Anamika felt very out of place in her casual denim jacket, sweater top and jeans.
Restaurant - F was an expensive and upscale fine dining restaurant boasting a chef with 2 Michelin stars.
The clientele were all formally dressed in either suits or dresses and Nina's own leather-clad appearance still exuded an air of formality due to the sleek tailored cut of her black leather blazer and skirt.
"A table for two please" said Nina to the maître d'.
"Do you have a reservation mademoiselle?" asked the tall, handsome maître d' politely.
"I'm afraid I don't" said Nina, with a hint of worry. She hadn't anticipated that the restaurant would be full or by reservation-only.
"I'm terribly sorry mademoiselle, but we are by reservation-only. And I'm afraid that the time for reservations is a minimum of one day in advance." said the maître d' apologetically as Nina's face fell.
"I believe you can squeeze them into my table reservation Francois." said a familiar deep, gravelly voice behind Nina.
"Mr. Zakhrov!" she exclaimed in surprise turning around to see Aaron's tall, imposing figure dressed in his signature black leather business suit.
"Hello Ms. Avanthika. I presume this is your mother?" asked Aaron surveying the pair of them.
"Yes. Mr. Zakhrov, meet my mother, Anamika Durgavathi." introduced Nina.
"A pleasure to meet you Mrs. Durgavathi." said Aaron inclining his head."It's Dr. Durgavathi." said Anamika coldly, her arms folded defiantly across her chest.
She hated places that practiced exclusivity through measures like reservations, and despised people who patronized them. The only reason she was here in the first place, was for Nina.
Aaron ignored her abrasiveness and addressed Francois. "Put them under my guest list and tab Francois." he instructed the maître d'.
"Certainly Monsieur Zakhrov. Follow me please." replied Francois, and Aaron, Nina and Anamika followed him to a secluded booth deep inside the restaurant that afforded maximum privacy. Nina shot her mother a glare which Anamika pointedly ignored. They seated themselves at the table, Nina and Aaron on one side, Anamika facing them on the other.
"I trust that you are enjoying your week off Ms. Avanthika?" asked Aaron as a smartly dressed waitress in a crisp white blouse, black pencil skirt and black pantyhose approached their table and filled their glasses with water.
"Yes. It has been a very relaxing time. Thank you, Mr. Zakhrov." said Nina demurely.
Anamika watched the exchange with cold disapproval, she had raised Nina to be outspoken, assertive and fiercely independent just like her. Nina's demure replies to Aaron, her coquettish playing with her long, wavy hair and slight blush, irritated and appalled Anamika.
"What brings you to Boston Dr. Durgavathi?" asked Aaron, causing Anamika to glare at him again.
"I was giving a presentation on ethical AI practices at MIT." ground out Anamika.
"I see. I've heard that you are an AI engineer for BlackRock. How is it working for them?" asked Aaron unfazed by her hostility.
"None of your business!" snapped Anamika.
"Mom, please! You're being rude!" said Nina, confused by her mother's abrasive attitude.
"Well what brings you here Ms. Avanthika?" asked Aaron, ignoring Anamika and turning his attention back to Nina.
"Well, since my mom was here, I thought we'd indulge a bit. I've heard that this place serves authentic South Indian cuisine!" said Nina.
"Indeed it does, Monsieur Dante has made quite a name for himself for perfectly executing both French haute cuisine and traditional South Indian cuisine." said Aaron unfolding his menu.
Anamika buried her nose into her own menu.
She had perked up a bit when Nina mentioned that the restaurant served the South Indian cuisine that she craved, but she was still uncomfortable with the formality of the restaurant and Aaron's powerful aura. How was he reminding her so much of her Milquetoast ex-husband despite their stark contrasts?
It must be Aaron's preference for black leather clothing she reasoned. Her ex-husband had also had a dark fascination for it, and although he had tried very hard to get her to wear black leather clothing, she had flatly refused to indulge him believing that it was an unhealthy and perverse fetish.
"May I take your orders?" asked a waitress politely.
"Yes. I shall have the boeuf bourguignon." said Aaron.
"How about we split a Mackerel curry Nina?" asked Anamika before Nina could respond.
"No. I'll have a chicken curry" said Nina firmly. She knew that her mother just wanted to keep the costs down by splitting a meal.
"Fine. I'm having the Mackerel curry. I hope it's worth it." growled Anamika.
"Would you like a wine with the boeuf bourguignon Monsieur?" asked the waitress.
"No, I shall be driving. Just water is fine" said Aaron.
The waitress nodded politely and left.
"Nina could I speak with you privately for a minute?" asked Anamika rising from the table.
With a sigh Nina got up and followed her mother towards the restroom.
"Did you even check the prices in this damn place? They are through the roof!" snarled Anamika as Nina entered the restroom with her.
"It's my treat Mom! Enjoy yourself for once!" said Nina exasperatedly.
"Can you even afford to indulge like this? Don't you have a student loan to pay off?" snapped Anamika.
"Yes, but I am careful. I can afford a place like this once in a while, particularly when my mother is in town. But if you are this hell-bent on making things difficult, let's just cancel our orders and go home!" said Nina close to tears.
Anamika looked away from her daughter guiltily. "I'm sorry. I'm just a little on edge. Places like this make me uncomfortable, and your boss is bringing a lot of bad memories to the surface" she said quietly.
"What do you mean?" asked Nina.
"I can't explain it. I don't know why he's making me feel this way myself." said Anamika shaking her head.
"Look. I know he's a bit of an authoritarian and has views that conflict with ours, but please be civil." pleaded Nina.
"Fine. I'll be sure to stay polite." sighed Anamika. And with that, mother and daughter exited the restroom and returned to their table.
"I apologize for my earlier rudeness Mr. Zakhrov. I've spent most of the day arguing about safe and ethical practices for generative AI models." said Anamika stiffly as they returned to their table.
"It's quite alright Dr. Durgavathi." said Aaron nonchalantly as the waitress reappeared with their meals.
Anamika's eyes lit up on seeing the presentation of her mackerel curry in an ornate copper bowl and a heap of fluffy white rice sitting on a banana leaf spread on her plate. She rolled up her sleeves and started to eat with her fingers the second the waitress ladled the fish curry onto the heap of fluffy white rice on her banana-leaf covered plate. Nina shot a nervous glance at Aaron wondering what he was thinking of her mother's display, however, Aaron's face was unreadable while he quietly ate his own meal.
Nina ate a mouthful of her chicken curry and rice, and suppressed a sigh of pleasure at the taste of the succulent chicken and the spicy kick of the curry.
"This is exquisite!" she gasped after swallowing her morsel.
"I'm glad you're enjoying it." chuckled Aaron as he savored his own perfectly prepared boeuf bourguignon.
"Have you tasted South Indian cuisine before sir?" asked Nina.
"I haven't. Have you had French cuisine?" countered Aaron.
"Would you like a taste sir?" asked Nina shyly handing him a spoonful of rice and curry.
"Delicious." remarked Aaron as he swallowed the mouthful. Nina stared at him in surprise.
The curry was quite spicy, even for a seasoned palate like hers, yet Aaron was unfazed by it.
"It wasn't spicy for you?" she asked incredulously.
"I've sampled authentic Thai cuisine that is quite similar in terms of spiciness." said Aaron.
He cut a piece of his beef and held the fork towards Nina, but she shook her head, closed her eyes and opened her mouth. The implication obvious that he should feed her.
"No! Nina! Stop!" shouted Anamika before Aaron could bring the fork to Nina's mouth.
Nina whipped her head around in surprise at her mother's strong reaction.
"I-I've told you not to consume beef." said Anamika, her voice shaking slightly.
"I'm sorry mom." said Nina blushing red.
Anamika avoided eye contact with both Aaron and Nina, the image of Aaron bringing his fork to Nina's open mouth had stirred a powerful mixture of fury and fear in her. In that brief moment, she felt that Nina had belonged to Aaron instead of her.
The remainder of dinner, passed in a tense silence. Anamika quickly finished her meal, hastily excused herself, and fled to the restroom. Nina, furious and embarrassed at her mother, quickly finished, excused herself and followed her.
"What the hell Mom?" demanded Nina in the privacy of the women's restroom.
"That man is dangerous! What the hell were you thinking asking him to feed you beef?" snapped Anamika.
"Is that what this is about? You're not even Hindu anymore!" shouted Nina.
"Don't you take that tone with me, Nina! I have experience with the likes of Aaron Zakhrov! This new get-up of yours was his idea wasn't it?" demanded Anamika.
"Of course not! It's something I wanted to try on my own!" snapped Nina.
Anamika glared at Nina before taking a deep shuddering breath.
"Look. I'm just worried about you. You are a smart, strong and independent girl. You shouldn't be changing your views, appearance and acting all demure and submissive for some horrible man." sighed Anamika.
"Fine! Let's just pay for our meal and get out of here." snapped Nina, wishing she hadn't brought her mother to Restaurant - F.
Aaron was nowhere to be seen as they returned to the booth, and the apologetic waitress informed them that their bill had already been settled.
Seething, Nina hailed an Uber to take her and her mother back to her apartment.