I met him when he was 19, and after knowing him as an acquaintance in a workplace setting for a few months, he decided to tell me about his feelings for me. However, he wasn’t sure if a relationship would work out and asked for my number. I agreed that we could be friends and gave him my number, allowing him to reach out in the future.
Now, almost 5 years later, he had one of his friends trick me into inviting me to an event hosted by the law school, which was related to a philanthropic organization. He approached me there, apologized for the deception, and expressed his desire to meet and speak with me. He explained that it had been weighing on him for years. He asked me to dinner and confessed that he still has feelings for me. Additionally, he mentioned that he is financially independent and offered to donate over $500,000 to a charity of my choice to demonstrate his love for me. He emphasized that he values me above anything else and would do anything for me, but he also worked hard to achieve success so as not to appear as someone I would have doubted.
I was married when I met him 5 years ago, and I’m still married now. I’m unsure if giving him my number back then was the right decision. I feel lost and uncertain about whether going to dinner with him is the right choice.
I’m bewildered by the intensity of his feelings for me and don’t know how he would react. I have never felt so loved by someone who wouldn’t move on even after 5 years of no contact. He is also very kind and charismatic – also, good looking which makes me question why he wouldn’t go with someone else considering he’s in law school and is doing financially well.
I feel lost and need help and advice. What should I do?
TL;DR: Met him when he was 19, stayed acquaintances, he confessed feelings but wasn’t sure about a relationship, exchanged numbers. 5 years later, he orchestrates a meetup through a friend, confesses feelings again, and offers a large donation to charity as a way of proving his love to me. Despite knowing I’m married he asked to take me for dinner and gushed about how he felt for me. Unsure if giving my number was right, confused about what to do next?