(1)
Adam had spent the better part of his life following rules—rules imposed by society, his upbringing, and his own sense of morality. At thirty-five, he lived a life that, from the outside, appeared picture-perfect: a steady job at a marketing firm, a comfortable apartment in the city, and a social circle filled with lifelong friends. Yet, as he stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing, a void that had grown more pronounced over the years.

Tonight, he planned to do something about it. After weeks of wrestling with his conscience, Adam had finally decided to call a sex worker. It wasn't a decision he had come to lightly. His heart raced, and his palms were sweaty as he sat on the edge of his bed, his phone clutched tightly in his hand. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm light over the room, giving it an almost surreal ambiance.

He had found her profile on a discreet website, one recommended by a friend who swore by its authenticity and safety. Her name was Beatrix. She was beautiful, with cascading auburn hair and a smile that seemed both inviting and genuine. Her profile described her as warm, understanding, and non-judgmental—qualities Adam desperately needed in this moment of vulnerability.

Taking a deep breath, Adam dialed the number. Each ring felt like an eternity, the sound echoing through his mind. He half-hoped she wouldn't answer, that he could chalk this up to a fleeting impulse and move on. But then, the ringing stopped.

"Hello?" A soft, melodic voice came through the line, causing Adam's heart to skip a beat.

"H-hi, is this Beatrix?" he stammered, feeling a surge of nerves wash over him.

"Yes, this is Beatrix. Who am I speaking with?" Her tone was gentle, soothing.

"My name is Adam," he replied, struggling to keep his voice steady. "I, uh, found your profile online and... I wanted to see if you were available tonight."

"Of course, Adam," she said warmly. "Thank you for reaching out. Would you like to tell me a bit more about what you're looking for tonight?"

Adam paused, gathering his thoughts. "I... I've never done this before," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I guess I'm just looking for some companionship, someone to talk to and, well, maybe more. I'm really nervous."

"That's completely understandable," Beatrix reassured him. "It's okay to be nervous, especially if this is your first time. Why don't we start with a simple conversation when I arrive? We can take things at your pace."

Her kindness put him at ease, and for the first time that evening, Adam felt a flicker of hope. They discussed the logistics—her rates, the time, and his address. Before hanging up, Beatrix asked one final question.

"Is there anything specific you want me to know before I come over, Adam?"

He hesitated, then decided to be honest. "I just want this to feel... real, I guess. Like we're two people connecting, not just a transaction."

"I understand," Beatrix said softly. "I'll see you soon, Adam."

When the call ended, Adam exhaled deeply, feeling a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. He tidied his apartment, lighting a few candles and setting out a bottle of wine. He wanted everything to be perfect, or at least as close to perfect as he could make it.

An hour later, the doorbell rang. Adam's heart pounded as he walked to the door, his hand trembling slightly as he opened it. There stood Beatrix, even more stunning in person. She wore a simple yet elegant dress, her eyes sparkling with kindness.

"Hi, Adam," she greeted him with a warm smile. "It's nice to meet you."

"Hi, Beatrix," he replied, stepping aside to let her in. "Please, come in."

As they settled onto the couch, the initial awkwardness began to fade. They talked about their lives, their interests, and their dreams. Beatrix's presence was calming, her laughter infectious. Adam found himself opening up in ways he hadn't expected, sharing stories and thoughts he usually kept locked away.

As the night progressed, Adam realized that what he had sought wasn't just physical intimacy, but a connection—a genuine human connection. And in that moment, he felt a sense of fulfillment he hadn't known he was missing.

(2)
The night had stretched on, and as they continued to talk, Adam felt his nerves slowly unraveling. Beatrix had a way of making him feel seen, her eyes never wavering, her attention undivided. The conversation had shifted from light-hearted banter to deeper, more personal topics. Adam shared his fears, his insecurities, and the reasons he had waited so long to take this step. Beatrix listened, never judging, always understanding.

As the clock struck midnight, a comfortable silence settled between them. The candles flickered, casting soft shadows across the room. Adam glanced at Beatrix, his heart pounding once more, but this time with anticipation rather than fear.

"Beatrix," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I think I'm ready."

Beatrix reached out and took his hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "There's no rush, Adam. We can take things as slow as you need."

He nodded, appreciating her patience. "I know. But I think... I think I want to."

With a gentle smile, Beatrix stood up and extended her hand. Adam took it, rising from the couch. She led him to the bedroom, the dim lighting creating an intimate atmosphere. Adam's pulse quickened as he followed her, each step feeling like a leap into the unknown.

Once inside, Beatrix turned to face him. "Adam, tonight is about you. It's about what you want and need. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, just let me know."

"Okay," he replied, his voice steadying. "Thank you."

Beatrix moved closer, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders. She leaned in, her lips brushing against his in a tender kiss. Adam's initial hesitation melted away as he responded, his arms wrapping around her. The kiss deepened, a slow exploration that felt both new and profoundly right.

They undressed slowly, every touch and caress deliberate and gentle. Adam's nerves faded, replaced by a growing sense of excitement and connection. Beatrix's skin was soft against his, her presence grounding him in the moment.

As they lay on the bed, Beatrix guided him with patient hands and soothing words. Adam felt a mix of emotions—nervousness, excitement, vulnerability, and an overwhelming sense of intimacy. He had imagined this moment countless times, but the reality was more intense and beautiful than he had ever anticipated.

Their bodies moved together in a slow, unhurried rhythm. Adam felt a warmth spreading through him, a feeling of being truly alive. Every touch, every kiss, every whispered word heightened the connection between them. He was acutely aware of every sensation, every emotion, the experience both exhilarating and tender.

When the moment finally came, it was like nothing Adam had ever felt before. A wave of pleasure and emotion crashed over him, leaving him breathless and spent. Beatrix held him close, her presence a comforting anchor.

They lay together in the aftermath, their bodies entwined. Adam felt a profound sense of peace, a contentment he hadn't known he was capable of. He looked at Beatrix, her eyes reflecting the same sense of fulfillment.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude.

Beatrix smiled, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "You're welcome, Adam. It was my pleasure."

As they drifted off to sleep, Adam felt a deep sense of connection and satisfaction. For the first time in his life, he had allowed himself to be vulnerable, to seek out and embrace intimacy. And in doing so, he had found something far more valuable than he had ever expected: a sense of wholeness and the beginning of a journey toward self-discovery.

(3)
Adam woke up to the soft rays of dawn streaming through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. The events of the previous night played in his mind like a beautiful, surreal dream. He turned his head, expecting to see Beatrix's familiar face beside him, the face he had come to know over their evening together.

But what he saw made him freeze.

Beatrix was still there, but she looked entirely different. Her features were more pronounced, her lips fuller, her cheekbones higher, and her eyes a shade lighter. Her body, too, had changed—her curves more defined, her skin smoother. It was as if she had undergone a complete transformation overnight.

Adam's breath caught in his throat. He rubbed his eyes, thinking he might still be dreaming, but the vision before him didn't change. Panic began to rise within him. He sat up, careful not to disturb her, but Beatrix stirred anyway, slowly opening her eyes.

"Good morning," she said softly, a sleepy smile spreading across her unfamiliar face. Then, she caught sight of the look on Adam's face and her smile faded. "Adam, what's wrong?"

He struggled to find the words. "Beatrix, you... you look different."

Beatrix frowned, her hand reaching up to touch her face. She bolted upright, her fingers tracing the new contours of her features, her eyes widening in horror. "What... what happened to me?"

"I don't know," Adam replied, his voice shaky. "I went to sleep next to you, and you looked one way. Now you look completely different. Like you've had... surgery."

Beatrix jumped out of bed and ran to the mirror, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. She stared at her reflection, her hands trembling as they touched her face, her body. "This can't be happening," she whispered. "This isn't possible."

Adam got out of bed and moved to stand beside her, feeling helpless. "Beatrix, did you... do you remember anything? Did something happen last night?"

She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "No, Adam. I don't remember anything unusual. We were together all night, and then I fell asleep. I don't understand."

Adam's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. There was no logical explanation for what had happened. People didn't just change overnight without some sort of intervention. But what kind of intervention could do something like this? He felt a growing sense of dread.

"I... I think I need some air," Adam said, his voice barely above a whisper. He felt suffocated, the room closing in on him.

Beatrix looked at him, her expression pleading. "Adam, please don't leave. I don't know what's happening, but I need your help."

Adam backed away, his heart pounding. "I can't. This is too much. I need to think."

Without another word, he turned and walked out of the bedroom, his steps quickening as he headed for the front door. He heard Beatrix calling after him, but he didn't stop. He couldn't. The sense of panic and confusion was overwhelming.

As he stepped out into the cool morning air, he took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He felt a surge of guilt for leaving Beatrix behind, but he couldn't shake the fear that had gripped him. He needed to get away, to clear his head, to figure out what to do next.

Adam began to walk, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. He had no idea what had happened to Beatrix, but the inexplicable transformation had shaken him to his core. As much as he wanted to help her, he didn't know how. All he knew was that he had to distance himself from the surreal nightmare he had woken up to.

With each step, he felt a pang of regret, but he kept moving forward, hoping that somehow, he would find the answers he needed. For now, running away felt like the only option.