Chapter 8: The Matriarchy.

February 4, 2024, 8:00 PM. Château des Rêves, Becky's room.
Alex returns to the mansion late. He has spent some time wandering the outskirts of Dreamside, lost in thought, then drives his Tesla through the estate's private entrance—the one they use when they don't want to be seen. Those gates are only accessible to Alex, Kate, and senior staff like Lila, Becky, Madi, and Amy.
The small gate at the far end of the estate opens quietly. Alex's Tesla pulls in. That entrance is rarely used, so when Amy, Madi, Kate, Lila, and Becky all get the notification on their phones, it raises eyebrows.
"Alex hasn't used that gate in three years… that's weird," Madi says softly, almost tenderly, as she looks at her phone screen.
All five women are in Becky's massive third-floor room in the main mansion. They are on a video call with Brian. His image fills the huge TV on the wall. He wears a black T-shirt and black athletic pants, lounging on the big white couch in his Beverly Hills living room—the same one where his meeting with Alex took place a few hours earlier.
In Château des Rêves, the girls watch Brian's image with different expressions. Lila looks concerned. Becky looks playful. Amy and Madi appear pensive. Kate's face stays unreadable.
Madi wears a white doctor's coat with a stethoscope slung around her neck. Becky has on a yellow T-shirt with the word BITCH printed across it in bold red letters and blue jeans. Amy wears a loose green shirt and black non-denim pants. Lila wears a fitted black blazer with gold buttons and matching trousers. Kate wears a white T-shirt and blue jeans.
Madi stands in the middle of the room, facing the wall-mounted TV. Becky sprawls on the large blue couch. Lila sits in an office chair. Kate and Amy stand close to Madi.
"Well, at least he's back and we won't have to call the cops. He'll take a shower and crash soon enough," Madi says, slipping her phone into the pocket of her doctor's coat and turning to Brian on the screen. "So… Brian, right? Let's skip the formalities. Don't get me wrong—I'm not accusing you of anything. You seem like a decent guy—musician, basketball player, boxer. And sure, you've tried killing your liver more than once at our parties, but…"
She pauses and crosses her arms. Her expression stays diplomatically pleasant. She looks like a medical version of Kate—only with slightly different facial features, a fit but feminine body, and hazel eyes instead of blue.
"…did your conversation with Alex at 3 PM today really go well? Understand, this is important. I'm his personal physician, and Alex… has had health issues in the past."
She looks like some kind of Valkyrie in a doctor's outfit. It is hard for Brian to look away. The rest of the girls stay silent, except for Becky, who casually blows a pink bubble of gum. Brian exhales slowly and shifts on the white couch. His hands rest loosely on the back of it, fingers tapping lightly against the upholstery. His usual confidence wavers just a little as he meets Madi's gaze.
"Yeah, it went… fine. I mean, he's not exactly my biggest fan, but he didn't throw a punch or anything. We talked. I told him I was interested in Kate, and he took it pretty well, considering." Brian chuckles, but it sounds strained. "I think he's processing. He's not stupid. He knows this isn't just some passing thing for me."
Madi's brow furrows slightly as she tilts her head. "That's… a bit of a vague explanation. I know Alex better than anyone here—maybe even better than Kate, in a way. This isn't about physical stuff. Alex doesn't really care about that. It's about emotional connection, and he and Kate have a very strong one."
Madi places her hands on her hips and turns slightly toward the girls. Her blue scrub top, worn under the open white lab coat, outlines her figure more sharply—narrow waist, sculpted abs, small but pretty and noticeable breasts. Brian struggles to pull his eyes away from Madi's body. Not that her face and voice aren't doing things to him too.
Madi fixes Kate with a sharp look. "Our local Helen of Troy gives off a certain vibe… which she's been using pretty irresponsibly." Then she shifts her eyes to Brian without changing her stance. "Brian, I get that this isn't about you. It's more about your girlfriend, Aria. Who also happens to be Kate's friend. And from what I know, Aria and Alex had quite an… interesting conversation yesterday morning. That's where all this started."
Madi sighs and rolls her shoulders back, somehow looking even more striking. "Talk to your girlfriend, Brian. I think we all want to keep things friendly and avoid unnecessary drama here. Right?"
Brian exhales and rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah, I'll talk to her. I mean, I get it. She's been pushing this, and I kinda just… went with it. But I didn't expect things to get this complicated." His gaze flicks between the two women before settling on Madi. "You think Alex is actually okay with this?"
Madi hums and folds her arms under her chest. The motion makes her top stretch slightly, drawing Brian's attention to the subtle curve of her figure before he forces himself to focus. "No, he doesn't mind if you spend time with Kate," she says in a soft, gentle voice, like she is doing some kind of ASMR roleplay. "He minds if you literally steal Kate from him—and you two run off into the sunset together."
Madi lets out a barely audible sigh and brushes her hair back. Brian feels heat rising in his body. He tries to focus on her words, but his gaze keeps lingering a moment too long on her lips as she speaks.
"Alex is a creative soul—like most people in Dreamside. He's an erotic writer and open-minded about his personal life, but erotic novels and real life are two different things. I just ask you to take it slow and handle everything as delicately as possible." Madi looks at Kate. "Am I making myself clear, Kate?" Then, without waiting for a reaction, she shifts her gaze back to Brian. "Despite the situation, it was nice talking to you, Brian. You're welcome at our Château des Rêves anytime, not just for parties. I hope your tension with Alex will soon be a thing of the past."
Madi puts her hands on her hips and arches her back forward, causing her scrub top to stretch taut with a faint glimpse of a smooth white bra showing through. "Anything else you want to say, Brian? I don't want to keep you—you're a busy man after all. But better to sort out all the details now so we don't have to come back to this."
Brian looks at Madi. Even on the relatively small laptop screen, he can see every detail of her flawless body and outfit. He crosses his legs and shifts his weight slightly, trying to stay focused. He tries to focus on Madi's face instead of her body, but it is hard—her posture shows off every curve, and the way she stands with her hands on her hips pushes her tits out just enough to make his mouth water.
"Thanks for… for talking this out with me," he adds, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll talk to Aria tonight, make sure she understands… all of this."
Madi gives him a knowing smile—the kind that says she can tell exactly what he is thinking. "Good."
She adjusts the collar of her white coat and turns to Becky. "Becky, wrap up the call." Then she looks back at the screen. "Goodbye, Brian. Kate gave me your contacts—I'll add you on WhatsApp now. If you have any questions, just write."
Madi's voice stays very gentle and warm.
A few seconds later the call ends. A few seconds after that, Brian receives a message from Madi on WhatsApp: "😊."
Château des Rêves, right after the video call with Brian. Becky's room, February 4, 2024, 8:03 PM.
Madi stands in the middle of Becky's room. Becky sprawls on the large blue couch. Lila sits in an office chair. Kate and Amy stand nearby.
Madi turns to the girls. "He seems normal enough." She looks straight at Kate. "But he's obviously interested in you. How long have you known him, exactly?"
Kate shifts, twirling a strand of her long blonde hair. She glances at Becky and Lila. "Not long. A few months. We met through Aria." Her voice stays light, but tension runs underneath.
Amy leans against the wall and crosses her arms. "He's got intensity. You could feel it through the screen." She smirks. "Whole bad boy thing going on, right?"
Madi nods with a faint smirk. "Guess I would've noticed in person. But I spend most of my time at Health&Cozy or treating alcohol poisoning in the staff. I don't really make it to the actual parties." She glances at her phone and the WhatsApp message she just sent Brian: "😊".
"Just use protection, Kate." Madi lifts her eyes with a snarky but warm look. "Neither me nor Alex can handle any surprise babies right now."
Becky bursts out laughing, nearly falling off the couch.
Madi eyes the giggling Becky with a tired but playful smile. "Jesus, being around you girls makes me feel ancient. Like I'm a camp counselor for some hopeless girl scout squad. And I'm only twenty-six."
Kate laughs and shakes her head. "Madi, stop. You act like you're not one of us." She moves closer and nudges Madi's shoulder. "Besides, I think you secretly enjoy playing camp counselor."
Madi scoffs but doesn't deny it. "And you girls need it, clearly." She glances at Becky, who's still grinning. "Some of you need more supervision than others."
Becky leans back on the couch, arms spread across the backrest. "Ay, Madi, if you wanted to be our counselor, you should've said so earlier. I was just waiting for the right time to ask."
Madi lets out an exasperated chuckle and runs a hand through her golden-blonde hair. "Oh my god, Becky. You're impossible." She says it with affection, hazel eyes twinkling.
Kate rests her hip against the armrest near Becky. "You know, Madi, you could use a little more fun. A little less 'professional doctor' all the time."
Madi raises an eyebrow. "And you think letting Becky corrupt me is the answer?" She gestures at Becky, who's swinging her legs lazily.
"No," Kate says with a smirk. She opens her mouth again, but Lila cuts her off, stretching in her chair and adjusting her fitted black blazer.
"Oh, look who's suddenly talking about fun!" Lila smirks at Kate. "You've been throwing parties for four years, and you and your minions always sit in some lavish corner like you're hosting a fucking literary salon in the middle of chaos, booze, weed, and random sex. And now that Aria sicced Brian on you—boom! Total meltdown. 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' and suddenly you're living in some wild fantasy, Kate! Poor Alex!"
Becky doubles over on the couch, gasping between laughs.
"Go on, Madi—make a move on Alex. It's your chance while the 'Goddess' is busy exploring new things."
Madi's face flushes. She steps away from Kate. "Oh, fuck off, Lila," she mutters, though there's no real heat in it. She runs a hand through her hair and shakes her head with a small smile. "You really are something else."
Kate exhales, amusement and irritation mixing in her voice. "I'm not having a meltdown." But the way she crosses her arms and glances away gives her away. She turns back to Madi with a playful smirk.
Lila winks at Madi. "And for the record, I think you'd look fucking gorgeous on Alex. He needs someone to keep him from overthinking everything to death."
Becky cackles and swings her legs. "Ohhh, I like this! Madi, you should totally go for it. Alex is a big softie—you could probably convince him to do anything."
Madi shoots Becky a look of mock exasperation. "Becky, I swear to god, you're going to be the death of me."
Becky throws her hands up and bounces on the couch, then wraps her arms around a pillow. She squints slyly at Amy. "By the way... there's also Amy! Alex and Madi's best friend..." Her eyes flick between them. "That's it! You two should hook up with Alex! Brian gets Kate and Aria, and you two get Alex! Score's tied—two to two!"
She leans forward, voice passionate. "You're so close, Amy and Madi... You both even go to the movies together... And if you add Alex right in the middle... Mmm... And if Amy brings out her totally 'nonexistent' toy collection..."
Becky's round face lights up with a bright white smile.
Amy turns to her with a lazy smirk. "Becky, you know damn well I don't have—"
"—her toy collection?" Becky cuts in with a giggle. "Yeah, yeah. But let's be real—when you spend hours alone in your room, watching hentai and the other scrolling Amazon's sex toy section..." She bites her lip. "Something tells me you've accumulated a few things."
Amy shakes her head, smiling despite herself.
Madi adjusts her blue scrub top and white medical coat. The stethoscope still hangs around her neck. She turns to Amy. "Amy, let's go find Alex. As always—we're the only ones who can calm him down."
She shoots a stern look at Kate and Lila, though her voice stays gentle. Then she smiles at Becky. "Becky—don't go near Alex for two days. Or I'll give you a shot in the butt."
Becky gasps and clutches the pillow. "A shot in the butt? Oh no! Not that! You wouldn't really, would you, Madi? We're besties, right?"
Madi crosses her arms, smiling. "Besties or not, I've been restraining myself for too long." She steps closer. "And right now, I think a little retribution is in order." She reaches toward Becky's thigh.
Becky squeals and scrambles back, laughing. "Okay, okay! I'll stay away! For a day at most!"
The door swings open without a knock. Kae walks in wearing only a sleek black bra and matching thong. White print on each reads: "No Losers Allowed."
She raises her right hand, clenches it into a fist, and shouts in a mock-exhausted tone, "Yay! Lesbian orgy!"
Then she drops her hand and looks at Becky. "You're screaming like you're running from ICE." Her gaze shifts to the others. "Anyway, mission accomplished. Alex was found almost immediately after he got back from Brian's. The sneaky fuck went through those backup gates—the ones no one ever uses, built in case Republicans stormed the place."
Kae crosses her arms. "I stalked him, then attacked him in one of the mansion rooms. He grunted at me to give him five or ten minutes, shaking his naked dick and balls in my face. I figured, fine—showering is sacred." She puts her hands on her hips. "After he finished, I locked him in a clean storage room so he couldn't run off. Now he's in there listening to Blue Monday by New Order on repeat. It's still Sunday night, but whatever. At least it's not emo shit, so he's probably not gonna slit his wrists. Classic tragic harem-anime hero."
She pauses, then adds, "Oh, right—gossip about Kate got more intense this afternoon. Some say she's chasing new experiences, others think it's just rumors, some think it's just rumors. Odds on 'Alex vs. Brian' are currently in Alex's favor. Also, one of the janitors ate something weird and shit himself. Maids laughed. Boring day."
Madi groans. "Oh god. That sounds exactly like Alex. Stalked, cornered, and now in a storage room listening to New Order? Classic." She turns to Becky, expression stern. "And don't you dare go down there and tease him. Not tonight."
Becky pouts. "Aw, but he's so much fun when he's all flustered and panicky! Like a little mouse caught in a trap!"
"Exactly." Madi smirks. "And I'd like to keep him from having a full-blown meltdown. So hands off, Becky."
A dull wet thump sounds. Kae pulls her phone out of her pocket and shrugs at Becky's look. "Don't look at me like that. You have no idea how good the vibration is."
She taps the screen and sighs. "Oh, Alex texted. Fucking essay. He says, and I quote:
'Kae! Tell Kate not to worry—I love her more than life itself and I'm ashamed of how I reacted. I acted like a goddamn child. I was just scared of Brian. It won't happen again.
Also, tell Lila I'm sorry she had to witness my nervous breakdown in the car via WhatsApp. I'm giving her a raise.
And I like you too, Kae—but like, as a badass butler-courtesan. I hope the "No Losers Allowed" text on your bra and panties isn't about me, though as a proper gentleman I wouldn't go in there anyway.
And yes—I checked out that link you sent. I'm thinking about doing something about it.
Also—please don't read this message out loud. This is so cringe.'"
Kae snorts. "Fucking comedian."
The room fills with laughter and groans. Becky snorts, clutching her pillow. Madi shakes her head, a half-smile on her lips.
Kate leans against the wall, arms crossed, a crooked smile on her face. "Well, that's one hell of a love letter. Looks like Alex isn't done losing his shit yet."
Lila smirks. "At least we know this clusterfuck isn't gonna get boring anytime soon."
Becky throws a cheeky grin at Kate. "Game on, Goddess. Brian's got himself some serious competition now."
Kate shoots her a look—half warning, half "bring it on"—and the tension cracks into their usual fucked-up but tight-knit madness.