Chapter 2

Alice felt a knot of fear tighten in her stomach as she was ushered into the dimly lit back room of the Smith Casino. The air was heavy with the scent of cigar smoke and desperation, casting a pall over the already oppressive atmosphere. Her father sat nervously beside Mr. Smith, his eyes downcast, hands fidgeting in his lap. Alice's heart sank as she realized the gravity of the situation that lay before her.

Alice's eyes darted nervously between her father and Mr. Smith, the weight of their gazes bearing down on her like a suffocating blanket of dread. The flickering light from the dimly lit chandelier above cast eerie shadows on the walls, adding to the sense of foreboding that hung heavily in the air. She could feel her pulse pounding in her ears, a steady drumbeat of fear reverberating through her entire being.

Alice's gaze shifted to Mr. Smith, his eyes gleaming with a cruel intensity that made her skin crawl. The way he leaned back in his chair, smirking at her like a predator toying with its prey, sent a shiver down her spine.

Alice's breath caught in her throat as Mr. Smith's words hung heavy in the stale air of the back room.

Mr. Smith's voice was smooth and calculated, each syllable dripping with malice as he detailed the terms of her father's debt.

"You see, my dear Alice," he began, his eyes glittering with a sinister light, "Your father owes me a considerable sum of money. And I'm afraid payment is long overdue." Alice felt a wave of dread wash over her as she absorbed his words, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty.

“Any guesses what his listed collateral was?” Smith continued. Alice's hands trembled as she mustered the courage to speak up, her voice barely above a whisper, "What do you want from me?"

Mr. Smith's eyes glinted with malicious amusement at her question, relishing the fear and uncertainty he instilled in her. "Oh, my dear Alice, it's quite simple really. You. Your father agreed that you would be what he put behind his betting." His words hung in the air like a dark cloud, suffocating her with their oppressive weight. “And now you’re mine to do with as I please,” he continued. His tone was disturbingly gentle, and it made Alice feel all the more uneasy. But she refused to let her fear show. She squared her shoulders, straightened her back, and tried her best to meet his eyes.

“I want you to gain weight,” he said bluntly. At first, Alice thought she must have misheard him. But the smug smile on his face told her she hadn’t. “I’ve got a thing for beautiful women expanding under my care, and I especially love a woman with a large, taut belly.”

Alice couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Gain weight? Was this some sort of joke? But Mr. Smith’s expression was deadly serious, leaving no room for doubt. Alice felt her eyes narrow with defiance. She didn’t know what the future held for her, but she knew one thing - she wouldn’t let herself be controlled by this man. Gain weight, free her dad, run away. Easy.

“How much do I need to gain?” Alice asked, her voice laced with venom.

Mr. Smith smiled at her response, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth dynamic between them. “Let’s start with a modest goal of fifty pounds. I’m sure with your natural pear shape and my guidance, you’ll be able to reach that in no time.” Mr. Smith's words oozed confidence, but Alice couldn't help but bristle at the implication that she was merely a project for him to mold and shape as he saw fit.

“And if I don’t?” Alice asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She knew the answer already, but wanted to hear it from his lips.

Mr. Smith leaned forward in his seat, his eyes boring into hers.

"If you don't meet my expectations, then I'm afraid both you and your father will suffer the consequences." His tone was cold, devoid of any empathy or remorse. “And once I’m through with him, you will too.”

Alice's heart sank as she realized the gravity of her situation. She was trapped in a cruel game with a man who held all the power. She could feel the weight of her fate bearing down on her like a crushing blow, suffocating her with its oppressive force. But amidst the despair, a fire began to kindle inside of her - a refusal to be controlled and manipulated.

Alice had never been one to back down from a challenge, even if that challenge came in the form of a cruel and sadistic debtor with a twisted fetish. She resolved to fight back in any way she could, to reclaim agency over her own body and her own life.

Mr. Smith must have sensed her determination because he leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile, his eyes gleaming with malicious delight. "I'm glad we understand each other, Alice," he said, his voice dripping with smug self-satisfaction.

"But know that I won't hesitate to carry out my threat if you don't follow through with my request."

Alice stared back at him, her mind reeling from the implications of his words. She had never felt so small and powerless before, but she refused to let him see her break. She tapped her fingers impatiently against the armrest of her chair, her thoughts racing a mile a minute as she tried to process the situation.

"Very well," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I understand what's expected of me." Alice could feel the bile rising in her throat as she forced the words out, hating herself for submitting to this twisted man's demands.

Mr. Smith's lips curled into a self-satisfied smile, clearly enjoying the power dynamic between them. "Wonderful," he said, clapping his hands together. "I knew you'd see things my way, Alice."

He leaned forward in his seat, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent. "Here," he said, sliding a frothy milkshake across the table towards her.

"Drink up, my dear. You'll need to start gaining weight somehow."

Alice stared at the milkshake in disgust, her stomach turning at the thought of consuming it.

"I-I can't drink all of that," she stammered, pushing the glass away from her.

"Of course you can, Alice," Mr. Smith replied, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "You need to start putting on weight if you want to pay off your father's debt. And I'm here to help you do just that. Until I see those 50 pounds, dear old dad stays here with me"

He slid the glass back towards her, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Drink," he commanded.

Alice hesitated for a moment, her mind racing as she tried to think of a way out of this situation.

But she knew there was none.