I stared blankly at my computer screen for minutes until my head started to tilt to the left. I jerked upright to stay awake. This wouldn't have been the first time I dozed off at my cubicle. Since I got to the office at 8.30, there has been little action on the work end. I reverted to sneaking in Facebook feed scrolls in between pretending to look engaged on a client project. No one had given me any work to do lately. My Outlook mailbox was dead. I wasn't in the mood to ask a second time around if the team needed help on anything. They all were pretty good with their tasks.  Being an intern wasn't the most exciting thing sometimes. 

Around the eleven-fifteen mark things started to pick up. I was just planning to take another long, arbitrary trip to the bathroom in attempt to  kill some time, when my manager stopped by my desk. "Hey Aria, can I get your help revising these scripts for our Dunkin Donuts campaign?" Her words vibrated through my head until they made sense and I was able to enthusiastically respond, "Of course!" 
"Great! Thanks so much, I'm going to send them over right now." The scribbles in my legal pad were nothing short of illegible, but I understood the gist of what I needed to do. I turned to my desktop awaiting my manager's email. Ping! A new message arrived; but it was from Marissa, my coworker.  Marissa was working on a project for Community Partnerships and asked if I could aggregate all the video assets for her into an excel sheet. Seems easy enough, I though to myself.  At the very end of her email before her signature was a line that lit fire under my butt: It should be great if I could have this EOD today. Thanks!

That's business talk for end-of-day. Now I really had to get a move on. I exited out of BuzzFeed and my personal email account tab and opened up some files from the master shared drive. Yes, I finally have things to do! I thought to myself.  Better get a move on too. I hustled to get the layout for Marissa's spreadsheet done. Once all the categories were listed and all I had to do was go through and cross-reference each one with the videos in the drive, I could send this off. After about 45 minutes of hastily working, I had to pee (forreal this time.) I figured I was at a good enough place to take a bathroom break so I left my desk to go towards the ladies room. 

I didn't even take forever like i usually do, using my phone as a distraction in the stall. I flushed, washed my hands and checked my phone in the vanity room before leaving. It was a few minutes after noon. "Wow, it's almost lunchtime," I thought to myself. I thought about the delicious spread of food I packed for today's meal. Leftover BBQ baby back ribs, rice pilaf and string beans. I got happy just thinking about it, my mouth started to water! The vanity area had two large full length mirrors. One stood vertical on one side of the wall while the other went horizontal along the counter area where most women did their makeup in the morning. Of course I had to check myself out before I went back to my desk. A beautiful young woman with flowy dark brown hair and tan skin looked back at me. I smiled. I'd say I'm pretty damn attractive! Standing a mighty 5 ft 2, on a slender frame with round boobs. Petite has always been a word to describe my figure, but I had a few curves in just the right places- and the dress I had on today showcased them flawlessly! It was a black body-hugging turtleneck dress made out of ribbed fabric material and had gold accents. I had on nude tights and black bootie heels. I swept my hair to one side so it rested gracefully on my left shoulder. A smile played across my face. A stunner, no doubt. 

Upon returning to my desk, I found a note on my computer screen. Immediately, I thought, "Oh no, I did something wrong, I'm in trouble!" The note read: Please stop by my office ASAP. -Sid 

I rushed quickly to Sid's room, located in the far right corner. I crept in after politely knocking on his opened door. "You wanted to see me?" I asked as I entered. Sid's smile eased my nerves. "Yes! Come in please, sit!" I did what I was told. "I'm going on a meeting at 2.30 with Jim Schriber. I would love if I could get your help doing some background research on a few companies before we go," he began. Oh no. He gave me a list of about twenty companies and I had to look up their corporate responsibility initiatives. I accepted the task ( like I actually had the option to decline) and went back to my desk. That really pushed me to get a move on. I minimized the Community Partnerships stuff and opened Google Chrome to begin the research. 

I worked quickly and diligently, typing the names of companies, copy and pasting their CSRs and adding in links to a nicely formatted blue document. It was a lengthy process. At about 1 o clock I dashed to the kitchen to heat up my lunch. I usually take my break from 1 to 2, but I had too much to do, so instead of taking it easy for my hour, I went straight back to work researching companies. 

In between Google searching, speed reading, typing and trying to keep an eye on the time, you lose track of how much or how fast you are eating. My whole body must have been in rush mode because I was scarfing down heaps of meat and rice in to my mouth while keeping my eyes glued to the computer screen. Click. Once i finished the last company on Sid's list, I lifted my hand of the mouse (and my other hand off my fork) I was done through with all of food and it had only been a matter of 20 minutes. I usually try to stretch my eating to at least 40. It was a combination of the stress I was under, considering there was an apparent time constraint and I had to get it done. I double-checked the document, printed two copies, which were three pages each, and stapled them. I breezed to Sid's room and handed him the files. He was very pleased.

Whew! I did it. One down two more to go. I headed back to my desk, this time, much slower. The food had prevented me from walking at top speed. I plopped down into my seat. The clock on my phone read 1:55.  I looked hesitantly at the remainder of my lunch. An almost empty container if it weren't for the few grains of rice stuck at the bottom. I slumped in my chair. "Ughh," I moaned quietly. I looked down. My slender, once 6-pack midsection, was now a pronounced ball sitting in my lap. It wasn't huge, but definitely obvious that i had overeaten. And it wasn't even that i had eaten too much! I had the normal amount of food I do every day, it was just that this time, I had eaten it way too fast. I was consumed in my work that I didn't pay attention what was going into my mouth. And of course i completely forgot that I had a dinner meeting tonight with my mentor. I sunk deeper into my chair. Nooooo. I placed a my right hand on my taut belly. It was firm and round. Yuck. Why today of all days. 

I had never met my career mentor before in person. She was assigned to me through this business organization and we had only emailed back and forth a few times. We arranged to meet in the City at this French restaurant called Le Petite Dame at 5.30. At this point i wanted to back out. I wanted to call her and tell her that I couldn't make it tonight. One reason being that I was nervous and afraid I wouldnt make a good impression on her and second, because I definitely wasn't hungry now! I tried to push the thought out of my head and focus on the other workd I had to do. Community Partnerships was finished in a beautiful spreadsheet, organized into titled columns and rows, and color-coded. 

"Marissa, please see attached," read my email. Sent! Next, I worked on the Dunkin Donuts scripts for my manager. "Man, I could go for a donut right now", i thought.  Here I am with a stomachache and craving a frigging donut- what kind of sense does that make! While my belly gurgled in unrest trying to digest my lunch, it still hurt and was very uncomfortable, but I was begining to get hungry again. Know what i mean? Like i was hungry, but i knew I shouldn't eat. I'm actually a really healthy person. I eat balanced meals and make working out a regular part of my life. But during the holidays, i ease up on my strict healthy lifestyle and let myself enjoy all the delicious foods without worrying about my gym membership. Everyone needs a break sometimes. I looked down at my tummy once more in hopes it had deflated by now. Nope. It was still stretching out my super tight black dress. I took a deep breath of air in and held it for a second longer, my tummy looked like a small beach ball. I wrapped my arms around myself and closed my eyes. I cant wait to get home and snuggle up in my cozy blanket on the couch. I sipped on my water and continued to type. 

Near about 4 o clock, i begin to shut things down and prepare to go home. I sent my manager what I had done with that scripts so far and assured her the remaining three would be done first thing tomorrow morning. I had to skip out early to meet my mentor in time. I had never been to this French place before, nor was I that excited to go at this point, but i made a commitment so i had to honor it.

I slipped on my white snow boots and took my backpack and jacket to the ladies room one last time for a quick pee. Before leaving, i looked in the mirror like always, and was horrified. 

I looked like I was two months pregnant! Like i mentioned before, I have a slender body, but now it was obvious that I had eaten too much. Even so, here i was, about to go eat again. This should be great.

I left the huge skyscraper building and walked for 20 minutes in NYC to Le Petite Dame, finding it solely based on my stellar navigational skills. I had developed a knack for walking in the City. You have to keep it moving at all times, swiftly weaving in and out of tourist pods, and never EVER stop to talk to people who whistle at you. Tricks of the trade and now im a pro. Boy did I jet down those streets! So fast that i had to slow down at one point because the swift movements had shaken my tummy and made me not feel so well. 

Finally, i reached the restaurant. The warm air greeted my frozen cheeks. The host, took my coat and offered me a seat. "Table for two please," I said. He seated me at the center of the empty restaurant and there I waited, checking my phone every minute, for 17 minutes until a woman appeared at the door, with a very happy expression on her face. Her name was Anna. "So nice to meet you in person!" she exclaimed, hugging me- squeezing a little too tight. We sat down and began to discuss our career paths and how we ended up working in the City at our respective companies. 

The waiter returned after pouring us our glasses of water. "What will it be madames?" He sort of had an accent. I barely understood the menu. It was all in French. At this point, I wasn't super full and had a little bit of an appetite. I ordered the beef bourguignon and Anna got french onion soup and escargot.  I usually eat slowly when in the company of others, but Anna mad me feel so comfortable talking to her, that it felt like we had known each other for years. Again, I lost track of my eating and finished the whole bowl of beef stew. It was thick and heart and soo filling. (At least I wasn't cold anymore.) I sat back and reclined as much as the wooded chair would give. 

"Would you like any dessert? Coffee? tea?" The waiter approached us again. I looked at Anna; she looked at me. "If you want something else go ahead," Anna encouraged with a smile. I wanted to say no...but then I remembered that this meal was on her. I was never one to pass up free food. Within minutes, a mall stack of crepe cakes, three large cream puffs with dark chocolate sauce, and a vanilla creme brulee were at the table, with my cup of coffee.  I suggested that we share the dessert. Anna agreed at the time I ordered it all, but after one cream puff and a bite of the creme brulee she put her fork down. I could tell she was done eating, but we continued our delightful conversation about our short term and long term goals. I was enjoying the food so much, it was too delicious to stop! While i was eating, I didn't even feel super full because I was going at a nice slow pace (unlike earlier today at lunch.) 

I put down my fork after the last slices of crepe cake and washed it down with s huge gulp of coffee. I knew my belly had expanded far past the dimensions it was before. My sexy dress was so stretched in the middle that the gold loop belt had unwoven from the side seam. As soon as I stood up, gravity took hold and all the food cemented into my lower belly like a heavy anchor. I could barely move, but I had to get home. 

Ana and I said our goodbyes and parted ways at the corner of 5th and Delilah Ave. I made it to the bus station after 10 minutes of walking in the cold with a horrible tummyache. All the sloshing of my dinner was making me queasy. I managed to make it to the bus terminal as the 6.45 bus was boarding. I climbed on to find all of the seats taken. Great, now i had to stand the whole ride.  I sat my backpack down and reached my right hand upward to grab the ceiling rod to keep my balance. Unknowingly, my left hand was placed on my pronounced tummy. "Excuse me ma'am, would you like to sit down?" asked a homey-looking, middle aged man. I looked at him puzzled, but quickly took his offer. He removed his stuff and let me take his seat while he stood. "I'm sure sure you must be excited since you're expcting." He smiled brightly. I was in no mood to correct him and tell him that I was in fact not pregnant and that I had just overeaten to the point of having an awful stomachache and just wanted to get home as fast as I could to sooth my tummy. 

Finally, I made it home and when i opened the door, my boyfriend Favad was laying on the couch watching soccer. He was in his jogging pants and a tight fitting sleeveless tank, legs propped up on the ottoman with a beer on the end table next to the sofa. He looked at me and his facial expression instantly changed. "Honey, what happened! Are you okay? You don't look so well." He said concerned. I could only manage to moan as i waddled to the sofa, and he knew what that meant. He hopped up to bring me over to the couch and help me sit down. Favad was always so caring. He urged me to lay down and placed two pillows behind my back. "I ate too much babe. Now my tummy hurts." I explained, grimacing. He placed a warm hand on my belly and his eyes widened. He was speechless at how big i had gotten. "Let's get you into something more comfortable." He carried me up the stairs to our bedroom and laid me down gently on the king size bed.

He rustled through the top two drawers where i keep my sleep clothes and then turned to me. I had fallen back, eyes looking to the ceiling, arm stretched out flat. "You look like a mini mountain babe" he said chuckling. I couldn't even lift up I was so full; so I instead swiveled my head around to the side to glare at him, but couldn't hold back a laugh. "Hahah- oww... It hurts to laugh." Favy came over to me and lightly kissed me on my forehead, then on my basketball of a belly. He took off my heels and placed them under the bed. He then lifted my sweater dress above my head to reveal the thin tank top I had on underneath. 

He took a step back and looked at me. Smiling. "You're so cute, you know that?" Here I am reveling with angry fury (at myself) and sheer embarrassment over gorging on food because I wasn't paying attention and had zero percent of control, and he's telling me how cute I am. "C'mon let's go back downstairs and i'll nurse your poor tummy." he recommended.  

Again he carried me down the steps then placed me on my feet. He led me to the open kitchen area and turned on the teapot. I only made it to the counter when i had to stop. I bet over the island counter in the center of the kitchen and watched him cut thin slices of ginger and add it to the teapot. I must have looked miserable, standing there half-slouched over the counter, in nothing but my heather grey tank and red panties. I was spilling out of my tank top too! It had risen up a few inches just hitting my belly button mark. The next thing I knew, Favad was hugging me, cupping my belly from behind me. "You smell so good, Aria" His face burried in my hair. He began to squeeze a bit harder until i let out a sharp yelp. "I missed you too hun, but not too hard. At any moment, I could pop like a balloon."

Favad was so sweet when I didn't feel well. He LOVED to take care of me. The ginger tea he was making helps aids indigestion. As much as I wanted to protest putting anything more into my tummy, I knew it would help me feel better. He brought my mug over to the couch in the living room and made me take a sip before i laid down. He rolled out the futon and put the pillows behind my back again so I was positioned long-ways, like a patient in a therapist's lounge chair.  He laid on his side right next to me, his back to the backing of the couch. "Tell me about your day," He said in a calm voice.  I began to explain how I went from no work, to a ton of work, to eating way too fast during lunch, then going to dinner with my mentor and eating my weight in french food, all in a matter of 10 hours. "It was crazy." I honestly just wanna cuddle now- AH...AAOWWWW!" I screamed. It was a spasm. "Where does it hurt baby?" Favy asked concerningly. I grabbed his hand and pressed it into my tummy so hard. "Right here," I said through clenched teeth and tightly shut eyes. He began to massage in small circles right around my  belly button. It felt heavenly. 

Then he got pretty into it, he started using both hands and went in a larger clockwise motion. He lifted my shirt (higher than where it already was due to my distended tummy.) "Babe, don't take this the wrong way, but you kinda look pregnant." I snapped out of the trance I was in from his massage. "EXCUSE ME!?!?" was what I wanted to say, but then I remembered the old  man who offered me his seat on the bus because he thought I was with child. I broke out in laughter, i almost rolled off the couch. I told Favy the story and he found it humorous as well. "You know....this is kinda like practice for when we have a baby, Aria. I mean you'll look like this, and I'll wait on you hand and foot, and..." I silenced him- with my lips. I reached up as high as I could and welcomed his tongue into my mouth. I don't know where the sudden strength came from, but I was able to straddle him. I grabbed his face and ran my fingers through his hair, he wrapped his arms around me tightly. My round belly pressed against his chest. The pressure felt glorious. He quickly put his hand on my ass and squeezed. He teasingly pulled down my red panites just a tiny bit, then grazed down my thighs with his fingers. The inner sex goddess was released from her chambers.

I then thrusted Favad down on the couch so I was on top and began to grind on his member. Our movements quickened in ryhthym. I was getting so wet, until I felt neasuous from all the motion. "um..okay, thats enough for now..." My tummy let out a loud sickly noise in agreement that Favad and I cease our fun. "Haha, yeah, the main thing is to get you feeling better. You lay back down and try to relax." He handed me my mug so I could take another sip of tea. I turned to my side and we watched Tv as we spooned. His body was so warm and mine always cold. I loved when his hands lay on my tummy. I knew he could feel all the sloshing around in there, the digestion going under way from all the food I ate today. But if this is what it feels like, then I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I was about to drift off to sleep. It was nearly midnight. "Pst, babe," he whispered. I responded in some audible mix of moan one could not make out into words. "We're naming him Dylan." he said softly. 
"NO WE ARE NOT." I said loudly. He laughed. "Haha, sure babe, whatever you say."  His hand still circling my belly. He never let go of me that night.