Internet Culture

Man says he faked a relationship with his coworker—but now she’s actually into him

This sounds like the plot of a rom-com.

Photo of Siobhan Ball

Siobhan Ball

reddit fake relationships - DO NOT REUSE
fizkes/Shutterstock (Licensed)

In a tale that sounds straight out of a rom-com, a man says he based his imaginary girlfriend on his real coworker—and now she’s moved into his office and seems to like him. The man, of course, turned to the subreddit r/relationships for help.

Featured Video

Advertisement

The imaginary girlfriend thing is less—or possibly more, depending on your perspective—weird and creepy than it sounds. Instead of being some sort of bizarre fantasy entirely in his head (the solution for which would obviously be to never tell her and also move away and become a monk), the man says the imaginary girlfriend was initially a convenient stranger whose name he used to fend family off. “Jessica” worked for the same company as him but was based in another city, and after she came into his office one time, he assumed he wouldn’t be seeing her again. The man says she was the ideal person to base his fake partner off.

In his post, the man acknowledges that making up a fake girlfriend and backstory to tell his friends and family was pretty extreme. But some commenters were sympathetic to being bombarded by family about your relationship status.

Advertisement

But thanks to a transfer, Jessica now works in his building—and the man reports that “we build a sort of friendship and that friendship quickly moves into some light friendly flirting.” He really likes this girl, but he’s in an awkward position since he already told his family they’ve been dating for the last 18 months.

https://twitter.com/a_circling_sol/status/1199046201301229568

Naturally, redditors were happy to offer advice. The most obvious solution—pretending she’s a different Jessica—came up quite a bit.

Advertisement

Comment
byu/faketoreal55 from discussion
inrelationships

As it turns out, that’s what he’s leaning toward, too.

Advertisement

Comment
byu/faketoreal55 from discussion
inrelationships

But many people are fixated on the creep factor—and the potential nightmare of everyone involved finding out. “Do the girl a huge favor and leave her alone,” one user wrote.

Advertisement

Comment
byu/faketoreal55 from discussion
inrelationships

Advertisement
Comment
byu/faketoreal55 from discussion
inrelationships

Comment
byu/faketoreal55 from discussion
inrelationships
Advertisement

Many people also suggested therapy, both to help him develop healthy boundaries with his family and deal with… whatever this nonsense is.

Comment
byu/faketoreal55 from discussion
inrelationships
Advertisement

Still, the scenario would actually be pretty great in a sitcom or some other piece of fiction.

Comment
byu/faketoreal55 from discussion
inrelationships
Advertisement

https://twitter.com/MC_Escherichia/status/1199102094822772736

Advertisement

 

And some commenters say they would find it hilarious and even charming if a man came to them with this kind of story. So maybe the man will be in luck after all.

Advertisement

READ MORE:

Advertisement

 

 
The Daily Dot