M. is a capable, young professional. She pays her bills, loves her job, adores her friends, and has a passion for music.
That’s how she meets the Narcissist: they’re the only two who managed to get tickets to this exclusive rave. She’s not thrilled about it – she’s seen him before and sensed the arrogance. He’s the kind of person she’d typically avoid, but since no one else could join her, here they are.
Date 1:
The first rave together. It’s electric – amazing vibes, an undeniable connection. M. is ecstatic and can hardly believe it.
Date 2:
At dinner after a night out, the Narcissist starts bragging about his genius IQ, his talent for reading people, and his knack for manipulating them. M. is taken aback. But he says he likes her because she doesn’t seem like someone who could be manipulated.
She chalks it up to him being a little too drunk. Surely, she thinks, she’s too smart to fall for any manipulation. But the game has already begun.
Date 5:
It’s his birthday. He introduces M. to everyone, yet debates openly with some friends between her and another girl he’s been flirting with for months. Later, M. will know her only as “Uber Girl.”
Dating Phase:
The Narcissist is constantly around, spending days and nights at her place, even showing up uninvited. M. assumes he must really like her; their time together is stimulating, full of fun, laughter, and deep conversations.
After a month, she’s feeling overwhelmed. One night, after four consecutive days together, she asks him to go home so she can have some space. He starts a fight – doesn’t she realize how hard it is for him to get home so late (it’s 11 PM)? She lets him stay to keep the peace.
The next day, she gently suggests they take a step back, seeing each other a bit less. That night, he goes to a party, kisses another girl, and then she invites him to get in an Uber with her.
Enter: Uber Girl, again.
The next day, Uber Girl texts M., mentioning a kiss. She doesn’t remember very well, she said and she has made it clear with the Narcissist she is not interested in him. She conveniently leaves out any mention of the Uber ride, and he won’t bring it up either until months later, by accident.
The Narcissist hasn’t brought it up at all. When she confronts him, he claims he thought “taking a step back” meant breaking up. It wasn’t cheating, he insists. In fact, he says it’s good Uber Girl told M. about it – it means she’s “getting over him.” M. decides to let this one go.
Complications with the Ex:
M.’s ex texts her, still processing their breakup. They agree to meet and clear the air, and the Narcissist is aware of this and says he’s fine with it.
Meanwhile, he’s back to seeing M. every day, even inviting her on a holiday he originally planned with friends. She feels special, believing he must really care for her to want to spend a vacation together after only a month of dating.
But the ex keeps resurfacing, and M. feels torn. Confused, she breaks up with the Narcissist and suggests canceling the Greece trip to get a full refund. He’s taken aback; he wasn’t expecting this – he was expecting apologies.
He refuses, insisting they still go “as friends.”
After the holiday, she’s still talking to her ex and repeats to the Narcissist that she doesn’t want to date him anymore. She still hasn’t had any time to figure out how she feels; everything is just too overwhelming. He invites her out to discuss it and then tells her that her ex probably loves her. Before she can process, he suggests dinner since it’s getting late.
M. tries to maintain her boundaries, but the Narcissist continues inviting himself along to events, even buying tickets to join her and her friends uninvited.
The end of the dating phase:
Her ex reaches out one last time, but M. realizes it’s time to move on.
She decides to cut contact entirely and shares this with the Narcissist.
She has been happy with him; the connection felt real, and she still believes in the devoted image he portrays.
He had been disrespectful before, not only with Uber Girl but with other women while out with M. – even in front of her. Yet she takes responsibility for it, admitting it must have been hard for him to stay when she was so conflicted.
They resume dating, and he seems perfect again. After all, he must genuinely care for her if he’s been so persistent through all her doubts and confusion – right?