Paradise Plates

Cecily stepped onto the marble terrace of her family's island house, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. The morning sun painted everything golden, and she could already smell something amazing drifting from the outdoor kitchen.

"Good morning, Miss Cecily!" called Chef Antoine, a tall man with a friendly smile and a crisp white apron. "I've prepared something special for your last day of vacation."

The breakfast spread looked like a dream. Fluffy pancakes stacked high with tropical fruit, buttery croissants still warm from the oven, and her favorite chocolate-filled pastries arranged on elegant silver platters.

"This looks incredible!" Cecily grinned, settling into her chair. The gentle ocean breeze played with her blonde curls as she reached for a pastry.

She took one bite, then another. Everything tasted so perfect, so rich and delicious. Soon she was sampling everything—the coconut bread, the mango tarts, the cream-filled donuts that melted in her mouth.

"Slow down there," Chef Antoine chuckled, but Cecily was already reaching for seconds.

The Silver Remedy

Hours later, Cecily pushed back from the table with a satisfied sigh. She had sampled nearly everything on the magnificent spread—twice. The tropical breeze still felt lovely, but something wasn't quite right.

"Oh," she whispered, looking down at her sundress. The fabric stretched tight across her middle, pulling at the seams. Her belly felt round and heavy, like she'd swallowed a beach ball.

Standing up made it worse. The pressure in her stomach grew sharp and uncomfortable. She pressed her hands against the swollen curve, trying to ease the ache.

"Miss Cecily?" Chef Antoine appeared, wiping flour from his hands. His friendly smile faded when he saw her face. "Are you feeling alright?"

"My tummy really hurts," Cecily admitted, her voice small. The pain was getting stronger, making her want to curl up.

Antoine's dark eyes filled with concern. "Let me call Dr. Marina. She has a clinic just down the beach."

Within minutes, a woman with short silver hair arrived carrying a sleek black medical bag. Dr. Marina moved quickly, her sharp green eyes assessing Cecily's condition.

"Severe bloating," she murmured, pulling out a strange silver device that hummed softly. "This should help reduce the swelling."