"Where are we going Father?" asked Aaron as the BMW M5
rumbled along the highway. Ivan carefully controlling the
acceleration so that Annette didn't get unnerved.
"Well it's not
every day that my boy turns 13. I thought we'd do something a little
different this year" said Ivan as they turned to an exit.
They pulled into the
parking lot of an upscale tailoring and shoe shop that specialized in
men's suits and shoes. Ivan noticed Aaron's eyes flash with
excitement in the rearview mirror and smiled to himself.
"Welcome to
Thompson's suiting. I'm Thompson the owner, how may I help you?"
a tall imposing man dressed in a black pinstriped 3-piece suit
greeted them in an impeccable British accent.
Ivan clapped Aaron
on the back. "My boy here has just turned 13. He seemed to
really like the formal look of his new school uniform, so I thought
getting him a properly tailored suit might be a good thing" he
explained.
Mr. Thompson bowed.
"You do your generation credit young man. Most teenagers
gravitate towards filthy and torn rags these days" he said.
Aaron inclined his
head as well. "Thank you, Mr. Thompson. May I take a look at
your fabrics?" he replied in his clipped and formal tone.
Mr. Thompson nodded
and addressed Ivan and Annette. "I admire your parenting skills.
You have raised a most civilized young man." he said causing
Ivan to beam with pride and Annette to frown.
Aaron was mesmerized
by the bolts of high quality fabrics and the smell of wood as he
looked around the shop, running his hands over each bolt of fabric,
feeling the texture. He came across a roll of supple black leather
and felt a surge of electricity go through him as he ran his hand
along its soft, supple surface and its distinctive smell tickled his
nostrils. He let out a sigh, took a deep breath and regained his
Stoic composure.
"Excuse me Mr.
Thompson, do you make suits with this leather?" he asked.
"Only the
blazer and sometimes the pants. However, I must warn you that the
tailoring of leather is quite expensive" replied Mr. Thompson
"I see. Father,
I would like a black leather suit if we can afford it please"
said Aaron, his Stoic demeanor cracking a little, his eyes shining
with hope.
"Well Aaron, if
it is what you truly want I don't mind splurging a bit. How much
would it cost Mr. Thompson?" asked Ivan, as Annette suppressed a
groan.
Mr. Thompson looked
between the 3 of them slyly.
"I'll make you
a deal Mr. Zakhrov. The total cost of materials will be 2000. As a
token of my admiration to you for raising such an impressive young
man, I shall waive the tailoring costs." he told Ivan.
"We have a
deal." said Ivan.
Mr. Thompson snapped
his fingers and a beautiful young woman, dressed in a perfectly
tailored black skirt suit and high heels materialized from the back
of the shop. "Escort Mrs. Zakhrov to the waiting room." he
ordered her.
"This way,
ma'am," said the woman with a slight Mandarin lilt and steered a
dazed Annette with surprising strength for her small frame towards
the waiting room.
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After Aaron's
fitting, he and Ivan returned to the waiting room to find Annette
sitting on a sofa with a steaming cup of tea, the young woman
standing beside her like some sort of guard.
"Good day
gentlemen. I'm Mei Ling, Mr. Thompson's assistant," the woman
introduced herself with a slight bow.
"Hello, Ms.
Ling," said Aaron in his usual clipped voice while Ivan inclined
his head politely.
"You know. I
don't appreciate you two acting like I'm not even here!" snapped
Annette.
"Now dear,
Aaron and I just got a little carried away. We didn't mean to ignore
you," said Ivan.
"Black leather
Aaron? Really? And just what do you think you are doing Ivan? I think
you are being far too indulgent!" snarled Annette.
"I don't see
anything out of the ordinary, people besides bikers wear leather
jackets these days," said Ivan defensively while Annette
glowered at him.
"Don't you
think a formal leather suit is odd Ivan? And aren't you worried about
how Aaron seems to be drawn to some bizarre things in bizarre ways?
First it was women in high heels, then it was that school uniform of
his and now this fixation with leather. Where are these things coming
from?" she asked, her frustration boiling over
"Mr. and Mrs.
Zakhrov, it is uncivil to argue like this in front of your son"
interjected Mei Ling coldly, halting their argument.
Ivan flushed. "My
apologies Ms. Ling. Annette, can I speak with you outside? Aaron,
stay here with Ms. Ling" he said before hauling a protesting
Annette to her feet and steering her out of the shop.
----
In the store's
parking lot, Ivan hugged a sobbing Annette.
"I just want
him to be normal!" wailed Annette into Ivan's chest.
"He is normal.
He just has some odd tastes and odd preferences that he'll likely
grow out of Annette. Don't worry," said Ivan soothingly.
Annette's sobs
slowly subsided, and she regained her composure.
"I suppose you
are right. But I am still worried about his odd fascinations and his
cold demeanor," she said as she dried her eyes with a box of
tissues Ivan held out for her.
"Well relax a
little. It's his 13th birthday. Please, let's celebrate it and not
make Aaron feel like an oddball" Ivan urged.
"All right,"
Annette sighed as they made their way back to the shop.
----
Aaron closed his
eyes, took several deep breaths and opened them as he ran his hands
over the soft black leather of his new suit.
The suit was
tailored to fit him perfectly. The blazer accentuated his broadening
shoulders, tapered his narrow waist and added length to his upper
body.
The black leather
pants were slightly wide to accommodate the black leather ankle
boots, the black satin shirt and black silk tie finished off the
look, giving him a sharp monochrome silhouette. Mr. Thompson offered
him a small tube of hair gel, and he slicked his thick black hair
backwards.
As he stepped off
the raised platform of the fitting room, he felt a strange sense of
power and belonging wash over him. The heady scent of the leather,
the sound of it creaking as he moved combined with the clicking of
the boots he wore, filled him with an energy and confidence that even
his uniform couldn't hope to match.
Ivan let out a low
whistle as he saw Aaron approach. "Damn son, you look good! I
was skeptical at first, but damn!" he said in awe.
Mei Ling looked
Aaron up and down appreciatively. "You look very handsome, young
master Aaron" she complimented him, blushing slightly.
Aaron turned towards
Annette,"Something wrong Mother?" he asked.
"I-I think it
looks good on you," said Annette, averting her eyes from him.
"Father, the
passes you got for the play admit two people each right?" asked
Aaron.
"Well yes,"
replied Ivan unsure of where this was going and worried about
Annette's reaction to Aaron.
Aaron then turned
towards Mei Ling. "Ms. Ling, This may seem forward of me, but
would you like to join us for the play and dinner afterward?" he
asked her
Mei Ling blushed and
giggled "I would love to" she said.
"Mr. Thompson,
is that alright with you?" asked Aaron.
"Oh it's fine
by me. Off you go and get changed Mei, remember it's a black tie
affair" chuckled Mr. Thompson as Mei Ling hurried to the back of
the shop.
"Master Aaron,
could you wait in the fitting room while I speak with your parents in
private for a minute?" asked Mr. Thompson.
Aaron nodded and
left for the fitting room.
"What's wrong,
Annette?" asked Ivan, his arm around Annette.
"I don't know
what came over me. I just felt he looked dangerous," said
Annette holding back tears.
Ivan squeezed her
shoulders in reassurance. "He may have looked intimidating, but
he's still our Aaron. You don't have to be scared of him," he
said soothingly.
"Aaron's a very
sensitive and perceptive boy. He could see that you were distressed,
and his offer to Mei Ling was partly for her to keep you company Mrs.
Zakhrov," said Mr. Thompson.
"And here I
thought that Aaron had actually asked a girl on a date,"
grumbled Ivan
"Oh he did.
This is just a bonus," chuckled Mr. Thompson breaking the
tension and causing both Annette and Ivan to laugh.
