She brushed it off with a laugh, not wanting to make too much of it.
"Well, I've always had a good appetite. Besides, these burgers are too good to leave anything behind."
Jamie smiled, leaning back in his chair. "I'm glad you like them. I'll have to remember to bring you more often."
Jessica's cheeks flushed again at the thought. "You really don't have to do that, Jamie. I don't want you to go out of your way for me."
Jamie waved her off. "It's no trouble at all. Honestly, I'm just happy to spend time with you.
Jessica, you're different from anyone I've ever met," Jamie said, his eyes never leaving hers.
Jessica felt a heat rise to her cheeks, and she looked down at her empty plate, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Well, thanks, Jamie. That's... that's really sweet of you to say."
Jamie reached out and gently nudged her chin up so she was looking at him again. "It's the truth, Jess. You're special."
Jessica's heart fluttered in her chest, and she felt a rush of warmth spread through her body.