"I'm confident I can change your mind. When that girl who doesn't realize the kind of man you are fades away, I'll be here." "You're wasting your time." "We'll see." The exchange left Tillie satisfied, but Matthew confused And shock for Diana, who witnessed the whole thing.

Me every time I'm here and it's not just to post my story Like why erbody mad? 👀

Felt hot, might delete later

The kiss finally ended, and Tillie pulled away. The smile that found its way to her face still fully planted. "I'll be in touch tomorrow to let you know if I'm able to get any of those inspections expedited." "Huh?" "For the housing project. You haven't already forgotten?"

"It's not that I've fogotten, but you'll have to forgive me for having put that to the back of mind for now especailly after what you've just done." Outside of his own mother, no one had ever gotten close enough to Matthew to plant a kiss on him. "I see. So you enjoyed it?"

"Enjoyed it? Otillie—" "You said my name." Her face lit up. "Have I not said it before?" "You have, but not in its fullness. I've noticed, for those you are fond of, you don't use nicknames. But for me, till just now, you always have. I feel closer to you now."

"Otillie, you need to stop. I've told you already, I don't have any romantic feelings for you. There's nothing to read into here. If your intent is simply to wear on my nerves, you're doing a fine job. But you've done nothing to move my heart." "Forgive me if I see it otherwise"

At that, Tillie turned from him. "I ought not to keep Minnie waiting. She deserves to be relieved soon of her driving duties for the night." Tillie brushed her lips where they had not long ago brushed the cheek of Matthew Landgraab. "I hope to see you at the ball, Matthew."

"We make great partners in business, and even finer dance partners. I'm OK for now if that's all it can be. I hope you'll consider that." And then, Matthew watched her go. Utterly baffled, confused, and annoyed. He may not have wanted to hurt her, but—

This fledgling crush was a nuisance to him. Perhaps she did really have feelings for him, but for what reason could her fondness run so deep? He had all but told at this point that he's uninterested, yet she still persists. It was odd. He wasn't used to anyone liking him so much

It was easier to rationalize why people wouldn't like him. He's a Landgraab with the ego that comes with it. He's purposely standoffish, not a great conversationalist, emotionally tumultuous. All of these are reasons why it made sense that Cordel—err—Tillie shouldn't like him.

This wasn't about Cordelia. This was about Tillie. And she should just stay away from him, for all their sakes. Diana had the same idea. But for much different reasons. Welcoming Otillie Alto-DeBateau into their fold, it was out of the question.

But after that what she just witnessed.... Matthew couldn't have developed feelings for her, could he? They had been spending all that time together developing those Del Sol properties, but— No. Diana wouldn't hear of it. Those Alto's were not to be trusted.

Matthew put on a strong front, but she knew her son better than anyone. He deserved more than what that coniving, calculating family was liable to put him through. She'd simply have to nip this in the bud before things reached a point of no return.

No queue today, as I'll be chronically offline today trying to avoid working up my election day anxeity 😅 If you're an American friend, this is your friendly reminder to exercise your right to vote. Take your ballot seriously friends, especially for your local candidates!

Hope everyone went out and did their civic duty, and if you haven't, there's still time. Get out and vote!

I hoped to wake up and be relieved and now I just feel sick I honestly hate it here so much....

This and then Project 2025... It's time to pack it up and plan an escape to literally any other first world country because there's no coming back from this. We're cooked...