The apartment unit Caitlin Blossom lived in wasn't large. It had only a small kitchen, a living room that could barely accommodate three guests, and a single bedroom. The building’s location was far from strategic, and the water supply often stopped on certain days.
However, none of that mattered to Caitlin as long as the rent was cheaper compared to other apartments. Besides, she rarely had guests, needed to save money, and was certain she wouldn’t be staying here forever.
She had been awake for half an hour but hadn't immediately gotten up to wash her face. Instead, she lay there, staring at the ceiling and occasionally checking her phone notifications. Ever since breaking up with Tobey, she found herself daydreaming more and talking to herself.
"Morning already, huh?" Caitlin muttered.
She glanced at the cobwebs above, finally understanding why Daniel called this place an animal cage rather than a single woman’s residence.
But at least here, Caitlin had the freedom she never had before—away from home, where she had always been compared to her three other siblings.
Caitlin also felt insignificant next to her youngest sibling, who had managed to secure a full scholarship for college. Meanwhile, Caitlin had struggled, working part-time jobs just to support herself through school. Feeling sore from lying in the same position, Caitlin shifted onto her side and gazed at Daniel, who was still fast asleep beside her.
"I wonder how he can sleep like the dead in a place like this," she murmured.
In the dimly lit room, with the air cold around her, Caitlin had never felt so at ease lying next to a man. She observed the stranger who wasn’t exactly a stranger. She knew him, yet she didn’t really know him at all.
"I never even shared a room with my ex-boyfriend," Caitlin mused, astonished at herself.
Daniel Sanders, or simply Daniel, was the kind of man women like Caitlin could hire when they felt lonely. That was probably a fake name—Caitlin was sure of it.
After being cheated on by her ex, Caitlin had routinely hired Daniel’s services just to sleep beside her. Yes, just sleep—nothing more—because she couldn’t afford to pay him for anything beyond that. Even if she had the extra money, she’d think a hundred times before asking him for anything more.
So, was Daniel a gigolo? Caitlin hesitated to call him that, though part of her wanted to believe he wasn’t. But in today’s world, plenty of people sold themselves, whether online or in real life, just for money, right?
"Cat, you must’ve lost your mind—talking to yourself first thing in the morning. Weren’t last night’s rants enough?" Daniel’s voice was groggy as he slowly opened his eyes.
"You're awake?" Caitlin’s brows lifted.
The man groaned in frustration. "Because you’re so damn noisy, Cat."
"But you fell asleep within fifteen minutes of listening to me complain, Dan. That actually helped you sleep soundly. You should be thanking me."
Daniel turned onto his side to face Caitlin, winking playfully. "No complaints as long as I’m getting paid."
Caitlin rolled her eyes and let out a small smile. This arrangement was built on money—expecting anything more was pointless. Besides, she doubted Daniel would even glance at her twice if they had met under normal circumstances.
"Hmm, alright then. I need company, and you need to get paid. That makes perfect sense," Caitlin replied.
"Whatever you say," Daniel said.
"Boyfriend for hire" sounded more polite than "gigolo," so Caitlin preferred to think of Daniel as a rented boyfriend—someone to keep her company when she was lonely or bored. Whatever he did outside of their time together wasn’t her concern. But right now, Dan was hers, even if only for a few hours before they became nothing again.
"I get that you love money, but don’t you purposely act like the stingiest person alive?" Caitlin teased.
Daniel grinned. "So what? You need money, and I need money."
Caitlin sighed in exasperation. "Fine, I surrender."
She didn’t have many friends—her only close friend had gotten married and moved on with a new life. Caitlin’s days revolved around working to make ends meet and sending money to her parents. So, she was grateful for services like Daniel’s, giving her a small pocket of happiness in her monotonous routine.
"Still, I’m grateful I have money to spare, so I can afford a cool therapist like you, even if it isn’t free," Caitlin admitted.
"Then figure out a way to make me free for you."
Daniel locked eyes with her, his gaze unreadable. There were moments when Caitlin felt she didn’t know this man at all—he was too enigmatic, too dangerous.
"How?" Caitlin frowned, puzzled.
"I don’t know. I doubt you’d understand even if I told you," Daniel shrugged indifferently.
"You’re the king of misers. What could possibly outrank money for you, Dan?"
"I don’t know either. Love?" Daniel chuckled.
"Pfft, no way! You seem to like money more than sentimental nonsense like that."
"Who knows? I might change my mind if you start seducing me," he teased.
"Ew, no thanks. Just the thought makes me cringe."
The idea of flirting with Daniel made Caitlin shudder. He seemed like the kind of gorgeous playboy who drained women’s wallets. As his poorest client, she knew she had no right to chase after him, even if he jokingly offered himself up for seduction.
They were worlds apart. Caitlin hadn’t bought new clothes in ages, while Daniel always dressed in stylish, expensive outfits.
"Can I borrow your face, Dan?"
"What for?"
"I’ll sell you to rich women so I can live in luxury." Caitlin laughed after saying it.
Yes, Daniel was undeniably handsome. Whatever he did before becoming an escort, Caitlin was certain his looks played a role. He carried himself well and seemed intelligent—finding work in today’s world wouldn’t be hard for someone like him.
"Cat, are you drunk?" Daniel tousled her hair playfully.
Caitlin giggled, trying to swat his hand away. "I don’t think I can see you again. My finances are getting worse," she admitted.
Daniel simply rolled his eyes, smirking. Of course, Caitlin’s words wouldn’t affect him. He had plenty of wealthier clients—women who paid for instant comfort and pleasure. The thought made Caitlin jealous, but she knew she had no right to be.
"What time is it?" Daniel yawned.
"It’s still morning, Dan. Don’t ask. By the way, did you sleep well?"
"Like a baby. I usually have insomnia."
Ah, Caitlin had forgotten—Daniel always said he couldn’t sleep well until he met her. That was why he never minded Caitlin’s inability to pay extra or her lack of demands beyond having him as a sleeping companion. Because, with Caitlin, Dan could actually sleep.
Even now, she still didn’t understand why. But she was glad he always woke up feeling refreshed beside her.
"I must sound like a broken record to you, huh?"
"Pretty much." Daniel got out of bed.
He ran his fingers through his hair, glancing at his reflection in the wall mirror near Caitlin’s bed. Rubbing his eyes a few times, he still looked effortlessly cool in Caitlin’s eyes. Then, Daniel grabbed his jacket, put on a baseball cap, and slipped on his sunglasses.
"Dan, want to hear something?" Caitlin watched him intently.
"What? That I’ve been handsome since birth?" Daniel didn’t look back.
"No!" Caitlin burst into laughter. "That you're a total money-grubber."
"Thanks," Dan replied nonchalantly, completely unfazed by her teasing.