Aaron was still waiting in the fitting room when Mei Ling emerged from the tailoring room in the back of the shop.
She was dressed in a black leather mid-thigh-length sleeveless dress with a mandarin collar, black leather over-the-knee boots with pointed toes and sharp, metal stiletto heels covered her legs and feet and black leather elbow length gloves covered her arms. Her silky black hair was done in a Chinese bun with two metal pins holding it up. Long silver earrings adorned her ears and she had changed her simple nude makeup to a more bold and sensual look, with black eyeliner and deep red lipstick. Aaron felt a strange feeling when he saw her. He forced that feeling down and schooled his face back to its Stoic expression. "You look beautiful Ms. Ling" he told her in his clipped tone.
Mei Ling had noticed his attraction and felt a new admiration for his self-discipline and self-control as he fought it down and regained his Stoic expression.
"Shall we go?" she asked him. He offered her his hand, and she gently guided him to link his arm in hers. Together the set-off for the waiting room.
Ivan noticed Aaron and Mei Ling first. "Wow" he gasped, bringing Annette's and Mr. Thompson's attention to them.
Despite the high heels of the boots, Mei Ling was only a head taller than Aaron, their outfits perfectly complimented each other, giving them a bold, striking and elegant look.
Mr. Thompson pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of Aaron and Mei Ling. "They make quite the couple" remarked Mr. Thompson.
"Indeed" agreed Ivan, snapping a picture of them as well
.Annette was still conflicted. Mei Ling smiling warmly at Aaron's side, softened the intimidation he had exuded earlier, but both of them radiated a strange power that she didn't like. However, she smiled and made an effort to keep her wits about her. "You look beautiful Mei Ling. And Aaron, you look handsome as well" she said.
"Alright, let's be off" said Ivan, and linking his arm with Annette's he led them out of the shop.
"I call shotgun Father, Mother can ride in the back with Ms. Ling" said Aaron as they walked towards the parked BMW M5.
A fresh shudder went down Annette's spine at Aaron's commanding tone.
Ivan suppressed a twinge of irritation as he felt Annette shudder, "He is our son! She shouldn't be feeling this scared of a black leather suit!" He thought to himself.
Aaron opened the rear door for Mei Ling and helped her inside the car. He offered his arm to Annette, but she scurried to the other side, opened the other door and got in herself.
Ivan, watched Annette avoid Aaron with growing frustration. A wicked idea suddenly occurred to him.
"Aaron, you drive" he said tossing the keys to Aaron.
Aaron caught them and raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure Father? We will be on the highway and might get pulled over" he asked.
"I trust your skills. It's about time your mother did as well" said Ivan grimly as he opened the front passenger door. Aaron nodded and got into the driver's seat.
Annette froze in horror as Ivan got into the front passenger seat and Aaron got into the driver's seat. "What the hell is Ivan thinking?!" She screamed to herself.
Mei Ling, squeezed Annette's hand in reassurance. "Trust your husband and trust your son" she whispered.
Trembling, Annette reached for her seatbelt and fastened it. Her knuckles were white as she gripped the seatbelt and the door handle tightly.
Aaron started the car, its V8 engine rumbling to life. He engaged the reverse gear and cautiously pulled out of the parking lot an onto the street, hazard indicators flashing as he did so. Once on the street, he engaged the drive gear and slowly started driving forward, ensuring that he kept a slow and steady pace.
Ivan watched Annette slowly recover through the rearview mirror.
"Master Aaron is driving extremely well!" marveled Mei Ling as Aaron smoothly merged onto the slow lane of the highway.
"Well at least somebody noticed" grumbled Ivan from the front passenger seat, glaring at Annette through the rearview mirror.
Annette looked away from Ivan's gaze and out of the window, her fear had now been replaced by resentment.
She hated that Mei Ling could easily submit to Aaron's new presence, she wasn't an authority figure in his life.
How was she supposed to maintain her authority over Aaron when his Stoic demeanor and new-found assertiveness openly challenged it?
Ivan noticed the change in Annette's attitude and did not like it. He decided to switch things up again.
"Do you like fast cars Ms. Ling?" he asked Mei Ling.
"Well yes, I suppose" said Mei Ling, wondering what Ivan was up to.
"I see, and what do you like about them?" asked Ivan, silently praying that Mei Ling would say something akin to "going fast".
"Well I do like the speed and power they possess, and the sound they give when you rev their engines" said Mei Ling, answering Ivan's prayer.
Keeping a tight control on his excitement, Ivan glanced at his watch. "Aaron, we'll not make it on time at this speed. Step on it" he said.
"Are you sure Father? You know Mother doesn't like it. I'm at 45 mph already" said Aaron.
"Son, right now your date is the most important person here. I'll take full responsibility for your mom. You heard Mei Ling, she likes fast cars. Step on it" said Ivan.
"Don't you dare Aaron Zakhrov!" shouted Annette from the back seat. She silently cursed Ivan, Mei Ling and the BMW M5.
"Sorry Mother, but Father is right. We have to make it in time." said Aaron, giving her a predatory grin as he turned on the turn signal to change lanes.
"Aaron, please!" said Annette, fear creeping back into her.
Aaron increased pressure on the throttle. The car's powerful turbocharged V8 engine roared in response and the BMW M5 shot forward at a rapid pace, accelerating from 45 mph to 95 mph within seconds.
Annette shut her eyes and whimpered as the car accelerated while Mei Ling squealed in excitement.
"Bravo Master Aaron. You have excellent control!" she exclaimed excitedly as the acceleration stopped and Aaron maintained a steady 95 mph, well within the highway's 115 mph speed limit.