When a gorgeous stranger offered me $500 to pose as her boyfriend for three hours, I thought it was easy money. I had no idea it would drag me into a web of manipulation that nearly wrecked my career.
My name’s Anthony. Six months ago, I had a steady job in marketing, a modest apartment, and was helping support my elderly mom. Dating wasn’t on my radar—I was focused on work and a potential promotion.
Then, one quiet Saturday, Meredith walked into my life. She offered me $500 to pose as her boyfriend at a family lunch. I reluctantly agreed.
What she didn’t tell me? Her dad was David—my boss and CEO of my company.
Lunch was a disaster. David grilled me about work, and by the end, he threatened my career if I hurt his daughter. Meredith, meanwhile, acted like we were a real couple and insisted on seeing me again. I told her I was out. She didn’t care.
The manipulation got worse. She admitted she knew I worked for her dad and planned to use it. When I threatened to walk away, she threatened to twist the story and ruin me.
But I’d recorded her. The next day, I played it for David.
To my shock, he laughed. Turns out, Meredith had done this before—bringing home fake boyfriends to hide the fact she was gay from her traditional mother. He’d suspected, but hadn’t known how far she’d gone.
I wasn’t fired. In fact, I got promoted shortly after.
Meredith disappeared from my life. Her parents finally had “the talk” with her, and the charade ended. I kept a backup of that recording—just in case.
In the end, $500 nearly cost me everything. But telling the truth saved my job, earned me respect, and helped me give my mom the care she deserves.