On the drive home, he rambled about his gym routine and his startup dreams. I nodded, but inside I was turning over every word. How much of this was rehearsed? How many women had heard the same speech?
At my door, he leaned closer. “Second date?”
Digging for the Truth
The next day, curiosity won over caution. I searched not only his social media accounts but tagged photos, comments, even mentions in groups. What I found made my stomach twist.
His real name was not Deacon. It was Marvin.
Worse, I stumbled on a thread online where women in my city described being scammed by a man using fake names. He would borrow money, charm his way into homes, and disappear with valuables. Screenshots and photos matched the man I had just shared a meal with.
Setting a Trap
Two days later, he texted: “Hey beautiful. Been thinking about you. Can I come over tonight?”
Every instinct told me to block him. Instead, I agreed. I needed to know what he would try.
I removed anything valuable from my home. My purse was tucked away, my laptop safely at my sister’s, and the place looked inviting but empty of temptation.
He arrived with a cheap bottle of wine and a smile. Within minutes, he hinted at “a rough week” and joked about needing “a place to crash for a few nights.” His tone was casual, but his eyes gave him away.
