The somewhat tense atmosphere continued until Annabelle arrived with their main course. Annette glared at her as she sauntered towards them carrying a large tray laden with their dishes. "Can you recommend a shoe store with staff that is experienced in high heels Ms. Annabelle?" asked Aaron as she served him his pizza.
"Well, there is Summer's Shoe Shop not too far from here. The owner Kate is very knowledgeable and helped me pick out my shoes" said Annabelle further amused at Aaron's intense curiosity.
"Thank you Ms. Annabelle," said Aaron, saving the location of Summers Shoe Shop to his phone.
"Just what do you think you are doing Aaron?" asked Annette suspiciously as Annabelle left.
"I was thinking that the high heels you have experienced were not comfortable and has therefore, clouded your judgement. Perhaps an experienced staff member would be able to help you appreciate their beauty and elegance" said Aaron.
"High heels are neither beautiful nor elegant! They are harmful for women's health, and symbols of patriarchal oppression towards women! I refuse to go near them!" snapped Annette.
"Ms. Annabelle doesn't look oppressed or uncomfortable. However, you have made your position on this quite clear Mother" said Aaron coldly before starting on his pizza.
"Relax Annette, Aaron's just curious. It will pass" said Ivan soothingly as Annette grew increasingly upset at Aaron's cold tone with her.
"This is bordering on obsession Ivan!" said Annette fiercely.
"I don't think that's fair, Annette. I remember being curious about high heels and other women's things when I went through puberty. I'm pretty sure you did too" said Ivan frowning at Annette.
"I didn't! And stop trivializing the issue Ivan!" snapped Annette.
"I wish your mother was still alive and here with us. I could use some female backup about this" thought Ivan dourly, as he gently stroked Annette's arm to calm her down.
"You seem to be in good spirits today. Found a gentleman who piqued your interest?" chuckled Lisa the manager as Annabelle entered the kitchen area with a spring in her step and a happy blush on her face.
"This particular gentleman still has a bit of growing to do. A shame really" responded Annabelle.
"You mean the kid at table 7 with his parents?" asked Lisa in surprise.
"He's the only person who realized I'm wearing heels. And he called the way I walk 'elegant'. Plus he's got this really intense and mature stare and demeanor" said Annabelle blushing at the memory of Aaron's adult-like piercing blue gaze that seemed to analyze her very soul, and his clipped, precise questions.
"Get a grip girl!" snapped Lisa, seeing Annabelle's far-off look.
Annabelle gave a yelp and shook her head to regain her bearings. "Of course, sorry Lisa" she said contritely, before snatching up the bill for Aaron's table.
"What time do you finish your shift Ms. Annabelle?" asked Aaron as Annabelle returned with their bill.
"Not for another 2 hours. Why?" asked Annabelle wondering what this precocious young boy was going to ask her this time.
"I see. That is a disappointment. I was hoping you would be able to accompany us to Summers Shoe Shop and model some heels for me" said Aaron in his usual clipped voice.
"That's an extremely selfish and rude request Aaron! Annabelle is a person! Not some dress-up doll!" gasped Annette, shocked that Aaron would ask a complete stranger something so inappropriate. Even Ivan was startled at Aaron's sudden request.
"In which case it should be Ms. Annabelle and not you, who should take offense at my request Mother" replied Aaron coldly.
"I-It's quite alright Mr. and Mrs Zakhrov, I'm sure Aaron wasn't trying to be rude. Um why did you want me to model heels for you Aaron?" asked Annabelle hoping to placate both parents, particularly Annette who looked increasingly more agitated. Without thinking, she stepped closer and held Aaron protectively towards her.
"I wish to learn about how different heels look on an elegant, sophisticated and civilized person such as yourself Ms. Annabelle, I apologize if my request was rude" said Aaron, looking up at her.
Annabelle felt a strange sensation pierce her soul. She blushed and batted her eyelashes at Aaron's complement.
"Nobody has ever said that I'm elegant and sophisticated. Most people just say I'm cute" she said quietly, blushing crimson.Hearing Aaron's answer, and seeing Annabelle's reaction, Ivan's look of worry dissolved, and he burst into uproarious laughter.
"You and I need to have a talk about the nuances of flirting Aaron" he chuckled.
Still blushing, Annabelle bent down and kissed Aaron on the cheek. He blinked in surprise, but quickly regained his Stoic expression.
"I'm very flattered that you think so highly of me Mr. Aaron. I'm very sorry, but I cannot accommodate your request, I'm a little too old for you to ask on a date. You should unleash that devastating charm of yours on girls closer to your own age" she said warmly before sauntering off, while Ivan still chuckled.
"Am I the only one who still thinks this was inappropriate?" demanded Annette coldly of Ivan as they left the restaurant.
"A little direct perhaps, but not inappropriate" chuckled Ivan, starting the BMW M5, its V8 engine rumbling to life.
"How can you be so cavalier! Your son just propositioned a complete stranger to model high heels for him!" shouted Annette.
"That's enough Annette! Don't try to twist Aaron's innocent attempt at flirting into something else!" snapped Ivan from the driver's seat as the car sped homeward.
"Thank you for supporting me back there Mr. Zakhrov, that was very chivalrous of you" said Annette sarcastically. They had reached home, and Aaron had disappeared into his room without talking to them any further.
Ivan pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Annette, Aaron is intelligent and perceptive, but also naive and inexperienced. What he said and did was logical, even if it seemed rude and inappropriate" he said wearily.
"How was it logical?" demanded Annette, shocked that Ivan was defending Aaron's appalling behavior.
"You made it crystal clear that you would never go anywhere near high heels, so Aaron did the logical thing and asked the only other woman he's interacted with whose preferences align with his! It was an innocent request from an innocent child!" said Ivan, his frustration boiling over.
"I'm his mother! He should accept my views and not the views of some little tramp who forces herself to wear high heels just because she's insecure about her height!" shouted Annette.
"I'm actually glad he's developed the critical thinking skills to not be indoctrinated into your feminist agenda" thought Ivan to himself.
"You know, we both neglected Aaron's own feelings on this matter. His cold demeanor blinds us to the fact that he has his own emotions as well. I'm going to check on him" said Ivan wearily, getting up from the living room couch and going up the stairs to Aaron's bedroom.
In his bedroom, Aaron sat on the bed in quiet contemplation. He was initially curious about high heels, was fascinated by the way they looked on Annabelle and was curious as to why his mother didn't wear them when they make women look so much more elegant and sophisticated.Annette's first answer while reasonable, seemed insufficient, which prompted him to seek out Annabelle's opinion.
Annabelle's statement that her heels were not only comfortable, but also had confidence boosting effects had fired his curiosity even further, and solidified his opinion that Annette's reasoning was flawed and biased.
Deciding that Annette's bias came from perhaps a bad experience, he had asked Annabelle for a shoe store recommendation, hoping that his mother would be open to giving them another try and come to appreciate their effects. However, Annette made it clear that she viewed high heels as a symbol of oppression towards women, which contradicted his own observation that they enhanced their elegance and sophistication and solidified his growing dislike for Annette's views on them. He also felt a burning desire to study the effects of heels, and thus asked Annabelle to model high heels for him.
There was a knock in his door and Ivan entered the bedroom. "How are you feeling son?" he asked coming in and sitting on the bed beside Aaron."I'm fine Father. I just find Mother's opinion of high heels irrational, and her disapproval of Ms. Annabelle's liking of them unwarranted" said Aaron in his cold and clipped tone."I agree with you. But it is important to respect other people's viewpoints and opinions even if you don't agree with them. Your mother hates high heels and refuses to wear them. That is her choice, and you must respect that choice. Just like how others respect your choices" explained Ivan.
There was another knock on the door and Annette entered the bedroom. She looked a little contrite."I'm sorry for being so harsh with you Aaron. I understand that you are a curious boy" she said and sat on his other side"I still think your opinion is wrong Mother. And you were not very nice to Ms. Annabelle" said Aaron coldly.Annette fought down the fresh anger that bubbled up in her.
"Let's make a deal. I will try on heels for you tomorrow at that shop Annabelle mentioned, but after that, I don't want to hear another word about it. Deal?" she asked attempting a compromise.
"Deal" said Aaron, a flash of excitement in his normally Stoic and cold eyes.Annette and Ivan bade him goodnight and left his bedroom.
"Do not say a single word Ivan Zakhrov" said Annette through clenched teeth as Ivan shook with suppressed mirth and excitement, Aaron had managed to convince Annette into doing something her own mother had failed to do.