Love's Redemption

During the evening, I headed to a café. I was on my second cup of coffee when my blind date finally strolled in.

He wasn't your typical middle-aged guy with a beer belly, nor was he bald. His crisp sky-blue shirt was spotless. He matched his online profile perfectly.

Although I wasn't catfished, his tardiness had definitely worsened my initial impression of him.

Thankfully, I wasn't seriously looking for a relationship. I just needed someone to get over Chris, for a fee.

"Sorry I'm late," the man apologized politely.

"No worries. I'm not actually here for a real date. I'm looking to rent a boyfriend," I stated bluntly.

He looked puzzled. "Rent a boyfriend?"

"Yes. I don't want a real relationship right now, but I urgently need a boyfriend for appearances," I explained.

He fell silent. Thinking he might be offended, I added, "I'll pay you for your time."

"You must be quite well-off," he commented while squinting slightly.

Despite my distaste for his money-minded reaction, it strangely facilitated our arrangement. Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

I ignored his implication and continued, "We can discuss a daily or monthly rate. What do you think is fair?"

"How much are you willing to pay? And is this just for appearances or more?"

His words hinted at his experience in such arrangements. And it dawned on me that I wasn't the first one to rent a boyfriend.

"It's just for a show," I affirmed. I was not interested in anything deeper.

"How do we handle physical intimacy charges?" he asked in a professional tone.

I chuckled softly. "Seems like you're familiar with this. What were your previous terms, if I may ask?"

"I was hoping to genuinely meet someone this time," he said as if suddenly changing tack.

Was this a preemptive move to negotiate higher fees?

"Let's handle our business first, and then you can pursue your suitable girlfriend."

I offered a faint smile.

"I'm satisfied with your terms. So, how about we start by getting to know each other as friends?

"It might solve your problem, and who knows, you might find a quality boyfriend?" He spoke confidently.

Moreover, his thoughts echoed Brandon's viewpoint.

"I have my own plans. If you're not okay with that, I'll find someone else," I rejected firmly. My eyes were serious.

Sensing my resolve, he shifted gears by offering different terms. "If you want to hire me, it's 288 dollars per day for the first seven days with no physical contact included.

"If it extends beyond a week, it's 4888 dollars per month, even if you need me for the show for just eight days."

I chuckled inwardly at his prices. It seemed like eight was his lucky number.

"Physical contact costs extra. Holding hands is 48 dollars per day, regardless of frequency. Hugs are 88 dollars per day, unlimited. A kiss is calculated per instance. But it's double for tongue kissing."

Listening to his rates, I realized the immense profitability of this industry.

As someone in the marketing industry, I found myself intrigued. "What about sex?"

He pursed his lips. "That costs 2888 dollars per instance."

"You could make quite a bit annually with deals like these," I commented. My tone was half mocking and half serious.

At that moment, I even wondered if he had already negotiated similar terms with someone else before our blind date.