"We have a reservation at the Eminence restaurant. Would you and
Ms. Kate like to join us Father Abel?" asked Ivan, as they left
the theater box.
"We would love
to!" said Kate before Father Abel could intervene, and clung to
Aaron's left arm while Mei Ling held onto his right.
"Alright, you
five go ahead, I shall join you at the restaurant," chuckled
Father Abel as he picked up a motorcycle helmet and a pair of bags
from the security desk.
"What
motorcycle do you drive Father?" asked Ivan, gently prying the
bags from Father Abel's hands to stow them in the car, and spare
Father Abel the inconvenience of carrying them on a motorcycle.
"A Ninja,"
said Father Abel as they made their way to the parking lot.
Ivan whistled,
"Well, alright Father, we'll meet you at the restaurant" he
said as Father Abel waved and went to the motorcycle parking area.
"How was your
experience riding on the back of Fr. Abel's beast Kate?" asked
Mei Ling as they approached the BMW M5.
"It was quite
exhilarating Mei. Have you ridden on it?" asked Kate.
"I was 17 when
Fr. Abel bought that thing. I don't think I have ever held on to
anyone else so tightly than when I sat behind him for the first time
on that motorcycle" giggled Mei Ling.
"Perhaps, I
should learn to ride one" said Aaron thoughtfully as Ivan
unlocked the BMW M5.
"Absolutely
not!" snapped Annette, pulling the rear left passenger door open
and getting inside.
Giggling, Kate and
Mei Ling got in after her.
----
Aaron and the others
had just disembarked from the BMW M5 when Father Abel pulled into the
parking lot on his Ninja 1000SX, its inline 4-cylinder engine making
a formidable growl.
"An impressive
machine, Father Abel" complimented Ivan.
Father Abel nodded
in thanks and the six of them ascended the steps to the Eminence
restaurant.
A smiling waitress
in a uniform consisting of a plain black knee-length dress and black
pantyhose showed them to a table laid for six.
Aaron sat on one
side with Kate and Mei Ling flanking him.
Ivan chuckled at how
possessively they held on to him, while Annette scowled.
"Would you like
to order your drinks?" asked the waitress politely. Aaron, Ivan
and Father Abel all ordered just water citing age and needing to
drive respectively, Kate and Mei Ling ordered vodka martinis and
Annette hoarsely demanded champagne.
Ivan tried to put
his arm around Annette to comfort her, but she angrily swatted it
away. "Don't touch me!" she whispered fiercely to him.
Ivan sighed and
addressed Aaron. "How did you like the play?" he asked.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"I quite
enjoyed it Father, it was a most engaging and illuminating
performance," said Aaron his excitement for the play showing a
little through his Stoic countenance. Ivan smiled in relief and
triumph. He had finally gotten Aaron to open up more.
The waitress
returned with a small cart laden with their drinks and a champagne
bottle in an ice bucket. Before she could set the bucket on the
table, Annette snatched the bottle, popped it open and took a massive
swig, startling the waitress and almost toppling all the other drinks
on the cart.
"Mother,
please! That was reckless!" snapped Aaron.
"I will drink
however I want to drink young man. Screw you and your newfound
pretentiousness!" snarled Annette, and took another long drink
from the bottle.
"M-May I take
your food orders now?" asked the waitress timidly, surprised by
Annette's sudden behavior.
"Yes please
miss. Pay no attention to that woman. I will have the porterhouse
steak, medium well," said Aaron.
His tone seemed to
shock the waitress back into professionalism, and she quickly took
the rest of their food orders.
Father Abel watched
the scene unfold before him with growing worry. While Annette's
sudden outburst was understandable, she had been put under a lot of
stress by Ivan's plan, her transfer of blame from Ivan to Aaron was
disturbing. Both Mei Ling and Kate were looking at Annette with cold
contempt. Ivan was torn between guilt and anger.
"I think we
should have a toast," said Father Abel, raising his glass and
drawing attention to himself and away from Annette.
Ignoring Annette,
Aaron and the others raised their glasses as well. "Mr. Aaron
Zakhrov, you are a most interesting young man. I look forward to
having you at St. Ignatius. Happy Birthday!" said Father Abel as
everyone clinked their glasses.
"Thank you,
Father Abel," said Aaron giving him a smile of genuine
gratitude.
"Would you do
us the honor of leading the grace Father Abel?" asked Ivan, as
the waitress reappeared with their food.
Nodding solemnly,
Father Abel made the sign of the cross and led them in prayer.
Dinner proceeded
smoothly after that. Despite Ivan's pleas for her to eat something,
Annette ignored the others and kept drinking her champagne, but
otherwise didn't cause any more outbursts or scenes. Kate and Mei
Ling bantered happily with Aaron about fashion and style, while
taking turns to feed him - and get fed by him - bites from their
meals.
Ivan and Father Abel
shared their enthusiasm of performance vehicles, with Ivan recounting
how he worked extra projects to acquire his BMW M5 and Father Abel
telling Ivan how he worked as a construction worker to afford his
Ninja before he joined college to study psychology.
Dinner soon drew to
a close, Father Abel, Kate and Mei Ling insisting that they each pay
for their own orders. Ivan accepted it graciously and they proceeded
outside.
Kate, who had
changed into a black leather jacket, pants and boots for riding on
the motorcycle with Father Abel hugged Mei Ling tightly. "I
shall see you soon, Mei. It was wonderful to meet you" she said
as she let go of her.
"It was nice to
meet you too Kate" said Mei Ling. They both turned to Aaron.
"Happy birthday
once again Master Aaron. I look forward to seeing you again,"
said Kate.
"Thank you for
letting me be your escort for tonight Master Aaron," said Mei
Ling.
With a swift, and
almost practiced movement, both women kissed Aaron on the cheek, Kate
on his left and Mei Ling on his right.
The kisses caught
him completely off guard, and he blinked in surprise.
Ivan chuckled as he
saw them while supporting a semiconscious Annette, "Ah young
love," he muttered to himself as Kate left with Father Abel on
his Ninja.
Aaron recovered
quickly and opened the rear passenger door for Mei Ling.
The drive back was
very quiet.
Aaron's cheeks still
tingled from where Kate and Mei Ling had kissed him. He smiled wryly
to himself, they were just humoring him, but he liked the feeling
nonetheless.
Mei Ling was
conflicted. While part of her realized that he was only 13, and she
was 26, another part of her felt safe and secure when hanging on his
arm.
"We are here
Mei Ling," said Ivan from the driver's seat, jolting her out of
her revere. She composed herself with a deep breath.
"Thank you for
everything Mr. Zakhrov," she said. She turned to Aaron to say
goodbye, but he seized her chin with his right hand and kissed her
cheek.
The kiss felt way
too composed and mature. She fought to stay in control. "Goodbye
Ms. Ling. I had a lot of fun today," he whispered to her.
"G-Goodbye,"
she said weakly, getting out of the car and entering her apartment
building in a daze.
Ivan watched Mei
Ling's reaction in the rearview mirror with growing concern. Despite
being a fully grown woman, Mei Ling was like putty in Aaron's hands.
If he had this effect on women, he could be in trouble.
