The baking competition

Chapter 1

I sit down in my uncomfortable chair in my plain white dressing room. I roll down the waistband on my much too tight blue skirt to try and relieve some discomfort from my stomach. I relax for a moment, lift my shirt slightly, hands rubbing for relief. I'm thankful wardrobe listened this time when I requested a loose flowy shirt that showed a little cleavage, distracting from my weight gain.

This is my 2nd season hosting a streaming service baking competition and I am starting off this season 10 pounds heavier. I was able to lose 10 between filming seasons so hopefully the camera angles so it won't be noticeable. The camera adds 10 pounds, as they say, which in my case I've already done to myself.

I don't know how every host isn't fatter every passing season tasting all these delicious treats and goodies. Explains why they recommend taking only a single bite from each. These other hosts must do cocaine or have a frequent visitor card at a liposuction center. My lack of willpower takes hold and I find myself eating the rest of the saved caramel cream cake from the last round sitting on my vanity desk. I slowly put on my sweatpants and ever-tightening shirt I came wearing to the studio earlier today. My reflection looks strange to me, softer and rounder, boobs slightly larger but only noticeable to myself.

It’s the next day of filming and the wardrobe department inconsistently listened to the looser fitting hint. They put me in a fitted bodycon dress but only took a second to see I am in no shape or form "camera ready.” Mirrors everywhere make it impossible to not see the start of love handles showing through my skintight dress. Instead of changing the dress, they just throw me in some extra tight shapewear and call it good enough. I felt like I was in olden times wearing a corset; this thing is so tight.

The first round ends with me and 2 other judges trying cakes: chocolate with coconut, fruit and cream, coffee and dark chocolate, not a ton of variety but mostly good. Second round is cupcakes, one of which I completely finish (and take an extra for later without second thoughts).

While waiting for the contestants to finish their 3rd and final round, I sit at the host stand with the other 2 judges.

"The blue team really pulled through with that pineapple flavor," Dustin said. He is a best-selling author and restaurant owner in his early-30s with dark hair and eyes. We hosted together last season which was fun thanks to his personable demeanor and charm. He’s also a producer of the show so holds much influence.

"Yes, but the yellow team took a big risk with their design," our guest judge, Julie rebuttals. Julie uses the fact that her father was a world renowned restauranter for clout, so I don’t really understand what she’s earned to get to this place. “Those details were so well done.”

I make sure to nod on cue, attempting to hide my increasing discomfort from the cameras with each passing round tightening my outfit. “I saw some promising effort out of the red team this round,” I say, reading my cue card off stage. I am known for my social media healthy cooking and baking presence. I had been making content for about 2 years when this show contacted me to see if I was interested, benefitting both of us in the process. While filming, I have mostly used the show content for my social media and used the time between seasons for original content where I can edit better and hide my bodily changes.

We get through the last round where we taste multiple elements from each creation including cake, candy, cookies, and confections before announcing the winner. I head to my dressing room where I immediately peel off my dress and shapewear. It’s a sigh of relief I can breathe normally again. I scratch my itchy skin, feeling how much fuller my stomach feels compared to yesterday. My belly protrudes from between my hips, firm beneath a layer of soft, warm fat. I’m 24 years old, have never been pregnant, and have not had much weight fluctuation since high school, so gaining weight from this show has been the biggest I’ve ever felt. I sit in my dressing room chair in some tight legging material shorts and an oversized t-shirt hiked up above my stomach. I close my eyes and cradle my stomach, thinking about how I’m going to continue to combat this situation.

I feel a hand touch my shoulder and jump, quickly pulling down my shirt as I gasp. “Oh, Dustin, you startled me! I didn’t hear you come in.” I place one hand on my chest as I slow my breathing seeing my co-host/semi-boss.

“You left your door open,” he says with a smirk, maintaining eye contact.

“I didn’t realize. That’s embarrassing, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’ve seen you enjoying your time on this show and your portions increasing each day.”

“Oh goodness, I didn’t realize it was that noticeable. I’ll make sure to limit myself.”

“No, please don’t. After seeing your joy for eating while filming last season, I wanted to see you enjoying this one as well. Which was why I would ensure at least 1 extra serving was waiting for you in your dressing room after every filming.”

“Well,” I shyly look down, playing with the hem of my shirt, “I’ve enjoyed it far too much. Some of it comes with the territory of being in the food industry, but I still haven’t lost all the weight I gained from said joy last season.”

“I wouldn’t want you to,” Dustin said. His voice is tender yet commanding, hard for me to disobey. He carries an air of confidence with him, even with his above average height at 5’10” and semi-broad-shouldered build. “Someone who enjoys themselves should be allowed to. Which is why I saved you the rest of the desserts from today.”