I’m Noah, 32, and six months ago, I thought I had it all together. My marketing gig was solid, covering my rent and helping my mom, who raised me alone after Dad bailed when I was 12. I worked late, chasing a promotion, while my buddy, Ryan, nagged, “Dude, get a date!” I’d laugh, saying I was too busy. My job was my world, paying Mom’s medical bills and building our future. My boss, Michael, had teased about a management spot, and I was hooked, loving the rush of nailing campaigns and earning client respect.
One Saturday, I was chilling at a coffee shop, skimming work blogs, when a stunning woman plopped down. “I’m Sophie,” she said. “$500 to be my boyfriend for three hours.” I choked on my coffee. She said her pushy dad wanted her married, so she’d made up a boyfriend. Her guy ditched, and she needed me for a lunch with her parents. The cash could help Mom, so I agreed, though it felt sketchy. We walked to a swanky restaurant, rehearsing our act. Then I saw her dad—Michael, my boss. My stomach dropped.
Lunch was brutal. Michael hammered me about work, not Sophie, while her mom gushed about me being “perfect.” Michael warned, “Break her heart, and you’re done.” I nodded, freaking out. After, I begged Sophie to come clean. She shrugged, “Too much hassle. Dinner’s next week.” I was shocked—this was one lunch. She called Tuesday, demanding I join a family dinner. Terrified of Michael’s threat, I went. Dinner was worse, with Sophie acting lovey-dovey and Michael talking “our future.” I was trapped.
Driving her home, I offered to return the $500 to end it. She laughed, “I didn’t know you worked for Dad, but now I’ve got leverage. Quit, and I’ll say you creeped on me.” I was furious but had recorded our talk. Next day, I marched to Michael’s office, spilled the story—Sophie’s deal, the lunch, her threats—and played the recording. He cracked up. “Sophie’s pulled this before,” he said. “She fakes boyfriends to keep her mom happy, who doesn’t know she likes women. I didn’t know she was blackmailing guys.” He admired my guts.
I wasn’t fired—I got promoted. Michael said he’d deal with Sophie and her mom. I deleted the recording for him, keeping a hidden copy. Sophie never called again, and I heard she stopped her fake boyfriend game. That $500 nearly cost me everything, but coming clean was my best move. Mom’s doing great with my raise, and I’ve learned to dodge deals that sound too easy.
