Chapter 22: The Evening Walk.

February 5, 9:00 PM. The Tourist District of Dreamside, the “Star Forest” amusement park.
Wickie stands at the edge of the massive entertainment complex packed with tourists and locals. She stares at the huge Ferris wheel in the distance, its lights shifting through every color like a giant Christmas tree against the dark night sky.
She wears short denim shorts, a red high-waisted crop top that bares her belly button, and white sneakers. She sits on a huge wooden bench, smoking a Virginia Slims, lost in thought. She cannot stop thinking about what she learned a few hours earlier—that her friend Mimi secretly installed a surveillance camera in Alex and Kate’s room and watches them for three days. She does not plan to tell the others. That shit could blow back on both Mimi and her.
“So why isn’t your friend Mimi hanging out with us tonight? Did you two fight?” Anastasia asks, standing nearby. Anastasia Bozhenko, Kathryn’s personal trainer and choreographer, ties the laces on one of her white sneakers, her foot propped on the bench. Anastasia has long chestnut hair and green eyes and wears a white tank top and tight light blue jeans.
“No, nah, it’s fine. She’s just busy. Some bullshit with a personal retreat… you know how she is.” Wickie answers, not entirely sure herself whether she lies or tells the truth. Still, Mimi clearly does not want to go out tonight. That much is true.
“Oh! And here we are!” Daniel Hogg says cheerfully as he walks up to the bench with his girlfriend Sadie Valentine, a blue-eyed white girl with a round attractive teenage face and long red hair. Daniel is a white guy with short black hair and a muscular, athletic build with a high, tall forehead. He wears a black T-shirt and light gray pants. Sadie wears a light green T-shirt and white shorts. “Kate’s personal trainer and choreographer is, as always, stunning!” Daniel says, looking at Anastasia.
“Watch your comments or you’re losing your balls,” Sadie says firmly, checking her phone.
“Yeah, Daniel, your girlfriend will castrate you real quick!” Malik says as he walks up with Darcy. Malik Jones is a Black guy in a white T-shirt and dark blue pants. Darcy Dale, a brown-eyed white girl with brown curly hair and a bob-style hairstyle, wears a pink T-shirt and yellow shorts. They carry several bags of food and drinks.
“Here’s the grub and booze!” Malik adds. “Those who live and work at Château des Rêves—which is not me and Darcy—don’t get fucking wasted!”
Wickie rolls her eyes. “Oh, fuck off, Malik,” she says, taking a can of beer from Darcy. “Me and Anastasia mostly live and hang out there. Not just live and work. And someone is definitely jealous as fuck.” She glances at Darcy. “You could be there with me too, sugar. Kate and Alex have that… what’s it called… nepotism-HR principle or whatever… when it comes to picking staff.”
“Nepotism-HR?” Malik snorts, taking a beer from Darcy. “Sounds like an oxymoron if I ever heard one.”
“Makes sense to me,” Daniel says. “Gives them plausible deniability while they surround themselves with people they like.”
“Eh, whatever. I don’t care,” Malik says, shrugging. “Just don’t get sloppy drunk at the park. We have a fucking reputation to maintain.”
“Oh my god, Malik,” Anastasia groans, rolling her eyes. “You sound like the board of directors of Sogni Nudi.”
Malik laughs. “Oh god, Anastasia…” He mimics her with a mock moan. “I’m speaking as a reasonable man. I’m, by the way, a future world-famous American football star. And this dumbass,” he nods toward the giggling Daniel, “will probably sculpt statues of some generals in Washington. Neither of us needs too much hooligan behavior in our biographies.”
“…Says the former high-school hooligan…” Anastasia says, rolling her eyes again.
“I’m still a hooligan in bed with you, girl.” Malik replies, his face expressionless, but his voice gives away the laughter.
Anastasia purses her lips and gently kicks him with her foot, giggling. “Damn it, Malik, have some decency!”
Malik laughs. “Well damn, it’s the truth. And this board of directors of Sogni Nudi… That’s the publishing house that your Alex works for, right? And there’s that owner… Dana Lovell, that’s her name, right? She’s definitely got that whole board of directors wrapped around her big…” He pauses, looking at Anastasia, who sits on the bench with her arms crossed, giving him a mischievous look. “…rump. Her rump is like that of a thoroughbred horse!” Malik smirks, knowing Anastasia will not like that comparison. “Oh god, Anastasia, you look like you’re about to flip a table.”
“Of course I am!” Anastasia groans. “You’re being vulgar and crude. Why would you even compare Dana Lovell to a horse?”
Malik shrugs. “Because it’s the truth. I mean, she’s got that whole power mogul thing going on, and you know she’s stacked. And rich. And in charge of this whole freaking publishing empire. So yeah, thoroughbred horse sounds about right.”
Anastasia shakes her head. “You’re impossible.”
“I know. That’s why you love me.” Malik grins.
Everyone giggles. Sadie sits next to Anastasia and sips apple juice through a straw. “Yeah… I agree—she’s got a big ass. And a big brain too. Books, magazines, and all that printed shit from her publishing house top the charts for the past couple of years. And Dana achieves all of it on her own, without sucking some guy’s dick. By the way, she crushes everyone in the erotic literature business and now conquers other markets. She also has the highest percentage of female staff compared to other publishers. Another proof that girls are way cooler than guys nowadays. Guys evolve… but backwards.” Sadie says it flatly.
“Oh, looks like your Sadie’s going lesbian!…” Malik laughs, turning to Daniel. “Soon enough it’s gonna be your castration day, buddy.”
Daniel exhales sharply and rolls his eyes. “For the hundredth time, I’m not worried about that. Sadie’s not into women. She just likes pointing out that I’m an idiot.” He gives Sadie a sidelong glance. “And she’s right.”
Sadie nudges him with her elbow. “Damn right, I am. You’re lucky I love you anyway.”
Anastasia snorts. “Yeah, because you’re too lazy to find a new boyfriend.”
“Hey, I’m not lazy!” Sadie protests, laughing. “I just like the view too much.”
“More like the handouts,” Malik mutters, grinning.
Daniel smirks. Anastasia raises her voice, cutting through the spat. “Fuck, boys, can we have one evening without figuring out who’s got the bigger dick—literally and figuratively?”
Wickie giggles, stubs out her cigarette, and tosses it into the trash can beside the bench. “Yeah, you two fuck with schoolers, not grown men. I figured that out a long time ago.”
Sadie sips her apple juice through a straw and adds flatly, “Well, Malik’s dick is bigger because he’s black. But it doesn’t matter—they’re both dumb.”
Anastasia laughs, covering her face with her hand. “Fuck, and you too, Sadie!”
Daniel sighs and shakes his head. “And here I thought you were my friend, Sadie.”
Sadie grins and pokes him in the ribs. “I am your friend. And girlfriend. That’s why I’m telling you the truth.”
Malik chuckles. “Man, I love how you girls just throw shit at us without hesitation. It’s kinda refreshing.”
Anastasia nods. “Yeah, honestly, it’s more fun than dealing with boys who try to be ‘nice’ all the time. At least you know where you stand with us.”
Sadie smirks. “Exactly.”
Darcy giggles and takes a sip of beer. “Oh, the stereotypical thinking from so many creative people! But Kate’s tastes are definitely unusual—Alex seems super sweet… Though sometimes he hits with such sarcasm—so our Daniel and Malik would totally be outmatched.” She pauses. “I’ve crossed paths with him outside the parties he refuses to attend. Feels like he lives in two modes. Well, Anastasia probably knows more—she sees him almost every day. Right, Miss ‘dance tutor’?”
Anastasia leans back on the bench beside Malik, her long legs swinging. “Well, Alex is… complicated. But in a good way.” She adjusts the strap of her white tank top. “He’s got this really sharp mind. Always analyzing everything, seeing patterns. And he’s good with people, despite what you might think.”
She twirls a strand of chestnut hair around her finger, a mischievous grin forming. “But he’s also super protective of Kate. You can see it in his eyes sometimes. He gets this… worshipping look.”
Malik laughs. “It’s clear—he is her simp!”
Sadie scoffs. “Nah, man, it’s not simping if you actually like the girl.” She pats Daniel’s chest. “Right, honey? That’s what you do for me.”
Daniel rolls his eyes but smirks. “Yeah, yeah, I’m your simp. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
Darcy tilts her head. “But does Kate ever get jealous? She’s got Alex completely wrapped around her finger, but he’s… I don’t know, he’s not exactly the jealous type, is he?”
Anastasia shrugs. “Alex? Nah. I think he’s too smart to waste time being jealous.”
Malik takes a sip of beer and turns to Anastasia. “By the way, that pussy… what’s her name… Lila! Right—Lila! Is it true she basically walks around half-naked in Alex’s office? Doesn’t that distract the guy?”
Anastasia sighs and rolls her eyes. “Not ‘half-naked’… She wears panties and a bra. And it helps Alex focus and inspires him. Malik, are you trying to be a redneck? This is Dreamside, for crying out loud.”
“Oh, I’m just messing with you,” Malik grins, stretching his arms behind his head. “Just saying, if I had a girl like Lila strutting around my workplace, I’d have a hard time writing anything coherent.”
Sadie smirks. “Yeah, and I bet you’d have a hard time keeping your hands to yourself too.”
Malik shrugs. “Hey, I’d respect the boundaries. Probably.”
Darcy nudges Anastasia. “So is it true? Lila really doesn’t care who sees her?”
Anastasia laughs. “She’s not an exhibitionist or anything. She just dresses like she’s comfortable.”
Wickie sighs. “Fuck, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but… get the fuck off Lila! She’s one of the few in this town who’s at least somewhat normal. Yeah, Alex is an erotic writer—so he kinda needs stimulation.” She stares at the half-finished beer in her hands. “Malik, you keep asking the same dumb questions about Château des Rêves. I get the feeling you’re dating Anastasia and hanging out with us only to know what’s going on in Miss Norwin and her boyfriend’s house. Fucking hell, it’s ridiculous.”
Wickie turns to Anastasia. “Is he on Jocelyn’s blacklist or what? If not—bring him to one of the upcoming parties and let him see for himself. Because every time we get together, it’s always the same questions: ‘How do you all dress there? How do you all eat there? How do you all shit there?’ Like… fuck!”
Anastasia and Wickie laugh. Anastasia shakes her head. “Malik’s not on Jocelyn’s blacklist. He’s on her… curiosity list. And he’s not alone. Everyone wants to know what goes on in the big mansion.”
Malik raises his eyebrows. “That so? Well, I ain’t gonna lie—I do find it interesting. But mostly I’m just fucking with you all. If I really wanted to know, I’d just go to one of your big ass parties and see for myself.”
Sadie laughs. “Oh fuck… Then just go to the next party—that’s it. You’ll meet Alex’s personal assistant— Lila Chen, that sexy bitch of Chinese-Malay-Irish-Scottish ancestry. Oh! And definitely Amy Kade—the house manager of their mansion, a geek and a D&D lover. She also has a huge vibrator collection, but she denies it exists.”
Sadie leans back. “Kate Norwin, of course… You’ll definitely start hitting on her—all guys do. You won’t fucking meet Alex—he’s scared of parties like a vampire is scared of the sun. There’s also Becky Alvarez—Kate’s personal assistant. Becky is like if you shoved all Mexican bitches into one Mexican bitch. Becky virtuously licks Kate’s ass, which results in that Mexican slut constantly mocking Alex for supposedly having a small dick. But nobody’s seen Alex’s dick except Kate, Madi, and maybe Amy and Lila—so good luck checking.”
“And then there’s all the junior staff and random small fry, like Kate’s personal trainer.” Sadie gives Anastasia a pointed look. “Well, that’s basically it. That’s everything I learned during all those long poetic evenings at their mansion.”
Wickie cackles and lights a cigarette. “Oh yeah, the training sessions! Don’t forget those. Anastasia gets Kate so damn worked up with her stretching exercises that she practically fucks the air afterward. And then they go take a shower together… and if you know anything about Kate, you know she’s not the type to just shower with people she doesn’t want to fuck.”
Sadie smirks. “Right? I swear that bitch’s pussy must drip all over the tiles while Anastasia wraps those strong arms around her.” She gestures at Anastasia. “And you’re just standing there, all ‘oh, I’m just the trainer, I don’t notice anything.’ But we know better.”
Anastasia shouts, laughing. “You two bitches, seriously! Stop lying, Sadie and Wickie! There’s no such shit going on! And fuck you, I’m not some random small fry, Sadie—I’m no worse than Becky! I’m also kind of a personal assistant to Kate—just in sports!”
Anastasia continues. “And anyway, Kate’s not some easy slut who fucks everyone she meets. First, she’s hetero. Second, she’s pretty loyal to Alex, even if she does flirt with people at her parties sometimes.”
Sadie smirks. “Okay, I lied a bit. Or… a lot. Especially about the shower. But you can’t blame me, I just wanted to liven up the story.” She takes another sip of her apple juice and shifts slightly. “Seriously though, it’s not like I’m making this shit up. Kate is a flirt, and she doesn’t have the strongest willpower when it comes to pretty guys. But Alex knows that too, and he’s fine with it as long as she doesn’t actually cheat on him.”
Wickie nods. “Yeah, but it’s one thing to flirt and another to actually fuck someone, right?” She crosses her arms and looks directly at Anastasia. “I mean, it’s not like Kate’s some slut who’ll jump on any guy who talks sweet to her. But she does get excited easily. And she’s definitely into that guy, Brian. We all saw how she looked at him at the party.”
Daniel says thoughtfully, sipping beer from his can and tossing a chip into his mouth from the bag he just opened. “Brian… Brian…”
Darcy tells him, giggling, “Daniel, don’t you remember? You hang out with Sadie at the parties in Château des Rêves. Black, tall… Blacker than Malik.” She giggles. “Lately he’s been hanging around Kate a lot. He’s Ariana’s guy.”
Sadie nods, grinning. “Oh yeah, that’s him. King B. The rapper. Really smooth guy. He’s been getting closer and closer to Kate at these parties.” She leans forward, whispering conspiratorially. “And he’s got this, you know, a certain thing about him. Big dick energy, if you know what I mean.”
Anastasia scoffs, shaking her head. “That doesn’t mean anything. Kate’s not going to jump into bed with every guy who winks at her.” She crosses her arms. “But yes, I noticed how she looks at him… Especially at that party by the pool in December. But that’s not important. It’s just friendly flirting. Everyone does it with everyone here. Kate with Alex, Brian with Ariana. I don’t think it’s worth speculating on this topic any further.”
Wickie scoffs, her expression sharp with knowing amusement. “Oh, please. You’re just saying that because you don’t want to admit what’s obvious.” She leans forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Kate and Brian have been circling each other for months now. That party was just the tipping point. They looked at each other like they wanted to fuck right there in the pool.”
Darcy giggles, fanning herself with her hand. “Ugh, I know, right? The way Brian watched her when she jumped off the high dive… it was so intense. And Kate wasn’t exactly being subtle either. She was all over him in that pirate costume.”
Daniel bursts out laughing. “Ah! Got it! I remember now! Yeah—Brian’s a funny dude… The party was shit though.” He takes a swig from his beer can and goes on. “I mean the theme was boring. Other parties last year were way more fun.”
Malik folds his arms. “So… it was another costume party—am I getting that right? Do you guys have every party set up like Halloween? Yeah, Wickie and Anastasia? I’m definitely going to the next one!”
Darcy smirks. “Oh, Malik, you’ll love it. Dolphins and Pirates was… memorable. All these sexy pirates and dolphins running around half-naked in the pool. I mean, the costumes were great, but honestly, the best part was watching Kate and Brian interact.” She nudges Anastasia with her elbow. “They were like, this close to—“
Anastasia shakes her head firmly. “Darcy, stop. We’re not gossiping about this.” She glances at Malik, who’s clearly hanging on every word. “Look, Malik, I can tell you one thing for sure. If you come to our next party, you won’t be disappointed.” She offers him a small, mysterious smile. “But I can’t promise anything else. Not everything is so… obvious.”
Malik smiles as he paces back and forth next to the bench, stretching his shoulders. “Oh, I think I already know plenty.” He lets out a low chuckle, rolling his neck as he keeps moving, his long braids shifting with the motion. “So… Ariana’s got that big-ass mansion… Cocoavilla, right? And Kate’s got her own… But the main fun happens at Château des Rêves, huh?”
His grin widens when Anastasia doesn’t immediately shut him down. “So what’s the deal with you and Brian? You into him too, or just playing cupid?”
Anastasia straightens up on the bench—and from the look on her face she’s a second away from pouncing on him. “Fuck, Malik! Stop blowing this jealousy shit out of proportion, you goddamn jealous wreck! I’m not playing Cupid—I barely even talk to Brian. You should ask Lila about that or… I dunno… Mila or Lottie, if you ever bump into them.” She adjusts her long chestnut hair and keeps going.
“Ariana’s the one playing Cupid, as far as I can tell. Maybe she wants to set Brian up with Kate? I have no idea. Ariana and Brian are in an open relationship, but Alex and Kate aren’t. And yeah—‘the main fun happens at Château des Rêves’. Just because Alex and Kate’s mansion sits in the perfect fucking spot—the shortest drive from all of the town’s districts. That’s why most parties happen there—it’s obvious shit. And that’s it—I’m not talking about this topic anymore, fuck that. I live and work there, so… We can gossip about Cheryl if you all want.”
Anastasia rolls her neck and shoulders. “Actually, I don’t want to spend the whole night in an amusement park sitting on a bench talking about the people from the Mansion and Estate District of Dreamside. Maybe we should move around a bit?”
Anastasia’s sudden shift in energy cuts the tension like a blade. Darcy huffs a laugh, but Malik just smirks, his eyes glinting with unspent curiosity. “Cheryl? The one who runs the Cheryl Hill?” he asks, playing along but clearly filing every detail away.
“Yeah, that Cheryl,” Anastasia says, standing and stretching her arms over her head. “Rumor has it that she kidnaps curious black boys and cooks them in her witch’s cauldron.”
Wickie, who has been quietly observing the whole exchange, finally speaks up, her voice low. “Her cauldron’s probably full of artisanal kale and gluten-free regrets, not boys.” She doesn’t smile, but her eyes hold a dry amusement.
Darcy snorts. “I’d take the cauldron over her kombucha. Tastes like fizzy foot.”
Anastasia laughs, the sound bright and sudden, a stark contrast to the heavy mansion gossip. “Okay, enough sitting. My ass is going numb, and this park has a Ferris wheel that doesn’t judge.” She grabs Malik’s hand, pulling him up. “Come on, jealous wreck. Buy me a churro.”