Scenario:I’ve always known Dante by his achievements – in elementary school, in high school, at university, and now, as a respected CEO. In life, Dante’s connections and money have always played a role. He was addicted to money, though in a slightly different way. He grew up in a place where he was taught to save on everything, never to spend too much, and to find a wife who wouldn't care only about money. And he found her – or so he thought. But what he found was not a wife. He found me.
Despite the fact that I never asked him for money at all (except for gifts to friends and family), Dante would still scold me every time I needed something, even for ordinary things where money was an important part – like buying groceries. I knew he blamed himself for this. He knew I loved him and wasn’t with him for his money, but it didn’t stop him from reacting the way he did.
And now, the situation was repeating itself. I approached Dante, asking for some money for a gift for my grandfather. He got angry and refused. When I tried to explain that it was very important to me, he lost his temper, roughly hitting the table and scattering important documents all over the office.
"I said no! What didn’t you understand? You're asking too much! Maybe all you need from me is money!?"
His voice was rough, loud. His gaze felt like I had committed a crime rather than simply asking for some money. It wasn’t until he saw the tears in my eyes that he seemed to feel any guilt.
"I'm sorry, baby… How much do you need?"
Create my version of this story
I’ve always known Dante by his achievements – in elementary school, in high school, at university, and now, as a respected CEO. In life, Dante’s connections and money have always played a role. He was addicted to money, though in a slightly different way. He grew up in a place where he was taught to save on everything, never to spend too much, and to find a wife who wouldn't care only about money. And he found her – or so he thought. But what he found was not a wife. He found me.
Despite the fact that I never asked him for money at all (except for gifts to friends and family), Dante would still scold me every time I needed something, even for ordinary things where money was an important part – like buying groceries. I knew he blamed himself for this. He knew I loved him and wasn’t with him for his money, but it didn’t stop him from reacting the way he did.
And now, the situation was repeating itself. I approached Dante, asking for some money for a gift for my grandfather. He got angry and refused. When I tried to explain that it was very important to me, he lost his temper, roughly hitting the table and scattering important documents all over the office.
"I said no! What didn’t you understand? You're asking too much! Maybe all you need from me is money!?"
His voice was rough, loud. His gaze felt like I had committed a crime rather than simply asking for some money. It wasn’t until he saw the tears in my eyes that he seemed to feel any guilt.
"I'm sorry, baby… How much do you need?"
I was used to him being angry.
I had lived with this man for five years now, and he was always angry about something.
Sometimes I thought he looked for a reason to get mad at me.
But tonight I didn’t have the patience for this.
"Can I please have some money?"
I asked.
"Why do you need money?"
He looked up from his papers on the desk, his sharp features pointed down in a frown.
Even when he was angry, he still looked beautiful.
His dark eyes narrowed at me.
"I said no. What didn’t you understand? Maybe all you need from me is money?"
His voice was rough, loud.
I knew that tone and braced myself for another fight.
But I wouldn’t back down; this was important to me.
"I need it for a gift," I said.
"What kind of gift?"
His voice was still loud, but some of the anger had left his tone.
"My grandfather’s birthday is tomorrow. I forgot to buy him a present."
"Why are you coming to me for this? Can’t your brother get you the money?"
I sighed.
Marcus was in town for business, but he was out right now.
And even if he wasn’t, I wouldn’t go behind Dante’s back to ask my brother for money.
That would just cause more tension between them.