Page 47 of Spoil Me, Daddy
The smile that crossed Aaron’s face made all the uncertainty worthwhile. Aaron leaned down and pressed a kiss to his lips then stalked to the wardrobe. “I know exactly what you could wear today if you want to. I saw it the other day when I was looking through them.”
Zaire’s heart was in his throat so he couldn’t reply, but he smiled when Aaron looked over his shoulder at him, probably checking he hadn’t run out of the room, screaming.
Aaron returned with something purple, and Zaire knew exactly what top it was. He bit his lip in a nervous tick. He knew he would wear it; it was one of his favourites. Aaron pottered around collecting items for a moment until he stood before Zaire once more.
“You okay?”
Zaire nodded, swallowing hard, but beginning to feel more certain about his decision.
“Let’s get you ready.”
Aaron helped dress him as he usually did, and it helped to centre Zaire even more. Once everything was in place, apart from his shoes, Zaire turned to the mirror. He wore black skinny trousers, ending above his ankle, and a mid-thigh length purple jumper that was also three-quarter sleeved. Zaire tilted his head, approving of the choice, but something was missing. He stepped to his drawers, chose a thin black belt and cinched it around his waist.
Zaire watched as Aaron stood behind him. His hands skimmed from Zaire’s shoulders down his arms to link their fingers together. “You look gorgeous,” Aaron growled in his ear, nibbling on his lobe. Zaire moved his head to the side as he rested it against Aaron’s shoulder, and Aaron kissed down his exposed column. “If it wouldn’t be a step too far, I would be marking you here, right now.” Aaron licked at the area where his neck met his shoulder, and Zaire shivered. “Come on, my gorgeous boy. Let’s show the world who you really are.”
Nerves fluttered in his stomach with the words, but Zaire nodded in determination.
By lunchtime, Zaire’s stomach was in knots. No one had said anything to him, but he had been getting a few side looks from staff and parents alike. He had to keep reminding himself this was what he wanted, what Aaron believed he was capable of, what he needed to become a whole person; otherwise, he would’ve changed into something different. Zaire believed in Aaron and that he would help him through this uncertain time. But Zaire also needed to grow a backbone—or ratherre-grow his backbone. He never used to be unsure and nervous, but he also never used to merge the two halves of his life. He needed to regain his equilibrium and bring his confidence back. To do that, he needed to make peace with who he was becoming at work.
He loved that he was able to be himself more now, and it was helping him. It was the whispered comments he couldn’t hear and couldn’t fight against because he didn’t know what they were saying. After finishing the pasta salad Aaron had made for him, he stalked to the kettle and made himself a drink. He only had a couple of hours left, and he would be picking Aaron up from the school. Aaron had wanted Zaire to be there as soon as he had finished.
When he parked the car in the staff car park, as Aaron had told him to, even though he was no longer working there, he got out and leaned against the side of the car, waving to some of the children as they left with their parents.
“Jesus Christ! Did you lose your brain cells along with your masculine clothes? You’re not a staff member anymore. Move your car.”
Simon’s angry voice skated down Zaire’s spine, and he clenched his jaw and fists, though didn’t respond.
“Have you nothing to say?”
Zaire inhaled shakily. He had plenty to say, but he couldn’t say it. Simon wouldn’t listen anyway like Zaire’s dad didn’t.
“You’re looking more and more like a girl every time I see you.” Simon chortled, while Zaire closed his eyes. “You won’t be able to hold onto Aaron looking like you do. He wants someone masculine; otherwise, he wouldn’t be gay, you stupid hussy.”
“Enough!”
Uma’s voice startled Zaire, and he looked over Simon’s shoulder to see several staff members, male and female, standing there. Simon turned, too, and Zaire saw when he paled at the audience.
“Either change your behaviour, Simon, or you’ll be out. Zaire can dress and look however he wants to and will have the unwavering support of this school and many people in it. You and I had a conversation several months ago if you remember, and I told you to your face I was not interested. You have no say in who I have a relationship with. If you don’t like it, leave.”
Aaron’s voice had Zaire swinging around to see him standing several steps to the side, an angry expression on his face. Zaire’s heart raced at the number of people who had his back. He had never believed anyone would support his choices, but this show of people was almost more than his emotions could take. He swallowed hard against the tears, hoping they would stay locked away until he was in private.
“Fine. You will have my resignation on your desk tomorrow.” Simon sneered at Zaire, looking him up and down, then pushed past him, stopping to the side of Aaron. “You’ll regret choosing this…bitch,” he growled, glaring at Zaire.
“Enough! Remove yourself from the property immediately. I do not need your resignation because you are fired with immediate effect. John, Ruth, please go with him and ensure he takes only what is his and leaves the property without issue.”
Zaire knew what that meant. Aaron was concerned Simon would do something on his way out and wanted to reduce the chances of it. When the three had left, Zaire sagged back against the car, breathing hard.
“Are you okay, Zaire?” Uma’s soft voice brought his gaze up to her concerned one, and he nodded. “I’m so glad I was near when he started.”
“I wondered how you happened to be there.”
“When I heard him yell at you, I got the attention of a few other people to make sure there were witnesses to whatever he did.”
“I didn’t do anything for him to say that. I—”
“Don’t you dare blame yourself for what happened here.”
Zaire flinched at the whip of Aaron’s voice. He gazed over at Aaron, seeing him standing where he had been, clenching his fists. Zaire couldn’t think of anything to answer with.
