I assumed it would be easy money when a beautiful stranger offered me $500 to play her boyfriend for three hours. I didn’t realize that accepting would lead to a labyrinth of deceit that almost ruined everything I had fought for.
My name is Anthony, and I considered myself to be in control of my life until six months ago.
I had a respectable position at a mid-sized marketing company, a modest apartment that I could afford, and—above all—enough money to care for my aging mother. After Dad left when I was twelve, she gave up everything to raise me.
It was my turn to look after her now.
I was more concerned with moving up the corporate ladder than the majority of men my age were with getting married and having families.
I would get up at six every morning, get my coffee, and get to work. I would typically turn down invitations from my coworkers to go out for drinks. I had tasks to complete, goals to reach, and a promotion to obtain.
My coworker Jake used to say, “You need to get out more, Anthony,” virtually every day. “You’re 32. When’s the last time you went on a date?”
I would simply tell him that I was too busy and shrug.
In all honesty, I had no time for relationships.
Dating seemed like a luxury I couldn’t afford because of my job and my responsibility to help Mom with her medical problems. I was happy with my routine nonetheless. Put forth a lot of effort, save money, and create a future.
It was easy and secure.
David, my manager, had observed my commitment.
A few months prior, he had taken me aside and suggested that a management role would soon become available. During long nights and tense deadlines, that talk helped me stay motivated.
For Mom and me, this employment was the key to financial stability.
I truly enjoyed my work. I was naturally good at marketing strategy, and I was truly happy when campaigns worked. I was well-liked by my coworkers and had established strong bonds with my clientele.
Everything was coming together just the way I had intended.
Then that late September Saturday afternoon arrived.
My neatly planned existence was utterly upended when I was enjoying my one day off and reading industry papers in my favorite café.
I got to know Meredith at that point.
I was reading about the latest trends in digital marketing when I saw someone walking toward my table.
When I looked up, I saw a woman who looked like she was straight out of a magazine. She had a smile that could stop traffic, long auburn hair, and beautiful green eyes.
Uninvited, she slid into the chair opposite from me and said, “Hello, my name is Meredith.” “Want to earn $500 for three hours of your time?”
My coffee almost choked me. My mind raced to take in what she had just said. In cafés, attractive ladies did not approach strangers and make financial offers. This must have been a hoax of some sort, or worse.
With trembling hands, I managed to put down my cup and stammer, “I’m sorry, what?”
With utter seriousness, she leaned forward. “I need a fake boyfriend for one lunch. Three hours, max. Cash payment.”
I was genuinely perplexed now. “What’s the catch?”
“My dad is ridiculously strict and obsessed with finding me a husband. I got so sick of his constant nagging that I told him I already had a boyfriend. The guy who was supposed to help me out just bailed last minute, and now I need a replacement for one lunch with my parents.”
I gazed at her as though she had suddenly revealed that she was from Mars. I had never had a more bizarre talk with a total stranger than this one.
“Look, I know it sounds crazy,” she said, “but I’m desperate. One lunch, we pretend to be dating, and you walk away $500 richer. That’s it.”
My pragmatic side was screaming that this was a bad idea, so I paused. “I picked you because you’re genuinely good-looking and seem trustworthy. Plus, you look like the type of guy my parents would approve of,” she said, grinning once more.
$500 and flattery? My determination began to crumble. For two months, Mom’s physical therapy appointments could be paid for with that money.
I inadvertently heard myself say, “Okay, but just this once.”
Her expression brightened. “Perfect! Lunch is in an hour. We should probably walk over together so we look natural.”
Those fifteen minutes felt like the longest walk of my life, even though the restaurant was only a few blocks away. To make our relationship seem plausible, Meredith asked me simple questions about my work and engaged in light conversation like the weather.
I told myself that this would soon be over and tried to relax.
However, my stomach fell to the floor the instant we entered the fancy Italian restaurant and I noticed her parents seated at a corner table.
I wanted to run for the door and turn around.
David was her father. My supervisor. My company’s chief executive officer.
Not just any boss, but the person I’d shook hands with at retreats and business gatherings. Just last month, the same individual had complimented me on my work ethic. Additionally, he undoubtedly recognized me based on the way his eyebrow shot up upon seeing me.
I muttered to myself, “Oh no,” but Meredith was already dragging me forward with her hand.
She smiled brightly and said, “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Anthony,” totally unaware that she had just put me in a nightmare at work.
It was agony for the next hour.
David bombarded me with questions, but he kept bringing up work projects and corporate objectives rather than my relationship with his daughter.
“So, Anthony,” David remarked, slicing into his steak, “how’s that Morrison account coming along?”
“Going well, sir,” was the only thing I could say. “We should have the final presentation ready by Thursday.”
Meredith’s mother, meantime, was constantly expressing her happiness that her daughter had at last found “such a nice young man.” Every compliment felt like a nail in my career coffin.
“I always hoped Meredith would date someone with more… ambition. But since you work for me, Anthony, maybe you’re not a complete disaster. Just remember, if you hurt my little girl, you’ll never work in this industry again. I’ll personally make sure of that.” That was the worst part, and David raised his wine glass near the end.
I nodded and smiled as if my life depended on it, but on the inside, I was slowly but surely dying.
Meredith proposed that we “take a romantic walk” around the block after lunch. I took her arm and turned her to face me as soon as we were out of her parents’ line of sight.
“You have to tell your dad the truth right now,” I said. “I can’t risk my job over this. I’m supporting my elderly mother. I need this career.”
She shrugged and looked at me casually, almost boredly. “I can’t do that. It would create too much drama with my parents. They’d never let it go.”
Forcefully, “Then we’re done,” I said. “This was supposed to be one lunch. I’m out.”
“Don’t worry about it,” she said, gesturing with her hand. “I’ll call you next week for our next family dinner.”
I looked at her in shock and asked, “What?” “No, absolutely not. This was a one-time thing.”
As if I hadn’t even said anything, she turned and began to leave.
“See you next week, Anthony. And don’t even think about backing out now.”
I had the impression that I had just stepped into a psychological trap as I stood there on the sidewalk. How had a straightforward favor become a persistent nightmare?
She called the next Tuesday, as promised. It was dinner at her folks’ house this time. I continued thinking about David’s threat even though I knew I should have declined. What if she gave him a distorted account of what happened because I refused?
So I went. Once more.
Even bad than the lunch was the dinner.
David persisted in his scathing remarks regarding my “future with his daughter” as Meredith portrayed the ideal devoted girlfriend. I felt like I was being tied to this crazy circumstance with each false grin she offered me.
I made another attempt to talk sense into her head when I was driving her home after supper.
I continued to look at the road as I added, “Meredith, I’ll pay you back the five hundred dollars,” “But I’m done. I can’t live under this constant threat anymore.”
In fact, she laughed. “I didn’t know you worked for my dad when I first picked you. But now that I do, it would be stupid not to use that to my advantage.”
When I said, “You’re manipulating me,”
Without a trace of embarrassment, she shrugged. “So? You’re already in this deep. If you try to back out now or say anything to my dad, I’ll just twist the story. I’ll make you look like the creep who was harassing me. Who do you think he’ll believe? His beloved daughter or some random employee?”
I gripped the steering wheel tighter. “This is insane.”
She said, “See you next week,” when I arrived at her apartment complex. “Don’t disappoint me, Anthony.”
She was unaware that I had been using my phone to record our talk the whole way home. Crystal-clear audio recorded her casual admission of manipulation and threats.
I entered David’s office right away the following morning. I knew I had to come clean before this got any worse, even if my hands were shaking.
I started by saying, “Sir, I need to tell you something about your daughter and me,” and then I told you the whole tale.
I described how I felt trapped, how I had met Meredith, and how I had no idea she was his daughter.
I was completely prepared to get fired right away.
Rather, David erupted in laughter.
He remarked, “I figured as much,” as he wiped away a tear. “You’re not the first guy she’s pulled this stunt with, Anthony. Every month it’s a new ‘boyfriend.’ Her mother still can’t accept that Meredith prefers women, so my daughter brings home a different guy every month just to keep up the charade.”
As I sat there, I tried to take in what he had just said.
He sat down and said, “I’ve known about Meredith’s real preferences for years, but her mother is old-fashioned. Rather than cause family drama, I just let Meredith handle it her way. What I didn’t expect was for her to start threatening and manipulating these poor guys.”
“So… I’m not fired?” I inquired, barely thinking this exchange was genuine.
“Fired? Hell no,” David said with a laugh. “I actually respect that you came to me instead of caving to her threats. That shows real character. I’ll have a serious talk with Meredith about her behavior, and I’ll make sure my wife understands the situation too.”
He got up and escorted me to the exit. “Delete that recording, Anthony. This stays between us.”
With a nod, I took out my phone and erased the audio file in front of him.
Naturally, I didn’t bring up the backup copy that I had previously stored on my laptop. Just in case.
I was promoted to marketing manager a week later. After a month, I was in charge of my own group.
What about Meredith? She didn’t give me another call.
I learned through office rumors that she had completely ceased the false boyfriend practice after her parents finally had “the talk” with her.
I still shake my head occasionally when I think of that insane month. I nearly lost everything I had worked for because of five hundred dollars. But ultimately, the best professional decision I’ve ever made was to be truthful and advocate for myself.
What about Mom? Thanks to the promotion and the accompanying raise, she’s doing fantastically.
