So, picture this: I was seeing this guy, William, for about six months. You know that dreamy stage where their quirks seem adorable rather than annoying and the future looks all sunshine and rainbows? That was us. Will was pretty much Mr. Perfect in my eyes clever, successful, well-read, always put together. Wed spend weekends in these lovely little cafes, wander around Hyde Park, chat about films, and it genuinely felt like we were on the same wavelength.
But it turned out we werent after all. While I thought our relationship was about being equal partners, he was more interested in having a nice, hassle-free life with as little effort as possible.
Anyway, one evening while we were having dinner at my flat, he was pouring the tea and just blurted out, Look, this back-and-forth between our places is getting silly. Renting two flats is daft. Why dont we move in together? We could find a decent two-bed somewhere closer to the centre.
Id been dropping hints for ages, so I grinned thinking this was it. But then what he said next made me set down my mug and really look at him, maybe for the first time properly.
He goes, But lets set some ground rules first, all business-like, as if we were discussing a mortgage rather than, you know, starting a life together. Were both modern people. I think we should keep our finances separate, and split all the household costs right down the middle. Rent, council tax, food shopping, all that fifty-fifty.
I nodded. Sounded fair enough equality is equality, right?
So how are we dividing up the chores? I asked, honestly expecting him to say wed split that, too.
Will gave this awkward laugh, then flashed this charming grin and said, Natures got that sorted. Youre the woman, youve got an eye for making a place cosy. So things like cooking, cleaning, laundry thats your side of things. Ill chip in when I feel like it take out the bins or fix a shelf if it falls down, but the main stuffs on you. I mean, you want to be the lady of the house, dont you?
You couldve heard a pin drop. I sat there, trying to piece together what Id just heard.
Why pay for a cleaner when you can get your lovely lady to do it all?
I didnt start a row. Decided to use his own logic with him.
Will, I hear what youre saying, I replied calmly. You want a fair split with money, which is only right. And you want all the home comforts: bottomless cups of tea, ironed shirts, clean floors. Only, I work full time too. Im not about to spend my evenings running around after the flat.
He looked a bit put out but let me talk.
So heres my idea, I said. Since were going halves on all the bills, lets be grown-up about everything else. We hire a cleaner twice a week they cover cleaning, a bit of ironing, cook up some meals for a few days. We split that cost as well. That way, the place is spotless, we eat well, and no one gets landed with all the chores. Ill do the fun bits rearrange candles, pick curtains, make it feel like home.
I watched his face change first confused, then annoyed, then completely distant. You could almost see him adding up the numbers in his head, and clearly, he didnt like what he saw.
Why have a stranger in the flat? he frowned. Thats just extra expense. Come on, youre a woman how hard is it to throw something nice together for your fella? Thats care, not a job.
And that was it. When it came to the actual worth of my time, suddenly it was all love and your calling. But when it came to money, it was all business.
Will, I said gently, if Im cooking dinner after an eight-hour workday while you play FIFA or watch a box set, thats not care. Thats just me being taken for granted. We agreed to split the money, so we split the chores. Either we both pull our weight, or we pay someone, end of story. Im not working twice as hard for the same rent.
He said nothing. Dinner was tense, and all he said after was that he needed to think.
Next day? No good morning text like usual. That evening, a blunt message said he was staying late at work. Three days on, and hes just gone. Not picking up, no texts, nothing.
A week later, I heard from mutual mates that apparently we split because I was money-grabbing and couldnt keep a house. That I only cared about money, and wasnt cut out to be a proper girlfriend.
It stung, honestly. Half a year, all those plans it hurt. But soon enough, I actually felt relieved.
The way he vanished pretty much answered everything he didnt want me, he wanted someone to make a nice nest for him with no effort on his part.
William disappearing? Best thing that couldve happened, honestly. I ended up hiring a cleaner, just for me. Now I come home to a tidy flat, make some proper tea, and really, theres nothing better than knowing you dont have to look after someone who doesnt value you.
