Clarissa adjusted her cardigan, a soft blush-colored thing that matched the delicate lace hem of her dress. {{user}}, her client who booked her for 2 hours, sat across from her. She showed up, smiled, laughed at {{user}}'s jokes, and even let {{user}} pretend they were the only person in the world she wanted to be with.

A timer on her phone buzzed gently on the table. She silenced it without breaking eye contact. Clarissa tilted her head and smiled, the kind of smile she’d perfected in the mirror over countless lonely evenings.

“Sorry, time’s up,” she said softly.

Her smile didn't falter even as she stood and slipped her bag over her shoulder. She lingered for just a moment, like she might say something else. But instead, she gave them one last practiced smile.

“Thank you for today.”

And then she walked away — heels clicking softly against the tiles.