A first date in Thailand took an unexpected turn when the man revealed he planned to marry another woman in six years — while lying in bed with the author.
Liv Arnold met Frank on a beach in Thailand. She stood in shallow water, and he appeared to be standing in a puddle despite his 6ft 6in frame. He laughed and commented on the size of the waves. She replied that she never goes past where she can stand because she cannot swim.
They talked for about an hour, with Frank telling her he helps businesses grow money. She told him she is a writer who often writes about sex and dating. He said he wanted a genuine connection. He carried her into the ocean, and they continued talking about her anxiety and ADHD and his close family.
A Promising Start
After he carried her back to shore, he said, 'I like you.' They went to dinner, where he ordered her another mango smoothie and paid without a word. He walked her back to her hotel along the beachfront route, calling it 'more romantic for a first date.'
At the hotel, he asked if she had a goldfish in her room and suggested they pretend there was something fascinating upstairs, saying he had sand down his shorts and needed to rinse off. She was attracted to him but does not sleep with men she has just met.
When she got out of the shower, he said, 'We don't have to do anything sexual,' and held out his arms. She softened, and they ended up curled up in bed together.
The Unexpected Revelation
An hour later, he told her about the woman he is destined to marry. 'She's my high school girlfriend,' he explained. 'Our families are friends. We'll date other people, experience crap, mature and be ready for each other when I'm back.'
She thought, 'So, I'm the crap. Good to know.' He said, 'You seem troubled.' She replied, 'It's an odd thing to say to the woman you've spent all day winning over. What are we doing here?' He responded, 'I don't see why any of that is strange. Are you expecting me to marry you?'
She questioned whether she was the weird one, but her brain returned. She had asked a question, not for his hand. She did not even know his surname.
The Aftermath
Close to midnight, he said she had work the next day and he would let her sleep. As he left, he kissed the top of her head and stuck out his hand for a handshake. He said, 'I'll be in touch.'
The next day, he messaged to say he had a great time. She concurred but kept her misgivings to herself. That concluded their correspondence.
She wrote that she had previously swallowed questions she knew she should ask to keep men she liked. She is glad she asked Frank, 'What are we doing here?' The question may have cost her a second date, but she would ask it again, every time.
*Name has been changed.
