The Traps of Black Swan

Dax brought Tia off the dance floor and silently watched her chug wine a few times while pushing her tears back into her eyes. She flashed him another fake smile and hid her sigh.

A part of him wanted to soothe her but he looked away. He was aware he hadn't forgiven her yet. He wasn't ready to give her up hence he brought her back to him. 

Her tries didn't melt the cold wall that was built by her betrayal and he didn't know if they could break down either. He gave himself time and a chance to her to mend everything. If he still couldn't completely forgive her, he decided to break up and move on.

----

After a few minutes, Megan took Aarvi to meet some families who were close to the Rivas family. Aarvi met quite a few including the Bruton family before they stood in front of the Parkinson family.

Connor had told Aarvi that Mr. Parkinson knew her as Ava Kelly but she doesn't have to be worried. However, with Charlotte as his beloved daughter, Aarvi doubted if Mr. Parkinson could keep it a secret from Charlotte and the latter might act recklessly without staying low. 

Hence a conversation with Charlotte was needed. After meeting and greeting the elders, Aravi smiled at Charlotte that didn't reach her eyes, "Ms. Parkinson, pleased to meet you again."

Megan and Susan were surprised, "Have you two met before?" 

Charlotte's expression changed. She hadn't told about the suspension in the home so she didn't want Aarvi to spill out anything that could lead the conversation to her.

Before Aarvi could respond, Charlotte interjected, maintaining her elegant smile, "Mom, Aunt Megan, you two talk, I will speak with President Evans."

Aarvi didn't want to mix up the family with their issues and ruin their relationship so she nodded at others as an excuse before following Charlotte.

Charlotte noticed Aaron saw them and got back to his conversation with the doctors' group. It just showed how much he trusted Aarvi and her capability to handle any situation.

Charlotte faced Aarvi but didn't know how to bring up the topic. Aarvi could feel her discomfort so she decided to get her work done.

"Ms. Parkinson, you are absolutely right." Aarvi accepted one of Charlotte's doubts. Charlotte was confused by it before she heard the rest of the words, "I am not and I will never be a good woman if you dare cross me."

Charlotte's brows quivered slightly. She took time to understand that. Charlotte had guessed Aarvi couldn't be a reckless woman as she behaved in Aaron's office else Skylar wouldn't have been doing so good. But she hadn't expected her to openly accept it.

"I truly commend your daring and upright personality." Aarvi smirked at how Charlotte idiotically went to Leon assuming Leon could be trying to do some good, "But if you don't know what is right and wrong; when to start and stop, who you believe and go against, you are nothing but a failure."

Failure!! 

The word which Charlotte hated to listen to. She gritted her teeth but had nothing to say. She was already suspended for an unknown period, if she wasn't a failure, what else?

Aarvi's finely manicured nail tips tapped on the table rhythmically as she watched the changes on her face. "Do you know why I am letting you off?" She asked.

Charlotte thought for a second before shaking her head. She was expecting her to rub her wound but Aarvi paused her fingers, "Leon Harmon is a good manipulator. He knew to choose a pawn who he could trick."

Charlotte recalled the team who dropped a visit to the Harmon mansion. Everyone in them was her senior whereas she knew nothing about him. She had foolishly believed Leon's words and assumed she was the most liable person when she was just a fool.

Aarvi took a step closer and whispered, "Grow up, Ms. Parkinson." With respect to Charlotte's way of thinking and for blindly hating Aaron who doesn't care about her.

Aarvi then returned to Megan. They also met Elder Fisher and Hassan. The latter congratulated her before she asked to know, "How is your sister doing?"

Hassan faintly smiled, "She resumed working at Peopletree hospital." He paused before continuing, "She didn't want to spoil the moods so she stayed home." It was his indirect way of mentioning Naomi won't trouble her anymore, rest assured.

Aarvi merely nodded. She knew Hassan had a soft corner for her due to the heart inside her. Shawn had mentioned if she wasn't Aaron's Cupcake or his Little Heart, Hassan would have surely taken care of her. Aarvi could only feel bad for Hassan for losing Ariel, his love.

Thinking of 'Losing Love,' her eyes involuntarily searched for Aaron. He was listening to Connor and the Chief military cardiologist when he turned and caught her eyes. His lips faintly curled looking at her flash him a sweet smile ignoring everyone around them.

He felt like his Cupcake was sweeping men off their feet with her smile even though that smile was only for him.

---

Shawn helped Shea and Megan to reveal their surprise for Jordan. Everyone watched the big screen displaying the pictures. Some were amused how they had preserved the black and white pictures. A few exchanged a few questions when they realized they had no idea what happened to Jordan's wife.

They didn't try to bring it up to the Rivas family in case she expired long back. And enjoying the soothing music to the pictures. 

Many pictures brought admiration for Jordan as those pictures also showed how the Rivas hospital grew from nothing to so huge under him. 

With that, the picture that brought laughter out was the one where six-year-old Shawn was sitting on Jordan's shoulder and clutching hair with a hand and another hand raised as though raiding a horse. It was funny with Jordan's unrestrained laughter and Aaron speechless next to them with Ariel's flushed face laughing at them.

"I am surely going to recreate this picture with your son," Aarvi exclaimed as she giggled.

'My son?' Shawn countered, "With your son." He didn't object to recreating the picture. It would be fun to see after they grow old.

Aarvi didn't object to his tease, "We will recreate it even if we have daughters." 

She meant she with Aaron and Shawn with his wife which they understood. But all turned to her, including Aaron.

"Pumpkin, how many daughters do you want?" Zain voiced everyone's question.

Aarvi controlled before innocently speaking, "All six preplanned kids of Shawn would be my and Aaron's kids too."

Shawn: "..."

Everyone chuckled while Shawn took a few seconds before he pettily scoffed, unwilling to back down, "I want twelve." 

Jordan turned around from the couch. He punched his stomach and sneered, "You need a wife for it." He meant 'go get a girlfriend first.'

The rest burst into laughter as they continued to watch the screen.

When the video ended, the lights turned on and everyone gave a round of applause for everything Jordan had achieved. Jordan nodded at them in gratification.

Shawn went to the center of the dance floor with a microphone in his hand. Shea, who picked a remote controller, followed Shawn signaling the event manager to set the lights as they had planned.

The lights dimmed again, a faint light was in the center where Shawn and Shea stood but everyone's eyes were set on the couple who had the limelight.

Aarvi and Aaron: "..."