Nina was nearing the limit of her self-control. She wanted to grab a private moment with Aaron and lit into him with all the fury she felt.
However, Yiyi grabbed her sleeve and beckoned her towards the other personal assistants. "I never knew Master Zakhrov had a personal assistant! What is it like to work for him?" she asked Nina eagerly. Excitement and eagerness filled Tatiana's and Tomoe's eyes as well.
"W-well I'm still new. It is only my third day" mumbled Nina, very uncomfortable with the curiosity of the other girls.
"Well still! What do you think of him?" asked Yiyi.
"Well I think he's quite difficult to work with. I'm quite uncomfortable in suits and high heels" said Nina, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge that the suit and heels were surprisingly comfortable, and had actually boosted her self-confidence and made her a little less fearful of Aaron.
"Well what's Sirius Software's offices like? I've heard it is very impressive" asked Tatiana.
"He's got the entire place bristling with cameras, and the doors would put most bank vaults to shame" grumbled Nina.
"Well he does seem like a very private person" giggled Yiyi, as the group entered the hotel's upscale restaurant.
"He's a sadistic, misogynistic pig!" snapped Nina, growing impatient with the obvious admiration and curiosity from the other girls.
"He's demanding, but he's the last person to be accused of misogyny. I think you should show more respect for your employer" said Tomoe coldly, surveying Nina with contempt.
Nina's jaw dropped in horror. Just who were these girls? They seemed to not only admire Aaron's attitude, but actually relish it!
"Little sister? Master Aaron?" asked a voice behind them, and the party turned to see a petite, and pregnant Asian woman in a flowing black dress, next to a tall, much older man in a sharp black three-piece suit.
"Big sister! It's so nice to see you!" squealed Yiyi giving the older woman a warm hug.
"You are looking well Mei. Congratulations to both you and Mr. Thompson" said Aaron, smiling warmly at them.
"Thank you, Mr. Zakhrov, it is so nice to see you after such a long time. I've heard great things about you" said Mr. Thompson in a refined British accent.
"Please, join us. We were just about to order lunch" said Aaron as the wait-staff, smoothly and efficiently added two extra chairs to the long table.
After they had all seated and placed their orders, Nina's anger and horror, had given way to curiosity. She barely knew anything about Aaron, and decided to use this opportunity to pump Mei for information.
However, she was not alone in her curiosity, Yiyi, Tatiana and Tomoe all pleaded with Mei to spill the beans on Aaron.
Mei graciously recounted her first experience with Aaron on his birthday. How they had met in Mr. Thompson's shop, Aaron's ordering of a black leather suit, the subsequent date with her at the opera theater, her realization of her attraction him and their subsequent decision to minimize contact.
"But I must say, when I opened up to Mr. Thompson, it was like a breath of fresh air. He was able to give me exactly what I wanted from Aaron, and even surpass the memories" she said blushing fondly.
Nina's bafflement and fear of Aaron only grew after hearing Mei's revelations. What sort of strange power did Aaron have on these poor girls.
The others had listened to Mei's recounting with blushes and coos at how sweet and gentlemanly Aaron was.
That was so far from the truth! He was a cold, calculating and manipulative sadist!
Nina felt a gentle, but firm grip on her shoulder and looked to see Mei looking coldly at her.
"I know what you are thinking. However, I urge you not to jump to conclusions. It is not my place to reveal what Aaron wishes to keep hidden, but suffice it to say that he's not the violent and aggressive beast you think he is." she told Nina coldly.
"I'll reserve judgement of him based on how he interacts with me!" growled Nina, wishing she was in her apartment, listening to her favorite feminist podcast and drinking boxed wine.
----
Nina finally got the chance to confront Aaron when they were seated in Aaron's car in the hotel parking lot.
"Do you not care how offensive and sexist your games are? How harmful they are to young women and girls? It wreaked havoc in my school with every girl in our class feeling unsafe every time the boys discussed that horrible game. We wore black robes for weeks protesting it before the school to finally outlawed it." she said coldly.
Aaron regarded Nina coldly. "My games allow boys to explore their darker tendencies in a safe and controlled manner. Boys like action, inspirational protagonists, and beautiful female characters. Day after day, they are told to sit down and be quiet, get labeled as toxic when they display the slightest form of aggression and grow up confused and ashamed of their own impulses and masculinity. Has it ever occurred to you that your protests and campaigns do more harm than good by vilifying masculinity and conventional beauty?" he asked her.
"That argument is nothing but sophistry! How dare you try to make your vile game into something that is supposed to be inspirational!" snapped Nina.
"Let's agree to disagree for now. Since this conference has been such an ordeal for you, you are free to take the rest of the day off. I shall see you tomorrow. I'll drop you home for now." said Aaron.
"No, thanks. I'll take an Uber" snapped Nina. The last thing she wanted was to tell Aaron her house address.
Aaron shrugged nonchalantly and opened the passenger door. Shaking with fury, Nina, got out of the Streikkämpfer and booked an Uber to take her home.
----
Nina almost tore off her skirt suit in her eagerness to change into her comfortable hoodie and yoga pants. She flopped down on her bed and took deep breaths to calm herself down.
She had always believed that feminists were winning, and changing society's expectations. Her interactions with her mother, her other peers at University, and her social media circles all pointed to positive proof of that.
However, Aaron's sleazy business partners, their submissive personal assistants and the blatant misogyny she felt in that conference made her realize that there was still so much that needed to be done.
The fact that Aaron's games still sold so well was also positive proof that her activism was still inadequate. She agonized over how to make Aaron see her point of view. He seemed so extremely hostile to her.
"I need to gain his trust and respect!" she said firmly to herself.