Chapter 9: The Four Worlds.

February 4, 2024, 8:03 PM, Beverly Hills, Sunset Ridge Estates. Right after the video call.
Brian stares at the WhatsApp message from Madi: just a single "😊".
He sits on the big white couch in the massive fifth-floor living room, still in his black T-shirt and athletic pants. He keeps staring at that one emoji.
Doctor Madison Carrow. He can still see her clearly—blue scrub top, white lab coat, stethoscope around her neck. No clothes can hide that toned little belly, slim waist, or that hot face with those lips.
His felt heat rising in his body.
He never would have guessed how much she looks like Kate. Only her eyes are hazel instead of blue. Her facial features and voice are different too. And that body… Madi had a very attractive figure.
"Fuck, why is it that whenever we're gonna fuck, I always have to come to your place and not you to mine?" Aria says with a hint of resentment as she walks in. She wears a black mini skirt and black top.
She flops into an armchair near him and stares out the huge panoramic window at the twilight city. "So? Talked to the girls? I told you it'd go fine. They're the ones in charge, not Alex." Aria holds a bottle of Coke, takes a few sips, and gives him a sly squint. "What're you so deep in thought about, chocolate cake?"
Her voice slowly pulls Brian out of his trance about Madi.
"Huh?" he asks, still glancing at his phone screen and that damn emoji. In his head, her voice still echoes: "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."
"Hellooo! Earth to Brian! What's with you?" Aria raises her voice a little and starts laughing. She takes another sip of Coke, eyeing him playfully.
Brian finally looks up, blinking like he has just woken up. "Just… thinking about something," he says hoarsely, still distracted.
Aria rolls her eyes dramatically, but a smirk tugs at her lips. She moves to the couch and plops down beside him, close enough that her thigh presses against his. "Something good, I hope?" She nudges him with her shoulder, her voice dropping teasingly.
Brian's fingers tighten around his phone as he feels her touch. His body is still reacting from thinking about Madi, and now Aria's closeness makes the heat rise again.
"Oh… My chocolate éclair…" Aria purrs. Then she suddenly snatches his phone and jumps off the couch, springing to the side.
"Sooo… Who're you… Oh!" Her eyes widen as she looks at the message from Madi. "I heard you talking to the girls from down the hallway, but I didn't catch everything… So it really was Madi…"
Aria slowly walks back and hands him his phone. Her voice softens. "Don't be mad—you know how nosy I am… And come on, we've got an open thing going. You could fuck every girl in California and I wouldn't get jealous."
She sits back down next to him and takes another sip of Coke.
"Put on some music or something… It's quiet as a fucking grave in here," she says, irritation creeping into her voice.
Brian exhales sharply and tucks his phone away as Aria settles beside him again. His mind still churns with Madi's message, the memory of her soft skin and warm smile making his pulse quicken. But the movement of Aria's hip against his thigh pulls his attention back to her.
"Whatever," he mutters, reaching for the remote. The stereo kicks on with a low thrum of bass—smooth R&B that fits the lazy evening vibe. He slouches deeper into the cushions, stretching his arm along the back of the couch behind Aria's shoulders.
"Oh, come on… Brian…" Aria purrs. "The video call went well, didn't it? So what if Alex got nervous—you scared the shit out of him earlier today when you talked to him here at 3 PM… Too bad I didn't get to see that." She takes another sip. "He must've been shaking, huh? Or not? Whatever… At least now you and Alex finally saw each other face to face… And very soon you're gonna be fucking Kate…" Aria giggles, covering her mouth with her free hand.
"And Madi? You like her, don't you? She looks like Kate, right? You haven't really seen her at the parties… She's a busy girl… But just now, finally…" Aria whispers right into his ear. "You want her too, don't you?"
Brian shifts uncomfortably on the couch, feeling the heat build again at the thought. Aria's warm breath against his ear makes it harder to ignore. His fingers tighten around the remote, knuckles turning white as he tries to focus on the music.
"I mean, yeah, she's hot," he admits, his voice rougher than he means. "But she's not… Not like Kate."
Aria laughs and pulls away just a little—only to press herself against him again a few seconds later.
"Brian… Alright. Let's be serious." She glances at how hard he is gripping the remote. "And don't squeeze that thing so tight, you'll break it," she says gently, one hand touching his face while the other still holds the Coke bottle. She takes another sip. "Yeah. She's different. Not like Kate. And I'm not like Kate either. And Madi doesn't have a boyfriend, or a husband… or a girlfriend, if that's what's bugging you."
Aria takes another sip, leans in, sets the bottle on the large glass coffee table, and presses herself against him again.
"You want her, hmm?" she murmurs.
Brian exhales sharply. His grip on the remote loosens as he turns to look at her properly. She is teasing him, sure, but there is something deeper in her eyes—something knowing. He can smell the faint sweetness of Coke on her breath and the warm skin of her neck so close to his mouth. His body reacts again, heat building low in his stomach.
"You know I do," he admits, voice rough. He lets the remote fall onto the couch beside him and brushes a stray lock of hair from Aria's face. "But… she's different. I like how she talks. The way she moves. The way she doesn't act like she's scared of me."
"Well, then you've got even more reason to get yourself into the Château des Rêves now, don't you?"
Aria looks him straight in the eyes. "I mean… to live there." She runs a hand through her hair. "But the main thing is—don't rush it. Did you call Kate tonight already? Invited her to Topanga Canyon Inn?"
Brian's fingers flex against the couch cushions. His body stays tense from the way Aria presses against him. He can feel the heat of her skin through his T-shirt and smell the faint sweetness of her Coke breath mixed with her perfume. She is not pulling away, and that makes his pulse quicken.
"Yeah," he admits, voice rough. "She's coming tomorrow evening."
Aria grins, slow and knowing. "Good. That's good." Her fingers trail along his collarbone, light as a feather. "You nervous?"
Brian swallows hard. "Yeah."
Aria laughs softly and shakes her head. "Don't be. She wants this."
February 4, 2024, 9:00 PM, Château des Rêves, Alex and Kate's room.
"Look... jokes aside—I'm seriously fucking ashamed. Of myself. In front of you, Lila, Brian... pretty much everyone. It's a fucking mess," Alex says.
He's lying naked on the giant fold-out couch-bed under a large silky blue blanket. He's already showered. Kate just stepped out of the shower, still toweling off her long blonde hair as she walks closer. The towel wraps around her torso, leaving her shoulders bare.
"Well... still, Aria could've explained it a bit more delicately yesterday morning. I'm not trying to make excuses. It's just... fuck." Alex rubs his face with his hand. "You, Brian, all of this... So, like, I'm a side guy now or what? Just asking."
Kate kneels on the edge of the sofa-bed and leans forward, resting her hands on his chest.
"Baby Boy..." She speaks softly, but there's no pity in her tone—just that same playful, teasing affection she always has for him. "You know I wouldn't call you a cuckold. That's not what this is." Her fingers trail lightly over his collarbone.
"But... yeah. Maybe a little bit?" She grins, her blue eyes bright with mischief.
"What a sweet girlfriend you are!" Alex says with playful sarcasm.
Kate giggles and slides down to the edge of the sofa-bed, dropping her towel. She's completely naked now.
"But listen—okay, I get it, it's my fault, yeah. We've been together for four years, not married... I get that the whole domestic life thing..." He pauses. "I mean, I'm a writer, you're an artist, a golfer, and like ten other things... It doesn't really hit us the same way, especially with the kind of money we've got... But still…"
Alex sighs.
"Kate, Goddess... just be straight with me—am I a shitty boyfriend? I mean, yeah, I write books, bring in money and all that... I don't know—if you want, I can come to your parties. Maybe I won't get panic attacks anymore... I don't know... Maybe…"
Kate lets out a soft laugh and moves closer. Her long legs slide over his lap as she straddles him. Her damp hair brushes against his bare chest. She presses her hips down against him through the thin silky blue blanket.
"Alex," she murmurs, her voice husky. "You're not a shitty boyfriend."
She leans in, her breath warm against his ear. "You're my Baby Boy. My favorite person in the world." Her hands slide up his chest, fingers tracing his muscles. "And you know what?"
"What?" Alex asks warily, already relaxing under her weight.
Kate presses closer, her breasts lightly brushing his chest. "I love how much you worry about being a good boyfriend. It's so cute!" She giggles. "But seriously, Baby Boy, you're perfect. You don't have to change anything for me."
Her hands slide up his neck, fingers tangling in his short hair. "And as for the parties... maybe we could find a middle ground? I know how much you hate them, but I do enjoy hosting them. Perhaps we could compromise?"
She nips playfully at his earlobe, then pulls back to meet his gaze.
"You know what? I have an idea."
Alex sighs lightly, looking lovingly into her blue eyes.
"Kate... You've been organizing them all four years we've been together... And I know you've been organizing them mostly for our friends, not for yourself... And don't tell me now it's not true—you've admitted it to me a bunch of times yourself."
He takes a strand of her hair and presses it between his upper lip and nose. "Since I can't grow stubble now after that laser hair removal... I'll cut some of your hair for a mustache if I need it."
Alex brushes the strand off his face while she giggles.
"What's this idea? You know I'm always interested in hearing your ideas."
Kate's face lights up with playful mischief. "Oh, it's a brilliant idea, Baby Boy! What if I organize the next party for you?"
She runs her fingers through his hair, her touch gentle and teasing. "We could do a 'Sharing Party' theme! It would be perfect for you." She winks. "You can write while everyone else parties, and then I'll give you a full report later. What do you think?"
"Umm... I'm writing anyway while everyone else is having fun," Alex says lovingly, running his hand over her face. "But you don't tell me anything. We kind of had a half-unspoken deal about that. And..." He looks at her with playfulness and amazement. "'Sharing Party'? Seriously? Maybe let's not put too much focus on that? Now I'm already banned from the 'real cool guys club,' and you just want to laugh!"
Kate laughs, her blue eyes crinkling as she nuzzles closer. "Oh, Baby Boy, don't be so dramatic! It's just a little joke between us." She playfully tugs at his hair. "Besides, you're already banned from the 'real cool guys club'? Since when?"
She arches an eyebrow, amusement clear on her face. "I thought you were a member of the 'introverted geniuses who can't stand parties' club."
"Come on, admit it."
Alex chuckles. "I'm a member of the 'guys who got lucky' club, something like that." He shifts slightly, letting her wrap her legs around him more comfortably in the cowgirl position. His body is already reacting to her teasing words and warmth.
"If it weren't for Chase, who introduced me to Dana four years ago... And if it weren't for you, who I met four years ago... none of this would exist." Alex makes a lazy gesture with his hand. "I mean this mansion with the French name and the French behavior of the staff that lives in it. It's all about luck, not my writer genius."
Kate lets out a soft, melodious laugh. "Oh, Baby Boy, you're being too modest again." She playfully tugs at a strand of his hair. "Your 'writer genius' is what got us here, don't sell yourself short." She leans in, her face inches from his. "And don't forget, I'm the one who recognized that genius and made it all happen."
"Well... that's exactly what I'm saying—it's all because of you." Alex relaxes under her touch. "All of my inspiration comes from you. Without you—all I've got are panic attacks, which Madi almost managed to quiet down, but yesterday morning..."
He sighs. "Listen, don't listen to Lila. It's not your fault that you decided Aria should be the one to tell Brian about all this instead of you. You've known Aria since college, you two are practically sisters... I shouldn't have reacted like that. And my reaction after the talk with Brian today at 3 PM too... Good thing only Lila saw that meltdown in the car over WhatsApp. Anyway, I drove around the outskirts of Dreamside for hours, not answering calls—and didn't even think you girls might be worried... I'm sorry. Good thing we have Madi—she seems to be not just an amazing general practitioner but also a diplomat—Becky definitely would've yelled at Brian during your video call with him."
Alex closes his eyes for a few seconds.
"Kae... our butler locked me in the 'storage room' so I wouldn't run off. What a fucking disgrace."
Kate's expression softens. "Oh, Baby Boy," she murmurs, her fingers still playing with his hair. "You're too hard on yourself." She leans down and presses a soft kiss to his forehead. "I get it. I do. You're not exactly the type to handle these situations gracefully."
"So, when are you organizing the 'test drive' with Brian? Has he asked you out yet? You know, normal people usually go about this a little differently..." Alex says with playful sarcasm. "I mean, if we were normal people—you'd start fucking him without asking, basically just 'cheating,' then we'd fight—something we've actually never done—then break up and get back together again... just like in all those classy shows about rich writers and artists living in mansions... and us..."
He closes his eyes and presses against her. "Please, just let's not draw up a contract where I have to approve every position you use when you start having sex with Brian..."
Kate chuckles softly, her fingers tracing patterns on his bare chest. "Oh Baby Boy, you say that like you think I'm going to put it in writing." She moves closer, her breath tickling his ear. "But maybe I should."
Her body presses more firmly against him. She can feel him reacting beneath the blanket.
"So, what about your sex and dates with him? And the overall dynamic?" Alex says slowly. "You and I, just so you know, were planning to go to Vegas with Ariel sometime soon... So I'm wondering if this whole thing's gonna fall apart."
He pauses. "It's not about the casinos or anything like that—it's the atmosphere, the constant celebration... Plus the fact that it's gonna be far away from Château des Rêves."
Kate hums thoughtfully and rolls onto her side to face him, propping her head up with one hand while the other trails lazy circles over his stomach. "Vegas is Vegas. But you know what, Baby Boy? Maybe we should invite Brian too." She watches his reaction, amusement flickering across her face.
"Well, I did say I wouldn't mind if Ariel brought someone else too, so..." Alex says slowly, moving closer. He presses against her. "So does that mean there might be five of us?"
Kate's breath catches. She shifts, rolling her hips gently against him. Her fingers trail down his stomach.
"Mmm... maybe," she murmurs, looking up at him through her lashes. "I mean, if you're okay with it…"
"And why would I be against it?" Alex asks, pressing against her entrance. "I'm just clarifying."
Kate's breath hitches as he teases at her entrance. "Because you're you. You think too much about things. You overanalyze."
Her hips roll upward, taking him inside her. A soft moan escapes her. "But I love that about you. Your mind... the way you think..."
Then she adds, her words catching as he pushes deeper, "By the way, I have a date tomorrow night. At the Topanga Canyon Inn."
"Really?" Alex chuckles. "So you finally answered my question. Go on."
They move together lying on their sides. Kate's body tenses, then melts into Alex's. Her breath comes in soft gasps against his neck. She nuzzles closer, her fingers tracing idle patterns across his back. "Yeah... Brian called earlier. He asked if I wanted to have dinner with him tomorrow night."
Alex slows his movements but doesn't pull out. His fingers tighten slightly on her hip as he adjusts his angle, hitting that spot inside her that always makes her whimper. "And you said yes," he murmurs, watching pleasure wash over her face.
Kate nods, biting her lower lip as Alex moves deliberately, drawing out every sensation. "Mmm... yeah."
"And what time is that? You know—Lila and Becky can help you find the best outfit for it..." Alex whispers. "See? I'm not jealous. It's all good. The main thing for me is that you're happy. You know that, Kat?"
Kate gasps as he keeps thrusting, hitting that perfect spot. Her fingers dig into his back while she arches against him, her breath coming in short, needy pants. "Seven o'clock," she murmurs, her words thick with arousal. "He's picking me up here."
"Are you comfortable in this position?" Alex whispers. "You can be on top... or I can." He pauses. "But honestly, since we're lying like this... it's probably better for chatting, right? Like we're just lying next to each other."
His green eyes lock onto her blue ones. His hairless chest rubs against her cute, small, firm tits. Kate lets out a soft whimper as he adjusts them slightly, him shifting inside her in a way that makes her toes curl. She nuzzles against his shoulder, her breath warm against his skin. "No, this is good," she murmurs, her fingers tracing lazy circles on his back. "I like being close to you."
She kisses his neck right below his ear, her teeth grazing his skin playfully. The movement makes her clench around him, and she gasps at the delicious friction. "You're right," she continues, speaking softly as she moves her hips slightly, taking him deeper. "It is better for talking..."
Alex speaks slowly. "So, about Brian... Yeah, you were right when you said he's not tough—he's direct. And he's actually pretty easy to talk to. He's smart—erudite, even. Yeah, I get that he's a rapper—but he's also a basketball player and a boxer. I mean, maybe this sounds stereotypical—but you don't usually expect that kind of thing from guys like him."
Kate lets out a soft, pleased hum as he keeps moving inside her, each slow thrust drawing out her pleasure. "Mmm... yeah, he's got all those... talents," she purrs, her words thick with arousal. "And he's not afraid to use them."
Alex chuckles. "Yeah, 'talents'... that sounds pretty loaded, doesn't it? Listen, Kate—you don't have to rush."
He kisses her deeply for a long moment, then keeps talking while slowly sliding inside her, without thrusting too fast.
"I mean—feel free to hang out with Brian a bit longer at the Topanga Canyon Inn. You know, to really dive deep into discussing 'art,' right?"
Alex wiggles his eyebrows. Kate giggles, the sound warm and breathy against his neck as she nuzzles closer. Her fingers trace lazy patterns down his back, her nails lightly scraping his skin. The movement makes she tightens around him, drawing a soft groan from Alex as his hips shift instinctively.
"Mmm... diving deep into art," she murmurs, her breath hot against his ear. "Sounds... academic." She moves her hips in small, slow circles, adjusting the angle so he drags against that sweet spot inside her. A soft, needy whimper escapes her as she clings to him.
"But you're right. I don't have to rush."
Alex smirks. "Right." He kisses her on the lips again, then goes on. "Tomorrow morning I'm heading to the publisher's—meeting with Dana. Nothing bad—just need to go over some stuff about the next books. And at 3 PM I've got another grammar lesson with Sarah... So pretty soon your Baby Boy's gonna be writing without mistakes, and Lila might finally get a little break."
Alex chuckles. Kate hums contentedly against his neck, her fingers trailing down his back in slow, appreciative strokes. "Mmm... I'm sure Sarah's loving that," she murmurs, her breath warm against his skin. "She's always had a thing for writers."
Alex giggles. "But I'm literally going to be working on grammar with her, okay?"
"Baby Boy doesn't cheat on the Goddess and isn't planning any 'revenge' by twisting 'research with Sarah' as payback for all this Brian shit. By the way—he probably can't make you feel the same way I do, right?"
Kate's fingers pause for just a second, her nails lightly pressing into his back before continuing their slow exploration. She exhales a soft laugh against his neck, her breath warm and tickling.
"Mmm... I don't know, Baby Boy," she murmurs, her words laced with playfulness but also something deeper. Her hips roll slightly, taking him deeper inside her, and Alex feels she flutters around him. "I mean... he's bigger, yeah. But you make me feel so full already. Maybe... maybe it wouldn't even matter."
Alex hums, his face nuzzling into her hair as he keeps his thrusts slow and deliberate. Kate thinks about how Brian is just... big. Really big. She can already imagine the difference, the way he would feel inside her. Her fingers trail lower, tracing the curve of Alex's ass as she pulls him deeper into her with a slow roll of her hips. Her breath hitches as he fills her completely, her body adjusting to him. But despite the exquisite fullness, there's that tiny thought gnawing at the back of her mind—what if?
"Maybe it wouldn't even matter," she repeats, softer this time, her nails lightly scraping his skin. "But... I wonder." Her teeth graze his earlobe as she arches her back, her breasts pressing against his chest.
Alex groans, his fingers tightening on her hips as he feels her body pulsing around him. "Oh, I wonder too. But I'm not gonna watch... Because all three of us would clearly feel awkward. I mean, Aria did suggest it, as you know..." He pauses, then continues. "But like I said, I'm not against photos or videos... for my novels. Honestly, you could've told me about it earlier, you know? Without Aria. I'm an erotic writer in California, not some conservative asshole from fucking Texas."
Kate's fingers dig into Alex's ass as she pulls him even deeper inside her, her body quivering with pleasure. She bites back a moan, instead laughing softly against his neck. "Oh, Baby Boy... You're such a good boy, you know that?"
Her hips roll against him, taking him as deep as he can go. She's so full, so stretched around him, but there's still that thought in the back of her mind. What if? What if there was even more? What if she could take more, feel more? Her nails scrape lightly down his back as she arches into him, her breasts pressing against his chest. "Mmm... I don't know."
Alex kisses her deeply for a long time, then says, "Next time, tell me everything in person, okay? Don't wait a week and then send Aria to talk to me about it. That just makes me more worried. Although I can understand why you did it that way, but..."
He pauses.
"Did you really think I'd get mad at you? I don't know how to do that. And yeah—Brian can definitely brighten up our routine. Let's take him on our upcoming trip to Vegas, like you suggested..."
Then Alex thinks for a moment and makes a suggestion that will have consequences later.
"We can invite him to live at Château des Rêves... if you want."
Kate's breath catches as Alex moves inside her, his words sending a fresh rush of heat through her body. She grips his shoulders, her nails digging in slightly as she arches against him. "Mmm... Baby Boy, you're so good to me," she murmurs, her lips brushing his ear. "So understanding. So... accommodating."
Her hips roll again, taking him deeper in slow, deliberate movements. The friction makes her shiver, she clenching around him instinctively. "Living here with us... Are you sure?" She sounds genuinely curious, though there's a teasing edge to her question. She licks a slow stripe up his neck before nipping at his earlobe. "Why not?" Alex says. "It'll be easier for you, right? Better than constantly going back and forth. And our Château des Rêves is huge—the main building, the outbuildings... and a ton of people... I can even avoid running into him completely, ha!"
Alex kisses her on the lips again and keeps talking.
"See? I'm not jealous. I'm not causing fights. I love you and support you in everything. If you need variety, personal growth, and all that—I'll always back you up. Okay? Let's leave these couple of days of my worries in the past?"
Kate moans softly as Alex moves inside her, his words making her pulse quicken. She grips his hair, pulling him down for a messy, open-mouthed kiss. "Mmm... Baby Boy, you're too good for me," she murmurs against his lips, her hips rolling in slow, deliberate circles.
"But you're right... It would be easier with Brian here." She arches her back, pressing her breasts against his chest as she moves. "And I do like having lots of people around. It makes things... more interesting." Her fingers trace down his back, nails lightly scraping as she moves.
Alex groans at the sensation, his hips thrusting instinctively. "Well, okay, it's settled then... Oh, I think I'm about to cum..." Alex whispers. "Should I pull out, or inside?"
Kate's breath catches as his question sends another surge of heat through her body. She tightens her legs around his hips, her nails digging into his back as she arches beneath him. "Inside," she murmurs, voice thick with need. "Please, Baby Boy... I want to feel you fill me up."
Alex groans, his thrusts growing more erratic as he feels Kate's body clenching around him. The intensity builds rapidly. "Fuck... Kate... you're my Goddess," he pants, pressing his forehead against hers as he pushes deeper. "I love you," Alex says as he finishes inside her.
Kate gasps as Alex finishes inside her, her body convulsing as she cums too. She holds him close, fingers digging into his back as she rides out the intense waves of pleasure. "Oh my God... Baby Boy..." she breathes against his neck, her body still twitching with residual sensations.
Alex collapses against her, his weight pressing her into the mattress as he nuzzles into the crook of her neck. His breathing is heavy, skin warm and damp with sweat against hers. Kate wraps her arms around him, holding him close as they both come down from the high.