Late one night, Alex sat slumped at his desk, the dim light of his laptop flickering across his face. He scrolled through Craigslist, drowning in the weight of unpaid bills. Tuition, rent, and his father's endless medical expenses loomed like a guillotine. His life felt like one big, cruel joke--a college degree that was supposed to lift him out of poverty now nothing more than an added debt. He'd spent months searching for a way out, but nothing ever seemed enough.
His tired eyes skimmed over the usual ads until one caught his attention.
"Discreet gentleman seeking a college student over 18... generous compensation for companionship."
His pulse quickened. Companionship? He read the ad again, this time lingering on the words "generous compensation." He couldn't help but imagine how a few thousand dollars could keep him afloat. The thought danced in his head, a tantalizing escape.
Maybe it's just dinner, he thought. Maybe I just need to hang out with some lonely rich guy for an hour or two. It sounded easier than yet another minimum-wage shift. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, heart thudding in his chest. After a moment of hesitation, he typed:
"I'm interested. What does companionship involve?"
He barely had time to second-guess himself before a reply came in, sharp and direct:
"Let's discuss in person. Meet me at The Ritzwood Hotel tomorrow evening. Your time will be generously compensated."
The name of the hotel sent a ripple of anxiety through him. The Ritzwood? He could never afford to set foot in a place like that. The idea of even walking through its doors made his palms sweat, but the thought of that compensation kept him locked in place.
The next day, Alex found himself staring at his closet, everything inside either too baggy, too old, or too embarrassing for a place like that. He finally settled on the tightest pair of slacks he had--ones that clung to his hips in a way that felt wrong--and a simple sweater. He checked himself in the mirror, running a hand nervously through his hair. His reflection unsettled him, the anxious look in his eyes betraying his uncertainty.
As he entered the lobby of The Ritzwood that evening, his stomach flipped. The place was extravagant, with gleaming marble floors and chandeliers dripping light. He felt so out of place it hurt. But he kept moving, scanning the room until his gaze fell on a man by the bar--Jim.
Mid-forties, stocky, gruff. Jim's eyes landed on him, and Alex could feel them trail down his body, lingering on his hips. That gaze--hungry, lingering--made Alex's skin prickle. He forced a smile, his legs feeling like they could buckle at any moment.
"Alex, right?" Jim's voice was smooth, but his eyes were sharp, like he was sizing him up. Judging. There was something lurking beneath his casual tone, something that made Alex's stomach twist.
"Yeah," Alex muttered, sliding into the seat next to him. His fingers twitched, unsure of what to do as Jim's gaze raked over him again, so deliberate it almost made him shudder.
Jim leaned in slightly. "You nervous?"
Alex swallowed. "A little, yeah." His voice was small, almost pathetic, and he hated it.
"Relax. It'll be worth your while." Jim's words were calm, but there was an unspoken edge, something that made Alex's throat tighten.
They talked, or at least tried to--idle chatter about school, work, things that barely held Alex's attention. The whole time, his mind raced, wondering what exactly he had agreed to. His imagination ran wild--maybe Jim just wanted a dinner companion, someone to talk to. But the way Jim looked at him, like Alex was something to be devoured, made his body tense.
Jim finished his drink and placed it down with a slow, deliberate motion. His eyes locked on Alex's.
"You ready to go up to my room?"
The words hit like a punch. Alex froze, the weight of the question pressing down on him. His breath hitched, and for a split second, he thought about leaving, just getting up and walking away. But the money, the bills, the suffocating reality of his life rooted him to the spot. His throat was dry as he nodded, barely able to speak.
The elevator ride was suffocatingly quiet, tension heavy in the air. Alex's heart raced, mind spinning as he tried to piece together where this was going. He thought this would just be some lonely guy paying for company--talking, maybe a drink. Companionship, right? But Jim's silence was thick, and Alex's stomach tightened with every floor the elevator climbed.
When they stepped into the hotel room, the luxury of it barely registered. His skin crawled with uncertainty, the weight of what he had agreed to feeling more real by the second. Jim wasn't here just for conversation, and Alex was starting to realize how naΓ―ve that hope had been.
"There's something for you to wear in the bathroom," Jim said smoothly, nodding toward the door like it was the most casual thing in the world.
Alex blinked, the words hanging in the air, almost surreal. Wear? He opened his mouth to question, but Jim's expression didn't waver, so he didn't push. His legs felt leaden as he made his way to the bathroom, heart hammering in his chest. This wasn't what he had expected at all.