Chapter 4: Discovering Daady.net
The morning after the grape ritual arrived quietly, almost innocently, like nothing life-changing had happened the night before. Sunlight slipped through the curtains, landing softly on the living room floor where Linda's heels were neatly lined beside the couch and Mathilda's sneakers lay abandoned like they had given up on responsibility altogether.
Linda stood in the kitchen, hair pulled into a loose bun, scrolling through her phone while waiting for the coffee machine to finish its slow, dramatic process. Mathilda shuffled in moments later, wrapped in a blanket like a burrito, her eyes barely open.
"Tell me why my legs hurt like I ran a marathon," Mathilda muttered.
Linda smirked. "You crawled under a table like a possessed woman last night. That's cardio."
Mathilda groaned and dropped onto a chair. "Worth it. I feel like the universe heard us."
Linda raised an eyebrow. "You feel that after twelve grapes?"
"Yes," Mathilda said confidently. "I feel… aligned."
Linda laughed and handed her a mug. "You are ridiculous."
Mathilda took a sip, then suddenly straightened, eyes lighting up. "Oh! I forgot to tell you. I got a message this morning."
Linda paused. "From who?"
Mathilda grinned mischievously. "No one special. Yet. But it reminded me of something."
Linda turned to face her fully. "What?"
Mathilda reached for her phone, fingers flying across the screen. "I was scrolling last night—okay, early this morning—and I found something interesting."
Linda folded her arms. "Mathilda, if this is another 'secret Instagram astrologer'—"
"No, no, no," Mathilda interrupted. "This is different. This is… promising."
She slid her phone across the table. Linda leaned in, squinting at the screen.
DAADY.NETWhere real connections begin.
Linda blinked. "Daady… net?"
Mathilda nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! I know the name sounds a little questionable, but hear me out."
Linda gave her a skeptical look. "The name alone feels like a red flag."
Mathilda laughed. "Okay, fine. But look at this." She scrolled. "It's not just hookups. It's people actually looking for relationships. Real ones. Profiles are detailed, and they verify users."
Linda hesitated. "You say that about every dating app."
"This one is different," Mathilda insisted. "Look—there are personality questions, love language sections, even long-term goals."
Linda leaned closer despite herself. "Hmm."
Mathilda grinned. "See? Curiosity."
Linda sighed. "I'm not against dating apps. I'm just… tired of disappointment."
Mathilda's smile softened. "I know. But think about what we said last night. No more waiting. No more fear."
Linda stared at the phone screen, her reflection faintly visible. She remembered every failed date, every unread message, every moment she had wondered if something was wrong with her.
"Okay," Linda said quietly. "Show me."
Mathilda practically squealed and scooted her chair closer. "Yes! Okay, so first, you create a profile."
Linda hesitated. "Together?"
"Together," Mathilda confirmed. "We do this side by side. No backing out."
Linda nodded slowly. "Alright. But if this turns into a mess, I'm blaming you."
Mathilda laughed. "Deal."
They moved to the couch, laptops open, phones nearby like backup weapons in case technology betrayed them. The living room buzzed with nervous energy.
"Username," Mathilda read aloud. "Easy."
Linda frowned. "I hate this part."
"Go with something classy," Mathilda said. "You are classy."
Linda typed slowly. "LindaR_25."
Mathilda nodded approvingly. "Simple. Strong."
Mathilda typed hers next. "FunWithMathi."
Linda laughed. "Of course."
Next came photos.
"Oh no," Linda groaned. "I hate choosing pictures."
Mathilda leaned over. "Give me your phone."
She scrolled mercilessly. "No. No. Too serious. Too filtered. Oh! This one."
Linda glanced. "That was at my cousin's wedding."
"And you looked amazing," Mathilda said. "Use it."
Linda hesitated, then nodded.
They worked through the questions together.
What are you looking for?
Linda paused. "Something real."
Mathilda smiled. "Write that."
Ideal first date?
"Coffee," Linda said. "Somewhere quiet."
Mathilda typed dramatically. "A meaningful conversation over coffee, laughter included."
Linda rolled her eyes but smiled.
Then it was Mathilda's turn.
"Ideal first date?" Linda read aloud.
Mathilda grinned. "Something fun. Unexpected. Food involved."
Linda typed. "Spontaneous dates with good food and good vibes."
As profiles took shape, something shifted. The fear slowly gave way to excitement.
"Okay," Mathilda said finally. "Moment of truth."
She hit CREATE PROFILE.
Linda's heart raced as she clicked hers too.
They stared at the screen.
"You realize," Linda said softly, "this is us actually trying."
Mathilda nodded. "I know."
Within minutes, notifications appeared.
Mathilda gasped. "Oh my God."
"What?" Linda asked.
"I got a match."
Linda's stomach flipped. "Already?"
Mathilda laughed nervously. "Yes!"
Linda's screen buzzed seconds later.
She froze.
"Oh," she whispered.
Mathilda leaned over. "No way."
Linda nodded. "I got one too."
They stared at each other, shocked, excited, terrified.
"This feels… fast," Linda said.
Mathilda smiled. "That's life."
They opened their messages.
Linda's match had sent a polite greeting. Respectful. Calm.
Mathilda's was charming and playful.
"Oh no," Linda murmured.
"What?" Mathilda asked.
"I think I like his vibe."
Mathilda laughed. "That's the point!"
Hours passed as they chatted, commented, overanalyzed every word.
"What does 'hey' mean?" Mathilda asked dramatically.
"It means hey," Linda replied.
"No," Mathilda said. "It means intentions."
Linda laughed so hard she almost dropped her phone.
By evening, the apartment felt alive with possibility.
Mathilda stretched. "Okay. Rule."
Linda looked up. "Rule?"
"No secrets," Mathilda said. "We share everything. Who we talk to, what they say. No competition."
Linda nodded without hesitation. "Agreed."
They bumped fists.
Neither of them noticed how fate was already weaving something far more complicated than either expected.
Daady.net had opened a door.
Neither knew what was waiting on the other side.