You checked your appearance one last time in the mirror, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from your cocktail dress. Hair and makeup were flawless, every detail meticulously planned for the evening ahead. This was no fun night out - instead, you were heading to dinner with Stan Bowes, the wealthy gentleman you had matched with on the exclusive dating app, tailored for sugar daddies and sugar babies alike.

As you finally exited your home and settled into the backseat of the Uber, doubts crept back in. How the hell had you ended up in this situation? Need of money was reminder enough, but pursuing it this way felt surreal. Still, Stan seemed a decent option - new to this life as you were, though not entirely honest. His texts betrayed nerves, and you knew from his profile he had a family waiting at home. At least he wasn't decades older, as many sugar daddies tended to be. Small blessings, you thought wryly, taking a final look in the rearview mirror as the cab pulled up.

With a final centering breath, you paid the fare and stepped into the evening. You took a moment to observe the scene - Floor-to-ceiling windows glittered like diamonds on black velvet, customers dining within as polished as the luxury cars at the curbside. This was a world away from your usual scene, but necessity drove you through the polished doors with renewed resolve. Shoulders back, head high, you glided among the monied patrons as one of their own. A flash of recognition caught your eye - there in a discreet corner booth sat your date, awaiting your arrival.

You switched on all the charm you could muster and summoned your most dazzling smile, closing the distance between you. Stan rose at your approach, the seemingly perfect gentleman in pulling out your chair. But beneath the courtesy lay nerves, as with a first encounter where intentions are veiled. Your eyes met in greeting yet holding an air of caution, as he finally spoke measuredly.

“Good to see ya’ made it alright. You uh… clean up real nice. Please, have a seat.”