Chapter 1 · My Secret Identity As My Boyfriend's Online Matchmaker

Chapter 1

I'd started a side gig as an online matchmaker, and after only three months, I got a private message from my boyfriend, Charles Ford, through the platform.

Charles: [6'1", ripped abs, total alpha vibe. Net worth in the eight figures. I'm looking for a girlfriend who matches my status and planning to ditch my current one.]

When I saw that familiar face in the photo, my mind went completely blank.

I asked without thinking: [So you're dating someone? Why not keep things going with her?]

Charles: [She can never measure up to me.

[Honestly, just messing around with her is already giving her more credit than she deserves. Does she really think she has what it takes to join the Ford family?

[The Ford family doesn't welcome simps.]

But when I finally stopped being his simp, he was the one begging me to take him back.

*****

The system popped up a flood of messages, all laying out how much of a simp I used to be for him.

A wave of dizziness washed over me, and then my gaze fixated on the last line. [Believe it or not, if I wanted, she'd happily bring me condoms.]

My hands trembled as I typed out: [Let's see about that.]

After editing the last video, I slung my laptop over my shoulder and headed home.

On the way, I couldn't tell if I should feel lucky or break down and cry.

I'd been running this account for three months, using a virtual avatar and a voice changer for my videos, all to grow my business.

The fresh style, plus the occasional quirky matchmaking anecdotes, had helped me build up a pretty solid fanbase.

But I never thought my boyfriend would become my client.

When I got home and flipped on the lights, Charles wasn't back yet. But like always, there was a homemade dinner waiting for me on the table.

There was a note stuck to it: [Don't forget to eat dinner. I'll check it when I get home.]

Charles was as sweet as always.

I felt a warm glow inside. Since college, I'd made it a habit to skip dinner to save a few bucks.

But after we started dating, even though Charles always got off work later than I did, he'd always make sure to cook dinner for me. He was really thoughtful.

I looked around the apartment. Everywhere I turned, I saw the thoughtful touches he'd carefully arranged.

Would someone like him really betray me? Or did someone use his photos?

After all, Charles was the most popular guy on campus back in college.

With that thought, I finally let myself relax.

Yeah, that had to be it.

Charles and I had been together for seven years, and we knew each other better than anyone else. He'd never do something like that to me.

Reassured by my own thoughts, I logged into the backend and shot that guy a reply: [You have to use your own photo.]

Then, following the usual process, I sent him the application form. After that, I put my phone down and went to take a shower.

When I came out, he'd already messaged back: [You don't seriously think I'm using someone else's photo, do you? I'll prove it's really me.]

Right after that, my phone rang. It was Charles. "Honey, I left a really important document at home. It's in my laptop bag on the desk. Can you bring it over to the Season Hotel for me?"

My heart skipped a beat, and a wave of dread washed over me.

Instinctively, I walked over to the desk.

Charles's desk was tidy—just our photo in a frame and his laptop bag.

I took a deep breath and quickly opened the laptop bag.

There was only one document and his laptop inside.

I laughed at myself for acting all suspicious.

Seriously, how could I start doubting my boyfriend just because of some online fraud?

I got Charles's stuff together for him and got ready to take it over.

But out of the corner of my eye, I noticed his notebook wasn't fully closed.

Without thinking, I opened it—and there, lying quietly inside, were two condoms.

*****

I hopped on the bus to the hotel, my mind drifting back to the day Charles and I first met.

I'd just picked up my pay for the temp job from the agency and was about to leave when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the agency guy messing with a newbie.

The agency guy said, "It's your first day, isn't it? My rule is I hold back half a day's pay. Here's 15 bucks. Now move along."

Without thinking, I stepped up and grabbed the agency guy's arm. "Don't give me that crap. We all get paid daily. What kind of rule is that? Give him his money, or I'll expose you in the group chat."

The agency guy gave me an angry look, but I glared right back, not flinching. Finally, he shoved the rest of the cash at me, muttering curses as he stormed off.

I handed the money back to Charles. "Here. Don't lose it."

Charles looked a bit surprised, but he still smiled at me and said, "Thank you."

I checked Charles out. He was handsome, but his clothes were totally shabby. Even his pants were full of holes.

His hair was wet and plastered to his forehead, making him look like a puppy caught in the rain, utterly miserable. It reminded me of myself when I first arrived in Rivergate.

I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. "Hey, looks like things aren't easy for you either. Why not join me for some part-time gigs from now on?"

"Sure," he replied without hesitation.

Chapter 1

I'd started a side gig as an online matchmaker, and after only three months, I got a private message from my boyfriend, Charles Ford, through the platform.

Charles: [6'1", ripped abs, total alpha vibe. Net worth in the eight figures. I'm looking for a girlfriend who matches my status and planning to ditch my current one.]

When I saw that familiar face in the photo, my mind went completely blank.

I asked without thinking: [So you're dating someone? Why not keep things going with her?]

Charles: [She can never measure up to me.

[Honestly, just messing around with her is already giving her more credit than she deserves. Does she really think she has what it takes to join the Ford family?

[The Ford family doesn't welcome simps.]

But when I finally stopped being his simp, he was the one begging me to take him back.

*****

The system popped up a flood of messages, all laying out how much of a simp I used to be for him.

A wave of dizziness washed over me, and then my gaze fixated on the last line. [Believe it or not, if I wanted, she'd happily bring me condoms.]

My hands trembled as I typed out: [Let's see about that.]

After editing the last video, I slung my laptop over my shoulder and headed home.

On the way, I couldn't tell if I should feel lucky or break down and cry.

I'd been running this account for three months, using a virtual avatar and a voice changer for my videos, all to grow my business.

The fresh style, plus the occasional quirky matchmaking anecdotes, had helped me build up a pretty solid fanbase.

But I never thought my boyfriend would become my client.

When I got home and flipped on the lights, Charles wasn't back yet. But like always, there was a homemade dinner waiting for me on the table.

There was a note stuck to it: [Don't forget to eat dinner. I'll check it when I get home.]

Charles was as sweet as always.

I felt a warm glow inside. Since college, I'd made it a habit to skip dinner to save a few bucks.

But after we started dating, even though Charles always got off work later than I did, he'd always make sure to cook dinner for me. He was really thoughtful.

I looked around the apartment. Everywhere I turned, I saw the thoughtful touches he'd carefully arranged.

Would someone like him really betray me? Or did someone use his photos?

After all, Charles was the most popular guy on campus back in college.

With that thought, I finally let myself relax.

Yeah, that had to be it.

Charles and I had been together for seven years, and we knew each other better than anyone else. He'd never do something like that to me.

Reassured by my own thoughts, I logged into the backend and shot that guy a reply: [You have to use your own photo.]

Then, following the usual process, I sent him the application form. After that, I put my phone down and went to take a shower.

When I came out, he'd already messaged back: [You don't seriously think I'm using someone else's photo, do you? I'll prove it's really me.]

Right after that, my phone rang. It was Charles. "Honey, I left a really important document at home. It's in my laptop bag on the desk. Can you bring it over to the Season Hotel for me?"

My heart skipped a beat, and a wave of dread washed over me.

Instinctively, I walked over to the desk.

Charles's desk was tidy—just our photo in a frame and his laptop bag.

I took a deep breath and quickly opened the laptop bag.

There was only one document and his laptop inside.

I laughed at myself for acting all suspicious.

Seriously, how could I start doubting my boyfriend just because of some online fraud?

I got Charles's stuff together for him and got ready to take it over.

But out of the corner of my eye, I noticed his notebook wasn't fully closed.

Without thinking, I opened it—and there, lying quietly inside, were two condoms.

*****

I hopped on the bus to the hotel, my mind drifting back to the day Charles and I first met.

I'd just picked up my pay for the temp job from the agency and was about to leave when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the agency guy messing with a newbie.

The agency guy said, "It's your first day, isn't it? My rule is I hold back half a day's pay. Here's 15 bucks. Now move along."

Without thinking, I stepped up and grabbed the agency guy's arm. "Don't give me that crap. We all get paid daily. What kind of rule is that? Give him his money, or I'll expose you in the group chat."

The agency guy gave me an angry look, but I glared right back, not flinching. Finally, he shoved the rest of the cash at me, muttering curses as he stormed off.

I handed the money back to Charles. "Here. Don't lose it."

Charles looked a bit surprised, but he still smiled at me and said, "Thank you."

I checked Charles out. He was handsome, but his clothes were totally shabby. Even his pants were full of holes.

His hair was wet and plastered to his forehead, making him look like a puppy caught in the rain, utterly miserable. It reminded me of myself when I first arrived in Rivergate.

I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. "Hey, looks like things aren't easy for you either. Why not join me for some part-time gigs from now on?"

"Sure," he replied without hesitation.