Chapter 136

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 s