The Unconventional Path to Love Chapter 1

I was home for the holidays, driving my American-made SUV to a blind date.

My date, Isabelle Jones, and her best friend, Sophia, were already there when I pulled up to the restaurant. They were draped in designer labels, dressed to the nines. Seeing my simple clothes, Sophia immediately curled her lip in disdain.

“Izzy, your date looks like he just walked off a construction site.”

“Look at his cheap suit, probably doesn’t have two nickels to rub together.”

Izzy, far from stopping her friend, just sneered.

“Tell me about it. In this day and age, who drives an American car? It’s embarrassing.”

I didn’t react, just offered a slight smile. My voice was even.

“Ladies, ever heard of ‘The Sentinel’?”

* * *

Had they not been so rude, I wouldn’t have bothered with them. I’d just come home for a rare visit, and my mom, Mrs. Albright, insisted I go on this blind date. She’d said the girl came from a good family and was beautiful.

I sized up the woman across from me. Beautiful, yes. But clearly, she wasn’t impressed with me.

“It’s just a domestic car; why give it some fancy name? Trying to sound cultured?” Sophia scoffed.

“Look at you, so broke you probably can’t even afford this meal. I don’t know why your mom even let you come to a blind date.”

“Just get out of my sight. I’m not interested.”

I almost thought I misheard her. I’d just sat down, and she was already telling me to leave? They were making a fool of me! I’d driven all this way, hadn’t even had a sip of water, and was already being insulted repeatedly. My patience evaporated.

“You must be Isabelle Jones, the blind date Mrs. Albright set me up with, right?”

“I haven’t even introduced myself, and you’re already writing me off, telling me to leave.”

“Are you two, by any chance, running a scam?”

The moment I spoke, Izzy’s face darkened. Her expression strongly suggested I’d hit a nerve. Her eyes darted around, her words stumbling.

“A… a scam? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Blind dates are a mutual agreement. It’s perfectly normal for me not to be interested when you’re so poor.”

“Did you think just because you came to meet me, I’m obligated to be with you? Take a good look in the mirror, buddy.”

The more she spoke, the more agitated she became, almost spitting on me. I couldn’t believe this was the “sweet-natured and gentle” woman my mom had described.

“Alright, alright, I’m a pauper, and you’re a princess. Happy now?”

“Then could the princess please return the envelope my mother gave you?”

“My mom specifically told me before I left that if the date didn’t work out, I had to get the money back.”

Truth be told, my mom hadn’t said any such thing. I just couldn’t stand them.

As soon as I finished, Sophia immediately stepped forward.

“Ethan Stone, right? I’ve seen your profile. You’ve been out of town since high school, and there’s no record of what you actually do.”

“We’ve been sitting here waiting for you all this time, why wouldn't we keep this fee?”

“You’ve seen us, you’ve had your drink. Now you want the money back? You’re dreaming.”

Hearing Sophia, I was stunned. Was this some kind of model friend? So openly demanding money. Were they here to make a quick buck, or for a blind date? My mom had painstakingly saved up fifteen hundred dollars, and after just meeting them, without even having a proper conversation, it was gone?

“So, by your logic, you two are making a lot more than most working girls.”

The words were barely out of my mouth before Izzy and Sophia exploded in rage.

“Ethan Stone! What is that supposed to mean? Are you calling us prostitutes?!”

I just curved my lips into a slight smile. My silence said everything.

Seeing me not speak for a long moment, Izzy and Sophia grew desperate.

“Ethan Stone! I’m telling you, if you don’t apologize to us right now, I guarantee you won’t be walking out that door!”

“Exactly! A poor bumpkin like you, trying to hit above your weight class? Take a look at yourself!”

“The money is rightfully ours! We’re not giving it back. If you know what’s good for you, get lost.”

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at their words.

“You keep calling me a pauper, but why don’t you hand over the money then?”

“I should take back what I said earlier. Given your behavior, you two are probably worse than even those who hustle for a living.”

“At least they put in the effort. You two, on the other hand, are just outright robbing people, aren’t you?!”

Then, I casually ticked off my fingers.

One blind date, and you pocketed fifteen hundred bucks just for showing up. For those naive enough, you might even get a free meal. This was quite the business. Quicker than hitting a jackpot.

Izzy and Sophia were rendered speechless, frozen in place. As the old saying goes, it takes a scoundrel to handle scoundrels. And today, I’d be that scoundrel.