The Altar of Excess

Chapter 1 - Glowing girl

The living room was bathed in a soft glow, the flickering light from the TV casting dancing shadows across the walls. Sarah was nestled on Greg’s couch, the plush fabric cradling her petite frame as she snuggled close to him. It was a quiet evening, one of those that felt perfect, with the scent of popcorn lingering and the low hum of a sitcom playing in the background. Greg, with his warm smile and gentle demeanor, had a way of making her forget any insecurities she might have. It was so easy to feel at ease with him, with his knack for saying just the right thing, his gaze making her feel special, like she was the only one who mattered.

It had only been a few weeks since they met at a neighborhood bookstore, where Sarah was thumbing through a fantasy novel, unsure whether to buy it. Greg had approached her with a lighthearted quip about the author, his dark eyes sparkling with disarming confidence, and within minutes, he’d convinced her to grab the book and join him for coffee. Since then, every moment with him felt like a dream. He was attentive, charming, always ready to make her laugh or surprise her with small gestures, a bouquet of flowers, a sweet morning text, an impromptu dinner. Yet, there was something in his intense stares that occasionally gave her pause. But Sarah brushed it off: it was just her insecurity, right? The fear that she wasn’t enough for a guy like him, someone who seemed capable of fulfilling her every need.

“Babe, I’ve got a little surprise for you,” Greg said suddenly, snapping her out of her thoughts. His voice was smooth, laced with that playful mischief that always made her smile. He turned to her, his grin widening as he nodded toward the kitchen. “I whipped up something special for us.”

Sarah tilted her head, her brown hair slipping over one shoulder. “Oh? What’s that?” she asked, curiosity lighting up her eyes. She wasn’t used to this kind of attention, not from someone as hot as Greg, with his chiseled physique and charisma that seemed to draw everyone in. She felt almost unworthy next to him, with her slight build and shy demeanor, but he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he seemed to adore every little thing about her. It was reassuring, and he knew it.

Greg rose from the couch, his movements smooth and confident, and disappeared into the kitchen for a moment. When he returned, he carried a tray with a dessert that looked like it belonged in a high-end bakery: a chocolate cake, glazed with a glossy sheen and adorned with fresh strawberries. The rich, inviting aroma filled the room, and Sarah’s mouth watered despite the popcorn they’d just polished off on the couch.

“Wow,” she murmured, her eyes widening. “Did you really make this?”

Greg chuckled, settling back beside her, closer than before. “Let’s just say I’ve got some hidden talents,” he said, handing her a spoon. “Go on, take a bite. I want to see your face when you try it.”

Sarah hesitated for a moment. She wasn’t big on desserts, or rather, she tried not to overdo it. She’d always had a small insecurity about her weight, even though she was slender, with a figure many would call perfect. But that little voice in her head was always there, warning her to be careful, to resist indulgent temptations like this. Yet, with Greg watching her with that encouraging smile, it felt silly to say no. Besides, he’d made it for her.

She took the spoon and scooped up a small piece of cake, bringing it to her lips. The flavor was divine: the dark chocolate melted on her tongue, sweet but not cloying, with a hint of vanilla that made her nearly sigh with pleasure. “Oh my God, Greg, this is amazing,” she said, laughing softly as she licked her lips.

“Told you,” he replied, leaning back against the couch, his eyes never leaving her. “You deserve to enjoy stuff like this, Sarah. Life’s too short to say no to something this good. I’ve noticed you always skip desserts, you shouldn’t hold back. You look amazing.”

She blushed faintly, the compliment warming her chest. “Well, I mean, I try to watch it a little…” she started, but Greg cut her off with a low laugh.

“Watch it? You? Come on, you’re perfect just the way you are,” he said, leaning closer with a playful smirk. “Besides, a little cake just makes you even more adorable. It puts a smile on your face, and I love seeing you happy.”

His words were like honey, sweet and enveloping, and Sarah found herself smiling despite a flicker of unease. She took another bite, then another, while Greg watched with an expression of pure satisfaction. She didn’t notice, though, the way his gaze lingered on her, studying her like she was a project. To Greg, Sarah wasn’t a person, he was a feeder with a history, on the hunt for a new canvas to mold, to fatten, to strip of its original will. The prettier the prey, the more he wanted to reshape it.

“Another bite, Sarah,” he urged, nudging the tray closer. “You’re not gonna leave it there, right? I made it just for you, babe. It’s all yours.” With that casual charm, he was introducing someone who’d never indulged in sweets to a chocolate cake meant for six, passing it off as a single serving.

Sarah laughed, shaking her head. “I’m about to burst, Greg! Seriously, it’s too much. Want some?”

“Nah, it’s your portion,” he teased, his tone light but edged with insistence. “Nothing wrong with enjoying a treat now and then, right? And look at you, you’re practically glowing when you eat something you love. Come on, Sarah! Dig in!”

His words hit a nerve, a mix of warmth and uncertainty. Glowing? Was that how he saw her when she ate his cake? She felt flattered but vulnerable, like each bite was a step into something she didn’t fully grasp. In that surreal moment, she felt obligated to eat because he wanted her to. She didn’t want to disappoint this perfect guy who seemed to mean no harm. She took another piece, then another, as Greg kept chatting, tossing out funny anecdotes that distracted her from keeping track of how much she was eating until she’d finished it all. He whisked the plate away, and they moved on to other things, almost making her forget what she’d consumed. (2916 kcal ÷ 6 = ~486 kcal per portion)

The evening rolled on, and as Sarah relaxed against him, oblivious, Greg watched her every move with a smile that hid a darker intent. He knew exactly what he was doing, he’d done it before. Every bite, every compliment, every gesture was calculated. Sarah was perfect, yes, but not for the reasons she thought. She was perfect because she was beautiful, vulnerable, moldable, and he couldn’t wait to shape her like the others, one bite at a time toward the most ruinous transformation possible.