The Traps of Black Swan

'You are repenting for three years, I am sure my sister would have forgiven you long back. Mom, please stop crying and take care of your health.'

Jose's words to Maisie only earned a sneer from Hayden. 'Do I still look like a fool to believe their acting?'

He stood up and buttoned his blazer, "Show yourself out." He turned to leave without care causing Shane and Maisie to bubble in anger.

They wanted to hear him say Ava Kelly is dead and none could get into the family just by the face. But his reaction did show as he was worried but they couldn't point out why.

Shane Kelly saw his father leaving and blurted hurriedly, "Dad, you know Zain was close to Ava, I am sure he brought that dummy. Don't believe him. His actions from the past years look very suspicious."

Maisie's lips twitched hearing her husband. She couldn't understand why he throws blames directly which will only earn hatred from the old man.

Jose adjusted as they had planned and muttered to himself which was loud enough to reach the old man's ears, "Is it possible? Is that the reason why Brother Zain was so rude?" He raised his head and shut his lips as though he realized he said it out loud by mistake.

Maisie was proud of her son and Shane took the chance and continued, "Dad, see even kids understand what Zain is doing, why are you ignoring him? He obviously aiming for your seat…"

While Shane went on blabbering, Hayden inwardly sighed. His elder son just wants the throne and fakes affection but he wasn't ready to hand the business and family welfare to them. On the other hand, he wants Aarvi and Zain to look after the family and business but they weren't the least bit interested in it.

Is it his fate for not accepting the greedy persons that he got indifferent grandchildren, Ava and Zain?

He can't give the company to Shane else the lower chain of the Kelly family who is looking after small branches and subsidiary companies would be ruined by them. The greediness of the couple would definitely try to gobble small companies for more wealth so Hayden, at any cost, wasn't ready to ruin the lives of many and the company.

Shane who had continued to accuse Zain, noticed Hayden pinching between brows. He realized Hayden was losing his cool and it's safe to stay away from him if they don't want to regret it later.

Maisie and Shane too took the queue and stood up, "Honey, it's alright. Dad knows what is best for all."

"Dad, we shouldn't accuse Brother Zain without proof. Let's not disturb grandfather more. He needs rest after a long day." The filial son suggested smiling at his grandfather when the old man's eyes landed on him.

Jose always fails to understand the unfathomable gaze of Hayden. It was tough for him to discern what was going on in the older man's head.

Hayden turned to the couple, "Maisie Brunette, did you and your husband really repent for three years?"

The evil glint of the old man didn't go unnoticed by the three when his lips were arcing evilly. However, they had no choice but to lie, "We deeply regret our actions. Dad. We realized her worth after losing my daughter and we were too late. We blamed her for our incompetence and mistakes." She deeply sighed in resignation.

The expected pity or sympathy from the old man didn't come, instead, "James!"

Butler, who was standing nearby to serve his master, quickly went to Hayden, "Master."

Hayden looked at the family of three while instructing his butler, "Send the guards for Madam Kelly and Master Kelly to keep them safe at the cemetery."

The trio's expression morphed to confusion and looked at each other. 'Maybe he will ask us to visit the dead Ava.' The three could only think of it.

Hayden's lopsided smile alarmed the three when he continued, "The loving husband and wife are going to kneel the whole night in front of their beloved daughter's tomb to ask for forgiveness."

Maisie, Shane, and Jose: "..."

Of course, they failed to discern why Hayden stressed 'Their beloved daughter' instead of 'My Granddaughter'.

The butler bowed to Hayden quickly and went near the telephone to call the security head to relay information as mentioned by Hayden. The frozen family of three heard the butler stressing words, 'Make sure to stay the whole night and watch over Master and Madam without letting them sleep or anybody harming them.'

Maisie or Shane or Jose, they weren't dumb to misunderstand, they clearly knew the guards will be there to make sure the duo don't escape from the cemetery or sleep but to make them kneel the whole night.

Hayden was proud of his butler for every time understand his words without the need for explanation. He watched the couple paling and shocked Jose. Hayden could make out Jose was kind of happy that he wasn't included with them. "Jose…"

Jose didn't let Hayden speak and manipulated the words, "Grandfather, I hope Mom and Dad won't live with regrets after tonight."

Hayden wanted the loving couple to understand the difference between the one they had abused and the poisonous snake they pampered.

Jose's words obviously tasted bitter in the mouth of his parents yet, Maisie patted Jose's shoulder forcing a smile, "Don't worry about us, rest in the home."

The butler didn't let Maisie play with words so he glanced at Hayden before speaking to the couple, "Master Shane, Madam, the car is ready at the door. Since you have completed the dinner, please allow me to see you off till the door."

Then Hayden spoke looking at Jose, "Jose, it's getting late, leave."

Jose grabbed the chance and gave quick hugs to his parents whispering, 'I am sorry' but he didn't dare to hug Hayden. "Have a good night, grandfather."

Jose was going to the door, Hayden called, "Jose."

Jose froze and crossed his fingers hoping Hayde shouldn't drop a bomb at him. His legs quivered at the thought of kneeling for eight hours. He slowly turned and stuttered, "G-Grandf-father."

Hayden very much wished he had this control twenty years back. He pointed to the couple, "Take your parents' cell phones. They shouldn't face any distracting while repenting."

The two wanted to faint in the spot while another one overjoyed. He quickly went and grabbed his mother's handbag and took his father's cell phone and awkwardly laughed at Hayden, "Grandfather, shall I leave now?"

With a satisfied smile, Hayden bid his grandson warmly. He didn't feel an ounce of mercy on the couple, that's the punishment for appearing in front of his granddaughter and running her mood.

In the past, he was always direct with the punishment that attracted hatred on Ava so he changed the method too and there was none for them to vent their anger.

Hayden looked at Maisie and Shane who were brainstorming on how to win on him without giving him a hint. If they fake as ill-health, they knew well, Hayden will torture them in the hospital.

Hayden got them back on earth from their vile thoughts, "What's wrong? Did you perhaps lie to me?"

Maisie quickly stopped her husband from blurting out the truth as 'We never cared about Ava'. That Ava who reminds them of the wrong decisions and mistakes they did in their life. That Ava who caused their own parents to stand against them and threaten. That Ava who won the favor of the old generation and grabbed their attention doing nothing. 

The filial daughter-in-law sweetly spoke, "Dad, how could we lie to you? Since you have given us a chance to show our sincerity to my daughter, we will follow it." She forced a smile and bowed as she pulled Shane's hand to bow.

She wanted to leave sooner before Hayden made it even more difficult for them if they wasted his time.

Hence the pretentious couple went to a cemetery like criminals surrounded by six guards. The worst part was they couldn't even bribe their loyalty.

Hayden rested in his room on a rocking wooden chair tapping his mobile continuously trying to control but failed. He dialed Aaron's number hoping he would let him talk to his granddaughter or at least hear him say 'Aarvi is healthy and fine.'

However, after hearing two rings, the call was cut and a message popped up, 'Can't talk now. Call you back tomorrow.'

Hayden could only sigh before going to bed.

---

At Avron Mansion,

Aaron shoved his mobile back into his pant pocket and wrapped his arm around the woman who was gazing at him as they slowly danced to no music. 

"Why did you hang up?" Aarvi asked, seeing his calm composure.

Aaron twirled her far before whirling her back to him wrapping his arms from behind, "No one is allowed to disturb our time." 

Watching outside, Aarvi leaned on him slowly matching his side movements as she smiled in content. She didn't know a simple dance could end the day beautifully and the music isn't important but the man who was warmly embracing her.