When the boyfriend and I met, we were both single but definitely not ready to be in a relationship.
We met in march '12 and coincidentally about 3 months had passed since both of us had ended the relationship with our respective partners.
We never talked in deep about our exes or the reasons why our relationship with them ended.

When my ex and I called it quits, I cut all ties. I gave myself time to heal and I overcame the breakup quite fast.
The boyfriend, however, didn't cut all ties with his ex. He never told me this, but I always suspected there were weekends in which they were still hanging out and such. It didn't bother me because we were just friends and if he was doing so or not was not my business.

Fast forward to when we were already in a relationship -July 2012-. We agreed on Skyping the day after I arrive in Colombia. So there I was, tired after the long trip and the time zone change, but waiting for him to show up on Skype.
Minutes before the agreed time, he sent me an email telling me he needed some more minutes. 15 minutes passed, he was not there yet. I'm getting impatient and a little bit upset.
First thing that came to my mind: he is talking with his ex. Why did I get such gut feeling? idk, but I was right.
When he showed up, I was upset and quite disappointed. I didn't hide it and let him know how I was feeling.
He told me that he indeed was on the phone with his ex. That she called him minutes before we were supposed to Skype and that the conversation turned into a fight and blah blah blah. I was honestly so upset after knowing he left me waiting to talk to his ex. I wasn't feeling like talking to him anymore on that day and I told him. So our conversation ended there.

That little incident led him to open up more the next day and to tell me about the relationship with his ex gf and the reasons why he decided to end things.
That day we talked a lot and I knew he was being honest. There was really no reason to lie.
He assured me I was the one he wanted to be with, that there was no way in hell he was going to go back to his ex gf, that he gave her and their relationship many opportunities and that again it was ME he wanted to be with, not her. I did believe him, I trusted him and followed my gut.
Ever since then -over a year to be more precise-, we didn't have an issue regarding this topic.

...Until weeks ago.
It was a Sunday, he was getting ready to make something to eat and I was in the living room. The phone rang. I didn't pick up because I don't feel confident enough to speak german over the phone. However, I saw the incoming call's number and saw it was not stored on the phone. He picked up and went to the kitchen. There he talked for about 5 minutes. From what I could understand, nothing bad. My gut told me it was his ex who called but I just let it be. Why to make a fuss over it? I am ok if their remain friends and he knows that. I trust him.

Two weeks passed. It's 8 something in the evening. I am home alone, reading on the couch. The phone rang, I saw it's the same number. I wished I could pick up. Damn german!
When the phone stopped ringing, my mind started to wonder: if it is her, why is she calling him so often now? what for? I am not starting to like it. I feel a small pressure on my chest. I will ask him.

So I did ask him the next day. I was right again, it was her. He said he doesn't know why all of a sudden she is starting to call him again.
I reminded him I am ok with them being friends, but I let him know I am not ok with her calling him so often. Not because I think he will go back to her or anything like that. I know he will not. It's just, I don't like it! I am friends with my ex boyfriends but I am not calling them every 2 weeks to talk about whatever is in my mind and in the "late" evening.

Then monday this week. We are both laying on the couch, my hand is randomly placed on his leg and bam! his cellphone starts vibrating, he doesn't answer. 2 minutes later he gets a text message from the same number. What do I think? It's her.. Damn you girl! - But why doesn't he pick up? He knows I won't be mad if he answers and it's her. However, he knows I will be pissed if he doesn't pick up because it makes me think he is hiding something. Damn it!

Anyways. We are good, I don't want this to create uncomfortable situations between us. It's not worth it.
I do still trust him, I know he is not seeing her, I know he is not hiding anything from me... but from her!
What I think is, she doesn't know he is in a relationship. She took him from granted and she thought he was always going to be there for her despite how awful she treated him.
I think she believes she can still manipulate him and I guess she wants him back. But I'm sorry girl, now it's too late. He is taken, he is being loved, appreciated. He is happy, just what he deserves.

Im sure you -reader- are wondering, but why doesn't he tell her he is in a relationship? I wondered the same thing myself. I think perhaps he doesn't want to hurt her feelings? They were together for over 7 years and he loved her after all. I guess is not that easy for him. If it were me, I would, but we all are different and deal with things in different ways.
I won't put pressure on him. I think the people who "need" to know we are together already do: his parents, his sister, his friends and coworkers.
Sometimes I wish she knew, so perhaps the annoying calls would end. Sometimes I wish my german was better so I could at least pick up the phone when she calls, not to tell her anything, because if there is someone I need to talk and ask about it is him and not her. But I guess she would ask him who picked up the phone and then it would make it easier for him to tell her that is was his GF. But oh well, let's let nothing disturbs us or ruin our happiness.

Ok, enough. I have my final B1 test on Monday and if everything goes well, I will be starting the B2 level on Tuesday. Fingers crossed! Off to study now.