“What’s wrong?” Tina asked as she looked at her girlfriend for an explanation.

“The magnetic strip might be malfunctioning.” Bette licked her lower lip. “It happens sometimes.” She flashed a reassuring smile at Tina.

“Ma’am?” The waiter walked over to them and bent down once again as he handed the card back to Bette. “This was rejected too.” He whispered feebly.

“What?” Bette’s eyebrows shot up at the news. Holy shit, she swallowed hard as a thought suddenly dawned on her. Don’t worry, I’ll give you a little taste of what’s to come. Her father’s ominous words yesterday morning bounced inside her head. He cut off my credit cards, she sighed bitterly as she fished out a couple of bills from inside her wallet. “Here you go.” She forced a smile at the waiter. “Sorry for all your trouble.” She ran a hand through her semi-damp hair and closed her eyes in frustration.

“Babe..” Tina’s worried voice floated through Bette’s ears as the waiter left their table. “What’s going on?” Tina bravely held her breath and waited for her girlfriend to open up. After what seemed like forever, Bette finally came clean.

“My dad..” Bette smiled bitterly as she opened her eyes. “He gave me an ultimatum..” She admitted in a small voice as she met Tina’s gaze. “I can’t have everything. So he made me choose between you and my money..” She said with a sad smile.

“And?” Tina swallowed hard as fear and uncertainty danced around her eyes. She didn’t doubt Bette’s love for her.. but still, letting someone as materialistic and spoiled like Bette Porter choose between love and money was like asking a dirty old man to choose between his loving old wife and a tempting young girl.

“I choose you.” Bette smiled, a little brightly this time as her hand flew up to caress Tina’s face lovingly. It’s just money, she could work her ass off and earn some if need be, she told herself over and over again. Her vast fortune was her security blanket, and losing it scared her shitless. But she didn’t want to take a chance, the prospect of losing Tina scared her more.

Tina lowered her eyes to her lap as she took in Bette’s words. As relieved as she was, she couldn’t get herself to feel elated. A lump formed inside her throat as he began to think about the repercussions that their relationship brought to Bette’s life. Her girlfriend stood to lose everything. Bette Porter was destined for great things.. she was always bragging about taking over PGC one day and bringing it to new heights. Tina didn’t doubt this one bit, her Bette was an enigmatic and brilliant force of nature. So could she stand back and allow Bette to throw away her bright future just for a girl like her? She knew that despite the brave front, Bette was cracking inside trying her best to convince herself that she could live without her wealth. They would be happy now.. but what would happen in the long run? What would happen when Bette starts to miss her old lifestyle? Given, they were still young.. but were they also that naive to believe that their love can survive without one of the most elemental aspects of Bette’s life? Was love enough for them? Did Bette deserve this? Did she deserve to lose everything? “Porter..” She gently removed Bette’s hand from her cheek and placed it down on the brunette’s lap. “What if I don’t.. I don’t want you to?” She choked on the words as Bette inhaled sharply beside her.