"All right Daisy, which one would you like?" asked Kate.
"I-I'm not sure. Don't you have some plain cotton ones?" asked Daisy, looking at the various bras Kate held out to her in exotic trims and fabrics.
"Unfortunately not. However, these lace ones with reinforced padding should be quite comfortable for you," said Kate.
"Um, well Sophia said a corset might help me, do you have those?" asked Daisy.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I do. Wait here, I'll be right back," said Kate, dropping the bras and going out of the changing room.
----
Kate returned a few minutes later, holding a black leather corset in her hands.
"Aaron picked this one, you want to try it?" asked Kate holding the corset out to Daisy.
"I-if this is the stuff Aaron likes on girls I'll try it!" said Daisy, eyeing the corset with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
"Don't force yourself just because your boyfriend has a thing for it," warned Kate, yet smirking mischievously.
"He's not my boyfriend!" protested Daisy, blushing furiously.
"Well, your knight in black armor then. Still, don't force yourself," chuckled Kate.
"No! I want to try it," said Daisy, grabbing the corset out of Kate's hands.
"OK, OK, I'll show you how it works. You fasten the front first, then pull the laces tight at the back," said Kate as she helped Daisy into the corset.
"Aaah!" moaned Daisy as the corset pulled her waist in.
Her spine and shoulder blades cracked and popped as the steel boning forced her out of her hunched posture.
She drew deep shuddering breaths, as the corset lifted her breasts, and put their weight onto the small of her back instead of her ribcage and shoulders, paradoxically opening up her chest.
"Oh, my God!" she whispered, her eyes wide as she looked at herself in the mirror.
She ran her hands over the soft, supple leather and the firm steel boning.
"Is this really me?" she asked, turning in the mirror to see herself from all angles.
The corset gave her an hourglass figure, accentuating her small waist and curvy hips.
With the corset pushing her bust up, she felt like she was properly proportioned, and not the "bimbo" Emily kept calling her.
"I take it that you like it?" asked Kate.
"I love it! Aaron has such good taste! It feels so good! My boobs aren't weighing me down anymore!" exclaimed Daisy.
"Come along, and let's see what Aaron thinks," said Kate, pushing Daisy out of the changing room.
Aaron turned to see Kate emerge from the changing room with Daisy in tow.
"Wow, you look beautiful," he whispered, his Stoic countenance cracking for a second at the sight of Daisy rocking the corset.
"That's the highest praise he gives," said Kate gently, as Daisy blushed redder.
"T-Thank you for saying that Aaron. It means a lot," said Daisy, holding back tears.
"Aaron, could you leave us alone for a minute?" asked Kate.
Aaron nodded curtly and left the lingerie section.
It was almost an hour before Kate and Daisy emerged from the lingerie section.
Daisy was back in her uniform, but it now looked far more awkward and ill-fitting on her.
"Thank you for the corsets and the advice Ms. Kate," said Daisy clutching a large black bag.
"Think nothing of it, sweetie," said Kate warmly.
"Um Aaron it's a bit late, can your dad give me a ride home?" asked Daisy.
Aaron nodded and pulled out his phone to call his father.
----
Parking the BMW M5, Ivan strode up the steps and entered Summer's Shoe Shop. "Hello Kate," he greeted.
His eyes fell on Aaron and Daisy, Daisy hanging onto Aaron's arm.
"You must be Ms. Daisy Eddington. Aaron has told me that you are the only person whom he talks to at school," he said warmly, extending his hand to her.
"It's nice to properly meet you Mr. Zakhrov," said Daisy, shaking his hand.
"All right Aaron. I'd like an explanation now," said Ivan after shaking Daisy's hand.
"It's my fault Mr. Zakhrov. My blouse had ripped, and Aaron noticed, and protected my dignity by taking me to the school outfitter for an alteration. Ms. Sophia said I needed a new bra, and with my friend Emily already gone, I asked Aaron to help me. His solution was to call Ms. Kate," explained Daisy breathlessly.
"It seemed the better course of action than calling Mother. I was not sure how she would react to my explanation," said Aaron.
"I suppose it was the better course of action," sighed Ivan.
"Mr. Zakhrov, can I speak with you in private?" asked Kate.
Ivan nodded, and both adults disappeared into the back of the shop.
Daisy sighed and leaned her head against Aaron's shoulder.
----
"Aaron has stepped into something a lot bigger than a wardrobe malfunction, Mr. Zakhrov," said Kate.
"What are you talking about?" asked Ivan.
"Daisy's parents are employed by Emily Clarke's parents," said Kate.
Ivan sighed wearily. "I assume that Emily is the daughter of Senator Sarah Clarke?" he asked.
"The one and only," said Kate.
"OK, and?" asked Ivan.
"And, I noticed that Daisy's uniform was a bit... off, when I first saw her. That's not her actual uniform, but one of Emily's," said Kate.
"And she's wearing one of Emily's because?" asked Ivan.
"Because Emily set fire to Daisy's uniforms the second she had them delivered," said Kate.
Ivan's eyes widened in shock. "She did what?" he asked incredulously.
"It's been going on for a while now. At home, Emily treats Daisy as a live-in slave and punching bag. That's why Daisy asked Aaron for help instead of Emily," said Kate.
"That's sick! And Senator Clarke lets Emily do this? Why can't Daisy's parents step in?" asked Ivan.
"Daisy's parents don't have much of a choice. They're deep in debt, and are in no position to push back," said Kate.
"OK, I get it the picture. Daisy needs a place to stash her stuff," said Ivan.
"Exactly. I know it's a big ask, but Daisy's home situation is steadily becoming worse," said Kate.
"How so?" asked Ivan.
"Puberty and growth spurts do a number on a girl's self-image in the best of times. I'm sure you can imagine what that means in a house where one girl is essentially a domestic servant to another," said Kate.
Ivan's face darkened. "All right, I'll do it," he said.
Aaron and Daisy were deep in their homework when Ivan and Kate emerged from the back of the shop.
"Come along, you can finish that at home," said Ivan.
"Home?" asked Daisy.
"Yes, our home. You can finish it with Aaron, and then I'll drop you off," said Ivan.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Zakhrov," said Daisy as she packed away her books.
"Are you sure that's prudent Dad?" asked Aaron as he packed away his things as well.
"In this case, yes," said Ivan, a look of fierce determination on his face.
----
"You drive really well Aaron. I wish I could learn as well," remarked Daisy as the BMW M5 rumbled through the Boston traffic.
"You could practice with us during winter break, Dad is an excellent instructor" said Aaron as he drove.
"I would love to!" squealed Daisy. Her phone buzzed and she picked it up.
"Where the hell are you?" demanded Emily through the phone speaker.
"I'm going to Aaron's place to finish homework and study computer science." replied Daisy.
"Listen here you dumb bimbo, I need you to get your fat ugly self here and finish your chores pronto OK? No more spending time with that moron!" yelled Emily through the phone speaker.
"I'm sorry Emily, I'll be home as soon as I can," said Daisy contritely before hanging up.
"Emily does not have the right to belittle you like that. For what it's worth, I think you are beautiful," said Aaron from the driver's seat.
"Thanks, Aaron," said Daisy blushing.
"The two of you go straight to Aaron's room and finish your homework. I'll deal with Annette," said Ivan as Aaron pulled into the driveway.
----
"So let me get this straight." said Annette as she paced the living room.
"Aaron notices his girlfriend's blouse has ripped open, takes her to the outfitter, asks the salesgirl there to call an Uber to a lingerie store and buys her a bunch of corsets. Have I got that right?" she asked rounding on Ivan.
Ivan sighed wearily. "Aaron didn't buy her anything. The lingerie shop sold Daisy the corsets. She chose to buy and wear them," he explained.
Annette threw up her hands. "Of all the lingerie shops out there, Aaron just had to pick one that sold corsets!" she ranted.
"I love you Annette, but you really miss the point sometimes," sighed Ivan.
"What are you talking about? Aaron is taking advantage of that poor girl!" raged Annette.
"Did you hear anything that I just said? Daisy is being bullied and tormented by a jealous classmate whose parents employ hers! She needs a place to prepare for school, or her new underwear will be destroyed!" shouted Ivan.
"And I suppose you and Aaron consider yourselves her brave white knights?" scoffed Annette.
Ivan pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"Did you ever have your stuff burned in front of you Annette? Were you forced to wear somebody else's hand-me-downs? Were you called a dumb ugly fat bimbo almost every day of your life?" he asked.
"You seem far too eager to take the girl's word for all that," grumbled Annette.
"You know what? You claim to be a feminist, but when a shy, vulnerable girl who is terrified of returning to a toxic environment comes to us for help, you refuse just because she decided that corsets gave her more support and comfort than brassieres. Your hypocrisy knows no bounds!" spat Ivan.
Annette flushed red. "I-I'm sorry. I'm just worried that Aaron is developing some potentially sexist views," she mumbled.
"Aaron is thirteen years old! He's still trying to figure out what attracts him and what does not! Stop judging him as some sexist misogynist just because he likes fast cars, high heels and corsets! It's not fair to him!" thundered Ivan.
"Fine! That girl can come here and change, but I am not going to involve myself in this." snapped Annette.
"Fine! I'll keep her clothes in the guest bedroom," sighed Ivan, picking up Daisy's shopping bags.
----
While Ivan and Annette were arguing downstairs, Aaron and Daisy were busy with their homework in Aaron's bedroom.
"I'll answer all your questions after we finish homework," said Aaron sternly, as Daisy opened her mouth.
"Y-yes sir," mumbled Daisy, wondering why Aaron sounded more like a teacher than a student.
Fortunately, the homework wasn't much since the midterms were just over, and Aaron and Daisy finished it in less than an hour.
"So Aaron, what else do you like on girls besides corsets?" asked Daisy playing with her hair.
"I suppose I like high heels, formal clothing and black leather," replied Aaron.
"I see," said Daisy, looking around his bedroom. Her eyes spotted the suit bag where Aaron kept his black leather suit.
"Can I see you in that suit?" she asked.
"Unfortunately, it no longer properly fits me and I haven't had the time or money to take it in for alteration," sighed Aaron, running his hands over the suit bag.
"Oh," said Daisy, a little put off by his answer.
"I do have pictures of me in it though," said Aaron, opening his phone and showing her pictures of his 13th birthday celebration.
Daisy's eyes widened at seeing Aaron in his black leather suit, with Mei Ling on his arm. "Is that the girl you told me about?" she asked hesitantly.
"Yes. She's too old for me though. So don't worry, I'm still single," said Aaron.
"Do you think I'm pretty Aaron?" asked Daisy, her eyes wide and vulnerable.
"Yes," said Aaron softly, maintaining eye contact with her to show that he was serious.
"Thank you, Aaron, that means a lot," said Daisy, hugging him tightly.
There was a knock on the door and Ivan entered the bedroom.
"It's time for you to leave Daisy," he sighed.
"Can I please stay over Mr. Zakhrov?" pleaded Daisy.
"I don't mind Daisy, trust me I don't, but you need permission from your parents," said Ivan.
Daisy nodded. "I'll get their permission in writing the next time," she said firmly.
"I'm coming to see her off," said Aaron, his voice brooking no argument.
"All right," said Ivan as Daisy headed to the guest bedroom to change out of her uniform and corset.