Chapter 14: New Horizons of Boundless Sizes.

February 5, 2024, 11:00 AM, the underground parking garage of Sogni Nudi.
Alex and Lila settle into Lila's car.
"Listen, this time she was kind of soft," Alex says about Dana as he closes the passenger door. He looks at Lila. "And you clearly got a lot of enjoyment out of that conversation. I was worried you'd tell her about the whole fucked-up situation with Brian. How Kate, after four years with me, agreed to Aria's idea of exploring new horizons in bed with Aria's boyfriend. And now they're kicking me out of my own house for several months because of some media marathon called Erodreamarts. God, what a stupid name."
Alex sighs and slowly fastens his seatbelt. "Why do they need to attract more young talent to Dreamside? Our gated community already draws tons of youth from California and the rest of America. And by America I mean not just the USA. Is this some clever way to launder money legally? And don't look at me like that, Lila." He notices her rolling her eyes as she settles into the driver's seat.
"That Valentina Navari, the current Mayor Navari—she's tried so many different black guys like Brian. And you know we often watched porn with her in it while working on the books. I guess Valentina and Kate will soon have plenty to talk about during this Erodreamarts. You know, sharing experiences."
Alex crosses his arms and falls silent. Lila starts the car and lets out a soft chuckle as she maneuvers out of the parking space. "Oh, Alex," she says, shaking her head while driving up the ramp toward the exit gate. "You're really getting worked up over nothing."
"Nothing?" Alex widens his eyes. He fastens his seatbelt as he sees Lila is already buckled in. "Did you forget what's going on? I'll remind you, my dear Ms. Lila Chen." His voice turns irritable. "The morning before yesterday, Saturday, February 3, 2024, Aria barged into my office and declared that Kate wants to sleep with Brian. The same Brian Aria's boyfriend, the one Kate has been hanging out with at parties in our own house for months."
Alex spreads his hands. "Did Kate want this herself? No. Aria suggested it and gently persuaded her. You know how Kate loves to indulge her adventurous spirit and meddle in any of Aria's projects. I accepted it. Okay, not immediately, but I accepted it. Alex knows how to share. Got it? I even suggested to Kate during sex that Brian move in with us. That was yesterday at 9 PM when we discussed our Vegas plan. And now? The Vegas trip is postponed indefinitely, but nothing stops Brian from moving into Château des Rêves. Moreover, I suggested it myself. And I won't even be there. Listen, a real emotional attachment is going to form. It will look like he's actually replacing me."
"Oh, Alex," Lila sighs as she pulls out of the underground parking garage. "You're really working yourself up over nothing. You know Kate loves you. She just wants to try something new, and Brian is a perfect match for her, I guess."
Alex lets out a heavy sigh and looks at Lila, who stares straight ahead at the road. "You sound like a broken record. I'm not stupid. We've already gone over this a million times since that damn Saturday morning. I've known Kate for four years, Lila. And I..." He pauses. "She always acts really weird when we talk about Brian and all this. Butterflies in her stomach. To me this is no longer just about sex or trying something new. I think she actually likes him."
Alex lowers his voice to a whisper while she drives. "You understand that Aria's whole idea could lead to... Some people say love lasts two years. And I've been with Kate for four. Listen, she's the most wonderful person to me in this world, my Goddess... but she's also human, with her own feelings and weaknesses. And Aria is playing on that. I'm not against Kate spending time with Brian or even having him live in our mansion, but I didn't think I'd be exiled to the damn village of Cambria because of some media marathon where our mayor absolutely wants to see Kate. And we both know Kate won't say no."
Lila exhales through her nose, her fingers tightening slightly on the steering wheel. "Alex," she says, her tone gentler, "you're spiraling again. You're imagining the worst-case scenario without knowing what's really going to happen. Kate loves you. She's just exploring something new. She's curious. And honestly? I think she wants to see how you handle it."
She glances at him before returning her attention to the road. "If you had said no to any of this, she would have respected that. But you didn't. You accepted it. You even suggested Brian move in. That tells me you trust her."
Alex lets out another heavy sigh. "And how could I possibly say no to her? I've already told you: the first no is just the start of a regular pattern of no. I suffered too much there..." He falters, but Lila understands he means his life in Eastern Europe. "...I've worked too much here. Life in the US, California, Dreamside, Kate, Château des Rêves, you, all the other girls living in our mansion..." He pauses, then chuckles. "...And the guys too. Although that junior gardener guy, Ellis's assistant... I don't like him. Still. Well, you get my point. All of this is one whole to me. I can't damage any part of it. I just can't."
Alex gazes out the car window at the Dreamside scenery as they drive back to the mansion. He turns to her. "I just... sometimes I need to vent. And thank you for calming me down."
Lila smirks, eyes fixed on the road. "You're always dramatic, Alex. I love that about you." She gives his thigh a playful squeeze before returning both hands to the wheel. "But you have to stop overthinking things. Kate is complicated. She likes control. She likes testing people. Maybe she's testing you right now, seeing how far she can push before you break. Or maybe she really is curious about Brian. Maybe she's just enjoying herself."
She shrugs. "I wouldn't know. But I do know that you're spiraling about things that haven't happened yet. So just be here."
Alex chuckles. "I know what I'll do. A full laser hair removal for my face and everything below. I've already done that, so no shaving. Given the circumstances, I need to go further. I'll get a cucumber a couple of feet long. Well, bigger than Brian's. And I'll paint it black. I just need to find the right doctor for the procedure." He looks at Lila with a mix of playfulness and irritation. "Since all the girls go crazy for these. Even Kate fell for it."
Lila bursts into laughter, nearly swerving the car. "Oh my god, Alex. You can't be serious." She wipes tears from her face, still giggling. "A foot-long black cucumber? Are you trying to impress Kate or traumatize her?"
Alex clears his throat. "Don't give us a car accident, giggling Lila." He shifts in the front passenger seat, adjusts the collar of his white shirt, and glances at Lila. She wears dark blue trousers and a dark blue deep-cut blazer with nothing visible underneath. He spreads his legs slightly and presses his hand against the fabric of his black trousers at the crotch. "Don't tell me Kate wasn't impressed by the photos of Brian that Aria showed all the girls. You all say size doesn't matter, and you're constantly lying."
He pulls his hand away and crosses his arms over his chest. "Traumatize Kate? That's exactly what Brian plans to do to her tonight on their first date at the Topanga Canyon Inn. He's gonna give her something she'll never forget, and my little Tom Thumb will just float around in zero gravity afterward."
Lila glances at him and rolls her head dramatically, letting out a frustrated sigh. "Alex, you're being ridiculous. First off, you're hot. I've seen the way Kate looks at you." She shakes her head, unable to suppress a smirk. "But who cares what Brian's packing? So what if he's got a big dick? Size isn't everything." She pulls the car to the side of the road, puts it in park, and turns to face him.
"Look, I get that you're feeling insecure right now. But going around talking about sizes and all that? Come on." She touches his arm gently. Alex sighs and relaxes. He speaks quietly, a small smirk on his face. "Just don't go turning on that Chinese-Malaysian-Irish-Scottish charm again. Alright, I'm calm now." He shrugs and stretches. "You agreed to be my assistant and listen to my complaints. So come on—let's head home to Château des Rêves. I've got tutoring at 3 PM. The one you set up yourself. Your bestie Sarah will be teaching me English grammar while she seduces me. Nothing special, right?"
Lila chuckles and shakes her head as she pulls the car back onto the road. "Oh, you're in for a treat, Alex. Sarah has a way of making grammar lessons very interesting." She glances at him, a mischievous smile on her lips. "And you're right, I did set this up. But don't blame me if you start developing a crush on your tutor." She winks, then focuses on the road.
Alex gives her a reproachful look. "Lila, I already told you. I love Kate, and this whole idea of yours to distract me from Kate and Brian getting closer isn't going to work. I love Kate. What did you tell Sarah? That I have issues with Kate slowly drifting toward Brian?"
Lila falls silent, lost in thought. "Why aren't you saying anything?" he asks. "That's what Lila's Plan is all about, isn't it?"
Lila's face sets in a firm line. "Look, you know I'm always watching out for you. So when I saw how you were acting about Brian and Kate, I knew something had to be done." She taps her fingers on the steering wheel. "And let's be honest. You've been developing some serious feelings for Sarah lately."
She sighs and shakes her head. "But Kate needs to figure out if she really wants Brian or not. And right now, she's using you as a crutch." Lila glances at him. "You know that, deep down. Which is why you're lashing out and acting so weird about Brian."
Alex sighs too. "Lately? There hasn't been any lately. Up until yesterday, I hadn't thought about your Sarah at all. Or are you bringing up that whole thing again from yesterday, with the ten thousand dollars for Sarah?" He runs his fingers through his short dark brown hair and falls silent.
Lila smirks and glances at him before returning her attention to the road. "Oh, come on, Alex. Don't pretend you didn't notice anything." Her voice stays light and teasing. "I see how you look at her when she's not paying attention. And she looks at you too, like she wants to know what's under that grumpy writer facade."
She taps her fingers on the wheel, her expression turning mischievous. "And let's not forget what you said yesterday—about how she's not as annoying as you thought she'd be. That's not exactly neutral, is it?"
Alex nudges her lightly in the side. "Fuck, you're pissing me off. I look at her the same way I look at any beautiful girl, including you. But I don't look at her the way I look at Kate." He lets out a long groan. "You're impossible. She comes to our parties. I don't go to our parties. I'm always holed up in the office on the third floor of the mansion. The fact that over these four years I've occasionally run into her… I don't know what you've cooked up about my feelings. But you're seeing what you want to see. And about yesterday, about that ten thousand for Sarah. I gave it to her for some school project. Her class needed the money. You weren't even there at her place yesterday. You know everything from what I told you. And from what Sarah said. She obviously spun you her version of what happened during our tutoring session. Right?"
Lila chuckles. "Oh, Alex. You don't give yourself enough credit." She glances at him with an amused smirk. "I know you've always had a thing for smart, confident women. And Sarah? She's exactly your type." She pauses, then adds, "And I think she's your type too."
Alex scoffs and shakes his head. "You really do love talking in circles. I've got one girlfriend already. I don't need another."
Lila raises an eyebrow. "Oh, you've got a girlfriend. For now. But let's be real. You and Kate aren't exactly the picture of a stable relationship right now." She slows as they approach a stoplight and turns to face him more directly. "Brian's in the picture now, and I don't think he's going anywhere. And you? You're just existing on the sidelines, waiting to see what happens."
Alex stares at her silently. After a few seconds, he says, "So first you tell me I shouldn't worry and that she loves me. Now you're telling me I've got a girlfriend for now. What the fuck is that?"
He gapes at her in bewilderment. "This has been going on since last Saturday morning. Do you want me to dump Kate and go to Sarah instead? Have you lost your fucking mind?"
From his tone, it's clear Lila has crossed the line and he's genuinely pissed off. Lila exhales through her nose, a small knowing smirk forming as she keeps her eyes on the road. "No, I don't want you to dump Kate," she says, the words slow and deliberate. "But I do think you need to be honest with yourself."
She glances at him for just a second before focusing back on the road.
"You're not in a stable relationship anymore, Alex. Brian is here. He's not going anywhere. And you're holding on like you're afraid she's going to disappear." She shrugs. "Maybe she won't. But maybe she will."
Alex speaks with hatred and bitterness, staring straight ahead at the road.
"It's all because of fucking Aria. Why the fuck did she do that? What did I ever do to her? This is revenge. For what? Or has she just completely lost it in her glamorous stupidity?"
He folds his arms.
"She's been brainwashing Kate all these months. Otherwise Kate would've treated this Brian the same way she treats the hundreds of other guys. So while I was sitting upstairs in the mansion, afraid of my panic attacks coming back because of the crowds downstairs at the parties, Aria was just stabbing me in the back over and over again? You know, people literally get killed for that kind of shit. Literally."
Lila shifts in her seat, the leather creaking softly. She keeps her focus on the road ahead. When she finally speaks, her voice sounds measured and careful.
"I don't think it's about revenge," she says. "I think it's about power. And control. Aria Vale has always been complicated." She glances at Alex, her expression unreadable. "She loves Kate. She loves you, in her own way. But she's always needed to be the most important person in Kate's life."
Alex lets out a long sigh. "And so she needs Kate to fuck her boyfriend? For Kate to play Brian's girlfriend?" He slides down a little in the front passenger seat and closes his eyes. "I never interfered with Kate's friendship with Aria. Never. Aria wants to spend more time with Kate? Fine. I'm all for it. But fuck. Playing with feelings, artificially building some kind of love triangles. What kind of bullshit is that? I get it, our Dreamside is a little boring. But maybe that's the point—that we're a closed elite creative community, without paparazzi. Nothing's stopping Aria from constantly partying over in LA if she loves the noise and drama so much."
Lila drums her fingers against the steering wheel, thinking. "You know, Alex, you can think whatever you want about Aria, but Kate is the one who's been making choices here." She glances at him, then back to the road. "You don't have to like it, but you can't ignore it either."
Alex sighs, as if about to counter her point, but instead he says, "You know, I'm done. We've been going in circles the last couple of days in these talks about Kate and that Italian bitch with her basketball-playing rapper. Fuck it."
With a light flick of his hand, he leans the front passenger seat back and reclines into a semi-lying position. He turns slightly away from Lila and closes his eyes completely. "Just drive me home. That's it. I'm sick of all these conversations."
He shows with every gesture that he does not want to talk anymore.
Lila exhales slowly, keeping her eyes on the road as she navigates the winding roads of the Dreamside. She is used to Alex's moods by now—his sudden withdrawals, his temperamental swings, his tendency to shut down when things get too overwhelming. She lets the silence stretch between them for a long moment.
"You know, Alex," she says lightly, deliberately avoiding any heavy tone, "it's kinda cute when you act like you're done with everything. Like you can just lay back and disappear into the seat." She glances at him with a small smirk, noting how he has sunk into the chair, his posture loose and defeated. "But here's the thing. You're not actually done."
Alex remains silent, ignoring her.
After a beat, Lila continues, her voice gentle and sincere. "I know it hurts, Alex. I know you're scared. But running away won't change anything." She pauses. "You've got so much going for you. Your writing, your career, your friends here. You can't just give up on all that because of one person."
Her words stay subdued. "I mean, I get it. Kate's great. But she's not the only fish in the sea, you know?"
February 5, 2024, 2:00 PM, Château des Rêves, Alex and Kate's room.
Alex stands in front of Kate in black shorts and a blue T-shirt. She sits backward on the chair at the desk, wearing a white T-shirt and blue lounge pants. Fresh from golf with Daria and a meeting with her art buyers, Kate listens while Alex recaps his morning trip with Lila to see Dana.
"Anyway… you get the gist," Alex says. "Dana and Mayor Valentina Navari want to launch Erodreamarts. They're sending me to that coastal village, Cambria, so my identity as the real author of the latest Sogni Nudi hits stays hidden. According to Dana, Valentina really wants Château des Rêves involved in this media marathon. You've become part of the team promoting our town to attract new young talent and investment." He sighs and folds his arms. "So… what are your thoughts? Mayor Navari will probably contact you herself soon. Oh, and since Erodreamarts starts March 1st, our Vegas trip is pretty much off."
Kate shifts in the chair, pressing her chest against the backrest, and turns her head to look at him. "Baby Boy," she murmurs, warm and teasing. "You're making this sound like a death sentence." She stretches her arms overhead, her small but attractive breasts pushing firmly against her shirt. "Cambria? That place is gorgeous. Peace, quiet, the beach right there? Sounds like a fucking vacation."
Alex laughs. "Yeah, something like that. In the meantime you'll be an internet star, running blogs and vlogs. Dana and Valentina's team oversees everything. All the major mansions and estates in town are taking part. Cheryl Bloomfield is going to be thrilled." He rubs his face, chuckling. "She and Tara will probably turn into walking memes. Erodreamarts sounds more like an adult-industry thing than a social project to pull young talent and investment into our gated community."
Kate leans back further and rolls her shoulders in a lazy stretch. "Oh please, Baby Boy. You know better than anyone that the adult industry is a big part of our town's economy. If Mayor Navari backs this, it's going to be huge." She smirks, watching his expression. "Besides, you act like I'm not used to cameras. I participate in parties and exhibition openings at Swag&Pop all the time. You think I can't handle a few vlogs?"
Alex glances at the time on his phone. "It's not about that. I've got another English lesson with Sarah soon. God, I still can't get used to needing a tutor for English. I'm a successful erotic writer, for fuck's sake!"
Kate laughs. "Exactly!"
Alex groans. "Ah, fuck… Alright, I guess I'll wrap this up." He rubs the bridge of his nose. "This is about Brian. Remember last night during sex when I suggested he move in with us here at Château des Rêves? Um… Is that appropriate under the circumstances? Since I'm basically gone for a couple of months… Will it look awkward?"
Kate rests her chin on the back of the chair, still in her reverse pose, and spreads her arms wide with a playful laugh. "Oh, Baby Boy, you worry way too much." She raises one eyebrow, lips curling into a mischievous smirk. "But gotta say, the idea of Brian crashing here full-time? Kinda thrilling." She leans forward, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Imagine him waltzing in, ready to spice things up. It's gonna be wild." She swings her legs off the chair, stands, and saunters toward him, hips swaying just enough to tease. She stops close, brushes his arm with her fingers, and softens her eyes. "But don't spiral, okay? You're still my number one dork. This is just me being curious, you know?"
Alex chuckles. "I get it. Don't worry. I'm not as shocked as I was that Saturday morning when Aria told me everything. Or the rest of that Saturday while Lila tried to calm me down. Or yesterday after I talked with Brian. So it's all fine." He smiles, wraps his arms around her waist, and pulls her close. "I didn't think you were…" He clears his throat in mock shyness. "…such a chocolate lover."
Kate giggles and nuzzles her face against his shoulder. "Oh, Baby Boy, you know I have a sweet tooth." She runs her fingers through his hair, touch teasing yet affectionate. "But you've always been my favorite treat."
Alex smirks and tightens his grip around her waist. "I guess I should feel special, then." He leans in and presses a soft kiss to her lips. "Even if I am just a small appetizer before the main course."
Kate pulls back slightly, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Now, now, don't sell yourself short. You're more like... a decadent dessert."
Alex chuckles. "So… I'm the dessert? Is that a hint that it's my turn tomorrow?"
They sway slightly as they stand there, holding each other. Alex catches the scent of Kate's freshly laundered white T-shirt and blue lounge pants mixed with her perfume. Her hands slide around him from behind, gliding over his blue T-shirt and black shorts.
"Hmm… so tonight and into the night you're lighting it up at Topanga Canyon Inn with Brian," Alex says. "Since he's taller than me, you won't be able to look at him the way you're looking at me now." He is right—they stand eye level, his green eyes locked with her blue ones.
Kate smirks and tilts her head to meet his gaze. "Oh, Baby Boy, you're so observant. You're right—Brian's a bit taller, and he's got that whole commanding presence thing going on. But that doesn’t mean I can’t stare him down." She rises onto her tiptoes and presses a playful kiss to the corner of his lips. "And besides, I’m pretty damn good at keeping up with chaos, you know?"
Her fingers trail down his chest, teasing the hem of his T-shirt. "I love our eye-level vibe, but I’m kinda curious what it’s like looking up at that big guy. Don’t worry, though—you’re still my favorite dork to stare at."
Alex chuckles. "Just—no more Aria when it comes to your explorations, alright? She barged into my office Saturday morning and started going on about a big, thick monster that'd stretch her so good. Have you talked to her recently? Is she even ashamed? I haven't seen or called her since Saturday morning."
Kate sighs, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest. "Aria's just... Aria. You know how she is. She's the one who introduced Brian and me, so I guess I can't blame her for being so enthusiastic about it."
She pulls back slightly, her blue eyes searching his face. "Look, I get it. It's weird. And yeah, sometimes she goes a little overboard. But you have to admit, she has a point. Brian is... well, he's pretty impressive." Her gaze drops to his lips before returning to his eyes. "And I've been curious for a long time. You know that."
Alex rolls his eyes. "Well yeah, she got bored of flirting with me in your presence over these four years, so she decided to level up. Fine. I need to head out again for another grammar lesson with Sarah. God, I just hope no one else in the house besides you and Lila finds out about this. An erotic writer who can't even write properly—and then I'll have to go around proving to everyone that English isn't my native language and that I had a difficult past with panic disorder."
Kate's smirk softens into something almost sympathetic as she watches him fidget with the hem of his shirt. She reaches out and catches his wrist. "Baby Boy," she murmurs, her thumb brushing over his pulse point, "no one's gonna judge you for needing help. And if they do? Fuck 'em." Her grip tightens just enough to ground him. "But don't worry—your illiteracy is our secret between the three of us... or rather, the four of us now, considering Sarah. Besides, Sarah's got this weirdly patient thing going on—like, scary patient. You'll be fine."
Then Alex drives over to Sarah's house for his second private English grammar lesson, while Dana calls Kate about Erodreamarts.