Dairy of a One-Legged Prostitute

Life as a call girl is nothing if not unpredictable. You meet all kinds of people, hear all sorts of stories, and occasionally, you stumble upon something unexpected—like a potential love interest. But dating when your professional life is a secret is like trying to juggle knives while riding a unicycle—it's tricky, precarious, and likely to end in disaster.

It all started at a local art gallery—the same one Simon dragged me to in order to get my mind off work. I was standing in front of a striking abstract painting, lost in thought, when I heard a voice beside me.

"That's a Rothko, isn't it?"

I turned to see a man with kind eyes and a warm smile. He had tousled brown hair and a slightly disheveled look, as if he'd just rolled out of bed but in a charming, not-homeless way.

"It is," I replied, tilting my head to get a better look. "It's amazing how something so simple can evoke so much emotion."

He chuckled softly. "Exactly. Rothko believed in simplicity, in stripping away the unnecessary to reveal the core essence of feeling."

We stood there for a moment, both captivated by the painting. Then, he turned to me, extending his hand. "I'm Alex, by the way."

"Lila," I replied, shaking his hand. His touch was warm and gentle, sending a little jolt through my system.

(To the reader) Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. It wasn't a full-blown electric shock, but it was enough to make me take notice.

We spent the next hour wandering through the gallery, discussing our favorite artists and sharing thoughts on the meaning of art. He was intelligent, funny, and genuinely interested in what I had to say. It was refreshing, especially considering most of my interactions with people involved discussing prices and fulfilling fantasies.

As we stood outside the gallery, about to part ways, Alex hesitated for a moment. "I really enjoyed talking with you," he said, his eyes meeting mine. "Would you be interested in grabbing coffee sometime?"

My heart did a little flip-flop. Coffee? With a normal, attractive man who seemed genuinely interested in me? It sounded too good to be true.

But then reality crashed down on me. How could I date someone when my life was built on secrets and lies? What would I tell him I did for a living?

"I… I'm not sure," I stammered, my mind racing. "My schedule is kind of crazy right now."

He didn't push, but I could see a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "I understand," he said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Well, if things ever change, you know where to find me."

He handed me a business card with his name and number on it. As I watched him walk away, I felt a pang of regret. I knew I should just let it go—that dating Alex would only complicate my already complicated life—but something about him intrigued me too much to ignore.

(To the reader) I know what you're thinking: "Lila, this is a disaster waiting to happen!" And you're probably right. But sometimes, the possibility of something great is worth the risk, no matter how foolish it may be.

Over the next few weeks, I couldn't stop thinking about Alex. I found myself replaying our conversations in my head, wondering what it would be like to actually date him.

One evening, while I was venting to Simon about my romantic dilemma, he gave me a knowing look.

"You like him, don't you?" he asked.

I sighed dramatically. "It's more than that, Simon. He's… different. He treats me like a person, not just an object to fulfill his desires."

Simon nodded thoughtfully. "Then why not give it a shot? What's the worst that could happen?"

"The worst that could happen is he finds out about my job and realizes I'm not who he thinks I am," I said, my voice laced with anxiety.

Simon scoffed. "Don't underestimate yourself, Lila. You're amazing, and any guy would be lucky to have you—no matter what you do for a living."

His words gave me the confidence I needed. That night, I decided to take a leap of faith. I pulled out Alex's business card and sent him a text: "Coffee still on the table?"

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed with a reply: "Absolutely! How about tomorrow at noon?"

(To the reader) And just like that, I found myself on the verge of something new and terrifying—a chance at love with someone who had no idea about the messy reality of my life.

The next day, I met Alex at a cozy café near the gallery. He looked even more charming than I remembered, his eyes crinkling at the corners when he smiled.

We talked for hours, laughing and sharing stories as if we'd known each other for years. I found myself drawn to his warmth and genuine interest in the world around him. For a brief moment, I forgot about all my secrets and lies.

But as the day wore on, the weight of my deception started to creep in. I knew I couldn't keep pretending forever. Sooner or later, Alex would find out the truth.

(To the reader) And when that happens, will he still see me as someone worth loving? Or will he turn away in disgust, realizing that I'm nothing more than a one-legged prostitute? Only time will tell.