"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, 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.