Chapter 20: Lore of Château des Rêves.

February 5, 7:45 PM, courtyard of Château des Rêves.
Amy and Madi walk from the basement level of the security annex toward the main building of the mansion.
“How perfectly bad the timing is…” Amy whispers. “Seriously—ever since Aria’s visit to Alex the morning before last, everything goes to hell. Like some kind of curse…” She adjusts her hair as they walk. “And then Kate… God—she heads to Topanga with Brian this evening… on a date. They’re going to fuck.” Amy glances at Madi beside her. “The same Kate who means everything to Alex… and Alex means everything to her. If someone had told me three years ago it would turn out like this…”
Madi glances over, her expression unreadable beneath the mansion’s outdoor lights. “If you want my two cents, it’s not just about sex. It’s about curiosity. About adventure. About feeling alive.” She pauses at the courtyard fountain and watches the water cascade. “Kate’s always been someone who pushes boundaries, Amy. Even before she met Alex.”
Amy huffs out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. “Yeah, because pushing boundaries is one thing when you’re single. It’s another when you’ve got someone like Alex hanging by a thread because of it.”
Madi meets her gaze directly. “Do you really think she doesn’t care about him?”
Amy sighs. “No, I don’t think so. And you know that. You and I know each other way too well after all these years, Madi. It’s just…” She hesitates. “To have Alex as your boyfriend for four years without any polyamory… and then boom!” Amy makes an explosion gesture with her hands. “I can’t even imagine how Aria talked her into this. And what’s worse—you know Alex better than anyone. You and I know him better than anyone. Like they call us around here—‘Alex’s mommies,’ right? Alex just keeps backing off. He even agreed to let Brian move in here…” She pauses. “Or did he suggest it himself? Doesn’t matter.” She crosses her arms. “Sorry, but you’re not exactly innocent either, Madi… Remember what you said yesterday evening, when Alex didn’t come back to the mansion for hours after talking with Brian in Beverly Hills—and we had that video call with the ‘chocolate pretty boy’? You said, ‘You’re welcome at our Château des Rêves anytime, not just for parties.’ And you said that while he devoured you with his eyes—everyone saw it on Becky’s giant wall TV. Do you realize what’s going to happen when he actually moves in? Are we sure our ‘observe and don’t interfere’ strategy is still the right one?”
Madi’s gaze stays fixed on the fountain’s rippling water. Her fingers trace the edge of her blue T-shirt’s neckline. “We’re not interfering, Amy. We’re being honest.” She shifts her weight and turns slightly. “When did we ever promise Alex that his relationship would stay the same forever? Maybe this is what Kate wants.”
Amy scoffs and crosses her arms. “And maybe she’s being manipulated by a famous photographer with an open-relationship fetish.” Her voice drops. “You know Aria’s pushed for this from day one. Ever since she introduced them.”
Madi exhales sharply and shakes her head. “Pushing for it? Yeah, maybe. But do you really think Kate wouldn’t have noticed by now if it wasn’t something she wanted? Four years together and she never once hinted at an open relationship. Then Brian shows up—“ Madi gestures vaguely. “And suddenly she’s hooking up with him at parties. If that wasn’t proof enough, the fact that she’s planning to move him in here is.”
Amy shifts her weight and bites her lip. “That’s not really what worries me.”
“Then what does?”
Amy exhales through her nose, glances toward the manor, then fixes Madi with a pointed stare. “It’s what this is going to do to Alex. You’re not stupid, Madi. You know how he is.”
Madi’s jaw tightens. “I know how he is,” she admits, her tone quieter.
Amy sighs. “Alright… Jocelyn, Kae, and Becky will handle that damn Jonas. Kate is probably already fucking Brian at the Topanga Canyon Inn by now, and Lila…” She tilts her head slightly. “I don’t get Lila’s role in all this. She spent all Saturday morning calming Alex down—right up until that evening when Kate came back to the mansion from the gallery…” Amy pauses. “Yeah, I guess there were no real issues with the exhibition—Aria probably just asked her to stay out of it while she talked to Alex… Damn, what was Kate thinking? She didn’t even tell Alex everything herself… Anyway.” She glances around, checking if anyone listens. “So yeah, both Saturday and Sunday, Lila kept trying to calm Alex down whenever those emotional swings hit him about being a cuckold now…”
Madi snorts. “You’re being pretty blunt today…”
Amy continues. “Well, that’s basically what it is. But I think Lila’s thinking a bit differently than what she’s saying. Over the past couple of days, she’s even gotten closer to Becky. I can’t tell what she’s doing—playing both sides? She and Becky weren’t exactly on good terms before. And definitely not just because of those dumb jokes Becky made about Alex’s dick…”
Amy lets out a heavy sigh and glances at the fountain. “Do you think Kate’s actually starting to fall out of love with Alex—or is this just some temporary madness? It feels a bit too extreme for their kind of relationship, especially when her beloved boyfriend is a first-generation immigrant with a history of panic attacks you barely managed to help him handle.”
Madi’s expression tightens. She rubs her temples. “Temporary madness? Amy, this man Brian is moving in with us. To Château des Rêves, Alex and Kate’s house. The man she wants to openly fuck while her partner of four years hides in his office, avoiding her parties. That’s not a kink. That’s a transition.”
Amy leans against the fountain’s edge, her fingers tracing the stone grooves. “What do you mean, transition?”
Madi crosses her arms, her shoulders rigid. “Kate doesn’t just want sex with Aria’s boyfriend. She’s redefining her relationship with Alex. Look at all the signs—Brian isn’t a party buddy or her bestie’s boyfriend. He’s moving here. That’s domestic integration, not a weekend fling. And Alex looks like he’s asking us all for advice on being a ‘good cuckold,’ as if that’s some kind of career path instead of an identity crisis.”
Amy’s eyes widen. “So you’re implying… But Kate loves him. It doesn’t seem like she’s grown cold toward Alex or anything like that…”
Madi shakes her head. “She’s not leaving him. She’s restructuring things. Reinventing what it means to be together. If you were her—powerful, in control, with a boyfriend who’s never quite fit into the social scenes you host—what would you do? Kate thrives on pushing boundaries, both in sex and social life. And now she’s got Brian…”
Amy sighs and crosses her arms. “Yeah, but is this what Alex signed up for? Does he even know what’s happening right now?”
“Of course he does,” Madi says with authority. “Kate wouldn’t be this bold unless she thought he could handle it. That’s part of why she’s special. She doesn’t tiptoe around things. She throws you into the deep end and expects you to swim.”
Amy looks up at the dark sky. It’s almost 8 PM, and in California in February the light already fades. She glances around, then turns to Madi. “We’d better head back to the main house. Even if no one’s wandering around right now, I don’t want us overheard. Besides, we were supposed to check on Alex…”
Both their phones buzz with a notification from Alex. He’s in Madi’s room.
Amy keeps talking. “Let Becky, Jocelyn, Lila, Kae, and Daria keep dealing with Jonas down in the basement level of the security annex. I wonder how Kate’s gonna react when she finds out the night janitor turned out to be an IT guy trying to sabotage our security system just to scare Becky.”
Madi rolls her eyes. “Like we don’t have enough problems with leaky faucets and blocked toilets. Now we have to worry about staff intentionally corrupting the security feeds? If Jonas knew how much his little stunt would screw us over, he wouldn’t have done it. What could Marisol have promised a forty-two-year-old man to make him risk his job and serious legal trouble?”
The two girls start walking toward the main building. Amy shrugs. “Maybe it wasn’t about money. Maybe it was about power or love. Marisol’s charisma or whatever. She’s got a way of getting people to do things without them realizing how deep they’re getting in. I bet he thought he was doing some minor offense. But damn—how can you be so stupid at forty-two?”
Madi snorts. “He’s maybe not the sharpest tool in the shed, but yeah, he must have a screw loose. I wonder if Marisol really thought this would work out for her. Does she seriously think Becky’s just going to let this slide? Becky doesn’t just get mad—she gets vindictive. And honestly, I think she’s earned the right.”
Amy nods. “Damn right she has. After everything that bitch has put her through? Yeah. I wouldn’t be surprised if Becky hires a private investigator to dig up some dirt on Marisol.”
February 5, 8:00 PM. Madi’s room on the first floor of the main building of Château des Rêves.
Alex sits on the large king-size blue bed, looking at Amy and Madi as they stand before him.
“This is an important conversation, girls,” Alex says as Madi and Amy sit on the bed to his left and right, leaning in to hug him. “You know you’re the only ones I can rely on to assess this whole situation, right?” He sighs. “I don’t get Lila. Ever since Aria barged into my office on the third floor with her amazing news two days ago—‘I proposed your girlfriend fuck my boyfriend a week ago, and she agreed. By the way, Kate and Brian have been hanging out at parties for months while you’re upstairs writing your erotic books’—Lila’s been acting weird.”
He sighs again. “Yeah, she’s supported me these past two days, saying things like ‘Kate loves you and her future sex with fifteen-inch Brian won’t change that.’ But…” Alex pauses. “I think she’s not saying everything she really thinks. Amy,” he looks at her, “remember this morning when Becky barged into my and Kate’s room while…” He trails off, recalling the moment Becky stormed in while he gave Kate anilingus in front of Lila and Daria. “Anyway, Lila and Becky planned all of that. I didn’t want to tell you at first. And I hope you don’t tell Lila I’m sharing this, but they planted a bug so they could hear what you talked about with Kate while I was in the shower. I’ll say right away—I didn’t listen to the recording, but I told Lila not to do that again.”
Amy tilts her head, considering. “That’s a huge violation of privacy, but I get why she did it. She’s trying to make sure Brian isn’t some predator taking advantage of Kate.” She crosses her arms. “Still doesn’t excuse the spying, but yeah. I think she’s watching out for you guys more than she’s letting on.”
Madi nods. “ Lila cares about you, Alex. She wouldn’t support you through all this if she didn’t.” She squeezes his shoulder. “But I think maybe she’s hoping something specific happens. I don’t think she expects you to just be okay with Kate and Brian hooking up.”
Alex snorts. “I’ve already come to terms with the fact that an hour ago she drove to the Topanga Canyon Inn for a date with Brian. Brian came to pick her up here. I didn’t go downstairs to… well, you know.” He looks at Amy. “Alright, I’ll ask directly. What did you talk about with Kate this morning while I was in the shower?”
Amy blinks, her expression tightening as she remembers. She meets Alex’s eyes, clears her throat, and glances away for a second before looking back. She fidgets with the hem of her white shirt.
“Well… she was in a good mood,” Amy says carefully. “Really excited about your suggestion that Brian move in here. She kept saying how cool it would be.” Amy hesitates, then continues with a slight smirk. “And yeah, she mentioned the date. Said she was looking forward to it. You know how she gets sometimes.” She raises her eyebrows, implying the rest.
Alex exhales through his nose and nods. “If I’m honest, I’m just tired of all this,” he says. “Whatever happens, happens. Let’s not flush down everything we’ve achieved, right, Madi?” He glances at her, hinting at how she helped him overcome his panic attacks. “Amy…” He looks at her, then lowers his gaze. “You two are for me.”
He lets out a heavy sigh and falls back onto the bed. “Madi, can I stay over tonight?” he says quietly to the ceiling.
Madi doesn’t hesitate. She lies down beside him and brushes her fingers through his hair. “Of course, baby. Stay as long as you need.” She looks at Amy, who nods, then back to Alex.
“You know I’m always here for you,” Madi continues. Her hand rests on his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat. “You’re struggling, and that’s okay. We all are sometimes.”
Amy lies on his other side, close enough to offer support without crowding him.
“We can talk about whatever you want,” Amy says quietly.
They lie together in silence: Madi and Amy with Alex between them on the bed.
Amy props herself up, slips off her black blazer, tosses it aside, and lies back down, wrapping her arms around him.
Madi and Amy hold him tightly from both sides. The two girls glance at each other. They’re both straight, but a deep, sisterly tenderness has always existed between them, strengthened by their closeness to Alex.
Sandwiched between them, Alex lies still, his gaze drifting lazily and half-drowsy between Madi and Amy.
“I’m feeling some strange vibes between you two,” Alex begins, his tone weary and half-asleep but laced with sarcasm. “You both are not hinting that you both…”
Madi and Amy giggle. Madi strokes his hair, her fingers gentle but firm. “Just because we care about you doesn’t mean we want to jump your bones,” she teases.
Amy shifts closer, draping her arm across his torso, her fingers trailing lightly over his T-shirt. “We’re your friends,” she says softly. “And right now, you look like you need hugs more than sex.” She presses her cheek against his shoulder, feeling him relax under her touch.
Alex exhales slowly. His hands come up to rest on both girls’ hips, fingers curling into the fabric of Madi’s gray pants and Amy’s black pants. The contact feels subtle, almost unconscious, like he anchors himself to them.
“An erotic writer who lives in a mansion with a bunch of sexy girls, but fucks only one…” Alex says quietly with his eyes closed, hinting that he has sex only with Kate. “Outside of Dreamside, I’d be ridiculed. And Kate is probably having sex with Brian right now at the Topanga Canyon Inn. Is it normal that I don’t feel jealousy?” He sighs. “And anyway, in this incident with the security system, there’s a positive side. Becky will devote herself entirely to fighting Marisol and won’t laugh at me about my supposedly small dick. Madi, you’ve seen my dick hundreds of times during my medical checkups. It’s normal size. Or am I not getting some joke about it?”
Madi’s fingers pause in Alex’s hair for a second before they continue their slow massage. She lets out a soft chuckle and tilts her head to look at his face. “Your dick is perfectly fine, sweetheart,” she murmurs, her tone carrying that professional, reassuring quality she uses in the doctor’s office.
“It’s not the size that matters anyway,” Amy adds. She shifts slightly so her thigh presses more firmly against Alex’s. “It’s how you use it.” She grins.
Alex giggles in response. “Well, yeah, of course…”
He sighs and continues speaking quietly, still lying between Amy and Madi with his eyes closed. “And Kate is probably having wild rides there right now. Brian must be thrilled. You didn’t see Kate when she left the building around 6 PM? She wears a minimalistic and classic dress: a bright red, long-sleeved piece with a fitted bodice and a flared A-line skirt that ends above the knee. A high neckline accented with a white pointed collar gives it a preppy, school-inspired touch. The waistline is defined with a slim black belt. The sleeves are straight and slightly fitted, ending at the wrists without cuffs or embellishments. On her feet are elegant gray heels with a black polka-dot pattern. Her makeup is as soft as possible, with matte rosy lipstick and black mascara. Her hair falls down with a gentle side part, slightly wavy at the ends, with subtle volume at the roots. On her shoulder is a stylish black women’s handbag…”
Alex smirks with his eyes closed. “That very dress I called the ‘Alice in Wonderland outfit’… her favorite book.” He opens his eyes and looks at Madi. “That dress would suit you too. But Amy—no, she’s not a blonde. Well, Amy, we’ll dress you up as Dorothy…”
Amy snorts and playfully nudges Alex’s side with her elbow. “Dorothy? Like the Wizard of Oz?” She laughs and shakes her head. “I’d look ridiculous in a blue and white dress and a basket of straw on my hand.”
Madi chuckles. Her fingers still move through Alex’s hair in slow, methodical strokes. “But you’d be cute in it,” she teases, flashing Amy a grin before she returns her attention to Alex. “You really remember every detail of what she wore, huh?”
Alex giggles. He settles more comfortably on the large king-size blue bed between Amy and Madi, putting his hand under his head. “I’m a writer, if you haven’t forgotten. I notice a lot of details. And I’m in a relationship with a girl, and we live in a mansion where most of the staff are girls. And that means…” Alex pauses. “Most of the conversations are about outfits. Well, from this picture, only Kae and Lila stand out. They mostly dress only in panties and bras—minimalism in clothing. By the way— Lila would fit right here on the bed with us now… But she’s probably discussing Becky’s revenge plan against Marisol in the security annex, together with Jocelyn… and maybe Daria. Daria has gotten along pretty well with Becky. I hope Miss Shirova won’t start teasing me about my dick too…”
Alex giggles and covers his eyes. “I don’t want to bail to Cambria on February 28… but Dana and the Sogni Nudi board of directors don’t want to reveal my identity, and neither do Kate and I. When I write under pseudonyms and most people in America don’t know that I’m the author of those erotic masterpieces—everyone’s calmer. And my presence here during Erodreamarts creates a risk of my exposure. What a fucking twist of fate…”
Madi’s fingers continue their gentle massage. They move from Alex’s scalp down to his temples in slow, rhythmic motions. “Yes, you’re leaving because of that project. That’s a shame. I mean, I understand the need for secrecy, but it still sucks.”
Amy shifts her position. She sits up slightly to face Alex better and rests her hand on his chest, tracing idle circles with her fingers. “If this Erodreamarts thing is too risky, maybe you should come out. It’s not like you’ll be gone forever.” She speaks with a mixture of understanding and mild concern.
Alex keeps his eyes closed. He savors Madi’s touch and Amy’s caress. “Yeah…” He pauses, then continues. “Well, regarding Brian moving here. It would have happened anyway, right? Kate can’t keep shuttling to him in Beverly Hills all the time…” He sighs. “I’ll take Lila with me to Cambria. After all, I still need my permanent personal assistant and editor for my erotic writing.”
“That’s right,” Amy agrees, nodding. “If Brian’s moving in, it’s only fair. Kate doesn’t want to be a shuttle girl. And you know… it’s not like you won’t be coming back.”
Madi says, “Alex, I understand about Lila. She’d kill you if you left her behind.” The girls share a knowing glance.
Amy’s fingers trace absent circles on Alex’s chest. “Besides, it’s not breaking up between you and Kath. This is just temporary, right? For work reasons.”
Madi’s fingers move to Alex’s shoulders and knead gently. “What matters is how you feel about it all. You’ve always been hard about changes.”
Alex curls up his legs. Now he lies on the large king-size blue bed almost in a fetal position. To his left lies Madi, to his right lies Amy. The girls hug him from both sides. All three freeze.
“Yes, I have a hard time handling changes. And I also had an unpleasant past with panic attacks. But that’s why both of you are here, right?” He falls silent for a couple of seconds and says quietly, a bit playfully, “Can I call you my moms? The entire Château des Rêves already thinks so…”
Madi snorts softly. “Your mom? Fuck no. I’m not nearly old enough for that shit. I’m 26.” She pinches his earlobe gently. “I’m your private doctor and friend. So… Maybe Amy will be your mom? She’s 29.”
Amy gasps dramatically. “Ummm… Excuse me, Madi, but I’ll have you know I’m still in my prime. This face? These tits? This ass? All absolutely nowhere near mom territory.” She adjusts herself closer to Alex. Her words quiet to a conspiratorial whisper when she looks at Madi. “And don’t even get me started on how many vibrators I have under my bed.”
Meanwhile, Alex smirks and covers his eyes. “And still, both of you are mother’s material. No matter how much you deny it. And anyway, you’d make amazing MILFs. Amy will be one in a year already.”
Amy pinches his side, making him yelp. “Okay, first of all, rude. Second, if I’m a MILF, that implies I have a kid. Which I don’t. So you’re just calling me old.” She shakes her head, but she laughs. “You’re lucky you’re cute when you’re having a crisis.”
Alex moans dramatically and continues. “So, you’re not planning on having a child, Amy? Ok… but are you planning a husband?” Alex playfully shifts his gaze to Madi. “This concerns you too.”
Amy snorts and rolls her eyes. “Oh, hell no. No kids, no husband. I’ve got my hands full just managing this mansion, my ASMR blogging career, and… other things.” She bumps her shoulder against Alex’s.
Madi hums thoughtfully. “I dunno. Maybe someday, if the right guy comes along. But I’m not rushing into anything. Right now, I’m happy with just being me.” She adds proudly, “I mean being a super general practitioner at Health&Cozy and your and Kate’s private doctor. And private doctor of everyone at this mansion.”
Alex laughs. “Well, yeah. The most important thing is that without the two of you, I wouldn’t have achieved everything I have. My talent would have just drowned in eternal panic attacks.” He stares thoughtfully at the ceiling of Madi’s room. “And overall, this idea with Erodreamarts is quite workable: a PR marathon of blogs, vlogs, and all that shit… limited involvement of media and paparazzi—who will be under full control by Mayor Navari’s people and Dana… I think journalists are already fighting each other to the death for the right to get in here—only a select few will be allowed at Dreamside. If this doesn’t attract new young guys and girls here and new investments—well… it’ll be a fail. By the way, Erodreamarts is a good condition for career advancement. Amy—you’d make an excellent actress, not just an ASMRtist. Especially since in recent years Kate has focused more on her modeling and artist career than acting—you can consider that you won’t have serious competition.”
Amy stretches her arms above her head, still lying on the large king-size blue bed to the right of Alex. “Hmm, you know what? I actually might consider it. It’s true I don’t have much acting experience, but I love being in front of the camera. And I’m not afraid of people.” She smirks. “In fact, I love attention. Might as well use that to my advantage, right? Besides, it would be a great way to expand my brand. More exposure for my ASMR stuff, maybe even some sponsorships. And hey, it could be fun!”
Madi chuckles. “You’re right, Amy. You’ve got the personality for it. And your role-playing ASMR is awesome….”
Alex giggles. “Well, her medical-themed ASMR roleplays aren’t exactly honest—Amy just copies your medical checkup sessions, Madi!” He squirms between Madi and Amy. “Damn, Madi—your bed is as big as mine and Kate’s sexodrome.”
Madi snorts, rolling her eyes. “Oh, please, don’t start with that again. You two need to invent a new name for your giant fold-out couch-bed. ‘Sexodrome’ sounds like a terrible 80s porn.”
Alex laughs. “That was Kate’s idea! She loves the eighties, you know!” He adjusts his white T-shirt and black shorts, still squirming between them. “And she told me, I quote: ‘I chose it specifically for future activities. Activities with lots of people.’ And she also said, ‘the guest list is… flexible’—that was in response to my question about who else she’d be fucking on our fold-out couch-bed besides Brian.” Alex laughs harder, rolling his eyes. “Damn it! I mean, I kind of agree with the phrase ‘An actress is more than a woman; an actor is less than a man’—but Kate is definitely playing her part well. No, I love her deadpan humor, but sometimes you can’t fucking tell if she’s joking or being serious…”
Amy giggles, propping herself up on her elbows. “You know, I think Kate enjoys keeping you guessing. It’s like she knows you’ll overthink everything, and she gets a kick out of watching you try to figure her out.” She reaches over and gently pokes Alex’s cheek. “You’re so cute when you’re confused, like a little puppy.”
Alex turns his head toward her and squints. “First of all—I’m a kitten, not a puppy. Second—that sounds like Kate wants to reenact what happened with that girl at one of the parties last year, who got fucked in every hole in one of the rooms in this building. Remember? I wasn’t there, but I was told later that the crowd recorded the whole thing on their phone cameras. Kae wanted to show me the footage, but I passed.” He raises a finger, his tone playful and sarcastic. “That’s exactly why I don’t go to parties: crowds of people are bad for my mental health, and random sex orgies are enough for me in my books.”
Madi lets out a low whistle and shakes her head. “Gosh, Alex… You really think Kate’s planning something like that?” She rolls onto her side to face him better. Her fingers brush against his arm. “I mean, I know she’s wild, but even for her…”
Amy chuckles, stretching her arms above her head. “Oh, I wouldn’t be surprised. You know Kate—she thrives on pushing boundaries. And with Brian around…” She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.
Alex rolls his eyes, then gives Amy a disgruntled but playful glance. “Cut it out, Ms. House Manager,” he says, running his hand over her white shirt and black pants. “You’re not Lila. I can’t handle another girl in this house laughing at me.” He adds, “And yes—I appreciate you just as much as Madi. Don’t trigger my panic attacks from my past.” He presses himself against Amy, burying his face in her small chest. “Madi doesn’t laugh at me. But you do. Don’t laugh at me. Don’t laugh…” Alex whines in a playful-complaining tone, trying to hold back laughter.
Amy giggles, wrapping her arms around him and giving him a tight squeeze. “Oh, you big baby,” she teases, pushing his face gently back so she can look down at him. “You’re absolutely adorable when you’re being this dramatic.” She runs her fingers through his hair affectionately, her face softening. “But I promise I’m not laughing at you—just with you. And I’d never trigger your panic attacks on purpose.” She leans down and kisses the top of his head. “Besides, you know I adore you. Even when you’re being all cute and whiny like this.” She nuzzles against his cheek, her breath warm against his skin.
Madi looks at them, propped up on her elbow with her head resting on her hand. “Yeah… ‘All absolutely nowhere near mom territory,’ she said…” Madi teases Amy.
“Madi… just go to hell,” Amy replies, laughing.
Alex pulls his face away from Amy’s chest. “Here’s the thing… I’ve never talked about this because I was scared… Anyway—you know I’m a Russian-speaking immigrant, right? Well, the thing is—I’ve always had issues with English grammar…”
“…And that’s why Lila, figuratively speaking, wipes your cute little ass, being your personal assistant,” Madi interrupts. “Alex, did you really think this open secret was just between the three of you: you, Kate, and Lila? Come on—it’s obvious: Lila doesn’t just inspire you and throw ideas your way—she edits all your texts too.” She giggles. “So, what’s the deal?”
Alex leans back, staring at the ceiling as he settles comfortably between them. “Anyway, the day before yesterday, Saturday evening, Lila let her friend Sarah in on this secret when they were chatting on Skype. I mean Sarah Cote. As far as I know, she sometimes shows up at Kate’s parties here at our mansion.”
Madi frowns. “Sarah? That’s interesting. So, what’s the issue here, Alex? That Sarah knows you need help writing?”
Alex sighs, still staring at the ceiling. “There’s one problem… Do you know why Lila told her about it? Lila thought it’d be great if Sarah became my English tutor… She’s an administrative assistant in the art class at Dreamside High School, if you haven’t forgotten… And the problem isn’t in that fact itself—I was already at her place yesterday and today, had two written English lessons with her, and I’m making progress… The problem is something else…”
“Go on,” Madi prompts, intrigued.
Alex sighs and shifts his gaze between Amy and Madi. “Basically, all this tutoring is just a cover for me and Sarah to get closer. It’s Lila’s idea. After all my worries about the situation with Kate and Brian, Lila set this up in case Kate dumps me. Fucked up, right? And neither Lila nor Sarah are even hiding it.” He sighs again. “Just don’t tell anyone. I haven’t even told Kate—it could look like I’m starting something with Sarah as some kind of ‘revenge’ against her.”
A few seconds of silence hang in the air—then Amy and Madi say almost simultaneously: “That’s fucked up.” They exchange a glance, and Madi shifts closer to Alex, propping herself up on one elbow. Her long blonde hair spills over her shoulder as she looks down at him.
“Alex, sweetheart… this is so messed up. Lila’s planning your life while you’re freaking out about Brian.”
Alex lies on his back. He turns his head and looks up at Madi.
“Do you think I should tell Kate about Sarah’s feelings for me? And about what Lila really set up these lessons for?”
Amy scoffs and shifts to sit cross-legged on the bed.
“If Kate knew Sarah had a thing for you, it would be like adding gasoline to a bonfire.” She glances at Madi, who nods. “She’d probably go full ‘protect my man’ mode. That’s just not helpful right now.”
Alex and Madi sit up on the large king-size blue bed.
“I kinda get her logic,” Alex says. “Like—if Kate, after four years of an exclusive relationship with me, can be intimate with another guy, then why can’t I?” He sighs. “But damn… I love Kate. I don’t want to. Though I get that it looks weird from the outside.”
He darts his gaze between Amy and Madi.
Madi leans back slightly. Her hazel eyes narrow as she processes his words. Her fingers rest lightly on his shoulder and give a gentle squeeze.
“Sweetheart, you’re stuck in a real tangle here,” she says, her voice soft but firm, that ASMR-like calm she is known for. “Kate’s out there doing her thing with Brian, and now Lila’s playing matchmaker with Sarah behind your back? That’s a lot. I get why you’re spinning. But telling Kate about Sarah’s feelings or Lila’s little scheme might just make things messier. She’s already riding high on this Brian situation, and throwing this at her could make her feel like you’re trying to one-up her. You don’t want that kind of drama, do you?”
Amy leans forward, still cross-legged. Her dark hair falls over one shoulder as she tilts her head. Her brown eyes glint with concern and playful skepticism.
“Yeah, Alex, let’s not poke the bear when it’s already dancing with a guy who’s packing fifteen inches,” she says, smirking but keeping her tone light. “Look, I’m all for laying cards on the table, but Madi’s right—this isn’t the time. Kate’s got her head in the clouds with Brian, and if you drop this Sarah bomb, it’s gonna be like tossing a wrench into a spinning engine. Plus, Lila’s meddling is shady as hell. She’s acting like she has your back, but setting you up with Sarah as a ‘just in case’? That’s not loyalty. That’s her playing chess with your life.”
Alex giggles nervously.
“Oh… You should’ve seen that scene—how I reacted to Lila’s ‘brilliant plan’ to set me up with Sarah.” He stretches his neck and shoulders. “I even accused Lila of supposedly working with Aria. Yeah, it was stupid, and it just made her laugh.” He pauses. “Anyway, Kate and Brian’s romance is now officially started. This evening at 7:00 PM they have their date at Topanga Canyon Inn. They’re probably fucking there already.”
Alex smirks, staring ahead.
“Funny… Kate means everything to me, and I was freaking out—from Saturday morning when I found out about all this from Aria—until yesterday evening. And now I’m like, whatever. Maybe it’s some kind of psychological defense mechanism to keep from going crazy. I mean—I trust Kate. I’m not against her having sex with someone else. The main thing is that she and I are together. Kate and I have been a really weird couple these past four years—exclusive to each other when so many other couples in Dreamside have more open relationships.”
Madi hums thoughtfully, her fingers still resting lightly on Alex’s shoulder.
“That’s complicated,” she says slowly. “But I get it. You two have always done things your own way.”
Her hazel eyes flick to Amy, who nods.
“You’re handling it better than I thought,” Amy adds, shifting to get more comfortable. “Most guys would be losing their minds right now. I mean, Brian’s got a monster dick, and your girl’s all over it. But you’re taking it in stride.”
Alex giggles.
“The dick… yeah. Do you both think it’s just about some huge black cock? Kate’s been talking to this Brian at every party since September 2 last year when Aria introduced them.” He rubs his neck. “I know you, Madi, hardly show up to parties because of your work—here and at Health&Cozy. But you, Amy.” Alex looks at her. “As house manager, you must have seen the two of them at parties. Did you notice anything?”
Amy leans back.
“Oh, I saw something alright,” she says with a soft chuckle. “Kate was definitely interested. Like, from the moment they met. I don’t know if she knew what she wanted exactly—she’s not the type to just jump into bed with anyone. But there was a spark.”
She twirls a strand of dark hair around her finger.
“Brian was smooth as hell with her. Always asking about her art, her golf, whatever Kate was working on. And Kate? She’d get embarrassed every time he touched her arm or leaned in close. She’s so open with her feelings.” Amy smiles at the memory. “She tries to play it cool, but you can see it all over her face. The way she looked at him—it was different than how she looks at you, Alex. It was like she wanted to figure something out. Like she was working up the courage for something.”
Madi snorts. “You mean fucking him, obviously.”
Amy smirks. “Yeah. Pretty much. But in that Kate way—you know, like she’s got all these thoughts spinning in her head about it. Like she’s trying to solve a puzzle or something.”
Alex giggles and rolls his eyes.
“Ugh… For all four years, I avoided parties and didn’t even want to hear about what was going on at them.” He looks at Madi. “So my panic attacks wouldn’t come back. I’ll be grateful to you forever, Madi, for helping me deal with them.” Then he shifts his gaze to Amy. “But now I’m damn curious about what was happening there. So…” He lets out a playful sigh. “Question one, Ms. Kade: what was Aria doing during all this? Was she hanging around them? I know she doesn’t miss a single party in our mansion.”
Amy leans forward.
“Oh, Aria? She was very present.” She gestures vaguely. “You know how she gets. She’d be right there, teasing them both, pushing them together.”
Amy chuckles.
“She’d say things like, ‘Oh, Kate, don’t you love his voice? It’s so deep and smooth…’ or ‘Brian, don’t you think Kate’s new painting is just gorgeous? She worked so hard on it…’ Just little nudges. Always watching to see how they reacted to each other.”
Alex settles more comfortably on the large king-size blue bed, sitting cross-legged between Amy and Madi, who sit the same way.
“So… What about the others?” He frowns. “Like, for example, that damn Becky—how did she react? As a personal assistant, she spends a lot of time around Kate. At parties too, I assume.”
Amy makes a face.
“Becky? Oh, she was… I don’t know. Amused, maybe?” She glances at Madi, who shrugs. “She was there for all of it, but she kept her distance. Not in the way Aria did, pushing them together. More like watching to see where it would go.”
Amy scrunches her nose.
“I think she liked the idea of Kate with someone new. Like, she’s been around long enough to see how things were with you and Kate, Alex.” She pauses. “I think she was happy to see Kate interested in someone else.”
Alex crosses his arms over his chest.
“Hmm… Got it. And what about Daria—Kate’s caddie?”
Amy tilts her head.
“Daria? She’s observant. She likes to be in the know. I think she saw what was happening and was just taking it all in.” She shrugs. “She didn’t push them together like Aria did. But she noticed. And she made a few comments about it to me later…”
Alex looks visibly surprised. He adjusts his white T-shirt and black shorts. He glances at Madi, who fixes the collar of her blue T-shirt and gray pants. Then his gaze slides to Amy’s black blazer lying off to the side. Alex rubs his temple and looks at Amy, who adjusts her white shirt and black pants.
“What kind of comments?” Alex asks.
Amy shifts on the large king-size blue bed. Her fingers fidget with the hem of her white shirt as she glances at Alex, then at Madi.
“Okay, so Daria… she notices everything. She acts all sweet and cheerful, but her eyes scan the room constantly. After one of the parties—late October—she pulls me aside in the kitchen while we clean up. She wipes down the counter, hums some anime song, and then says, ‘Kate’s got a crush, da? Brian’s got her all flustered, like in those silly love mangas.’ She says it with this little smirk, half-joking, but then adds, ‘Takova zhizn, Amy. People chase what makes their heart race, even if it’s messy.’ I laugh it off, but she stays calm, like she already decides Kate and Brian will happen. She even quotes some Russian cartoon about a bear chasing honey. It sounds cute but confusing. Daria just stays curious about the drama, like she watches one of her romance novels unfold in real life. She doesn’t seem judgy—just amused and filing it away.”
Amy pauses, her lips quirking into a grin.
“Oh, and she definitely notices you, Alex, staying upstairs during those parties. She says something like, ‘Poor Alex, writing his spicy stories while his girl dances with a giant. Life is ironic, nyet?’”
Alex facepalms. “Fuck…” He looks at Amy with a tired, slightly irritated expression, but his gaze really aims at Daria. “Fuck… I remember from my past Russian-speaking life what she talks about. That cartoon with the bear and the honey.” He crosses his arms over his chest again. “Is she a fool? Does Daria even know I had panic attacks in the past?” He asks the rhetorical question, then adds, “That I don’t avoid parties for no reason? What else does she say?”
Amy laughs and tosses her hair back. “Oh, she’s not a fool, Alex. Just observant. And maybe a little too invested in other people’s love lives.”
Madi crosses her arms. “Daria’s got a point, though. Kate and Brian grow closer.”
She trails off, glancing between Alex and Amy.
Alex rolls his eyes. “Alright…” He looks at Amy, then shifts his gaze to Madi. “I need to know what the rest of the staff says over the past months about the dynamic between Brian and Kate.” A plea fills his eyes. “Listen, I get that you want to shield me from this world, but I need the truth. Because I suspect Lila doesn’t tell me everything.”
Alex looks up at the ceiling. After a few seconds, he says, “Okay… Anastasia Bozhenko. Kate’s personal trainer. I’m curious about her opinion from the mansion.” He pauses. “If she expresses it. She definitely does…”
Amy bites her lip and shifts slightly. She glances at Madi, who shrugs.
“Well…” Amy starts slowly. “Anastasia doesn’t talk much, but she notices things. She sees how Brian and Kate act at the pool party in December—how he always looks at her and how Kate laughs when he comes near. And when I help her stretch one day, she says something like…” Amy mimics Anastasia’s Ukrainian accent, “’Kate smiles more around Brian. It’s good for her, yeah? But maybe… Not so good for Alex.’”
Alex stays silent for a couple of seconds, then slowly says, “Well…” He stretches his shoulders. “What do people outside the staff say? Like Ariel, for example?”
Amy exhales and glances at Madi again. “Ariel?” She laughs softly. “That girl is nosy. And sweet. And naughty. Madi and I know she texts Kate all the time about Brian. Kate mentions it sometimes. Ariel adores you and Kate as a couple, but she also thinks Brian and Kate would make a cute pair.”
Alex tilts his head. “’Thinks’? And what about before? You use present tense, but I’m also interested in what Ariel thinks about me, Kate, and Brian before all this. Before Aria’s proposal about expanding boundaries on the evening of January 26. Yes… I mean the period from January 26 to the night of February 4, when Ariel doesn’t yet know about my consent, because Kath doesn’t text her.”
He stays silent for a couple of seconds, then adds, “Yes, it turns out Kate texts Ariel about it during my sex with Kate. I find out later.”
Madi raises her eyebrows and exchanges a quick glance with Amy. “Okay, so you want the full timeline. Ariel stays curious from the start. Super invested. She and Kate talk on the phone or text almost daily after Brian first comes to the mansion on September 2. Ariel always asks questions—‘How does he talk to you?’ and ‘What do you think about his voice?’” Madi pauses and rolls her eyes slightly. “The girl obsesses over the details. And after Aria’s suggestion, things get more intense.”
Amy nods and picks up the thread. “Ariel knows about the proposal before February 4. Kat texts her right after Aria leaves that night of January 26—you remember, the night you work on the ‘Parisian Chevalier’ deadline. Ariel stays enthusiastic. Excited for her best friend. It happens before the morning of February 3 when Aria comes to you with the proposal. And before the night of February 4, when Ariel learns of your agreement.”
Alex rolls his eyes and giggles. Then he looks at Amy. “Kate shows me the messages that night, February 4—last night. There is something about black guys being real possessive, that Kate and I are like one of those picture-perfect pairs from a 1950s show, and that she’s happy for the three of us. She also asks Kate how Brian reacts to my consent.” He smirks. “So Ariel already feels impressed by Brian before?”
Amy tilts her head, a knowing smile spreading across her face. “Oh yeah. Ariel grows interested in Brian from the first party he attends. She notices how he makes Kat nervous—in a good way. She keeps asking Kat if she plans to introduce you two, if you’ll be cool with each other.” Amy makes air quotes with her fingers. “Kat stays hesitant at first. I remember her saying you get nervous around new people, especially men. But Ariel pushes. She says he feels different from the usual guys at the parties.”
Madi nods and leans forward on the large king-size blue bed. “Ariel thinks Brian is captivating.”
Alex frowns. “Hm… Back in November, Kate, Ariel, and I hang out together. I don’t notice any hints from Ariel. And no mentions of Brian at all. I don’t even know about Brian until last Saturday—and I only find out from Aria. There is no tension between Ariel and Kate in November when the three of us hang out.”
Amy leans back on her hands. Her long dark hair falls over her shoulders as she gives Alex a teasing grin, her brown eyes sparkling with mischief. “Alright, Alex, let’s talk Ariel. Back in November, when you three chill, Ariel doesn’t drop any Brian bombs—nobody even thinks romance yet. She stays too smooth for that, always keeping things light and fun, chatting about her art or her Hot and Delicious cooking show with Kate. No shady vibes, just her usual flirty, romantic self. But once Aria throws out that wild open boundaries idea on January 26, Ariel’s curiosity kicks into overdrive. She starts blowing up Kate’s phone, asking stuff like, ‘Hey, what’s the deal with Brian? He giving you butterflies?’ Total rom-com energy. By February 4, when Kate spills that you stay cool with it, Ariel gets hyped. She texts about how you and Kate make this cute monogamy couple, but she feels stoked Kate gets this new spark. Before that? Ariel just acts as her sweet, nosy self, not pushing any Brian agenda until Kate texts her in.”
A short silence falls. Madi and Amy shift a little on the large king-size blue bed.
Alex flops back onto the bed and giggles. Then he slides his head onto Madi’s lap and stretches his legs toward Amy.
“I’m getting cuckolded by my own girlfriend, the night janitor hacks the security system just to piss off Becky, Lila’s friend tries to seduce me, my publisher wants me out of the house so I don’t ruin this fucking Erodreamarts with our gated-town mayor and reveal my personality as the real author of erotic novels by Sogni Nudi in front of society… Too much shit for the first few days of February, don’t you think?” Alex says cheerfully.
“Also, Malu hands me a pink folder today—probably an invite—while Lila and I wait for Dana outside her office at Sogni Nudi. Dana’s secretary always looks like she is about to wrap you around her little finger. I have not opened it yet. It sits in my room. But I am 99% sure it is an invite to some dumb creative evening. Malu just says, “Oh, by the way, this is for you, since you are such a connoisseur of female beauty.” I hope it is not total bullshit. I will open it with Lila once she finishes plotting with Becky against Marisol.
Amy lets out a short laugh and nudges Alex’s foot. “You are right, that is a lot of shit. Though I think the Malu thing is just Malu being Malu. She has a weird sense of humor.”
Madi starts massaging Alex’s scalp absentmindedly. “And here I thought my job was stressful. At least I do not have to worry about security breaches or some… creative evenings.”
“By the way, Madi… What is new at Health&Cozy? Something wild has to be happening in Dreamside’s biggest high-tech hospital.” Alex says, looking up at her while his head rests on her gray-pants-covered lap. “I feel like we have drifted apart since my panic attacks vanished. How about the three of us hang out when you finally get a weekend off?” He flicks a glance at Amy on the far side of the large king-size blue bed, then back to Madi. “You still doing two-on/two-off shifts? Or…?”
Madi’s fingers continue their slow, soothing massage as she looks down at Alex with a warm smile. “Nothing too exciting medically, sweetheart. A few interesting cases, but nothing that would make for good party gossip.” She pauses, tilting her head slightly. “Though I did have a patient this week who was convinced they were allergic to… well, let us just say they are not the first person to come up with that excuse.”
Amy giggles. “Oh god, Madi, you gotta tell us now.”
Madi chuckles, her fingers pressing gently into Alex’s scalp as she continues. “You are right, I do. This poor guy comes in swearing up and down he is allergic to… well, semen. Says every time he has sex, his throat closes up and he has trouble breathing. Obviously, it is all psychosomatic, but the way he describes it—“ Madi shakes her head, laughing softly. “He has this whole elaborate explanation about how it is a ‘genetic intolerance’ or some bullshit. Like, man, your body is not actually rejecting your partner’s cum.”
Alex giggles. “Like, he is gay but does not want to suck his boyfriend off? Is that his way of dumping him or what?”
Madi’s fingers pause mid-stroke, and she tilts her head in amusement. “Oh, he is definitely gay. Or bi, I guess. But he claims he is monogamous and wants to work it out with his boyfriend.” She resumes the massage, applying slightly more pressure as she chuckles. “Apparently the boyfriend is really into swallowing, and our patient does not have the heart to tell him no.”
Amy shifts on the bed, leaning in with rapt attention. “So he comes up with the allergy excuse?” She laughs, covering her mouth. “God, that is pathetic but kinda brilliant.”
Alex shifts a little on the large king-size blue bed, his head still resting on Madi’s gray-pants-covered lap. His fingers toy with the hem of Madi’s blue T-shirt.
“Right now Kate is probably with Brian at Topanga Canyon Inn… Wonder if she will swallow? She always does with me. Though she does not blow me that often. Not because she does not want to. I just never really ask.”
Madi’s fingers pause mid-motion, pressing gently but firmly against Alex’s scalp as she considers his words. Amy watches Madi with a slight smirk.
“She seems like the kind of girl who would,” Amy muses, twirling a lock of her hair around one finger. “I mean, if you say she always swallows yours, and she is into Brian, I bet she does.”
Amy slides off the bed, smoothing her white shirt and black pants. She glances at the clock on her phone.
“Okay… It is already 8:20 PM.”
She walks to the mini-fridge, opens it.
“Madi, do you have any soda in here? Where do you always stash it?” she asks, rummaging inside.
Alex blinks up at Madi as she resumes the massage, her fingers working small circles against his scalp. He does not answer Amy immediately, his mind caught in the image of Kate with Brian. He imagines the scene, the way she might look up at Brian with those striking blue eyes while she does it.
“Yeah,” Alex finally mumbles. “She is… probably… yeah. She is probably with him right now.”
Amy laughs as she pops open a can of Diet Coke. “God, that is hot. I bet he is loving it.”
Madi hums in agreement, her fingers pressing just a little harder into Alex’s temples. Alex frowns, nuzzling his nose into the fabric of Madi’s gray pants as she stops pressing his temples and switches to softer strokes.
“Less ‘Lila mode,’ Amy. I asked you.”
He pauses, then goes on.
“Fifteen inches… I mean, obviously that is fully hard, maximum-hard… But is not that just overkill?”
Amy snorts, taking a long sip of her soda. She climbs back onto the bed, sitting cross-legged next to Alex’s head.
“Mmhmm. Yeah, I mean, it is a lot. But…” She grins, tapping her soda can lightly against Alex’s shoulder. “You know how some girls are into really big dildos? Like, not because they want to get stretched out, but just because they like the idea of something massive being in them? It is kinda the same thing.”
Alex sighs. “Can we be at least a little more serious right now, Amy? Damn, I mean, it probably hurts, right? Fantasies are one thing, and real life is another.”
Amy says, “I mean, I guess it could hurt if she is not used to it, but…” She grins. “You know how she is. If she is really charmed by him, and I think she is, she probably gets wetter and wetter the bigger it gets. Like, the idea of taking something that big is a turn-on for her, right? And I bet he is good with it—like, not just shoving it in. Maybe he starts slow, works his way up.”
Alex giggles, briefly lifting his head from Madi’s lap to shoot Amy a look.
“Oh, yeah… Go ahead, teach the erotic writer how people actually fuck. Especially how his girlfriend is gonna fuck her bestie’s boyfriend. Damn, if Kate and I had started out open… it would probably be easier for me. But I really love her, like, life-level love. And after four years of strict monogamy… Okay, enough chewing the same cud. I just hope Kate still carves out time for me. Even once in a while.”
Amy makes a dramatic expression, rolling her eyes as she sips more soda. “Oh, c’mon, Alex. You are not gonna lose her over this. If anything, you might even get more attention.” She pokes his cheek playfully. “You know how girls get when they are all worked up from having really good sex? They need to be held and kissed and do several mushy stuff after. I bet she will be all over you when she gets home from Topanga. Probably wanna talk about it too—girls love that.”
Half an hour later, Alex slips back to his own room. Only Amy and Madi remain in Madi’s room.
Madi glances at Amy. “I am still uneasy about the whole Kate-Brian thing. I feel kinda shitty that we are not being completely straight with Alex.”
Amy exhales sharply, rubbing her temples. “Yeah, I get it. But what are we supposed to do? Tell him we think Kate is already halfway in love with Brian? That is not really our place.”
Madi shifts uncomfortably on the bed. “I know. But he is our friend. And he is really struggling with this.”
Amy’s fingers drum against her soda can. “Look, I think he knows more than we realize. He is just trying to process it all.”
Madi nods slowly, her fingers playing with the hem of her blue T-shirt. “I think you are right. But even knowing that… does not make it easier.”
Amy leans back against the headboard, stretching her legs out. “You know what I think? I think if Alex were actually against this, he would not have gone along with it in the first place. He is not some clueless dude who got blindsided. He sees what is happening. And he is making his own choices.”
Madi sighs. “I know. But it still feels weird—like we are watching a slow-motion train wreck.”
Amy chuckles darkly. “Or maybe it is just really good sex on a train.”