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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Urgent advice needed! FWB gone wrong! What to do?

107 replies

Fightingwithmyself · 16/02/2020 18:53

So I know there will be a alot of mixed responses to this..as yes I went in to this niavely but also knowing the potentially risk...but here we go I have been casually hooking up with my older boss for roughly 4 months..he pursued me...and after encouraging me to go for a job within his team after working in a different sector of the company i did and was successful and then he began a text message conversation with me one evening the same week stating how he had provided a glowing reference on my behalf...

After texting for awhile he stated that colleagues of his had told him I liked him and he wanted to clarify...this went on for a couple of weeks messages back and forth until he stated he fancied me..He then stated he wanted a NSA causal relationship as he was a bad bet for commitment and he didnt want a gf... in which I myself was happy with and after exchanging messages back and forth for a few weeks it began...

Everything was fine he would come to mine during the week after work. He would always initiate and liked the control if I suggested anything he wouldn't give me a definitive answer always maybe,possibly. If I asked would he like to see me he would never directly say yes (only if you want too) etc...he had expressed he struggled with emotions.

However a month in the lines began to blur..usually we would have sex then he would leave..we only spoke about work etc it was all casual however due to the distance between us he invited me to his place one weekend and I stayed the evening and we shared the bed..again though still felt casual..

Until the last few weeks I have stayed at his place every weekend and out of the blue he decided we would go out (he'd never taken me anywhere) it was purely in the bedroom but I was there and I agreed we had drinks, played pool (it was actually surprisingly fun and not awkward) we was both intoxicated however enjoying ourselves and each others company but then he brought up the conversation about 'what do I want' and began asking me alot of probing questions in which continued when we returned to his..he mentioned things unusual like how good he was with kids, (almost selling his good attributes to me) also I have a child from a previous relationship as does he..he mentioned i would benefit from an older man in a relationship, and asked if I was seeing anyone else if I had any intention too also brought up liking me and courting me (yes there is an age gap) and that night after sex he cuddled me in bed in which he has never previously

I tried to bring this up with him sober the next day to which I got the response 'I don't remember' I briefly mentioned the conversation and asked if he would like another one sober in which he agreed...however everything remained lighthearted and flirtatious (the conversation didn't happen) we then hooked up again the weekend after and again he took me out and the exact thing happened again he made remarks of coming home to me every night, having a family etc etc, even inpregnating me, stating I dont like people so the fact I have been seeing you for this long I obviously like you as more than what we are doing....(all again said intoxicated) but very specific nevertheless. I stated I liked him to and if this was to carry on for a longer period I would inevitably want more from this

Again sober (he didnt acknowledge the conversation, nor wish to answer anything about it when asked)

Cut to last week I was sick of him never addressing the subject sober so I asked him straight out whether he liked me more than a fwb or not? In which he said your alright I asked him to be more specific and he stated yes..so I asked if maybe he would like to stay over one night during the week to which he stated was a bit of a commitment..in which I laughed off and stated it was no different then me staying over at his on a weekend..

We remained flirtatious in and out of work however this week..i had a fall and had to go to hospital and he txt me and checked in alot and was being very supportive however when I stated awwh you do care then..he replied no I was just bored waiting to eat...sarcastic as ever..but heres where things changed towards the end of this week we was at lunch with a couple of colleagues and I recieved a phone call from a friend..in which i left the table to take on my return he was sat at the table alone as they had gone to get a drink and he stated 'that one of your boyfriends' 'at least I know where I stand' he then left

I later text him to ask what he meant by that and was a little sarcastic as a was pissed off and said is it a case of you not wanting me but no-one else can either? To which he then asked me a straight question of was I sleeping with someone else? In which I immediately replied no, i then asked why was he? To which he didnt provide me with a direct answer but rather 'I will not dignify that with a response' I was pissed off that he felt the need to ask me however wouldn't reply himself directly so asked him again 'well are you?'

To which I then got 'whatever you know I want a quiet life and this is turning into nagging, if you keep this up this will be stopping'

To which pissed me off to no end because I wasnt the one who has made the comment in the first place so I replied saying that to which he said

Let's call it a day now then to avoid any confusion..when I then asked why has this been blown out of proportion

He then stated

That I wanted more from this I was to make plans have commitments and a relationship which he doesnt want and cant give me and he doesnt like or want to answer questions

The following day we went to work together and it was slightly awkward but bearable I attempted to reach out over the weekend to which I got a shit message of why are you texting me we have had fun it's now over so dont..

However now here is the big thing..I've just found out I'm pregnant (I was using contraception before anyone calls me out for that) and I dont know what the hell to do if i try and communicate he will think i am using this as an excuse because of the current situation but it's really just shocking timing and I'm freaking out because I have to see him tomorrow!

Someone give me some advice please!!

OP posts:
Warmfirechocolate · 16/02/2020 21:22

You need to tell a trusted friend or family.

You need to get one off counseling.

Totally get him out of the equation for the moment. You are single. You will become a single parent. There is no relationship worth having with the father.

What do you want? Baby wise. With these facts firmly in mind.

Once you’ve made your own mind up. Then decide your next steps. Really the later you tell him the better.

Warmfirechocolate · 16/02/2020 21:24

I’m concerned that your posts dwell in him.

Not whether to be a single parent or not have the baby. This is what you focus on.

Fightingwithmyself · 16/02/2020 21:27

@hamstersarse - I'm inclined to be leaning slightly towards your answer I'm not sure this is a man I want to be attached too for much longer than I have to be...especially not with something so important..it goes against my moral judgement so I'm struggling however my head is telling me this isnt right and will only get worse

OP posts:
Fightingwithmyself · 16/02/2020 21:30

@Warmfirechocolate I suppose my posts dwell on him due to me knowing what I should do but not wanting to admit that because my emotions will take over and I have to go to work in the morning with him...

OP posts:
EmptyFieldOfFucks · 16/02/2020 21:31

Hi. I've had an unfortunate string of abusive relationships.

Each one was different but a lot of what your ex fwb says is things each of them said.

I really wouldn't tell him. It gives him more control over you.

Fightingwithmyself · 16/02/2020 21:36

@EmptyFieldOfFucks - I apologise for your historical relationships it's never nice to hear, and thank you for sharing your advice, people are making me think there isn't anything positive going to come from telling him

OP posts:
Warmfirechocolate · 16/02/2020 21:57

I know it’s tough. Believe me I’ve been there.

However you need to make a decision about you and the baby. And you need to do having total distance from him.

You know that the baby will engage him, on whatever way. And as he’s hot and cold it will then be all about HIM. You will go through pregnancy in turmoil about his reactions.

You need to find a way to make this all about YOU.

smotheroffive · 16/02/2020 22:38

In all honesty from what you've said about his behaviour and treatment of you he really doesn't sound like any sort of friend in any kind of way. He sounds awful. Keep it quiet whilst you make your own decisions, and Id tell him you have a boyfriend to keep him away too!

LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 16/02/2020 22:45

He groomed you and is using you for sex. He doesn’t care about you and doesn’t want a relationship with you. I think you need to look for another job ASAP Flowers

amaryl · 16/02/2020 22:51

In your position, I’d get a new job, leave and never see him again

YgritteSnow · 16/02/2020 22:56

I wouldn't tell him unless you really want another child. For myself in these circumstances I wouldn't and I would end the pregnancy and find a new job ASAP. He is treating you like complete shit and will continue as long as you let him.

ChickLitLover · 16/02/2020 23:03

You need to be clear on whether or not you want another child, probably as a single mum. You should get this straight in your own head before involving this man.

Does he see his child he already has? Do you know if he is a part of that child’s life?

SandyY2K · 16/02/2020 23:22

I'll bet all the things he's told you that others said about you are lies.

He's possessive and jealous....getting involved with him was unwise...and you ignored his hypocrisy in relation to his comments to a colleague and relationships at work.

I wouldn't want to bring a child into the world with him as the father. Sometimes, asides from thinking do I want a child or can I be a single parent...it's worth thinking what it would be like to be the child born from such a situation.

MsDogLady · 16/02/2020 23:25

This man is an emotional abuser and manipulator. I would take a few days off to think about the pregnancy. Disengage from him as much as possible at work and look for another job.

timeisnotaline · 16/02/2020 23:32

Don't tell him until you are clear with your decision about the pregnancy. The FWB arrangement is done, be professional for now but I would be looking for a new job urgently. Look after yourself.

This, except maybe looking for a new job if you are keeping the baby . It’s not the easiest when pregnant and you might miss out on maternity payments. Concentrate on your colleagues and connecting better with them. You actually have all the power here. If he starts making work difficult for you you can tell him you are pregnant with his child and you will tell senior management if he doesnt back the hell off.

sunnyblossom1 · 16/02/2020 23:40

Good luck for tomorrow. It will be hard but I agree with others not to tell him until you are certain what you want to do.

VenusTiger · 17/02/2020 01:14

It's obvious why he's single now OP, I can't believe the stuff he's been whispering into your ear... turning friends away from you like he owns you, making up some BS about them talking about how you dress - that is definitely passive aggressive bollocks which is his way of saying HE doesn't agree with your work dress, they won't have talked about it at all - I would be checking him out online and finding out more about him OP - because he sounds unhinged and a complete and utter control freak!
The reason he left you hanging when you asked back if he was seeing anyone, is because he wanted you to pang for him, to feel like you have to fight, he wanted you to do the pick me dance, and when you didn't, he stormed off and left like a child.
I'd be calling in sick tomorrow and polishing off my CV - he's not going to let this lie - especially now he thinks you're dating and he's ended things - he might cause a lot of trouble for you at work. Tread carefully.

AgentJohnson · 17/02/2020 07:16

Why wasn’t he wearing a condom. Your level of naivety is quite staggering. Did you seriously think this would end in a relationship? You e played a very dangerous game very poorly and now comes the consequences.

It’s time to be sensible, have the baby or don’t have the baby but stop acting like ‘morality’ played any part in your behaviour to date.

Fightingwithmyself · 17/02/2020 07:34

@AgentJohnson - umm...not sure you correctly read my OP I'm on contraception, wee entered this stating we wasn't sleeping with someone else and we was FWB - did I think this would end up in a relationship? Umm No...I didnt want a relationship he started changing the game not me...and then when it ended I was only pissed off as he tried to blame me for 'wanting commitment" I didnt want commitment I wanted someone to be consistent with what they was stating..I then obviously found out I was pregnant something I didnt plan nor want...and something I thought I protected myself from! Morality only plays a part now I had nothing to consider prior I was protected it was just sex it didjt hurt anyone at the time so I dont know what you are referring to??

OP posts:
Nursehorsefly · 17/02/2020 08:03

In terms of your career, he would be up against a tribunal if he discriminated against you because you are pregnant. The law is very much weighed in your favour here.

Nursehorsefly · 17/02/2020 08:10

Agree that you have the power here. You were not solely responsible for preventing the pregnancy - you shouldn’t feel that you are to blame - or this is your fault. Why is your ‘morality’ being questioned? Have I missed something?

Nursehorsefly · 17/02/2020 08:16

I’d say keep your distance emotionally, be completely professional in any contact you need to have, DON’T contact him - until you decide what you want.

Nursehorsefly · 17/02/2020 08:19

I don’t think the OP should feel like she needs to leave her job - AT ALL. Why bloody should she???

Nursehorsefly · 17/02/2020 08:23

Any meeting you have with him at work - say that you want it recorded, and take a colleague in with you.

Nursehorsefly · 17/02/2020 08:28

And - if you decide to keep the baby, you could tell him at work with a colleague/member of your union with you - and get it all recorded.

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