A Romantic Start
When my friend Mia set me up with Eric, I didn’t expect much. But our first date felt like a scene from a romantic movie. Eric arrived with flowers and a personalized keychain and insisted on paying for dinner, saying, “A man pays on the first date.” I thought he was genuinely sweet.

An Unexpected Invoice
The next morning, Eric shocked me by sending an invoice. Yes, a real bill charging for things like “roses for a hug,” “dinner in exchange for a second date,” and “engaging conversation” as payment for a compliment. It looked like a business receipt, and he was completely serious. I was stunned.

A Funny Comeback
I showed the invoice to Mia and her boyfriend Chris, who had recommended Eric. Chris was appalled and decided to respond with a fake invoice charging Eric for “wasting a great woman’s time” and “a lifetime of silence.” We sent it to Eric, who then replied with angry texts claiming I’d missed out on a “great guy.” I blocked him immediately.

The Lesson Learned
What started charming ended in absurdity. The experience taught me that “real generosity doesn’t come with a price tag” and that sometimes “red flags wear suits and bring flowers.”