The Date

It was supposed to be a regular date, some hotshot had contacted her from linked in and since Sophia was new to the city and far from friends and family she decided to go. His name was Kyle, some type of engineer like she was.

The date had started well at first, they were both laughing and having a good time. They seemed to have the same interests, typically Kyle was not her type but he seemed genuine and sincere. So, they shared a few to many cocktails. She wasn’t sloppy, neither was he, but she needed a break from drinking.

“You know I think I need some water.” She chuckled, her blonde curls bouncing in her face.

“I got water at my house,” he offered, and so one Uber ride later there they were in his kitchen. The house was pristine different from her own.

“Your water,” He smiled and handed the glass to her. She thanks him and slowly sipped at it despite her thirst.

“I’m going to use the bathroom feel free to look around.” He disappeared around a corner. She stayed in the kitchen trying to sober up. As her water ran out, she padded over to the fridge for a refill. That is when she saw it, the picture of Kyle gazing into the eyes of a beautiful brunette. He was married. Sophia’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. She quietly placed her cup in the sink and ordered an Uber.

She was finishing slipping on her shoes when Kyle came back from around the corner.

“Where are you going beautiful?” he went to the bar and pulled out a bottle of wine, “I thought we could get a little cozier.”

“home,” She frowned, this is why she dated women, men were such pigs, “you’re married.”

“W…what gave you that impression.”

She pointed to the fridge as soon as he saw the picture he slouched; the façade was over. Sophia turned to leave when his hand caught her arm. Crap.

“Look, I’ll give you ten grand.” He was drunk now and eyed her openly with desire.

“No, you can’t buy my morals.” She turned to leave again.

“30 grand look I have the cash here.” He turned and headed towards one of the doors near the back of the house. Out of curiosity she followed him. She entered the room she her a high pitched beep. Kyle knelt over a safe and pulled out three large stacks of cash.

“Look you can have all of it, just spend the night with me.” He smiled, obviously used to getting his way. He made her skin crawl, and she knew she had to leave. Her phone whooshed and their eyes connected. Both parties knew the Uber had arrived.

“Like I said you can’t buy my morale’s, my rides here,” She turned to leave again. This time his hand was not gentle as he grabbed her arm. Sophia yelled as she was tossed on the bed. Maybe it was the alcohol but when she would tell the story she would say it was instincts kicking in. she lazily rolled off the bed onto the other side and laid very still. As Kyle came around the corner to check on her she kicked him in the groin.

He fell stuttering curses. Sophia stood triumphally and started to leave. As she rounded the bed the money caught her attention, impulsively she crammed all three stacks into her purse before leaving.

When she walked into her own apartment the adrenaline finally wore off and she started shaking. That could have gone a lot worse, she thought taking off her heels. He dogs happily greeted her and she smiled hugging the mutt before heading out to the patio to let the puppy outside.

It was not until later that night or early morning technically that she remembered the money in her purse. Quietly she tiptoed downstairs, Monique purse was besides hers. It was imperative that she did not tell anyone who stood a chance of possible stealing it from her. She grabbed her bag, thankfully the top was closed and ran back upstairs. She pulled out all three stacks one had a 10,000-dollar band around it.

Enamored she felt it, she never had 10 grand in her hand before. She had grown up poor but after school moved to the big city for better opportunities. She smiled, placed the 10 grand aside and began to count the rest.

When all was said and done, she had 20 grand laid out in front of her.

“That crazy guy actually gave me 20,000 dollars.” She mumbled. She turned on her phone, happy to find no messages from Kyle. She grimaced at the thought of him and then called her sisters on a duo video call.

Her youngest sister picked up first.

“Aurora you won’t believe what happened.”

“What…are you up early over there or did you not go to bed yet?”

“I haven’t gone to bed.”

“Oh, lame.”

“So, I got 20 grand in cash today.”

Auroras face twisted in a confused expression, “What do you mean…” At that moment Sophia's older sister Jordan logged on.

“Yes?” The older answered a baby squawking in the background could be heard.

“First let me see the baby.” Sophia pouted; Jordan smiled before turning the camera on Emily who giggled into the camera before sucking on her fists. Both younger women cooed and awed.

“Sophia was just about to tell me how she came into 20,000 cash today.”

“Wait I thought I told you to let me know about investments.” Pouted Jordan.

“It wasn’t an investment this guy gave me money,” Sophia flashed the camera at her bed where the money was laid out. Both sisters started talking about once their words garbled. Sophia hushed them both.

“Turn the camera back to the baby and then I’ll tell you how this happened.” Jordan rolled her eyes before putting Emilys drooly face on the screen again. Sophia told them about her date, how it started off nice but then how Kyle wound up being a real creep.

“You should keep it in all seriousness I’m tired of men thinking they can just take what they want from women. Actually, you should report him for soliciting sex.” Jordan was practically yelling.

“Well then the police will keep it.” Aurora noted.

“That’s true.”

“I think I might give it back,” Sophia responded as her phone started vibrating with frantic texts from Kyle.

“Is he texting you! The audacity!” Jordan’s nostrils flared as the phone dropped below her chin. Slurping noises could be heard from her end of the call. Must be dinner time for the baby.

“Yeah, he begging for the money back. He said please find it in the kindness of your heart to give me back the money.” Sophia laughed.

“That’s dumb, I looked it up and legally you could keep the money if he gave it to you.” Aurora smiled.

“Look if I got 20 grands from some creep, I would keep it. I’d use it to pay off my car and put the rest into savings for Emily.”

“If I got 20K Id buy the prettiest prom dress, hoop skirt and all. You know with covid this would be a great way to keep social distancing with a big ole dress.” Aurora sighed.

Sophia kept reading the texts from Kyle as they became more and more frantic.

“You guys, I’m beginning to think this isn’t his money, he seems kinds desperate. Also taking his money would mean I have some major Karma coming my way.”

“So, screw him! He grabbed you.” There was another nostril flare.

“I have to agree with Jordan you should keep it and give us some.”

“Besides, I did the math, if you give us each seven you can still keep 11 and get that butt job you always wanted.” All three girls laughed at Jordan’s remark.

“Yeah, that would be nice but I don’t want some drug lord showing up at my house demanding cash.” Sophia lowered he voice as she heard her roommate open and close her door.

“You have a point.”

The conversation stalled.

“I’m going to return it,” Sophia finally decided, “But …”, she quirked I’m gong to charge him 2 percent for the refund.”

“Do it!” yelled Jordan, there was a popping noise and an angry chirp.

“That sounds more then fair on his end.”

“Yeah, well I have to get to bed and I want to sleep on the money to be able to say I slept on 20grand.”

“That’s funny, I have to go anyway I have school in a few hours. Night!” Aurora logged off.

“You know what’s crazy, I was supposed to write a short story about a character who came into 20,000grand.” Jordan thoughtfully paused, “Do you mind if I write about you, this is way too much of a coincidence.”

“Sure I don’t care, just make me fabulous in it,” Sophia joked.

“Oh, for sure, night!” Jordan logged off.

Sophia sat there in her room for a moment before another frantic text came in from Kyle.

Kyle: “Please Sophia, I’m begging you give it back.”

Sophia replied chuckling: I have to sleep on it.