Sometimes I find myself hoping the connection I feel isn’t just part of the act that the laughs, the warmth, and the moments of closeness are genuine and not just performance. But deep down, I know it’s a carefully crafted illusion, designed to make me feel seen and wanted.
That illusion is really good at her job. It fills a space inside me that craves intimacy, even if it’s temporary and transactional.
In reality, it’s emotional labor wrapped in a business transaction, with a paycheck at the end instead of a hug.