Jamie Thomas, 10 Jul '12

Tiffany squealed as Roy fastened the diamond necklace around her slender neck. She turned and threw her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek.

“Not so hard,” he muttered and he slumped down on the garden chair. “I’m not as young as you, babe.”

This statement couldn’t be any truer, and Roy couldn't stop himself from dwelling on the 30 something year gap between himself and his barely 20 girlfriend. She laughed him off and began inspecting her reflection in a pocket mirror. The sun glinted off her oily sun soaked body which looked fantastic in the expensive crimson bikini that she had taken to wearing in the hotter months. She batted her eyelids at Roy, and then perched next to him, purring and kissing his neck.

“This really is perfect Roy, better than the car, so much better! I really do love you baby, I love you so much.” She kissed him on the lips, but retreated cautiously when he didn’t return her advances.

“Love. That is what we need to talk about.” His tired eyes could barely meet hers. She eyed him up quizzically.

“Roy?” she asked, tenderly.

“Tiff, you know I’ve been with many girls...” He gave her a moment to nod in acknowledgement. “And you know that a lot of these women have turned out to be something other than they say they are…”

“What do you mean, Roy? Go on, spit it out.” Tiffany snapped.

“You seem to enjoy the presents and the money and the mansion, well, a little too much.”

She gave him a cold blank stare. “And what is wrong with that?”

“I have no problem with giving you presents dear, I know it makes you happy. But when you say you love me, I find it hard to believe. You can’t love someone just because of their money and power.” He sighed in relief when he had said it. In all his years of ruthless business, he had never faced such a horrible situation.

“Do you love me, Roy?” countered Tiffany. The girl was ever resourceful.

“Uhh, yes Tiff, of course I do.”

“Tell me why."

Roy paused. He began loosening his tie, and averted his eyes from hers again.

“Tell. Me. Why.” She was persistent.

“You are… well, you are beautiful, and you are fun to be around, and…”

She withdrew from him, and stood up. She began talking fast and furiously, almost passionately.

“Roy, I love you. I love you because you give me things. I love you because you buy me jewellery and cars and spend money on me. I love you because you care for me, you show affection and you love me.”

Roy nodded, not quite sure where she was going.

“So tell me Roy, how is that different to you loving me because I have the body of a glamour model, look great in a bikini, and make you feel young again?”

Roy was astounded. He was being out matched in a war of words. There was a first for everything. She didn’t stop.

“I love you because you give me things. But that doesn't mean I don’t love you. I do love you. I love you so much, and who is anyone to tell us that what we have isn’t love? How does society have the right to say that because you buy me things then I don’t love you? Would they rather I loved you because you were young and handsome and great in bed, or for other “normal” reasons? Well I don’t care what society thinks. I love you, Roy.”

Roy was gob smacked.

Without missing a beat, she said “It’s cold out here, I’m going to change out of this bikini.”
She sauntered back inside, making sure he had a great view of her behind as she walked away from him. Before she disappeared into the mansion, she turned back and smirked.

“I’m keeping the necklace by the way.”

He sat back in the chair and sighed. She was a handful, but he sure did love her, and he was pretty certain she loved him back.