When Ronny meets Denise for their first date, he is surprised to find her mother, Claire, accompanying him. During dinner, Claire’s prying questions and blunt demands reveal her true intentions. But Ronny, shrewd and unflappable, turns the tables on them.
I’ve been on dating sites for a while now and I’ve had a couple of failed dates. The one I’m about to tell you about takes the cake.
Denise and I met a couple of weeks ago and hit it off instantly. She’s sweet and charming, and says my stupid jokes make her laugh. It wasn’t long before I asked her out.
A man using his mobile phone | Source: Pexels
We both have very busy schedules, but last weekend they finally aligned. We had arranged to meet at a trendy restaurant in the city centre.
I was very excited. I arrived early, as always. It’s a habit of mine, wanting to be the first to arrive in order to make a good impression. While I waited, I enjoyed the atmosphere: dim lighting, modern decor, the soft murmur of conversations around me. The perfect setting for a promising first date.
Then she came in. But she was not alone.
A shocked man | Source: Pexels
At his side was an older woman, elegantly dressed, with a sharp gaze that could probably cut through steel. My heart sank a little.
“Hi, Ronny! This is my mom, Claire,” Denise said with a big smile.
“Hi, nice to meet you,” I replied, hiding my surprise as best I could.
Claire shook my hand with a grip that screamed authority. “Hello, Ronny. I hope you don’t mind me joining you two tonight.”
“Of course not, the more of us the better,” I lied through my teeth, my mind racing.
A stylishly dressed mature woman | Source: Pexels
My mind was spinning, trying to make sense of this strange situation. I wondered if this was a test, but then I started to think that he had brought his mother along as backup, just in case I turned out to be a creep. It seemed only fair. No one can be too cautious these days.
We sat down and Claire immediately took control of the conversation.
“Ronny, where do your parents work?” he asked, his eyes fixed on me like a hawk on a mouse.
I cleared my throat. “Well, my mother is a teacher and my father is an engineer. Although they are both retired now.”
A mature woman with a confident look | Source: Pexels
“Interesting. And where do you live? Do you rent or own your house?” he continued, without missing a beat.
“I live in a small house,” I replied, starting to feel like I was in a job interview rather than on a date.
“And what do you do? How much do you earn?” Claire’s questions came quickly, each one more invasive than the last.
I looked at Denise, expecting her to support me, but she just smiled and nodded, apparently agreeing with her mother’s questioning. Great.
A smiling woman sitting in a restaurant | Source: Pexels
I cleared my throat. “I’ve already told Denise what I do for a living.”
Denise nodded and then turned to her mother and said, “Ronny is a business analyst.”
Claire nodded approvingly, then leaned forward and looked me in the eye. “You seem like a good match for me Denise, Ronny. You see, we’re used to living well and enjoying the little luxuries in life. For that, money is a must.”
“I guess so,” I replied. I was beginning to see the bigger picture, but what he said next left me speechless.
A frowning man | Source: Pexels
“By the way, we’ll have those lobsters.” Claire leaned back and tapped her finger on the menu. “You’re buying, right?”
I looked at Denise, certain that this would be the moment she would tell her mother to back off. Instead, she just smiled at me.
Well, this wasn’t going the way I had planned! It was clear that Claire was only interested in my money and Denise… at that moment she could have been a statue.
I was almost desperate, trying to keep my composure. Then, a mischievous idea popped into my mind.
A man touching his chin | Source: Pexels
If they wanted to play, why not have a little fun?
I smiled widely. “Of course. Make them lobsters! I’m all about living the good life and now I see you’re here to talk seriously with me about your daughter’s future, right Claire?”
“She really likes you, Ronny, and I need to make sure you provide her with the lifestyle she deserves,” Claire replied.
“Of course I will. I make millions every month from investments my father made for me when I was a kid, so money is no problem,” I said.
A man with a confident smile | Source: Pexels
Claire’s eyes lit up and Denise’s jaw dropped. It took all my self-control to keep a straight face as I continued my ridiculous lie.
“And I’ll take care of Denise if we get married. She’ll have to take care of our children, so she won’t have time to work. I’m sure she’ll want help from her mother, so of course I’ll buy you a house close to ours.”
They exchanged a look of half disbelief, half excitement. He had them caught.
A woman smiling | Source: Unsplash
“Wow, Ronny! That sounds amazing. Denise, did you hear? A detached house just for me,” Claire exclaimed, practically salivating at the thought.
Denise’s eyes sparkled and she leaned in. “Ronny, you’re so kind. I can’t believe how lucky I am.”
I smiled, inwardly enjoying the build-up to my big reveal. “Of course. I think you should live large and take care of your family.”
Claire and Denise exchanged glances, their imaginations no doubt overflowing with visions of luxury. Claire, now more animated, began to plan out loud.
A mature woman talking to her daughter | Source: Midjourney
“You know, I’ve always dreamed of a house by the beach. Somewhere sunny, with a big yard and space to entertain. Maybe even a pool,” Claire murmured, her voice full of anticipation.
And I would love to have a walk-in closet and a gourmet kitchen. Ronny, this is amazing.”
I kept a straight face and nodded. “Sounds perfect. Of course, you’ll have to meet my other wives first. You have to give your approval before we can take our relationship to the next level.”
A man struggling to contain a smile | Source: Pexels
The mood at the table changed instantly. Claire’s smile froze and Denise’s jaw dropped.
“I’m sorry, what did you just say?” Claire’s voice now had a high, incredulous tone.
“Other… wives?” Denise repeated, her voice shaking slightly.
I nodded, keeping a serious attitude. “Yes, I have two other wives. They are wonderful women. We have a great family. Unfortunately, some children were too spoiled and had to be placed in foster families, but I hope you have at least five children, so everything will even out.”
A man with an expectant look | Source: Pexels
The color drained from their faces. Claire opened her eyes in horror, and Denise looked as if she was about to faint.
“Five kids?” Denise moaned.
“This… this is a joke, right?” Claire stammered, her confidence shattered.
“No, not at all. It’s a whole lifestyle,” I said, trying to suppress laughter at their reactions. “You’ll love it.”
Denise’s voice shook. “Ronny, why didn’t you mention this before?”
A mother and daughter in shock | Source: Midjourney
I shrugged nonchalantly. “It didn’t seem relevant at the time. But now, with all this talk about houses and future plans, I thought it was important to be honest.”
Claire’s horror turned to anger. “This is outrageous! How could you deceive us like this?”
I leaned back, crossing my arms. “I wasn’t fooling anyone. I was just sharing my life. If you really want to join our family, you need to know these things.”
When the bill arrived, Claire looked at it and then glared at me. “Ronny, you’re paying, right? After all, you make millions.”
A mature woman with a stern expression | Source: Pexels
I smiled, leaning forward. “In my culture, women value their strength and independence. So I want to give you this opportunity to demonstrate those qualities. I can’t pay for you.”
Their faces were a mixture of indignation and confusion. Denise’s hands were shaking as she clutched her purse, while Claire’s indignation was palpable.
“You have to be kidding!” Denise finally blurted out, raising her voice.
A shocked woman | Source: Pexels
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“Not at all. This is your chance to show your independence and strength,” I replied, standing up and placing some money on the table for my meal. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you.”
As I walked away, I couldn’t help but giggle. Behind me, I heard them rushing around gathering their things, their voices stirring in the once-quiet restaurant.
Outside, the cool night air felt refreshing. I took a deep breath and reflected on the evening. It had started out as a promising first date, but it had turned into something else entirely.
A thoughtful man | Source: Pexels
I had faced an unexpected challenge and managed to outwit them, turning the tables on their bossy behavior. I felt good.
It wasn’t just about the small victory over Claire and Denise, it was about realizing that I had stood up for myself. I hadn’t let them take advantage of me, and I had done so in a way that left them stunned and ashamed.
Sometimes the best way to deal with entitled people is to turn the tables on them. Denise and Claire learned that trying to manipulate someone for their money can backfire.
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It was an epic first date that I’ll never forget, and a valuable lesson in how to stand up for yourself.
As I walked to my car, I couldn’t stop smiling. It would be a story I would tell for years to come. Not only because it was weird and hilarious, but because it reminded me of my own strength and ingenuity.
Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons when we least expect it. And that night I learned that the best way to deal with people who try to take advantage of you is to give them a taste of their own medicine.
A man smiling | Source: Pexels
The satisfaction I felt from beating them was more valuable than any fancy dinner or expensive gift.
Click here to read how Daniel thought he was living the dream: a happy marriage, a beloved daughter and a serene life. However, that illusion was shattered when he discovered his wife’s deep and disturbing secret, a revelation more devastating than simple infidelity. What could be worse than betrayal?
This work is inspired by real people and events, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to real people, living or dead, or real events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher do not guarantee the accuracy of events or the depiction of characters, and are not responsible for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and the opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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