Chapter 2

2,
Kumar nearly fell into his desk chair. His arms were trembling, jostling the fat circling his biceps. He took several deep breaths, leaning back as the chair creaked under his weight.

“Did that just happen? Did I really just blackmail Rodrigo?”

Kumar had dreamed up scenarios in his head for years that got close. Those usually ended with Rod getting fired or demoted, but this? This had the potential to change everything. Kumar wasn’t even sure why he had gone with ruining Rodrigo’s waistline after securing himself a nice little prize, but the more he thought about it, the more it felt right. Seeing his former rival try and maneuver through the life of an executive nearly a hundred pounds heavier was a far more satisfying reward than seeing him go to prison. The weight had stagnated Kumar’s own career, that was for sure. He couldn’t count how many times he had been shot a dismissive stare due to his size. Even so, he had always played life by the rules, it was a little surreal being the evil one. The look of shock on Rodrigo’s face when he delivered his verdict though, he could get used to that.

***

“So you’re serious? Really?”

Rodrigo looked like was about to pass out as he stood on the threshold of the conference room. Kumar had to stifle a laugh. The Rodrigo Tortella, once so intimidating, looked like a disheveled department store manikin. He stood frozen, arms locked at odd angles.

“Yes. I want you to eat one wing every three minutes for the full half-hour. Plus two sodas. Got it?”

Kumar didn’t know where these numbers and demands were coming from. He didn’t care. Right now he wanted to punish Rodrigo, and food was his weapon of choice. Kumar wanted all the executives in the room to watch as Rodrigo stuffed his face.

“They better get used to that sight,” Kumar muttered, giggling under his breath. He pushed Rodrigo forward with his comically overfilled party plate threatening to spill. The odd couple stumbled into the lunch room, Cross Unlimited execs turning with a smile.

“Rod!”

“Hey, Rodrigo!”

“Great presentation, man.”

An array of suits came to greet the man of the hour. As they did, Kumar gave him a look. Rodrigo knew what that meant. He grimaced and shoved an entire boneless wing into his mouth, chewing wildly and attempting to wipe the grease from his palm.

“Mff-thank ff-you, everyone,” Rodrigo managed through a mouthful, gasping with a swallow. “I look forward to navigating a smooth merger!”

Most of the crowd cheered, but Kumar noted a couple strange looks thrown Rod’s way. Kumar had to smile.

“Quite unprofessional to eat right as everyone wants to greet you. Such a glutton,” he thought, helping himself to the ample amount of wings he had brought himself.

Kumar enjoyed the next half hour. The increasingly incredulous stares Rodrigo shot his way as he continued to eat for the duration were delicious. He hadn’t quite made a fool of himself, not with Rodrigo’s reputation cushioning things, but the display had definitely been noticed. On the last wing especially, Rodrigo struggled. A distended stomach pushed out his tailored designer shirt. He crammed the food in, glaring at Kumar the entire time.

“Jesus, Rod can really put it away, huh? Never noticed.”

Kumar turned, not realizing his boss had taken a seat behind him. Department head Jessica Parsons had both elbows on the table, biting her lower lip as she stared at Rodrigo’s hedonistic showcase. Kumar shook his head, not believing how well things were going. Jess was staring, she had to be completely disgusted!

“Yea,” Kumar said, holding back a giggle, “he’s been pigging out a ton lately.”

An indecipherable look clouded Jessica’s lined face.

“That so?” she shrugged and left the table, fading into the crowd. Kumar turned back to Rodrigo and raised his glass. Rod glared and shuffled over, plopping down on a corporate branded plastic chair with a plop.

“You- urrrrp, have your fun?” Rodrigo asked through a belch. He leaned back, arching his spine as he did what he could to relieve the bloat. Kumar chuckled. It was wonderful watching Rodrigo struggle for once. It was also enlightening. He looked down at his own empty bowl of wings. Had it really been that much of a struggle for Rod to eat as much as he did? He could have been acting, but as he gave his belly a slap he knew better.

“Oh yes, and I’m going to have a lot more fun,” Kumar said, grinning. Rodrigo looked miserable.

“I almost wish you had just sent me to jail.”

“That can still be arranged. I’m not going to let up. You’ll receive your order for breakfast tonight. I expect video evidence tomorrow. No puking either, I’ll be able to tell.”

Rodrigo groaned as Kumar left him at the table. He tried to play it cool, but the moment he was out of sight Kumar began to shake, chest heaving.

"I'm doing this. I'm finally making him pay."

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