MY BOYFRIEND DEMANDED THAT I GIVE HIM MY CARD TO PAY OUR RESTAURANT BILL.

Troy gave her two winks in an attempt to get her attention as he continued to glance at her. Troy did this everytime he had something to drink, so I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. He carried himself as if flirting were second nature.But as our supper was coming to an end, I saw a shift in Troy. When the check arrived at our table, his normally carefree smile became more tense. The waitress moved aside and he grinned at her. With a tone of persistence, he said, “You should let me pay with your card.” It astonished me. Since I was getting promoted and earning a lot more money than I was previously, I didn’t mind paying for the dinner on the one hand. However, I had simultaneously anticipated Troy would want to treat me like a princess for the evening.“Why can’t you use your own card?” Startled by the furrowed brow on his face, I inquired. Troy could hardly hide his annoyance. “Obviously because you received the promotion and I don’t have enough cash for these opulent dinners, Lisa! Despite knowing it, you behave as though you don’t.”I didn’t understand his reasoning.Placing my purse on the table, I said, “I’ll just pay with my card.” “It’s not a big deal.” Halfway through the meal, my partner switched from champagne to whiskey, and his face stiffened. He said, “It’s embarrassing, Lisa.” “It’s like you’re actually trying to humiliate me by not letting me be the man who pays.” I was at a loss for how to respond to Troy’s remarks. I couldn’t understand it. Furthermore, I found it incomprehensible that the waitress was involved in our meal’s payment.I would have taken offense and defended myself, but I could feel Troy draining my strength.I thought I was cornered. And I hesitantly gave my card over because I didn’t want to cause a scene. With a sly smile, Troy took up my card and gave the waitress a dramatic wave, displaying it as though he were making a stately arrival. The waitress said, “I’ll be right back with the card machine.”I excused myself to use the restroom because I felt nervous. All I needed was a little time to be myself. Troy was always like this. However, I felt that he was evolving and that the evening was going well.Naturally, I was in error. Taking a quick look, I took out my phone and opened my banking app. After a few clicks and swipes, I had my card disabled. “Let’s see him pay now,” was my thought. Troy’s laughter drifted in from across the room as I halted by the bar on my way back. He was writing something on a napkin, maybe his phone number, and making overt flirtatious gestures with the waitress.He winked as he gave it to her.

I was taken aback. I felt wounded. I felt a wave of outrage pass through me. While the waitress was talking, I went back to the table. “I’m sorry, but there seems to be a problem,” she replied. “Your card was declined.” Troy turned aside, stammering as his self-assured exterior fell apart. “What?” he enquired. “Surely that can’t be right.” Pretending to be worried, I advised Troy to give the bank a call.He took out his phone, dialed the bank, and put the conversation on speaker before leaning back in his chair. Troy took the number from my card when the representative asked for it, and then he asked for the account password. Troy faltered at the end. He did not know what to do. “All right, Sir,” the voice on the other end said. “If you can verify the last three transactions, it would help.” The server sprung from one foot to the next. “I am able to respond to that.” “A new book, some skincare products, and a candle with a lavender aroma. Additionally, Lisa Simmons is the name on the card, sir.”Troy waited for an answer while the waitress’s demeanor softened to one of understanding. After that, I took out a different card and paid the amount by myself. “I’m lucky to have two cards,” I said to the waitress and Troy. “But babe, since you enjoyed the service, I think you can get the tip.” Red-faced, Troy fumbled through his wallet, removing only a few little bills and outdated coupons.

I got up to wait for Troy to say something, anything at all, but he remained silent the entire time.“Hey, look, I didn’t take his number,” the waitress remarked with a small smile. “I just threw the napkin away.” “I’ll find my own way home,” I said to Troy as I ventured into the evening. I wasn’t sure if I had made a mistake as I was leaving. Ultimately, though, no relationship should cause someone to doubt who they are or believe that it is improper for them to celebrate who they are. which was something Troy did frequently.I believe I’m at last over him. How would you respond?