"So how did you like Charles Chophouse?" Aaron asked as soon as they were headed back to his car.
"It was excellent," Norah said. "It was a good choice."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I thought you had, but I thought I'd ask just in case," Aaron said
"Yeah, it was really good," Norah said licking her lips as she remembered the flavors that had danced over her palate.
"We'll have to go again sometime then," Aaron suggested.
"That will be good," Norah said, refusing to think about the expense. If Aaron wanted to spend money on her she was going to accept it, as complaining about that expense wouldn't do any good so why bother? Besides, it wasn't her money, so she had no right to complain anyway.
"I saw you wincing a couple of times at the prices," Aaron said his tone teasing.
"I really tried not to," Norah said. "Hopefully, none of the staff noticed."
"If they did they won't care. You're not the first person to wince at their prices and you won't be the last. Even rich people can wince at what they consider price gouging."
"That's exactly what it is, price gouging. The food is excellent, but the prices are ridiculous," Norah said. "Still, if you want to take me again I won't object, as I'd like to try some other things on the menu."
"So you're middle class sensibilities have died have they?" Aaron teased her.
"No, I just decided if you want to spend that kind of money then that's your choice. I'm not the one paying for it after all."
"You know you haven't mentioned how I paid for your dress and the accessories," Aaron mentioned more seriously.
"I suppose I never did thank you for the gift," Norah said, as she fingered the fabric of her gown gently. "This dress is lovely and the nicest thing I've ever owned and the rubies and pearls are spectacular. I'm not sure I should be keeping the jewels at least, perhaps you can take them for a return."
"I'm glad you like them so much," Aaron said. "As for the idea of returning the jewelry no, they're yours to keep. They look lovely on you and only enhance the beauty that is already there."
Norah blushed at the compliment, but still wasn't about to be stopped from having her say.
"But Aaron this jewelry was around $6000, in between the dress hand bag and the shoes, I mean that's over $10,000 dollars, which is a ridiculous amount to spend at one time. I have absolutely nowhere I'll ever wear any of it and it will just sit in a safety deposit box for the next 50 years."
"See, that's the thing I want to go to other events with you," Aaron said. "For that, you need the jewelry and the clothes that I will provide. I want to attend plays, and social events with you at my side. I want to attend parties for charity, with you looking spectacular on my arm."
"Those type of social events are not really my type of thing, Aaron," Norah said quietly. "People will know I'm not in their social circle, as I'm sure I'll make some kind of unforgivable social gaffe."
"There'll know anyway, as there is no way to hide your middle-class upbringing. However, it shouldn't matter to you, because it definitely doesn't to me, as I told you on the way to dinner. I'm going to do exactly what makes me happy and I don't give a damn what people of my social set think. I won't be the first billionaire that has married beneath them and I won't be the last either."
"If some woman tells you that you're not worthy of me you tell her to get out of your face, but most of them won't do that because I'm a powerful man and I could very well sue that woman and get a ton of money for it. I'm sure at least some of them will try to entice me away from you, but it's not going to happen. Also, you don't necessarily have to attend social events with me if you don't want to, though you'll still need the clothes I will provide for when we go out on dates.
"You should be proud of who your parents raised you to be," Aaron told her seriously. "They raised a young woman of rock solid character, someone who is content with who she is, who doesn't care about money so long as she has enough for her needs. Someone that is compassionate and kind. Someone that is loyal to her friends and loves her family. So many people don't share these traits Norah, some of them don't even love their own families, their parents or their siblings like you do yours. They're selfish and greedy. Of course, it's possible that the parents abuse them, but I've seen things where a person comes from a good home, where they were loved and cared for and they still don't appreciate what they have, not until it's gone. One or both parents die within a short amount of time of each other and the child or children realizes that there will be no making up with their family because they lost the opportunity. More regret has been caused because of that kind of scenario that it would fill the Atlantic Ocean with tears of sorrow, sadness, grief and regret.
"At the very least people get so caught up in their lives that they don't think about visiting or even talking to their parents or siblings if they have them. I know that you talk to your parents and your sister frequently and that just shows that you love them, because you keep that connection open. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?" Aaron asked, finally seeming to be finished with what he wanted to say.
"You saying I should stop worrying about what people will think of me, that I shouldn't worry about you dumping me for somebody more in your social circle or at least somebody with wealth, even if they have no social position. That I should feel lucky that I had such a good childhood and that my parents were loving and supportive. That I should feel lucky my parents are the type that loved each other and their children, because so many people were not ever in my position when they were kids. I know intellectually that children are abused everyday in numerous ways, but you've made me realize that I should feel lucky that my parents were so great," Norah said after thinking about what Aaron had said.
"And?" Aaron inquired.
"You're trying to tell me that you love me, really love me and that I shouldn't worry about the money being spent on my behalf, because I can't afford such fantastic clothes for myself and especially not the jewelry," Norah said after thinking for a few more minutes looking out the window, as they flew through the air, following the flow of traffic.
"You had a middle class upbringing and were brought up to not accept expensive gifts, from a stranger or someone you know only a little, but I'm hardly a stranger now or someone you know nothing about other than my public reputation," Aaron said. "I think you know me pretty well, considering we've known each other less then a year."
"I think I've barely scratched the surface, as I think you have hidden depths that have yet to be discovered," Norah said. "What I do know about you I like very much, but there are many things I don't know, like how did you become such a good businessman? Did you go to business school or is it just a natural talent?"
"I did go to college just like any young man and yes, I took business courses," Aaron said. "It helped to form who I am today, but I also seem to have an innate talent for business. It helps and I have people who can look up information about a company and get all their dirty, little secrets."
What Aaron didn't say was that had been many centuries ago.
"Hacking?" Norah asked and shook his head.
"No that would be dishonest. Penelope simply has a way with computers and knows how to find information that's already out there. She's worth every penny of her salary."
Of course, that didn't mean that Penny never used her hacking skills, just that she didn't use them to help him in business.
"I'll try to stop doubting your love for me, but I still think you could do better, even if you didn't marry someone with a bit of wealth to their names there are plenty of other women out there that are bound to be better than me. Someone with a little class and sophistication and they don't necessarily have to be from a well-to-do or wealthy family."
"You mean someone who sits on their butts and does nothing with their lives," Aaron said with a twitch of his lips, that let Norah know he was amused. "Someone who loves to spend my money but does nothing constructive, except shop and attend events on my arm. Any children I had with such a woman would likely be looked after by a nanny and then left on their own once they were old enough. Norah your idea of who would be better suited for me is so twisted it's just totally unrealistic.
"Why in the world would I want someone like that when I have someone who is warm, vibrant, funny and kind and who doesn't mind getting dirty? Someone who doesn't mind wrinkles in her clothes and doesn't have to look perfect every second of every day? Someone who doesn't care if her nails are ragged and unpainted, because she would just likely chip a nail working in the garden, so she doesn't see the point of maintaining them. Someone who doesn't believe in wearing a lot of makeup like so many society women do or women period."
"Doesn't that embarrass you," Norah asked. "That I'm not as sophisticated as others."
"Not at all," Aaron said. "I think it makes you more natural, then those in society who are dressed up and painted like dolls and even those that are not well they're just not my type. Your beauty is natural and comes from within. You say exactly what you think and that's rather refreshing. You're plenty sophisticated, even if some people would disagree, but then we just have a different idea of what sophistication means. You're warm, loving and generous with an open heart that's ready to accept anybody as a friend and that should matter more then sophistication. You also don't look down on other people like many in my position do and that's one of that many traits I love about you."
"I suppose I could do something about my nails at least so they're not ragged," Norah said, examining her fingers, while she thought about what Aaron had said. Yes, her nails were ragged and her cuticles weren't looking very good either. Her hands were also rough with callous on her fingers. Definitely not soft ladies hands. "I suppose I should have thought about filing my nails before our date tonight, but it just never crossed my mind."
"You're so used to not using a file on them that it just didn't occur to you, though I'm surprised that Penny didn't mention it."
"I don't think she had time to, as doing my makeup and hair took forever, and that was after I had myself a nice long shower. Penny left not long before you arrived," Norah explained.
"No harm done," Aaron said with a shrug truly not caring. "If I wanted somebody with perfect painted nails, or someone without callouses on their fingers or who used more makeup on a daily basis I have plenty of choices. That's one of things I really like about you Norah. You don't spend a lot of time attending to your looks. You don't take three hours or more to get ready for a party or just for a date."
"Yeah, I know some women just have to primp, as if they weren't beautiful enough to begin with," Norah said chuckling.
"And many woman have to go to the spa a couple of days before and get the works or to the saloon to have their hair done, when it looked fine before." Aaron rolled his eyes as he spoke.
"Some women just like to look beautiful every day and not just for a special event," Norah said. "I might go to a saloon occasionally, but I definitely have never been to a spa."
"Luckily, for me, you don't have that kind of vanity. Women with a lot of vanity drive me nuts, as they have to look perfect, even when they're staying in," Aaron said.
"So you like me because I don't have enough vanity to fill a thimble," Norah inquired.
"That's only one of many reasons Norah. Don't think for a moment I don't adore you. You have many fine qualities, as well as a few bad ones, though think goodness vanity isn't one of them or there is no way we would ever work out if it was," Aaron told her earnestly.
"You don't like a woman with too much vanity?" Norah asked. She had believed Aaron was joking but it was clear now that he was very serious.
"No, I don't," Aaron said his expression serious.
"Whyever not? I have to admit though that those kind of girls tend to put down someone like me, so obviously no love lost there."
"One reason I don't like a woman with too much vanity is they're the kind that tend to fall at my feet. They also tend to be shallow and selfish and usually have no loyalty to anyone except themselves."
"Isn't that kind of stereotyping?" Norah asked.
"I suppose it is, but I've met a lot of women like that, so I know from experience they can be exactly like I described. It's a stereotype for a reason. Of course, I've met a few that aren't shallow, unintelligent and selfish, but are very vain about their looks."
"But the shallow, selfish and unintelligent ones seem to be more numerous, then the other kind," Norah said.
"At least in my experience," Aaron said.
"I suppose I can't disagree, as I knew a couple of girls exactly like you described in high school," Norah admitted. "To say we weren't friends would be a massive understatement."
Aaron drove up to Norah's apartment building but she just sat there for a minute.
"I understand what you're trying to say, Aaron, and believe me you've given me a lot to think about," Norah told her date.
"I know I have, but Norah true love comes along only once and that is definitely what I know I feel for you. If you turn me down I'll never marry, never produce an heir. I don't care if my name lives on or if my business empire crumbles. Yes, helping people is important to me, but without you by my side life is not worth living anyway, not anymore. I'll give you plenty of time to think about what we discussed and I'll try not to bother you until you come to a decision."
"You don't need to go that far, Aaron," Norah said. "I expect to see you every morning I'm at your home, unless you're away on a business trip and I want you to tell me if you have to be gone just so I know."
"I can do that," Aaron said his shoulder is slumping in relief.
"I still consider you a friend and and nothing is going to change that. I do need time to think, I need time to sort out my feelings, so you were right about that," Norah said.
"So no more dates until you have time to think?" Aaron asked.
"I wouldn't go that far, though just taking me to vid will be fine," Norah said.
"I prefer to watch vids in my own home," Aaron said. "So if you just want to watch a vid I have my own theater."
"I should've known," Norah said shaking her head. "You're house is certainly large enough to have just about anything."
"I like my privacy when I'm watching screen," Aaron grinned adorably at her. "If I'm alone when I watch screen I can't be mobbed by everybody and their mother."
"You mean you don't like all the ruckus that happens when you go someplace public like that and someone recognizes you, then you have people wanting to talk to you, women fawning over you and then following you around like some kind of entourage," Norah told him and Aaron grinned at her again.
"We wouldn't get a moment's peace if I took you to a public vid," Aaron said more seriously. "A lot of people don't know how to take a hint and a lot of women would probably make comments about how you're not good enough for me and to pick one of them, more subtly of course. I would eventually have to get the manager just throw them out and that would cause even more of a scene by the time it was over. It's just not worth going to a public vid unless I buy up all the seats for that particular vid and that is wasteful. It's just better and cheaper if we watch a vid in my theater."
"They show you their cleavage don't they? Hoping to entice you and I have no doubt they would do it in front of whoever you had with you," Norah guessed.
"Yes, it is rather embarrassing when they do that particularly in public and even more so when I'm with someone, not necessarily a lady friend," Aaron said blushing a little. "Not all of them do that, just some of the more desperate ones. The ones who were desperate to get married, because their father or mother are putting pressure on them."
To see Aaron blush was a rather rare sight at least in Norah's experience.
"I know a lot of men would pant after them like a dog in heat, just because they are gorgeous, but I've never been like that. Anybody who's willing to throw themselves at me like that I will never date, much less marry," Aaron said.
"Well, it's not like they get many opportunities to show you their cleavage, as you're rarely in public," said Norah.
"I have everything I need right in my own home, and while it's not like I stay there all the time, I still stay in a lot. I do go to my office about everyday though, but I also don't have anybody throwing themselves at me as I don't hire anybody like that. The women I hire have brains and know how to act and if they don't they can find themselves put on report or fired."
"That's the way it should be," Norah said. "They're there to work not chase the boss or anyone else."
"The people that work for me are more intelligent than those shallow, scatterbrained women we were talking about or at least have more sense. Those that do the recruiting, would never hire somebody who didn't know how things were," Aaron said. "Luckily, I rarely to go anywhere where I encounter that kind of women, though it does sometimes happen."
"That's only because you avoid public places where you're likely to encounter them," Norah said.
Aaron shrugged telling Norah she was right and she couldn't blame him. It wasn't his fault he was fit and handsome and had money to burn. She assumed that it had been his ancestors that had earned the bulk for his fortune and he had simply added to it considerably.
"It helps that I'm extremely busy," Aaron said. "It's not like I have many opportunities to go out where that type of women is likely to be."
"I'll see you Monday," Norah told Aaron.
"I'll be there," Aaron promised, "unless some emergency comes up that I need to deal with, but I'll let you know if it does."
Norah nodded briefly and then headed in to her apartment building.
Aaron sat down watched her go, while thinking about the conversation they'd had. Yes there was hope for him and Norah, Aaron decided, though he well knew it could go either way. He was nearly positive that Norah was already in love with him, but he wasn't entirely sure she'd realized it yet or maybe just didn't want to admit it. She had been rather thoughtful after his little speech, about her being warmhearted, kind and compassionate was more important than sophistication and he had meant what he said, something that Norah, had hopefully realized.
Aaron started the engine and allowed the computer to takeover, as he wanted to think not concentrate on traffic. Once he had given the computer the destination he simply leaned back in the pilot seat and closed his eyes becoming deep in thought
When the computer beeped softly and announced that they were at their destination Aaron knew that he must've fallen partly asleep. The computer opened the automatic garage door before parking in it's usual spot before turning off it's engine.
"Please exit the vehicle," the computer said opening the door automatically. Select lights came on throughout the garage, ones that allowed him to see the way to the elevator. Aaron didn't need them, but he knew that people who had only been here once or visiting for the first time did. Besides it made people feel a little better if they had lights on somewhere that was dark, as shadows tended to make people imagine things like attackers behind every vehicle or every support post.
It was only natural to fear dark spaces, especially ones you weren't familiar with, ones that had been known to be dangerous, as attackers did tend to hide in the shadows, but that was in a public place like a parking deck or an alley, but not in his private garage. The alarms would sound if somebody was lurking down here somebody the computer didn't recognize.
He wouldn't say his home was impossible to break into, but nearly impossible was just as good. That was one thing about being wealthy, thieves would try to steal anything valuable that wasn't nailed down if they got this far. Anybody with any sense had good alarms, good security. That was one thing that hadn't changed over the centuries, those less honest would still try to take what others had, so they could sell it and make their money dishonestly instead of through hard work.
Aaron existed the car and as usual he was amused with how much technology had advanced since he was born. Cars that drove themselves and flew through the air, computers that could control anything electronic, autochefs and numerous other things he was sure he could think of if he cared to that hadn't existed when he had been born.
Aaron knew it was just the natural advancement of technology, but he couldn't help being amazed occasionally, at the advances of human science or human inventiveness.
~~~Aaron and Norah~~~