"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.
Annette was chewing her bottom lip in nervousness. Ivan's idea for Aaron's birthday entailed a suit fitting, the attending of a play, followed by a dinner at an expensive and upscale restaurant was good on the surface, but given how unpredictable Aaron's responses to mundane things like shoes and clothes were, she was worried at what new changes Aaron might exhibit.
Ivan shot his wife a sideways glance. He had told her that the theater and restaurant had a black-tie dress code, but she had stubbornly refused to put on a dress and stuck to her signature sweater, jeans and sneakers.
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.
She didn't like Mr. Thompson's formality and felt his store was somewhat old-fashioned and excessive.
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.
Annette suppressed a groan. Once again, Aaron seemed to be drawn to some strange and bizarre thing.
"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.
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 excitedly.
Mr. Thompson snapped his fingers and a beautiful young Asian 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." ordered Mr. Thompson.
"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.
Mr. Thompson then guided Aaron and Ivan towards a large fitting mirror. With quick and efficient movements, Mr. Thompson measured Aaron and asked him pointed questions about how he wanted his suit styled and fitted. In his signature cold and calculating manner, Aaron chose a 2 piece style of a single breasted blazer with notched lapels, a tapered waist and black leather buttons with no external pockets and pants with a regular waist and slight boot cut. He also decided to go with black leather ankle boots at Mr. Thompson's recommendation.
"Alright. I have everything I need. It will take me about 4 hours to finish. Would you like to wait in the waiting room, or leave and then return?" asked Mr. Thompson.
"We have time to wait." said Ivan checking his watch.
"Good. I shall inform you when it is ready" said Mr. Thompson and Aaron and Ivan went to the waiting room.
Aaron and Ivan returned to the waiting room to find Annette sitting on a sofa with a steaming cup of tea, the young Asian woman standing beside her like some sort of guard.
The Asian girl smiled warmly at Aaron and Ivan."Good day gentlemen. I'm Mei Ling, Mr. Thompson's assistant" she 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 trying to placate Annette.
Annette however, seemed to be past placating. "Black leather Aaron? Really? And just what do you think you are doing Ivan? I think you are being far too indulgent" she snarled.
"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.
Mei Ling turned to Aaron who had been sitting and quietly watching his parents argue about him. "Would you like some tea Young Master Aaron?"she asked him politely.
Aaron trained his cold and calculating gaze on her. "Yes please Ms. Ling" he said in his usual clipped voice as Mei Ling poured him a cup.
Aaron, took a few sips from the cup of hot tea. "Why did you address me as Young Master Aaron, Ms. Ling?" he asked quietly.
Mei Ling sat next to him and smiled at him. "Let me answer your question with a question. Why do you like trying to make people scared of you by hiding your emotions and speaking in that cold, clipped fashion?" she asked him.
Aaron shrugged. "It feels good, and I feel I have better control over myself and my surroundings" he answered.
Mei Ling nodded. "Yes, and some people can sense that from you and automatically feel like they need to be a little more formal and respectful to you. Other people, like your mother for instance, get scared and angry when they sense that" she explained.
"I see." said Aaron thoughtfully. "In which case I need to make those other people more scared than angry" he observed.
Mei Ling suppressed a shudder at the cold and detached way Aaron came to that conclusion. "However you must be careful. Such actions can hurt people badly, especially those you care about." she warned him.
Aaron looked at her with his cold and calculating eyes. "Thank you Ms. Ling, I'll keep that in mind" he said.