The Power of the Onyx Stone

"I hope you like it." said Nisha, pushing a neatly wrapped birthday present across the dinner table to her boyfriend Joe, although she was more interested the inane celebrity gossip being discussed on TV. Nisha was a short busty woman with radiant brown skin, and on this day was dressed in a frumpy jeans and a roll neck blue jumper which did nothing to accentuate glorious curves formed by thick thighs and a tiny waist.

"I'm sure it's perfect," Joe said dryly. He shook the small gift gently next to his ear before tearing into the paper uncovering a white box - inside it was a silver necklace adorning a black gemstone.

"That's an onyx stone, it's supposed to bring you good luck," Nisha said - still looking away at the television.

"Oh. I'd never have guessed. Thank you so much," Joe was underwhelmed by the necklace but tried not to show it as this was an opportunity to inject some energy into their struggling relationship. He and Nisha were now both 30-somethings and privately has doubts about the future of their five-year relationship which had fallen into a rut of convenience rather than the animalistic passion.

Joe moved closer to his girlfriend and started to run a hand up her inner thigh before moving in for a snog - but she turned quickly to receive the kiss on her cheek instead, then brushed his hand away. "Maybe that necklace will help you get a promotion, or better paying job at last."

"Yeah, maybe." Joe became deflated by the rejection - sex on birthdays used to be a common occurrence - so walked away to the living room, lightly squeezing Nisha's shoulder as he passed, though she didn't acknowledge his leaving, shifting her gaze to the onyx stone instead.