Chapter 1
Warning: This is an Age-gap best friend's dad romance story with lots of spice. For mature readers (18+ only)
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 most everything. Well, it’s flexing mostly 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 have grey hairs looking for the right one.
The guys in college that I’ve dated so far only want a casual relationship and don’t want to complicate things with anything serious, and to me that’s just bullshit, so I’d rather stick with being single forever.
Being single comes with its pro 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 would expect me to show up with a date. I’m Twenty-two for goddsake, 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 non-existent at this point, but nothing a good toy can’t fix. Granted, I missed the cuddles, the late-night conversations and just stupidly giggling at my phone, but 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 says ‘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 appeared on my screen, but this one looked interesting in particular.
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 some 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 catalogue with a wider range of men. With the free subscription, I could only see a handful, but as soon as I paid, I’m overwhelmed by the choices I have. From gorgeous brunet, blonde, dark-haired to straight up bald. 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 freakin hot, it hurts my eyes to even look at the screen. This man should be in movies. He has thick dark hair and striking grey 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 slim waist.
This is the type of man that would make my friends’ faces green with envy.
I smile to myself as I device an evil plan.
I check his profile. He has got 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 straight-forward, 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 just about does everything I can ask for.
There are four types of packages here. Bronze, Silver and Gold.
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 nothing 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 was sure they meant I could hook up with him for six hundred dollars.
And lastly for Gold, I could basically take him for a two-night weekend fun trip, which was 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 as well and I like his straight-forwardness.
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 one-minute pacing around my room, contemplating if 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 an hour 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 sends me an invoice with another message.
Derek: Payment is fifty percent upfront, and fifty afterwards. 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 over for 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 wouldn’t suspect that I’m not at 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 at the far back corner of the booth. 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 grey eyes sparkle up at me. His smile reaches them. “Rose?” He gets up from his seat like a true gentleman and raises his hand out 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 a 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, and that makes me spurt my drink.
***
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