When a stunning stranger offered me $500 to play her boyfriend for three hours, I thought it was easy money. I had no idea that saying yes would trap me in a web of manipulation that nearly destroyed everything I’d worked for.

My name is Anthony, and up until six months ago, I thought I had life figured out.

I had a solid job at a mid-sized marketing firm, a modest apartment, and—most importantly—enough income to help support my elderly mother. She’d sacrificed everything after Dad walked out when I was twelve. Now it was my turn to take care of her.

While other guys my age were getting married or building families, I was laser-focused on climbing the corporate ladder. Each morning I was up at six, chugging coffee, pushing through deadlines. My coworkers went out for drinks—I stayed late to finish pitch decks.

“You need to get out more,” Jake from my team said once. “You’re 32, man. When’s the last time you even touched a dating app?”

But I wasn’t looking for love. Between work and Mom’s medical bills, dating felt like a luxury. I was content with my routine: work hard, save smart, and build a better life.

Even my boss, David—the CEO—had noticed my dedication. A few months earlier, he’d hinted I might be considered for a management role soon. That one sentence fueled me for weeks.

Everything was falling into place—until that Saturday afternoon in September.

I was at my favorite café, sipping coffee and catching up on marketing trends, when a woman I’d never seen before sat down across from me. No greeting, no hesitation.

She had long auburn hair, brilliant green eyes, and a confidence that made the entire room feel dull in comparison.

“Hi, I’m Meredith,” she said casually. “Want to earn $500 for three hours of your time?”

I nearly choked. “I’m sorry—what?”

“I need a fake boyfriend for one lunch with my parents. The guy I hired bailed. Three hours, tops. Cash upfront.”

It sounded like a scam. Or a weird social experiment. But she seemed serious—too serious.

She leaned in. “My dad won’t stop pushing me to get married. I told him I already had someone. If I show up alone, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

I should’ve walked away. But I thought of Mom’s next physical therapy bill… and nodded.

“Fine. Just this once.”

“Perfect,” she beamed. “Lunch is in an hour.”

On the way there, she walked fast, talking faster. We rehearsed our fake story—how we met, our first date, shared hobbies. I felt like an understudy being shoved onto stage without a script.

Nothing could have prepared me for what waited in the restaurant.

Sitting at the corner table was her father.

David.

My boss.

The CEO.

His eyebrow twitched as he spotted me. “Anthony?”

I froze mid-step. Meredith, oblivious, practically sang, “Dad, Mom—this is Anthony. My boyfriend.”

I wanted the floor to open and swallow me alive.

David didn’t say a word—not at first. But the meal quickly turned into a corporate interrogation disguised as casual conversation.

“How’s the Morrison account progressing?” he asked, slicing his steak.
“What’s your timeline for the Q4 campaign?”
“Do you always mix business with pleasure?”

Meanwhile, Meredith’s mother clasped her hands like she was witnessing a proposal.

And then the real blow came.

David raised his glass. “Anthony, if you ever hurt my daughter, you won’t just lose her. You’ll lose your career. I’ll make sure of it.”

I laughed weakly. My soul left my body.

After lunch, once we were out of sight, I yanked my hand away.

“You didn’t tell me your dad was David—my boss,” I hissed.

She shrugged. “I didn’t know. But it works. He likes you.”

“I can’t keep doing this,” I said firmly. “This was supposed to be one lunch.”

“You’ll get used to it,” she said breezily. “Next week’s dinner.”

“Absolutely not.”

She didn’t bother arguing. She simply turned, tossed her hair, and said, “See you then, babe.”

I realized I’d walked into a trap. And with my career on the line, I didn’t know how to walk out.

True to her word, she called the next week. And the one after that.

Every time, I wanted to say no. But every time, I remembered David’s warning. If she twisted the story—even slightly—I was finished.

So I went. And smiled. And played the role.

Until one night, when desperation overrode fear.

I recorded everything—her manipulation, her taunts, even her laughter as she admitted she was using my job against me.

The next morning, shaking, I walked into David’s office.

“Sir… I need to tell you something.”

I explained everything. Then I played the recording.

David listened quietly. Then—shockingly—he laughed.

“I knew it,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re not the first. Meredith’s had a ‘boyfriend’ every month for years to keep up appearances.”

“Illusion?” I repeated.

He nodded. “She prefers women. Has for years. Her mother refuses to accept it, so Meredith pretends. But threatening people? That’s new.”

“So… I’m not fired?”

“Fired?” David snorted. “You just showed honesty, restraint, and guts. That’s leadership.”

He clapped my shoulder. “Delete the recording. Let’s keep this between us.”

I deleted it from my phone—right there in front of him. But I kept a backup on my laptop. Just in case the world turned upside down again.

A week later, I got the promotion. A month later, I was leading a team.

And Meredith? She disappeared from my life for good. Word was, David finally sat down with his wife and they all stopped pretending. No more fake boyfriends.

As for me?

I learned a lot that month—about manipulation, pressure, integrity, and self-respect.

And I also learned that sometimes a $500 side gig can turn into a promotion, a life lesson, and a story you’ll never forget.

Mom’s doing better too—her treatments are easier to afford now.

And I?
I no longer accept strange offers from beautiful strangers in cafés.

No matter how desperate they look.