Aaron and Mei Ling entered their theater box to find another couple there, who looked around as they entered.
"Cousin Mei? Mr. Zakhrov?" exclaimed the man in surprise, while the woman smiled and waved.
Recognition flashed in Aaron's eyes. "Ms. Kate? Father Abel? You look very different without your cassock," he responded.
Father Abel chuckled, he was dressed in an expensive-looking sharp black suit, with a black cleric shirt and a small golden Society of Jesus pendant pinned to his suit lapel being the only indications of his profession as a priest. He stood up to shake hands with Aaron.
"I see you've met my cousin. And I believe you already know my college classmate Kate Summers," he said as Kate smiled warmly at him.
She was wearing a sleek black leather cocktail dress that hugged her curves.
Her arms were encased in black leather opera gloves, similar to Mei-Ling's.
Black sheer pantyhose covered her legs, and black leather pumps with stiletto heels adorned her feet.
Her long black hair was styled in loose waves that cascaded over her shoulders, and her brown eyes sparkled with excitement.
"It's good to see you again young master Aaron" she said as she shook his hand.
"Likewise Ms. Kate." he said.
"So, what brings you here Mei?" asked Father Abel as Aaron and Mei Ling took their seats.
"Young master Aaron was kind enough to ask me to be his escort for the evening," said Mei Ling.
"It's my 13th birthday. Father took me to Mr. Thompson's shop to get me fitted for a suit before coming here," explained Aaron.
Father Abel raised his eyebrows. "I see! Happy birthday, Aaron," he said.
"Thank you, Father Abel," replied Aaron, sitting down between Mei Ling and Kate.
Just as the curtain was about to rise, the door to the box opened, and Ivan entered with a sulking Annette on his arm.
The curtain rose and the play began. It was a symphonic power metal adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera with a Norwegian symphonic power metal band collaborating with a Broadway orchestra and theater group.
Aaron watched the play with rapt attention, the symphonic power metal music and the deep, gravelly voice of the actor playing the Phantom resonating deep within him. He now knew what kind of image and voice he wanted to project.
During the intermission, Kate and Mei Ling quickly took charge of Annette, hauling her reluctant, partially shaved form off to the ladies' room.
Aaron, sensing that Father Abel wanted to speak to Ivan privately, excused himself as well, exiting the box to buy a soda.
As soon as they were alone, Father Abel turned to speak with Ivan.
"You and Aaron seem to be getting along quite well. I heard you even let him drive?" he asked Ivan.
"Well, I'm doing what I think I can to help him socialize," said Ivan cautiously. He felt that these new experiences were a net positive for Aaron, but still felt a little doubtful, and was grateful that he ran into Father Abel.
"It appears to have some positive effects. Aaron seems to be opening up and has gained more confidence in his interactions with women," observed Father Abel. "However, I feel it is coming at a cost to Annette. You are pushing her well past her comfort zone," he cautioned.
Ivan nodded. "I know Father, but she is a little too rigid with Aaron. She has started to view his preferences and choices as odd, and potentially problematic. While I find them unusual myself, it does seem to work for him," sighed Ivan.
"I would also venture that Annette holds different views from Kate and Mei Ling. She believes that they are a bad influence on Aaron," said Father Abel.
"That's complete nonsense! Mei Ling is a beautiful and intelligent woman and so is Kate! I'm sure your cousin and your friend from college would never be a bad influence!" said Ivan.
"You and I know that Ivan, but Annette feels that they are encouraging Aaron to adopt a more dominant persona around women and that is not something she wants Aaron to cultivate," said Father Abel seriously.
"So you're saying she feels Kate and Mei Ling's encouraging Aaron to be more assertive is harmful," sighed Ivan.
Father Abel shook his head. "I'm afraid it is more complicated than that. Assertiveness is essential to prevent you from being taken advantage of. However, Aaron also has a strong desire for controlling his environment. Right now, he is practicing control over himself. Before you arrived, both Mei Ling and Kate attempted to tease him and get him to choose which of them he found more attractive, his ability to control his adolescent impulses was almost inhuman. When he reached the limit of his patience, he stood up and commanded them to stop, and they meekly obeyed. His command seemed to have a profound effect on at least Kate. I couldn't ask Mei's thoughts," he said worriedly.
Ivan scowled at Father Abel. "What are you trying to tell me? That Aaron is not attracted to women but just wants to control them?" he demanded.
Father Abel sighed. "Aaron is definitely attracted to both of them. However, he refused to get caught up in their teasing game. Which means that he values control in a relationship. In moderation, this can be a good thing, but it can be dangerous and harmful to both Aaron and whoever he is with if it goes too far" he explained, as Aaron returned to the box with a tray of sodas.
Annette, Kate and Mei Ling returned just before the warning bell that signaled the end of the intermission rang. Annette's bare arms were now hairless, and she looked much more presentable in her dress and pantyhose.
Ivan observed Kate, Mei Ling and Aaron as the play resumed. Kate and Mei Ling tried to engage Aaron in conversation, but he firmly commanded them to keep quiet and enjoy the play. Despite his firm and somewhat authoritative response to them, they seemed happy to hang on his arms and rest their heads on his shoulders.
He smiled at the warm affection Aaron was receiving from them and refocused on the excellent performance of the play, glad that Aaron was enjoying the pure and powerful fusion of sounds brought about by mixing powerful electric guitars with classic organ and orchestral accompaniments.
Annette shot Kate and Mei Ling a venomous glare.
Her bare arms still tingled from the hair removal cream that Mei Ling had used on her, and her legs felt stifled in the sheer black pantyhose that Kate had forced on them.
The way that they clung to Aaron, hanging on his arms like trophies, made him look even more villainous.
With a huff, she waited with folded arms for the ordeal that Ivan called a play to end.
Mei Ling shot Annette a look of pure disdain.
The choices Ivan had made: Shimmering black cocktail dress, sheer black pantyhose and strappy flat sandals, and even coordinated lingerie, fit her perfectly, and would have made her look stunning, if she had not been so intent on being difficult.
In this day and age, men like Ivan were an increasingly dying breed. Something Annette seemed oblivious to.
With an internal sigh at Annette's behavior, Mei Ling refocused on the play.
The symphonic power metal adaptation of Phantom of the Opera was a masterpiece of sound and fury, and she was glad to be able to enjoy it with Aaron and Kate.
"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.
"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 - why else would two grown women address him as "Master Aaron" - 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, submissive 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.