chapter 4

Her heart was beating out of her chest but she managed to answer. "I'll gladly come by tomorrow! Thank you so much!! It will have to be after my classes so it'll be a little later in the evening, if that's ok."

"That's fine, I'll see you then" He watched the monitor seeing her beaming face and sighed...what have I done? Oh well, tomorrow is tomorrow and she may not like the suite. He decided to not make himself visible as being the easiest on his psyche and readied himself for the ordeal he set himself...get this place shipshape without collapsing from a stroke. He sighed again and started through the house front to back cleaning and organizing as he went, unmindful of his aching back and panting breath.

Collapsing sometime after midnight after multiple doses of advil, he awoke to an aching body, every muscle screaming in agony from hauling his great weight around. After another multiple dose of advil washed down with sweetened coffee laced with a double shot of bourbon he tackled the servants' suite, finally leaving flowers he had delivered on the small sitting room table and, he decided, a note excusing himself from the tour he had promised. He left the doors open and after a last satisfied look retreated to his Jacuzzi for some much needed tlc on his tortured back and legs. He groaned in pleasure as the water removed the oppressive weight of his abdomen and the jets pulsated against his throbbing back muscles. Time seemed to stand still and he came to awareness with a start. He checked his watch... and another thrill surged through him...any minute now.

Once again she pulled into the long drive. Today the air was warmed by the sun peeking through the clouds and she felt a bounce in her step. She had felt such pleasure packing up her few possessions last night while her room mate snored. It was a sad amount though. A few clothes in a big suitcase with wheels, a duffel bag with her make-up and toiletries, and another bag with a few pictures and other odds and ends. An extra pair of boots sat in her back seat with the luggage.

Leaving everything in the car, she walked up to the front door and rang the buzzer, already turning to the intercom and waving at the camera.

William heard the buzzer and cursed, she was earlier than he expected.
He kicked the drain open with his toe and as the water emptied felt the weight returning to his body as his flesh slowly sagged, returning to gravity's cruel grasp. He struggled to his feet and almost slipped in his hurry, his heart racing as he hurried to the intercom, his soap slick belly fat quivering, sliding against his thighs. Usually arousing, he had only one thing on his mind, welcoming his new (he hoped) soon to be friend.

He set the switch to 'send" as he struggled to dry his massive form off. "Hello? Hello Cloe, is that you?" he panted "Welcome! I didn't expect you so soon I was, ummm bathing and unfortunately am not now presentable so just drive around in back and park in the garage. I moved one of the cars and motorcycles to give you a spot. I will..." he felt his feet begin to slide out from under him and crashed to the floor with an exasperated cry.

Dimly he heard her calling his name then all went dark.

Chloe heard the crash from inside the house maybe half a second before it echoed through the speaker at her. Alarmed she pushed the button and called his name. "William!? William!!"

She reached to turn the knob, hoping that it wasn't locked. The knob turned but the door didn't want to move at first. The damp air from the previous days had caused the wood to swell slightly and the door stuck in its frame. Turning to her side with the knob turned, she rammed her shoulder against the large door and felt it give. Pushing it open she looked about the entrance hall but found no one.

"William!!" She started into the house, looking into each room as she passed. She found the stairs and took them two at a time, not sure which way to turn. She tried to remember where she had seen the light and the movement behind the curtain. Deciding it was to her left, she took off that way, noticing a crack of light under a closed door. "William!!" She knocked on the door, and hearing a weak groan from the other side of the door, pushed against the door. "William, I'm coming in. Are you..."

Her words cut short. There, in the floor of the large bathroom was a massive mountain of a man. He lay on his side and his belly spilled out on the floor in front of him. He had to be over 500 lbs. She felt a tremor run down her spine as she looked at him. But she only looked for a second. She could see a bruise coming up with an ugly knot on the side of his head where it had struck the counter as he fell. She could see the puddle of water that she assumed he had slipped in. Kneeling down in the wet floor, she cradled his head in her lap and tried to wake him.