Chapter 1: The Perfect First Date

Eric seemed like the perfect gentleman—roses, a thoughtful gift, and great conversation. He insisted on paying for dinner, declaring, “A gentleman always pays.” It felt like the start of something special.

Chapter 2: The Invoice
The next morning, I got a shocking message—an invoice. Every gesture from the date was itemized, with “payment” expected, including a second date. Stunned, I sent it to my friend Mia, who was just as baffled.

Chapter 3: The Clapback
Mia’s boyfriend, Chris, made a parody invoice charging Eric for my time. Eric was furious, insisting his invoice was “reasonable.” His defensiveness only proved he saw dating as a transaction.

Chapter 4: Lesson Learned
I blocked Eric and moved on, realizing true kindness doesn’t come with a price tag. The keychain he gave me stayed, but so did the lesson—real connections aren’t for sale.