Dating a millionaire
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By Kate Mulvey
Saturday Aug 8 2009
Relationships can be difficult at the best of times, but when you find yourself squidged next to an overweight woman in economy class while your wealthy boyfriend is quaffing Champagne and flirting with the stewardesses in business, you know that your fantasy of being a rich man's plaything has gone seriously wrong.
We were on our way back from a trip to Barbados over Christmas. Unfortunately, Mr Rich had got jealous because I had met some friends there by chance and spent time with them. Out of spite, he downgraded my ticket home without telling me. How had it come to this?
When I first met this hedge-fund manager, I thought I had found the man of my dreams. My life was transformed into a whirl of exotic holidays, events and lavish gifts.
I had always nurtured a sneaking fantasy about dating a multimillionaire. But it was about something far bigger than lifestyle. Scientists claim it's evolutionary. Rich men are often highly ambitious -- and that means prowess, power and capability. It is bound to make a woman feel secure when her man has climbed the social and financial ladder. Not only that, but he's exciting company. There was never a dull moment.
Looking back, there were signs that things were not as they seemed. When he flew into a rage after I spilt fizzy water on his kitchen floor, I should have realised that this was a man who liked to be obeyed.
There were other things, too. Driven to be perfect, he set unrealistically high standards. "Did you go to the gym today?" he would ask, telling me I looked overweight. He would control what I wore, even how I styled my hair. In short, he did everything from reloading the dishwasher to cooking the food we ate.
Truth be told, some successful men are controlling types to begin with. Then, as they rise up the ranks, they are cosseted and cocooned, and begin to lose touch with reality. My rich man was no exception. He was manipulative and cunning, and would resort to anything to get his way. He was like a spoilt child, but every time I tried to leave he would pull me in, with another present.
Eventually he took it too far. One evening, when I told him I couldn't go to an event, he took a beautiful, 25-year-old he had met that day. I was angry and hurt.
But finally, when I saw him six months ago with another pretty victim hanging on his arm, all I felt was a wave of relief.
- Kate Mulvey
