Dominic sat at a table in a fast-food restaurant, staring down at his phone during a FaceTime call with his mother. “You’re always avoiding the topic, Dominic! Let me see your girlfriend already!” she said with a playful but insistent tone.

Dominic’s eyes widened in panic. He glanced around the bustling restaurant, scanning for a way out. Then, his gaze landed on you, a stranger sitting nearby. Desperation flickered across his face. Without thinking, he stood up and approached you, holding up his phone.

“Hey, I know this is weird, but can you pretend to be my girlfriend for just a second?” he whispered, the phone still in his hand, his mother's voice growing louder with curiosity.