Andrew, my boyfriend of three months, invited me to a Valentine’s Day date. When I asked where we were heading, he replied that it was a surprise. He had booked us a table at THE MOST EXPENSIVE RESTAURANT IN TOWN, which made me quite happy. It felt like something out of a movie: good wine, lobster, oysters, and risotto with white truffles.

I’d never had a more exquisite meal than that night. But when it came time to pay the $3180 amount, Andrew surprised and embarrassed me. He took out his phone and flipped the camera toward me. “Well, babe. We’re dividing this, correct? I believed I had misheard him. “You said I shouldn’t worry about money tonight. “You said you’d take care of everything, right?” I responded.

My biggest nightmare was about to come true: I was going to be branded a gold digger!”Yeah, but come on,” he retorted. “You ate, didn’t you?” “Andrew, you know I don’t have this kind of money.” “You don’t?” His voice was lighthearted and cheerful. “Well, I guess you should’ve thought about that before you went in on all this food.” I felt eyes on me. The restaurant had become silent. The waiter stood motionless, holding the bill.

Following that, Andrew turned the camera on himself and did something I will never forget or forgive. “Mom, Dad, you always said I should’ve been a doctor,” he added, chuckling and turning the camera between us. “Well, here’s what life would’ve been like if I had—dating someone who can’t even afford her own dinner!” He turned off the camera, put his credit card on the bill, and smirked.

Then something inside of me snapped! I rose up so quickly. I felt angry! Andrew was still smirking and clutching his phone, but when I grabbed my coat and turned away, his smirk faded.  “Wait, babe, where are you going?!” He inquired. I didn’t respond. I waved down a taxi with shaky hands and tears in my eyes!Andrew kept phoning, and when he realized I wasn’t answering, he started texting. My driver spoke up.

“Uh, ma’am. Are you OK? “Do you need anything?” “Hey, absolutely, I’m sorry about this. I just want some peace and quiet. “I’ll be fine, thank you,” I said, hoping he’d take the hint and leave me alone. The driver nodded and concentrated on the road. I glanced at my phone. It was a prank. A joke. You are overreacting. I was simply proving a point to my parents. I did not mean it. Please do not be mad. Please respond to me.

I could not believe him! He truly believed that explanation was sufficient to alleviate the sense of humiliation I had just experienced. I decided to ignore him before blocking his number. I spent the night staring at the ceiling. I couldn’t get over the betrayal and embarrassment, and I realized I’d never truly known him. But what is the worst part? The next night, he arrived at my doorstep!He kept saying my name and knocked!

I opened the door just enough to look him directly in the eyes and said, “If you come near me again, I’ll file a restraining order.” That’s when his smirk faded and he went. I sat in my small apartment, unable to stop thinking about what had occurred. I sought help from my best friend, Kara, but her reaction only added to my confusion. “Do you really want to dump him over this? “Don’t you want to reconsider?” She asked me on the phone.

Her question startled me. “He humiliated me.” She exhaled. “Yeah, but he did pay in the end, right? It was only a joke. He’s wealthy, Jess. Maybe he wanted to impress his folks or something.” I gave out a sour laugh. “Wealth doesn’t make someone a good person.” Kara said, “No, but it makes life a lot easier.” But internally, I was unsure. What do you think, dear reader? Am I wrong?