"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.
----
The BMW M5 rumbled towards the imposing iron gates flanked by armed guards that was the entrance to the Clarke estate.
"We are dropping off Ms. Daisy Eddington," said Ivan curtly to the guard that approached them. The guard looked at Daisy, who was wearing a large MIT hoodie instead of a uniform, nodded curtly and signaled to open the gates.
The gates swung open at a ponderous pace, and the BMW M5 drove up the sweeping driveway to the large palatial house.
"We'll pick you up early tomorrow morning. Good luck, and stay strong," said Ivan, giving Daisy a hug.
"Thank you for everything Mr. Zakhrov," said Daisy, returning the hug.
The front doors opened as Daisy stepped out of the BMW and Emily, dressed in casual clothing of a cute pink top, jeans and sneakers ran towards her.
"Where were you! I was so worried!" she cried, grabbing Daisy and pulling her inside.
A tall man with blond hair and dressed in a butler's uniform came outside and bowed before Ivan, who had gotten out of the BMW.
"Thank you for taking care of my daughter," he said thickly in a British accent.
"You are Mr. Eddington, I take it. Father Abel has explained the situation. I would like your permission to pick up and drop Daisy every morning and evening, and sleepover if possible," said Ivan.
Mr. Eddington wiped his eyes and nodded, "You shall have it. I'll draft the letter tonight," he assured Ivan, and retreated into the house.