The Traps of Black Swan

As soon as Dax released the grip on her, Tia clenched her teeth and flung her hand at his face, for treating her poorly. Dax was swift to hold her hand gazing at her flushed face. He knew he hurt her but other than it, he didn't know how else to vent his anger on her.

Tia's struggle to release her hand was futile against him before she focused on his face. Her scuffle slowly ceased seeing him calmer without the resentment in his eyes. The tears that were stored in her eyes, slowly rolled out as she sniffled, staring at him.

Tia wasn't sure what to think of his behavior as he didn't seem to hold back any hatred for her. She wanted to speak to him and got the urge to apologize but it wasn't the right time as anybody could enter the pantry and her team was waiting for Dax. 

She also wasn't sure if he was going to run away if she spoke. But to break the silence, she shrugged her hands away muttering, "Are you a dog?"

Dax let go of her hands when she composed. He ignored her words, "Tiana Wells if you have lied to me more…" His warning tone was cut off.

Tia cried out, wiping her cheeks, "I haven't. I always wanted…"

Before Tia could continue and apologize, Dax pulled her to his embrace. He didn't know why he was giving her a chance when she obviously put Aarvi in danger. He didn't even know how and when Tia became important to him that he was ready to give her the second chance. 

The deep frowns were still on his face when she gently rained punches on the sides before wrapping her arms around his waist. She let the tears roll out accepting the fact that he doesn't know how to speak his feelings and his punishment was weird like him. Even though she was emotionally prepared to break up on a bad note, she hadn't expected everything to slowly fall in place.

Dax was still grim. He pulled her away from his arms when she stopped crying. Cupping her face, his thumbs carefully brushed over wet cheeks while his grave voice sounded, "If you are thinking I would be like your Doctor Handsome, let me clear you out. There is only one Aaron for his Cupcake. I am not a good man, don't keep any ridiculous expectations."

Tia sniffled, staring at Dax. There is nothing like good or bad. It was the situation that made one behave accordingly. Aaron was good to one, similarly, Dax was also good to her until her real identity was revealed.

Watching dead seriousness on his face, she knew it would take a lot of effort for her to get the fun, warm Dax back. Nonetheless, her aching heart was soothing when he held her hand took her out of the pantry to the waiting room.

Dax's secretary breathed in relief seeing Dax and Tia back together. Yet it was still hard for him to digest Tia wasn't a saleswoman at the shop but an officer. He followed them quickly and entered the waiting room.

Dax left her hand at the empty seat for her to sit and walked ahead to the head of the chair at the table.

Clark's sharp eyes were quick to catch the redness at the corner of Tia's eyes but her eyes were relaxed and lighter compared to last some days. His eyes fixed on the red mark at her slender neck but he couldn't see for long to identify the mark as Dax interpreted him. "Captain William, what do you want to ask?" His voice was dipped in sarcasm.

Willian glared at Dax before signaling his subordinate to start questioning.

Dax answered in a word or two, for their questions. Mostly they wanted to know general things if anybody was aiming at them. Each one of them knew who did it but there was no concrete evidence so the questionnaire wasn't really useful.

After questioning for nearly half an hour, the team was leaving. Dax knew the press reporters were still at the door for him, hence he was following them when Clark and Tia noticed her parents at the reception.

Panic hit her nerves. Tia didn't want to go with her parents who would definitely scold her for everything, from the choice of her college to her profession. She knew appearing with her team in public was going to get her parents' attention but she had prioritized Dax and the problem he was stuck with.

Clark involuntarily turned to Tia to assure her, to tell her she doesn't have to be afraid of them. However, his face darkened when Tia reached for Dax and hid behind him. He gritted his teeth and glared at Dax.

Dax turned around when she went behind him and clutched his blazer. "What's wrong?" He asked, lifting her face to look at her nervousness.

Tia frowned, Clark always helped her stay away from her family or alert her when her parents used to be around her. She wasn't sure how Dax might react. "M-my parents." She hesitantly responded.

Dax followed her line of sight and noticed a man in his fifties grinding his teeth and striding towards them with a lady who was worried sick.

Dax wrapped his hand around her shoulders when they covered the distance. They stood in front of them glaring at Tia. The man ordered Tia, "Tia, you are coming with me, right now."

Tia looked away ignoring her dictator father.

Her mother slightly stammered in worry, "T-Tia, come back home. Don't be like this."

Tia softened hearing her mother, yet she didn't want to go. She wasn't ready to listen to her father scold her and say she should have taken medicine. Why can't she choose her career?

She looked up at Dax when his arm tightened around her. "I will bring Tia tomorrow to meet you." Dax patiently told her parents to leave without starting any drama.

Tia clutched his blazer before her frowns softened. She understood he wasn't going to help her hide. Instead, he will take her to meet her parents. Just to meet before taking her away.

Clark who heard Dax wanted to interject but paused. He was helping Tia to hide whereas Dax was helping her to face her parents so that she doesn't have to avoid them in the future. 

Annoyed, "I am not talking with you. Stay out of my family issues." Mr. Wells growled at Dax by throwing stones at himself. He didn't want to hear any man teach him how to handle his unfilial daughter.

Dax looked at the security and flicked his fingers. The burly men ran towards him and heard Dax's orders, "Throw them out." Then he walked toward the door with Tia as her team also followed out. It was stupidity to raise their voice at him at his company. 

Tia was bewildered. She glanced at Dax and looked at her parents who were arguing with the guards. Even though her family wasn't crazily rich, they were well known in society, so it would undoubtedly grab the attention.

Before they could get closer to the door, Clark pulled Tia away from Dax as he said through his teeth, "Don't ruin the team name." He actually did that because the media would think the department might be wrongly closing the case due to the personal relationship of an officer with the CEO.

Dax saw the smug smirk on Clark's face so he didn't forget to add, "See me after work, Tia."

Tia gave a nod, "Alright. I will call you." They didn't get to speak so she had a lot to tell him and apologize.

Clark ground his teeth harder hearing them and marched out faster while other team members were cheering Tia for the boyfriend.

------

Dax didn't answer more than three questions and was going inside when he saw the Wells couple. He went to them and crossed his hands.

"Is Tia your daughter or a puppet?"

"You-" Mr. Wells didn't get to continue. He shut his mouth under the oppressing air of Dax.

Dax stopped him with a lift of his hand, "How would you have felt if your father forced you to become a politician? You wouldn't have been a well-known professor. 

Aren't you ashamed to be called a professor? You should help youngsters excel in what they like, instead of forcing them to a different career of your choice. 

Who made the rules that girls should study medicine? Aren't women doing well in different fields?

If president Evans studied medicine, she wouldn't have employed thousands of employees. 

Don't force your wishes for your daughters' life. They have to live their life, not you.

Take this as a suggestion or warning. Learn to be a father and a professor. If you hound Tia, I will make you regret it for the rest of your life."

---- Present ----

Dax briefed the situation, he was expecting Aarvi to be discontent but she sounded happier, "My Sugarbaby is so smart and matured. I am proud of you."

"Dum Dum, aren't you angry at Tia?" He asked.

Aarvi promptly responded, "Actually, I wasn't. I was worried she might be playing with you. She likes you, but…" Aarvi started to tease him to lighten him, "What is there to like in you? I think she has some problem with her brain? I should take Tia to her sister for a thorough check."

Dax gritted his teeth, "Devil Dum Dum, the Rivas family is spoiling you too much. Come back, I will take your class…"

Aarvi giggled as she continued to tease, "I am thinking whether you two will romance more or check out your fighting skills at the gym?"

"Dum Dum…"

"Let me guess... She will choke you to check your resilience and you will lock her limbs to know her strength."

Dax: "..."