Chapter 1

1.

Rodrigo Tortella flew across the top floor of Kazyr Industries newly-renovated executive wing. His well-toned thighs flexed against designer slacks, hours spent on cardio equipment coming in handy now. He extended his hand, shouting a name in between gasps of freshly-scented office air.

“Kumar! Hey, Kumar!”

It was a good thing Kumar Chadha had put on weight over the years. The 276 pounder’s gait was half walk, half waddle, and all slow as he made his way to the elevator. Rodrigo figured correctly his coworker was going to take him up on the free food and networking opportunity. They had joined the company together all those years ago, and while he figured Kumar cared more about food than his career at this point, there had been a time he was as ambitious as Rodrigo was. Turning a corner, the relief Rodrigo felt was immediate. Kumar was there, frozen with his finger on the button, expression incredulous. Rodrigo tried to play it cool, leaning on the wall and brushing his hair back.

“Oh hey, uh. Kumar! Still going to the lunch?”

Rodrigo knew Kumar smelled something fishy. The elevator chime rang and the doors parted, with Kumar shuffling in without a word. The look on his face was severe, untrusting. Rodrigo practically yelped as he followed Kumar inside the cabin. Once the doors closed Kumar turned toward him, jamming a fleshy finger in Rodrigo's toned chest.

“What the hell is the matter with you?!”

Rodrigo took a step back, his shoulders hitting the metal of the cabin wall. He felt his heart thunder in his chest. Sweat, which had already begun to stain his clothes after that run, began to bead all over his body.

‘Maybe he doesn’t know, I just ran across the office shouting his name. Maybe he thinks I’ve lost it.’ Rodrigo thought. He swallowed past a lump in his throat and tried to smile.

“What do you mean? I can’t network with an old colleague?” Rodrigo said, not believing his charade for a second. Kumar’s glare never wavered.

“You really think I’m that stupid? I saw you stealing those files. And from a Cross employee during a merge negotiation! You’re completely insane. This is worse than spreading rumors about me so you’d get a promotion, it’s illegal!”

The elevator chimed with Rodrigo’s jaw having hit the floor. This was absolutely the worst case scenario. Exposed, Rodriogo’s bitter rival now having all the leverage. If Kumar went through with this he was screwed. There was no hiding the record of system events from IT, it was just a matter of time until the jig was up. Unless Rodrigo made up for a career’s worth of wrong doings, he was sure his goose was cooked. Kumar took two steps forward past the door, the lunch room looming in the distance. It felt like this was a confluence, that any decision Rodrigo made would have weighty consequences for years to come. Rodrigo made up the gap in one long step and sank his fingers into Kumar’s shoulder.

“Hey- ow!” he yelped, before being dragged down a hallway and practically thrown into a conference room.

“What the fuck?” Kumar groused, rubbing where Rodrigo grabbed, “You want to add assault to corporate espionage?”

Rodrigo looked at his rival and sighed. Kumar was so mad he was dark in the face and nearly shaking. The years here had not treated him well. Creases etched his graying face. His limbs were thick with fat and wobbled with any movement. A flabby gut pooched over his pants and circled his middle with a tire of flab. Kumar was completely different from the star chaser Rodrigo had once known, and he knew he wasn’t exactly blameless with this transformation.

‘Kumar has every reason to bury me,’ Rodrigo thought, searching for a way out of this, ‘but I’m Rodrigo Tortella, dammit! Kumar is a softie, literally and figuratively, I’ll do what I always did to get him on my side.’

Rodrigo let his shoulder sag, put both hands on his hips. He looked at Kumar with eyes that held cartoonish amounts of sadness.

“Please, man. We joined the company together all those years ago. I’m sorry how everything turned out but you can’t use that to ruin me.”

The response was well crafted, said with a pleasant cadence, and only served to make Kumar twice as angry.

“How everything… turned out?” Kumar folded arms over his soft chest, scowl so severe Rodrigo thought he might burst into flames, “You really are scum, Rodrigo Tortella. It wasn’t enough to do well on your own. My career, my life was collateral for your corporate ascent. You deserve every ounce of what’s coming to you.”

Rodrigo’s eyes bugged wide. This was not how today was supposed to go. Kumar put a hand on the doorknob and began to turn when Rodrigo slammed his bulk against the door. All his hours lifting before work won out against the strength of an office worker who’s only exercise was ferrying teats to his mouth. Kumar tugged once, then twice, frowning.

“You can’t keep me trapped in here, idiot. What, will you keep this up until the statute of limitations closes?”

Rodrigo pinched the bridge of his nose. He was beyond panic now, past anger or despair. No matter what happened now, everything after this moment would be harshly altered. There had to be an alternative to prison, there had to be.

“Anything,” he choked out. For a moment Kumar didn’t hear him. He tugged at the knob again, glowering as sweat beaded on his forehead. Rodrigo continued.

“Please, I’ll do anything you want. I’ll promote you, run around the office naked, anything. I can’t do time.” Kumar rolled his eyes as an exasperated gasp fled his lips.

“Dude, this isn’t fucking high school. I gave up on the corporate ladder chase a long time ago, though I still remember all the dirty tricks you pulled. Decisions have consequences.”

Rodrigo tried his best to grin. He shrugged his shoulders, doing his best to sell the idea.

“And you can decide those consequences! Haven’t you always wanted me under your thumb? I could be a powerful asset in the company. As long as they don’t involve spilling the beans on me, I can make a lot happen! A bigger budget for your department, a raise, work from home fridays! Name it.”

Kumar stepped back from the door and looked Rodrigo over. It felt like he was being examined like a farm animal. Rodrigo thought the end of the line was here when Kumar cocked his eyebrow and leaned towards him.

“Anything?”

Rodrigo's eyes went as wide as they could. He clasped his hands together, pleading.

“Name it!”

Kumar smirked.

“Well, for starters I want double PTO and twelve percent 401K matching. I want to be moved to a consultant role with less daily activities.”

Rodrigo grinned. This was why Rodrigo Tortella was the best. Expert negotiator, handsome, no wonder he had risen through the ranks so fast.

“Oh, and one other thing. I want you to get fat.”

The wind that had just begun to collect in Rodrigo's sails deflated. It felt like someone had smacked him on the forehead.

“What?”

Kumar continued, his smirk morphing to a fiendish grin.

“I see you flying around, charming all these high class business types while I wallow away in the background. It’s all so easy for you. Let’s see how many contracts you secure at my weight.”

Rodrigo looked Kumar up and down. They were close to the same height, but couldn’t look more different. Rodrigo had pecs, Kumar had man breasts. Rodrigo was trim and toned. Kumar was wide and wobbly.

“And no more exercising. I don’t need you turning all those calories into muscle.”

“No…” Rodrigo breathed, barely audible. Kumar gripped the doorknob again and made to leave.

“Fine, guess I have some news to spread.”

Kumar was about to pull the knob when Rodrigo muttered something.

“What was that?” Kumar said. Rodrigo looked around the room before meeting his gaze like a disciplined teenager.

“I’ll do it. God damn you, I’ll do it. How heavy are you?”

Kumar smiled.

“276 last I checked. But I’ll get a more accurate number tonight. You?”

Rodrigo groaned.

“182.”

Kumar tutted quips of laughter before finally getting out of the huddle room.

“Might want to follow me to lunch then, you need to learn to eat like a fat guy.”

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