I thought it’d be easy money when a gorgeous stranger offered me $500 to pose as her boyfriend for three hours. I never imagined it would nearly destroy everything I’d worked for. My name’s Anthony. Six months ago, I had a stable life — good job, small apartment, and enough to support my aging mother. Then Meredith showed up at my favorite café and flipped my world upside down.
She needed a fake boyfriend to impress her strict parents. Against my instincts, I agreed. But when we arrived at the restaurant, I realized her father was my boss — the CEO of my company. I spent lunch pretending to be her devoted partner while silently panicking. I thought it was over, but Meredith demanded I keep the act going, threatening to ruin my career if I refused.
I secretly recorded her threats and went straight to my boss the next day. To my surprise, he laughed — he already knew Meredith faked boyfriends to hide that she preferred women. He thanked me for being honest and promised to handle it. A week later, I got promoted. Meredith vanished, Mom’s therapy was paid for, and I learned the hard way that no amount of money is worth risking your peace.
