To Date or not to Date: Martin’s Dilemma

As we already know, Martin and Kaitlyn are in an open relationship. Kaitlyn has taken this agreement very seriously and has met a lot of new people, both guys and girls. Some are just friends, others are something more, but the fact is that she’s had a great time with them.

Martin is going through a lot of stress, since he never knows what to expect from Kaitlyn, what she’s up to, or what really makes her happy. Every day with her is a surprise.

This has made him feel a bit uneasy, and lately it’s clear he’s having a really hard time following Kaitlyn’s rules.

But she isn’t willing to budge an inch. She insists that they’re still not ready for an exclusive relationship and that they both still need to go out with other people.

To be honest, Martin has been ready to commit to Kait for a long time now, he really wants to take their relationship to the next level, but Kaitlyn keeps putting off that conversation. And not only that, she insists that Marty should date other people before even thinking about committing.

Martin’s frustration has reached such a point that he has seriously considered breaking up with Kaitlyn. But he loves her so much that he wouldn’t last a single day without her. So, for now, it’s best to go along with her and do what she wants, which is for him to date other people. But who?

The answer to that question came down from heaven when his college classmate, Destiny Hoffman, invited him out for coffee to catch up. Martin accepted, and they met at Sodam Diner. Destiny is pretty and sweet, and the closest thing Martin has to crush. She seems to have a crush on him too; so, it wouldn’t be a problem to ask her on a date, but there’s something bothering Marty and that is, he’s really in love with Kaitlyn, so he wouldn’t want to hurt Destiny by asking her out on a date once and then leave her.

Amazingly enough, the reason Destiny asked him to meet her is precisely to confess her feelings for him.
Martin: (In shock) I don’t know if I’m following you. What you’re saying is…
Destiny: What I’m saying is I can’t see you as just a friend. I like you, Martin, a lot. I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re in my head and in my heart all the time.

Destiny: I’m sorry, okay? I know this seems out of the blue, but I can’t take it anymore, I just had to tell you. I know you have a girlfriend, that you love her with all your heart, so you’re under no obligation to reciprocate my feelings. You can turn around now and walk away if you want to.

Martin: And leave you here after you just opened your heart to me? What kind of man do you think I am, Dest?
Destiny: One who is faithful to the woman he loves. Please, forget what I said, and just go home, okay?
Martin: No. You asked me to come over to talk. Well, let’s talk then.
Destiny: I already said what I wanted to say.
Martin: But I haven’t. Or don’t you want to know what I have to say?

Destiny: I’d love to, but I don’t want to cause you any trouble with your girlfriend; she won’t like finding out you you went out to meet up with me.
Martin: You’d be surprised.
Destiny: So she trusts you, okay, but still, I should have never…
Martin: Hey, relax. See, if it makes you feel any better, Kaitlyn knew I was going to meet you.
Destiny: W-what?

Destiny: She didn’t mind you He didn’t care you were going to meet up with another girl?
Martin: No, because… we have this agreement.
Destiny: What kind of agreement?
Martin: We’re in an open relationship, with no strings attached, and no exclusivity. Which means we’re both free to date other people.
Destiny: What does “date” other people imply?
Martin: Well, it can go from a simple friendship to, you know, sleeping with others.

Destiny: Wow…
Martin: I know. But that’s what she wanted, so I…
Destiny: You agreed just to make her happy.
Martin: Yep.
Destiny’s mind is racing. It must be hard for someone as sweet and loyal as Martin to accept a relationship like that. She can’t help feeling contempt for Kaitlyn for putting him through this, but at the same time, if Mart can date other people, then perhaps she should…?
Martin: ¿Dest? What are you thinking, talk to me please.

The subject is so intriguing for Destiny, that the two of them end up looking for a table to sit down and discuss it further.
Martin: Sorry for dragging you into my drama. It must seem stupid to you that I’m complying with Kaitlyn’s rules, but honestly, I don’t see any other way to keep her.

Destiny: Oh, it’s not stupid. You two have an open relationship, which is fine as long as it works for both of you, but…you don’t seem very happy about it, if you ask me.
Martin: Yeah, I don’t like it at all, but if that’s what she wants, well, I have to at least try, okay?
Destiny: Marty. It’s your life and your girlfriend’s; you don’t have to explain anything to me.
Martin: Oh, but I want to explain.

TWO CUPS OF COFFEE AND A LONG EXPLANATION LATER…

Destiny: Seriously, you didn’t have to explain anything.
Martin: I needed to, cause, after your confession, I didn’t want you to think I was trying to take advantage of you.
Destiny: Take advantage of me? How? By asking me out to stick to Kaitlyn’s rules?
Martin: What? No, no, I would never use you like that.

Destiny: I know you wouldn’t. Still… if one day you need someone to go out with, whether it is to follow Kait’s rules or to get back at her, just give me a call, okay?
Martin: Really? You would go do that for me?
Destiny: Do you doubt it after what I just confessed to you?
Martin: Wow, you’re amazing, you know that?

Martin: You’re a great friend, Dest, I don’t know how to thank you.
Destiny: I do know how. Consider asking me out. I mean, on a real date.
Martin: I would, but… You know, I wouldn’t want to…
Destiny: I get it. You’re not interested in me, I’m not even your type, right?

Martin: Oh, no, no. Please don’t say that. You’re beautiful! I really, really like you, and your offer is very tempting. It’s just you’re my best friend; I don’t want to ruin that or worse, break your heart by dragging you into the chaos that is my relationship.

Martin: Seriously, I would not forgive myself.
Martin’s embrace feels so warm and sincere that Destiny wouldn’t mind being swept up into his chaos or even end up heartbroken. Truth is, she could live in these arms forever.
Destiny: Tell me at least you’ll consder it.

Destiny doesn’t know it, but Martin is already considering it.

Martin: Don’t worry. If I ever decide to date someone, it will definitely be you.
Destiny: Well, that gives me some hope, I guess.
Martin: Now, if there’s anything else I can do for you, just name it.
Destiny: Yeah, could you help me find a new place? My roomie can’t lease me the space I had anymore.
Martin: Of course, I’ll start looking for something tonight.
Destiny: Thank you so much, Marty.

Martin: No, thank you, today you made me feel like someone really cares about me.

Destiny: I care for you more than you can imagine. And sorry to say this, but Kaitlyn’s a fool for putting you out there like that. If you were my boyfriend, I wouldn’t let you wander the streets alone for any reason.
Martin: (Laughs) That’s good to know!
Destiny: You better not forget it.
Martin: I won’t.

Martin: Really, thank you for everything, Dest. You’re the best friend ever. I love you. As a friend, I mean.
Destiny: Sure.
Martin: Well, I have to go now. I’ll see you tomorrow at school?
Destiny: You bet.

Martin: Wait, do you want me to walk you to the subway?
Destiny: No, thanks. I know my way around here. Plus, Dowon is the safest city in the world.
Martin: I wouldn’t be so sure. There might be some criminals lurking around.
Destiny: Well, I’m not afraid of them.

Martin: Anyway, it’s kind of late, so…
Destiny: Mart, stop being overprotective, I can take care of myself.
Martin: Are you sure? I could walk you to the corner at least.
Destiny: Omg, you’re such a gentleman! But really, it’s not necessary, I’m a big girl, you know?

Martin: (To himself) A big girl, huh? Or maybe after what I told her, she doesn’t want to be around me anymore. I must’ve sounded sooo lost and desperate, like an abandoned puppy.

Martin: Abandoned by you, Kait, and your stupid idea of “no strings attached.” You know, I should take you at your word and start dating someone, like Destiny for instance.

Martin: I might even offer her the spare room James just left. What would you think of her being our roomie? An “open relationship”, is that what you want, Kait? Well, you might get it.

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