Rhea frantically typed away as the sun dipped below the horizon. Driven to finish her tasks, she was desperate to transform herself into Gerald's ideal image. Having lost weight, she now weighed 42kg, with gap thighs that would finally fit into the clothes he bought for her - and perhaps even his cupboard.

Just as she pondered her progress, her boss Darren interrupted, "Rhea, it's way past your clock out." Startled, Rhea stuttered, "Welcome, sir... I um, had no idea, sir."

Darren's expression turned concerned. "Wait, what happened to you? You look sick. Did you have lunch?" Rhea hesitated before admitting, "Hmmm, sir... I lost track of time."

Darren's tone softened. "Aiyah, I leave you alone for some months, and you look like this." Rhea wanted to explain, 'It's because I'm dieting, boss.' But could not say it out loud.

But Darren wouldn't have it. "You know what? You're having dinner with me, and that's final." Rhea protested, "But, sir, I'm not done with my tasks."

Darren's response was firm. "Aren't I the boss?" Despite Rhea's initial resistance, Darren's insistence prevailed, and she reluctantly agreed to join him for dinner.
Over dinner , Darren couldn't help stealing glances at Rhea, curiosity getting the better of him. "You're unlike any other female assistant I've met," he said. "Your baggy clothes suit you, and I appreciate that you maintain professional boundaries."
Rhea replied, "I dress this way to be professional and avoid drawing attention to myself."
Darren raised an eyebrow. "Says who?" he asked, his tone gentle but inquiring. Rhea remembered Gerald's statement " no one wants to see you in that clothing, you are too thick to wear that, just weight and..."

Darren raises an eyebrow, "Says who?" he repeats, his tone gentle but inquiring.
Rhea hesitates, unsure how much to reveal. "Just someone," she says finally, trying to brush it off.
But Darren's curiosity is piqued. "Someone who thinks they can dictate what you wear?" he asks, his voice low and even.
Rhea's eyes drop, and she fiddles with her sleeve. "It's not like that," she mutters.
Darren's expression softens, noticing how uncomfortable she's getting. " I'm sorry if I overstepped my boundaries".
Gerald's hurtful words echoed in Rhea's mind. He had criticized her body, saying she was too short, her hips too wide, and her curves unattractive. "I'm the only one who'd want you," he'd said, making her feel worthless. Gerald claimed he was trying to help, but his words cut deep, making Rhea doubt her self-worth.
Meanwhile, Darren's kind gesture of sharing his vegetables stood in stark contrast to Gerald's cruelty, highlighting their vastly different characters.
"I never knew you were a vegetarian," Darren said.
Rhea hesitated, wanting to reveal the truth, but instead said, "That's me."
Just then, a hand grasped her arm, yanking her out of her seat. Rhea's eyes widened in terror as she stared into the face of the stranger.
"Ge-Ge-Gerald," she stuttered, her voice trembling with fear.
Rhea's eyes locked onto the familiar face, her voice barely above a whisper as she stammered, "G-G-Gerald." Fear gripped her, her pupils dilating as his grasp on her arm tightened, pulling her away from Darren and the safety of the moment.

Finally done with chapter 1, what do you think about this book, kindly leave your comments.
This book is not meant to body shame anyone.