*As told to Kally from someone who wishes to be anonymous
If you think it is the lack of money, that’s not it. I love what I do and I know it is not a conventional career, something that my parents would want me to grow up being and certainly, this job is not something I wanted when my teacher asked us to write an essay on my ambition.
Despite what a lot of people might think, I am a university graduate with a finance degree. I graduated from school and did the normal route of getting myself hired in a prestigious bank. Day in, day out, I clocked my hours like everyone does, working like a worker bee, going home like a zombie. I always felt there are so much more in life. After 2 years into my cushy banking job, with enough savings, I took a sabbatical leave and went for an Eastern Europe backpacking trip.
It was there I met Mike. He was quite a charming guy but not really my type as he was like 20 years older than me. He is the perfect gentleman and will wine and dine me every evening. When his holiday ends and he needs to fly back to London, he asked if I would like to see him again if he flies down to my country, I couldn’t say no. He then passed me an envelope and in it was a wad of Euros for me to live luxuriously for the remaining of my Europe trip!
I thought that was the end of seeing Mike. I went back to my old job after three months of break. My time in Europe was like a faraway dream especially after I met Mike. Back to reality, I begin to resent being stuck at a 9-to-6 job, waiting for paycheck end of the month. I know I should be grateful that I am able to land myself such a good job when some of my friends are still hopping from one odd job to another. I’m not an insolent spoil brat. I just want more in life than to stare blankly at my computer screen.
After a week back, Mike contacted me and told me that he is flying down for a week. My heart soared with his news and I couldn’t believe that he wants to see me! He wasn’t any different from the day we parted. Still the perfect gentleman. However, he brought along a friend of his, Craig. Craig is different from Mike, he is young and goofy sometimes, a lot closer to my age group. Going out with Mike is like going out with your lecturer, very prim and proper. However, with Craig in the mix, he and I hit it off instantly. By the end of the week, Mike asked if I would be willing to accompany Craig and bring him around, “take care” of him for the next couple of weeks. In exchange, I get gifts, expensive dinners, entries to members only places and of course, a wad of cash at the end of Craig’s stay. I was doubtful but I wasn’t uncomfortable. Craig is cute and I will not hesitate to date him if I have met him on Tinder. As Mike puts it, Craig is just being ‘appreciative’ of the time we spend together.
I’ll work in the day while date Craig in the evenings, sometimes spending the night at his 5 stars suite. On weekends, we went shopping, swimming and sightseeing. To be honest, I was a little sad to see Craig leave. I even send him off at the airport just like what you will do to a dear friend leaving. Sadness was not for long until I get another call from Mike within the same month. This time round was a good business partner of his flying down to my location for a week long business conference.
And then it so begins… with Sam, John, Wynn, Chris… Last names were never exchanged, these guys never revealed too much of themselves. I don’t know if they have girlfriends or wives or children, it’s like an unspoken rule that I never asked and they never tell. Most of the time, they flew into my city but I do occasionally get invited back to Europe.
I begin to do pretty well for myself at my job and even gotten promoted to be a manager. I guess partially due to my newfound confidence, I am more poised, well-read and able to hold my own conversation regardless the topics are about politics, war, soccer or stock markets. This definitely comes from my new social life. The guys I have dated are usually old, well-mannered gentlemen who have dabbled in all kinds of businesses all over the world. They are refined with exquisite taste in food, clothes and wine.
Many of my coworkers think that I came from a well-to-do background to explain my branded handbags and exotic trips. One of my shoes even cost more than half a year salary! Yes, I am afraid of being find out one day. Even the fear of being found out never outweigh the excitement I’m experiencing when I’m out with one of these guys. I know I will lose my job if anyone were to know what I am doing on the sidelines. I am aware that one day I might even have to serve one of my ‘boyfriends’ in the bank I worked. I know my parents will be gravely disappointed in me and my grandmama will flip in her grave if word gets out. I just couldn’t bear to be back to the old boring life that I was previously living.
Until then, I look forward to Mike’s call once a month to my next adventure.
*As told to Kally from someone who wishes to be anonymous
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