“I'll Do Anything You Want. Just Don't Let Them Take Me!”

SILVER & SAPPHIRE MAGAZINE Love Younger. Live Larger. THE DIRECT APPROACH — JUST ASK! Some women wait for romance. Others make it happen. In this recurring Silver & Sapphire feature, successful, wealthy women over 50 share how one remarkably direct question to a beautiful younger woman led to an unexpected night, an extraordinary offer, and sometimes a completely new life together. This Issue: Gabriella, 56 & Nicole, 28 A terrified young woman running from two dangerous men. A wealthy stranger stepping out of her limousine. And one desperate, outrageous proposition that begins with a plea for protection and ends, months later, with a love neither woman could have imagined. HER STORY — GABRIELLA, 56 Gabriella Moretti had built a personal fortune exceeding $230 million through luxury hotel investments, commercial real estate, and a chain of exclusive residential properties stretching from California to the Mediterranean. At fifty-six, she was Italian-American, twice divorced, breathtakingly elegant, and accustomed to getting things done. Her friends described her as generous, fiercely protective of those she cared about, and exceptionally difficult to intimidate. She maintained a magnificent estate in Beverly Hills, a penthouse in Manhattan, and a villa on Lake Como. Her wardrobe contained more short designer dresses and spectacular high heels than most luxury boutiques, and her jewelry collection included several pieces valuable enough to require their own insurance policies. But beneath the wealth, confidence, and immaculate appearance was a woman who had become increasingly lonely. Her second marriage, to a beautiful French woman fourteen years her junior, had ended three years earlier after Gabriella discovered that her wife had been conducting an affair with a business associate. "I was humiliated," Gabriella admitted. "Not because she left me, but because I had genuinely believed we were happy." Since then, she had dated occasionally but avoided anything serious. "I wanted someone who loved me, not my properties, my jewelry, or my ability to arrange a weekend in Paris." Her closest friends insisted that she needed to become more adventurous. Gabriella disagreed. "At fifty-six, I wasn't particularly interested in embarrassing myself by propositioning beautiful strangers." She smiled. "Naturally, life had other plans." HER STORY — NICOLE, 28 Nicole Bennett had once been a happy, ambitious young woman studying interior design while working at a small architectural firm. At twenty-five, she met Derek Collins, an attractive, confident man who owned a modest construction business. He was charming, attentive, and apparently successful. Within six months, Nicole moved into his house. Within a year, she had abandoned her studies because Derek insisted that she should concentrate on helping him build his business. Then everything changed. Derek became possessive, controlling, and increasingly violent. He monitored her telephone, questioned her friendships, controlled her access to money, and eventually persuaded her to stop working outside his company. His older brother, Russell, became involved in the business and gradually assumed responsibility for what Derek called "keeping Nicole out of trouble." Nicole described the two men as inseparable. "Derek made the rules," she told us. "Russell made certain I followed them." When she tried to leave, Derek threatened to destroy her reputation and accused her of stealing company money. Then her father, who had been seriously ill, died. Nicole had no siblings, and her mother had died when she was a teenager. The little money her father left her was placed into an account that Derek pressured her to use for business expenses. Within months, it was gone. "I had nobody," Nicole recalled. "No family, no friends he hadn't driven away, no money, and nowhere to go." The first time Derek seriously injured her, she went to the emergency department and claimed she'd fallen down the stairs. The second time, she tried to report him. But frightened by his threats and uncertain whether she could escape safely, she withdrew her complaint. Then she discovered something that changed everything. Derek had been using her identity to obtain loans and sign financial documents without her knowledge. When she confronted him, he became furious. Nicole managed to escape the house that evening with her handbag, identification, and less than forty dollars. For three days, she moved between cheap motels and public places, terrified that Derek would find her. On the fourth evening, he did. And Russell was with him. THE ENCOUNTER — JUST ASK! S&S: Nicole, tell us what happened that evening. Nicole: "I was walking near a luxury hotel in Beverly Hills. I'd been trying to find somewhere safe to stay, but I didn't have enough money for another motel room." S&S: Did you know you were being followed? Nicole: "Not until I heard Derek's voice behind me." S&S: What did he say? Nicole: "He shouted my name. Then I heard Russell say, 'There she is. Now we've got her!'" Gabriella: "Even hearing her repeat those words makes me furious." Nicole: "I ran. I didn't know where I was going. I just knew that if they caught me, I might not survive." S&S: And that's when you saw Gabriella? Nicole: "Yes. A beautiful black limousine had stopped outside the hotel, and this magnificent older woman was stepping out." Gabriella: "I was returning from a business dinner." Nicole: "She was wearing a short burgundy designer dress, the most incredible heels, and enough diamonds to buy a small house." Gabriella: "A modest exaggeration, darling." Nicole: "Not much of one!" S&S: What happened next? Nicole: "I ran straight into her arms!" Gabriella: "She nearly knocked me off my feet." Nicole: "I grabbed her, started crying, and begged her not to let them take me." S&S: What exactly did you say? Nicole: "I remember every word. I said, 'Please! Please help me! Those men are going to kill me!'" Gabriella: "She was shaking so badly I could barely understand her." Nicole: "Then I heard Derek shouting again. He was getting closer." S&S: And that's when you made the outrageous offer? Nicole: "Yes." Gabriella: "An offer I certainly wasn't expecting." Nicole: "I looked at this beautiful older woman, who was holding me while her chauffeur called for security, and I said, 'I'll do anything you want. I'll sleep with you. I'll be your girlfriend. I'll do whatever you ask. Just please don't let them take me!'" S&S: Good heavens! Nicole: "I was desperate. I had absolutely nothing left. I thought if I could offer her something, perhaps she'd help me." Gabriella: "I was horrified." Nicole: "I thought she was going to push me away." Gabriella: "Instead, I held her closer." S&S: What did you say? Gabriella: "I told her, 'Darling, you don't have to offer me anything. You're safe with me right now, and I'm not letting those men drag you away.'" Nicole: "Then she stepped between me and Derek." S&S: What happened when the men approached? Gabriella: "My chauffeur and two hotel security officers intercepted them. Derek insisted Nicole was his girlfriend and that he was simply taking her home." Nicole: "He was furious." Gabriella: "I told him that Nicole was an adult woman who had made it perfectly clear she did not want to accompany him." S&S: Did he threaten you? Gabriella: "He attempted to intimidate me. Unfortunately for him, I have spent thirty years dealing with difficult men in expensive suits. He wasn't particularly impressive." Nicole: "I couldn't believe how calm she was." Gabriella: "The police arrived shortly afterward. Nicole explained what had happened, and the officers separated the men from her while they investigated." S&S: And you? Nicole: "I was still holding Gabriella's hand." Gabriella: "She wouldn't let go." Nicole: "I was terrified that if I did, everything would disappear." THE FIRST NIGHT — AN UNEXPECTED REFUGE S&S: Gabriella, where did you take Nicole? Gabriella: "Initially, into the hotel. I arranged a private suite and asked the manager to ensure that the men could not access her room." Nicole: "She also arranged for me to speak with a lawyer and a victim-support advocate." S&S: That seems rather different from the usual stories in this series. Gabriella: "It was. A terrified young woman had just offered herself to me because she believed that was the price of being protected. I wanted her to understand that she owed me absolutely nothing." Nicole: "She kept telling me that." Gabriella: "And she kept apologizing." Nicole: "Because I was embarrassed!" S&S: About the offer? Nicole: "Yes! I'd literally offered to sleep with a complete stranger in front of a luxury hotel." Gabriella: "A rather flattering offer under very unfortunate circumstances." Nicole: "Gabriella!" Gabriella: "What? I can acknowledge that she's beautiful without pretending the circumstances were romantic." S&S: Did you remain with her that evening? Gabriella: "For several hours. We ordered something to eat, and Nicole gradually told me what she'd been through." Nicole: "I couldn't remember the last time someone had listened to me without telling me what to do." Gabriella: "Eventually she became exhausted. I arranged for her to have the suite to herself, with security downstairs and someone available if she needed assistance." S&S: And then? Nicole: "Before she left, I asked whether I could hug her." Gabriella: "Of course." Nicole: "I started crying again." Gabriella: "She told me nobody had made her feel safe in years." S&S: Was there any romance that night? Gabriella: "No. And there shouldn't have been. Nicole needed safety and rest, not another person making demands of her." Nicole: "Which, strangely enough, made me like her even more." THE MORNING AFTER — THE FIRST REAL OFFER S&S: Nicole, what happened the following morning? Nicole: "I woke up in this magnificent hotel suite, and for a moment I thought everything had been a dream." S&S: Was Gabriella there? Nicole: "She arrived around ten with breakfast, flowers, and a beautiful little overnight bag." Gabriella: "She'd left home with practically nothing. I thought she might appreciate some fresh clothes." Nicole: "Inside were a lovely dress, underwear, toiletries, and the most comfortable slippers I'd ever worn." S&S: No expensive heels? Gabriella: "Not yet." Nicole: "She was already planning something!" S&S: What did you discuss? Gabriella: "I told her that I'd arranged an independent attorney to explain her options concerning Derek's financial fraud and that a specialist advocate could help her make a safety plan." Nicole: "Then I asked whether I had to leave the hotel." Gabriella: "I told her she could stay while we arranged something more permanent and secure." Nicole: "I started crying." Gabriella: "Again!" Nicole: "I couldn't help it!" S&S: Was there another offer? Gabriella: "Yes. I told her that I owned a small, very comfortable guesthouse on my Beverly Hills estate, with a separate entrance and good security. If she wanted, she could stay there temporarily while rebuilding her life." Nicole: "I asked what she wanted in return." Gabriella: "And I told her, 'Absolutely nothing, darling. Particularly not the things you offered me last night.'" Nicole: "I didn't know how to respond." Gabriella: "Then she surprised me." S&S: How? Nicole: "I asked whether she'd have dinner with me sometime." S&S: Dinner? Nicole: "A real date. When things were calmer." Gabriella: "I was completely speechless." Nicole: "Which I've since discovered is an extremely rare occurrence!" Gabriella: "I told her that I would be delighted, provided she understood that she didn't have to date me to remain safe." Nicole: "I told her I understood perfectly." S&S: And what did you say next? Nicole: "I said, 'Gabriella, last night I offered to be your girlfriend because I was terrified. This morning I'm asking you for a date because I think you're the most wonderful woman I've ever met.'" Gabriella: "That was considerably more difficult to resist." THE REAL FIRST DATE — THREE WEEKS LATER Three weeks passed before Nicole and Gabriella went on their first proper date. During that time, Nicole worked with legal and victim-support professionals to protect herself, address the fraudulent financial documents, and begin rebuilding her independence. Derek and Russell remained subject to a police investigation, and Nicole obtained legal protection intended to prevent further harassment. Gabriella continued to offer practical support but carefully avoided pressuring Nicole into a relationship. Nicole eventually moved into the guesthouse on Gabriella's estate. She also began researching interior-design programs so she could resume the career she had abandoned. Then, one Friday afternoon, she telephoned Gabriella. S&S: Nicole, what did you say? Nicole: "I asked whether she was free that evening." Gabriella: "She told me she wanted to take me to dinner." S&S: You wanted to pay? Nicole: "Absolutely! I had a little money from a temporary design project I'd started, and I wanted to do something nice for her." Gabriella: "She insisted on choosing the restaurant." Nicole: "It wasn't particularly expensive." Gabriella: "It was lovely." Nicole: "And I wore a beautiful burgundy dress she'd given me." S&S: What happened after dinner? Nicole: "We walked through a garden overlooking the city. Then I stopped, looked at her, and asked whether I could kiss her." Gabriella: "And I said yes." Nicole: "It was the most wonderful kiss." S&S: Did you spend the night together? Nicole: "Not that night. We went home separately, although we kissed again before saying goodnight." Gabriella: "We were enjoying getting to know one another." Nicole: "But a couple of weeks later, I invited Gabriella to dinner at the guesthouse." S&S: And? Nicole: "I cooked. She brought dessert. And after dinner, I asked her whether she'd like to stay." Gabriella: "I was delighted." Nicole: "And this time, the invitation was entirely my idea." THE SECOND MORNING AFTER — THE EXTRAORDINARY PROPOSAL S&S: Gabriella, was that when you finally made your own outrageous offer? Gabriella: "Yes, although Nicole claims I took far too long." Nicole: "She did!" Gabriella: "We were having breakfast together the following morning, and I asked whether she'd enjoyed our evening." Nicole: "I told her I'd never been happier." Gabriella: "Then I asked whether she'd consider becoming my girlfriend." Nicole: "I nearly dropped my coffee." S&S: Even after everything that had happened? Nicole: "Yes! Because I still couldn't believe that this magnificent, wealthy older woman actually wanted me." Gabriella: "I told her I wanted us to build a real relationship, slowly, with her education, career, and independence remaining just as important as our happiness together." Nicole: "Then she asked whether I could imagine living with her someday." S&S: In the mansion? Gabriella: "Possibly. Or somewhere else, if she preferred. I wanted her to feel she was choosing a home, not being given one on conditions." Nicole: "I asked whether she was serious." Gabriella: "I told her I'd never been more serious." S&S: What did you say? Nicole: "I said yes. Then I kissed her so enthusiastically that she spilled her coffee." Gabriella: "On an extremely expensive silk robe." Nicole: "Which she still reminds me about!" WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Twenty months later, Gabriella and Nicole are still together. Nicole has resumed her interior-design studies and recently completed her first substantial professional project, redesigning several guest suites for a small independent hotel. She and Gabriella now share the main residence on Gabriella's Beverly Hills estate, although Nicole has retained her own savings, professional income, and independent legal arrangements. The investigation into Derek's financial activities continued for months, and Nicole eventually resolved several disputed debts with legal assistance. She says the greatest change in her life has been learning that affection should never come with threats or obligations. Gabriella says she has finally discovered the kind of relationship she thought might no longer be possible. S&S: Do you ever discuss that extraordinary first encounter? Nicole: "All the time!" Gabriella: "Particularly when she wants to embarrass me." S&S: How? Nicole: "Whenever Gabriella tells people how we met, she says I literally threw myself into her arms." Gabriella: "Which is entirely accurate." Nicole: "So I tell them I had to. She was far too beautiful to let her walk away!" S&S: And what about the original offer? Nicole: "Oh, that's our private joke." Gabriella: "She occasionally looks at me across the breakfast table and says, 'Darling, remember when I offered to do absolutely anything you wanted?'" S&S: And what do you say? Gabriella: "I tell her that the only thing I ever wanted was for her to be safe and happy." Nicole: "And then I remind her that she got considerably more than that!" Gabriella: "Which, I assure you, has been a most delightful surprise." THE DIRECT APPROACH — JUST ASK! Another love story from Silver & Sapphire Magazine — where successful women discover that sometimes the shortest distance between loneliness and happiness is one simple question. Love Younger. Live Larger.