The Perfect Man
Penulis
Kashmira Kamat
Jumlah dibaca
341K
Bab
21
Elsa just needs a simple solution for her high school reunion, nothing complicated, nothing emotional, just a date that gets her through the night. Hiring an escort online seems like the perfect, low-risk answer—until the night becomes unforgettable in all the wrong and right ways. Derek is older, composed, and far too good at making her forget every rule she set for herself. What starts as one arranged evening quickly turns into something Elsa cannot shake from her thoughts. But life has a wicked sense of timing, and when she discovers who he really is, her carefully built world tilts in ways she never planned for. Now every glance feels loaded, every memory a problem, and every boundary a test she never agreed to take.
Chapter 1
ELSA
I don’t think I’ve ever been in a situation like this before, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
I have a high school reunion party where I’m meeting most of my old friends. We have a group chat where we talk about almost everything. Well, it’s primarily about how their boyfriends surprise them with gifts, and I find myself in an awkward situation when that happens.
You see, all of them are in a steady relationship and have boyfriends. Me? I think I’m starting to get gray hairs looking for the right one.
The guys in college that I’ve dated so far only want casual relationships, and to me, that’s just bullshit, so I’d rather stick with being single. Being single comes with its pros and cons, though, and in my case, the cons seem to outweigh the pros.
Every time I have to attend a family gathering, my parents expect me to show up with a date. I’m twenty-two, for God’s sake. Am I not allowed to enjoy my single life? Besides, I’d rather stay single than endure the drama that comes along with a boyfriend.
My sex life is nonexistent at this point, but nothing a good toy can’t fix. Granted, I miss the cuddles, the late-night conversations, and just stupidly giggling at my phone. But as I have established, one can’t have everything.
It’s like the universe is plotting something because then I come across an ad with a sexy man posing in it. It reads, “Can’t find a date for a wedding? Need a tailored man of your liking to impress your friends? Perhaps just a friend to listen to you, or maybe you’re looking for a little spice in the bedroom? We’ve got you covered.”
Usually, I’d click off any such ads that appear on my screen, but this one in particular looks interesting.
Do I need to find a date to impress my shallow high school girlies for an evening? Yes.
Am I just a little intrigued by the man on this ad promising whatever I wanted? A million times yes.
I throw a quick glance around, as if someone’s going to materialize behind me and silently judge me for what I’m about to do. The website looks legit, and they have glowing reviews, although I know those could be fake as well. I browse a little, do a background search to check their authenticity, and I’m quite surprised that there’s nothing shady about this.
It is an escort service website. I get what I pay for.
One hour later, I end up paying a minimum subscription fee to unlock a catalog with a wider range of men. With the free subscription, I could only see a handful, but as soon as I pay, I’m overwhelmed by the choices I have. From gorgeous brunettes and blonds to dark-haired and straight-up bald men, you name it, they have it.
And if that isn’t enough, they also have an option where I can get a man from my preferred age group.
At first, I try my age group, early to late twenties, and no one remotely interests me until I see a man with fewer reviews but all five stars.
His name is Derek. He’s forty, six-foot-three, and he’s so freaking hot; it hurts my eyes to even look at the screen. This man should be in movies. He has thick dark hair and striking gray eyes, which must be his best feature, along with his smile.
I look at all the pictures in his album, which seem genuine. I know all about Photoshop as I was studying to become a graphic designer. He’s got nice biceps and a ripped body with a thin, slutty waist.
This is the type of man who would make my friends’ faces green with envy. I smile to myself as I devise an evil plan.
I check his profile. He has a decent bio about his interests and hobbies. I read his little introduction.
Hey, my name is Derek. If you have read through my profile, then I won’t bore you with details. I’m fun, charming, and I can be your perfect companion for any event. To be very straightforward, I’m also skilled in the bedroom, if that’s something you’re looking for. You want nothing sexual and need someone to watch a movie with? No worries, I can be your reliable friend. Bonus: I also love cooking.
P.S: I’m also experienced with ropes.
It’s too good to be true. I mean, there’s this perfect man who I can hire online and who just about does everything I can ask for.
There are four types of packages here. Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond.
For Bronze, I can hire Derek for an hour or two for an event or if I need a movie buddy or some activity that’s not sexual. He charges two hundred to three hundred bucks for those standard services.
For Silver, I can hire him for everything in Bronze, plus two hours a night for a private meeting, which I’m sure means I can hook up with him for seven hundred dollars.
And lastly, for Gold, I can basically take him for a two-night weekend fun trip, which is a whopping three thousand dollars. There’s also a VIP Diamond package that includes all the above and an entire week with Derek for an exorbitant amount of money.
I continue reading further.
Before making any payments, please send me a private message so we can discuss your specific needs, and I can provide a personalized invoice.
Kindly reach out only if you’re twenty-seven years or older.
Thank you for visiting my profile!
Derek’s profile seems nice. It’s short, precise, and to the point. He doesn’t bullshit like a lot of other escorts on this website. He doesn’t kiss ass either, and I like his straightforwardness.
But there’s one problem. I’m twenty-two, and not twenty-seven, and I don’t like any other man on this website, definitely not the ones in my age group. I want this man in particular.
I think something possesses me when I type a quick message and hit “send.”
Rose
Hi! I found your profile interesting. I’m wondering if you will be free next weekend for an hour. I have a reunion, and I’m in need of a date.
After that message is gone, I spend the next few seconds panicking. What the hell am I doing?
Five minutes later, my MacBook pings with a message. It’s from the man.
Oh my God. I spend the next minute pacing around my room, contemplating whether I should open the message or straight-up delete my account.
I end up opening the message.
Derek
Hello, Rose. What kind of reunion is this, and what will be my job here?
Rose
It’s an old high school reunion. I’m meeting my old friends, and I’d need you to pretend to be my boyfriend for one hour.
Derek
Sounds wonderful. Can I confirm your age?
This website is pretty lousy when it comes to confirming my age, so I showed my fake ID, and it worked.
Rose
Twenty-seven.
I mean, it’s not like he’s going to see me every day, so what does it matter if I lie just a little?
Derek
Perfect. Since you’re my new client, I’ll give you two hours for the price of one. Is that all you need me for?
Would it hurt if I slept with this man? I’ve been a little thirsty for over a year. Surely, I deserve some fun even if it’s something I paid for.
Rose
What if I want to book you for the Silver package as well?
He responds a minute later.
Derek
My rates for both the social event and private time are one thousand dollars per night. However, I’m offering you a discounted rate of eight hundred. This includes my company during the gathering, followed by two hours of private time to ensure your complete satisfaction. I’m confident you’ll be pleased. Would you like to move forward with this offer?
Rose
Yes.
Derek
Payment is fifty percent upfront and fifty afterward. My STD report is available for your review. Please share yours at your earliest convenience.
I make the half payment, and now I’m four hundred dollars poorer.
Derek
Thanks for the payment.
Derek
Do you perhaps want to meet up over coffee first? It would help us make up a story so your friends can really believe I’m your boyfriend.
Rose
Sure. When do you want to meet?
Derek
Tomorrow?
***
I can’t believe I’m doing this. Everything feels like a fever dream. Am I really meeting this escort for a coffee? I wonder if I should have just chickened out of the whole thing. In fact, they do have a hundred percent refund policy if you place an order and change your mind within twelve hours.
I push those thoughts away as I check myself in the mirror one last time before stepping out of the car. I had to carefully choose an outfit that would make me look older, and hopefully the man won’t suspect that I’m not in the age group he’s actually looking for.
I step into the café, and instantly I’m assaulted by the aroma of fresh coffee and baked goodies.
My eyes scan the almost crowded place and finally rest on the man seated in the booth at the far back corner. I know it’s him as soon as I see him. He’s not hard to find because a man like him is so rare.
He’s staring out of the window as I approach him and only notices me when I stand right in front of him.
Those gray eyes sparkle up at me. His smile reaches them. “Rose?” He gets up from his seat like a true gentleman and holds out his hand for me to take.
“Yes. Derek, right?”
He nods. “That would be me. I’m glad you could make it.”
His handshake is firm, and his skin warm. It sends tingles down my body.
I settle down while my heart continues to beat rapidly against my chest. He is a lot more gorgeous than the pictures on the website. The black T-shirt he’s wearing stretches across his wide chest, and I don’t forget to notice his slim waist and the defined abs that go with it. He is a big man.
I’m grateful to make this discovery that nothing is edited in Photoshop software.
“Can I get you a coffee? Which one do you prefer?” he asks me, handing over the menu card. “And it will be my treat, so don’t worry about the bill.”
Wow, do escorts even do that? I thought I was supposed to pay for this date too.
“Then I’d like the matcha latte, please,” I tell him, pointing at the green drink.
Derek gets up from his seat and goes over to the counter to order. He comes back ten minutes later with my steaming cup of matcha and croissants.
He settles down in his seat and watches me with interest as I take a sip of my drink. I’m afraid I’m visibly shaking, and he’ll notice because I’ve never talked to someone who is movie-star hot, and I probably would never have if I hadn’t paid.
Men like him would never notice plain women like me.
I reach for the drink, but since my hand is shaking, the glass topples a little, and the drink spills from the top, the foam spilling on the table. “Oh gosh… Um… I’m so sorry.”
He chuckles, reaching for the tissues and wiping it. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Y-yeah…”
He sits back and smiles kindly at me. “Am I making you nervous for some reason?”
I push the hair back behind my ear. “Sorry, it’s just…” I sigh. “I’ve never met someone as gorgeous-looking as you.”
There’s a long pause, and then I hear him laughing. “You are clueless, aren’t you?”
“About?”
“I saw you get out of your car, and I was nervous too. I mean, you’re beautiful, and I wondered, damn, I hope I don’t turn into a blubbering mess.”
I laugh. “You’re saying that to make me feel better.”
He shrugs. “If that’s what you want to believe.”
I sip my matcha slowly when he leans in. “I have a question, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure.”
“Is there a reason you prefer older men, Rose?” he asks me outright. I almost choke on my drink.
