I got pregnant when I was in university which forced me to drop out and look for a job so I could take care of my baby. From hawking to housekeeping, there’s nothing I haven’t tried my hand in. As a last resort, I decided to join the escorting business. My friend had told me that she makes good money and I was at a desperate point. Besides, there’s no shame in doing whatever you need to do to put food on your child’s plate, right? As soon as I joined, men started calling me to their Airbnbs. The money was good compared to what I was making in my other jobs but it wasn’t that good. Additionally, I had a few bad experiences that have shaken me to the core.
My worst experience, so far, was when my date left me with a huge Airbnb bill. I met the guy on Tinder as usual but there was something different about him. Most guys would get straight to the point and after stating your price, they would send an Uber to take you to their Airbnb. However, Brad wanted to take me out to dinner. I agreed to meet with him but I let him know that I still needed to get paid.
“I’ll still need some money,” I said over the phone.
“Don’t worry about that, baby. I just want to take you out for a date.” He answered.
I got ready, called my cousin to look after my baby and then headed to the restaurant to have dinner with my date. He was really nice and let me order anything I wanted.
“I’m not looking for a hookup. I want a wife and I think you’re the perfect choice.” He explained.
“Really? Will we live in Kenya or abroad when we get married?”
“Anywhere you want, baby.”
We talked for a long time. I was surprised by how much we got along. Normally, I barely talked to the guys I met but Brad wanted to talk the whole night.
“I have to go home. My baby is probably wondering where I am.”
“You have a child?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, that’s lovely. I love babies.”
“She’s really sweet. I know you’ll like her when you meet her.”
We chatted a little longer and then I ordered an Uber to go back home.
“When can I see you again?” He asked.
“Anytime you want.”
“Okay, I will let you know when I get some free time. Here’s something so you can buy your daughter a toy.” He said handing me some money.
“Thank you.”
I left thinking that I would never see him again. It was rare that the same guy would call twice, especially in a short period. However, Brad called me the following day and asked me to join him for dinner as usual. I started believing that he wanted a wife and that he was going to make me his wife. I had even started picturing my life abroad and how I would slay on social media.
The next time we met, he finally invited me to his Airbnb. I had never been to an Airbnb like that before. It was in the heart of Westlands and had amazing views. He poured a glass of wine for the both of us then sat close to me on the couch. We talked for a little bit before things got steamy. We started kissing but I pulled away before things went any further.
“I need to freshen up,” I said and Brad pointed me to the bathroom.
After taking a shower, I joined him in bed and we slept together. I took another shower then went to bed and fell asleep till the following morning.
Brad woke up in a panic saying that he was late for a meeting.
“I need to rush. I’ll be back in two hours. Make yourself at home. If you need something to eat, you can order from the rooftop cafeteria.” He said.
I stayed in bed for almost an hour then got up, wore a robe and went to the living room. Soon after, I had a knock on the door and went to open it assuming it was Brad. It wasn’t.
“Where’s my money?” She asked without even explaining who she was.
“What money?”
“The Airbnb money.”
“Oh… Brad has gone to a meeting but he’s coming back soon.”
“He told me that he has left the money with you.”
“He didn’t leave anything with me.”
“You better give me my money or I’ll call the police.”
I tried to explain to her that I didn’t have her money but she didn’t want to listen. After a heated argument, she slapped me and then called the police. In the meantime, I tried calling Brad but his phone number wasn’t working. I realized that he had set me up but before I could escape, the police arrived.
“You’re the one refusing to pay your Airbnb bill?” They asked.
Before I could explain anything, they took me to their car and we went to the police station. I tried to explain to them what had happened but they didn’t want to listen. At some point, I thought that they were joking but as the day turned to night, it was clear that I would spend the night in the police cell.
I stayed up all night thinking about my kid. It wasn’t the first time that I had been arrested but it was scary, nonetheless. The following day, the police continued insisting that I had to pay the Airbnb bill.
“Madam, you’ll not leave this place if you don’t pay the bill.” One of the officers said.
“I told you I don’t have that kind of money.”
“You better call your friends.”
I knew that none of my friends had the money either. Desperately, I called a guy I had met through escorting but ended up being a good friend.
“Hi, I’m in trouble,” I said as soon as he answered the phone.
“What’s wrong?”
“I got conned and then arrested. I need around Ksh 70,000 to get out.”
“Okay. I’m coming to the police station.” He said and I gave him the location.
He came within an hour and shortly after, I was released. I was so relieved and couldn’t stop thanking the guy as he drove me home.
“Why do you always get into such problems?” He reprimanded me.
“I don’t know. I just have bad luck.”
“Why don’t you look for a business idea and I’ll set it up for you?”
I laughed at his proposal. After what I had been through, I was reluctant to believe anything any man told me – even him. He got me home and gave me more money for my expenses.
When I got home, I found my cousin worried sick about me. After explaining what had happened, she told me that it was a common thing that happened and that some Airbnb owners usually set up their clients to extort money from them.
I don’t know if that is what happened to me. However, I’m never going back to those high-end Airbnbs again.
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