The Traps of Black Swan

Zelda Rivas, an old lady in her mid-seventies. The silver locks were tied in a clean bun, the age wrinkles on her face looked graceful. There was no gentleness due to the age but sharpness after she heard Aarvi's words.

"Are you questioning my decision?" The first words left her mouth were in an interrogative tone instead of welcoming. 

Zelda had seen Ava Kelly, a girl with a soft heart, obedient by nature and understanding to the core. She had unawarely expected to see a soft, shy, innocent girl next to Aaron.

A middle-aged woman named Sophia, a helper of Zelda, was behind Zelda. She was more stressed and panicked than Aarvi or Aaron.

Aaron released Aarvi before they turned to the door. He hadn't expected the meet to start on a bad note. Aarvi watched the old lady and recalled the lady from her memories.

When Connor was worried, gentle, and kind, she had seen Zelda oppressive, cold, and level-headed. Zelda was a woman of few words and looked detached as though people had wronged her. After so many years, Aarvi had imagined how Zelda would be but found no difference in her personality other than more age lines and experience.

She wasn't sure if Zelda was the same with her grandsons as she had only seen Jordan enjoying in the pictures with family whereas Zelda was like the head of the house who should have control over everything. Only in a few pictures, she had seen Zelda smiling through her eyes.

Aaron knew what Aarvi meant. The personalities of the two women were strong and very much different. So he was first to respond on Aarvi's behalf, hoping things won't be tough for Aarvi, "Grandma, Cupcake didn't mean…"

"Is she mute?" Zelda threw the question carelessly looking at Aarvi.

Aarvi clutched his arm to stop him from talking to her. Difficulties were always there on her way. It was completely normal for her. 

Aaron frowned, he knew his grandmother was a hard nut hence he was delaying bringing up the topic of Zelda to Aarvi. A small part of him had thought Zelda would be happy to see Ava Kelly aka Aarvi Evans who had lost her memory due to them, was all fine. Anyway, he gave no right to anybody to treat Aarvi poorly, not even his grandparents.

His voice slightly hardened, "Gra…"

Aarvi showed her respect with a small bow as she greeted, "Elder Madam Rivas." Then she looked at Aaron, silently asking 'let me handle it.' She knew the more Aaron speaks for her, Zelda will be annoyed more.

Zelda's eyebrows slightly lifted before falling flat. She had heard Aarvi mention her as grandmother while talking with Aaron, the change of addressing way, her soft tone losing the warmth and her serene unaffected face carrying no smile loudly screamed Aarvi aka Cupcake of Aaron has changed.

Whenever teenager Aaron spoke about his Cupcake at home, everyone used to have a soft smile. Zelda knew Aaron won't assess a person wrong and he was lying whenever he spoke about his Cupcake. But the version of Cupcake she knew was contrasting to Cupcake standing in front of her.

Aaron nodded at Aarvi but his face lost the leftover warmth. He looked aloof. He wouldn't disrespect his grandmother, at the same time he wouldn't like it if she treats Aarvi badly. He was aware Aarvi wouldn't cross her limit either considering Zelda as his grandmother.

"I am not in the position to question your decision. I was mentioning my choice to My Husband in a similar situation. It has nothing to do with you or grandfather Jordan." Aarvi purposefully didn't shorten her response as it could be judged as arrogance.

Zelda's eyes narrowed at Aarvi. There was no hesitance in Aarvi. And she could sense Aarvi was drawing a line between husband and wife choices. She wouldn't question Zelda and Jordan's choice, at the same time, she won't give them a chance to question their choice.

Well, Zelda was impressed by her grandson. She was glad Aaron didn't bring a pretending woman to the family.

Sophia immediately interjected to avoid them continue discussing at the door, "Old madam, why don't you invite them inside first?" She pleaded without voicing, 'How could you let Young Madam be at the door?'

Zelda's eyes averted to her shoulder glancing at Sophia before looking back at Aarvi. Her firm gaze was saying we will speak about this later before looking at her grandson.

She could feel her grandson displeased just by it. She thought to find a way to send him away to talk with Aarvi later. 

Aaron commented as he took Aarvi's hand and brushed past Zelda to enter the house, "Your plan won't succeed, Grandma."

Aarvi: "..." 

'This brat.' Zelda thought.

Sophia smiled warmly and welcomed them, "Young Master, Young Madam, please welcome." 

Aarvi followed Aaron as she turned to the woman who had a motherly smile, "Thank you, Aunty Sophia." She flashed a soft smile before Aaron took her further inside.

Zelda: "..."

'This brat brought a little rascal." Zelda thought narrowing her eyes at the husband and wife. She discerned Aarvi will treat the way you treat. Sophia was warm, and Aarvi returned the same. Whereas she was interrogative and displeased hence there was only respect in return.

Zelda signaled Sophia to serve them some snacks as there was still time for dinner. Then she watched the husband and wife. 

Aarvi brushed the eyes around the interior. The decor was simple but they kept it warm with the cozy couch and throw-over neatly arranged.  The interior was spacious, which gives easier to walk around for the elders without steps.

The kitchen was behind the wall whereas the dining table was open. A bedroom was at an end with the stairs leading upstairs next to it. What she liked more was the tea table that was next to the glass wall overlooking the mountains and the river at a pretty good distance.

Zelda saw Aarvi's concealed excitement as she asked many questions Aaron about the place. The latter was patiently answering them all before Aarvi pointed stairs asking him if they were allowed to go.

Aaron flicked on her head, "Let me get the bags first." Aarvi hummed before her eyes landed on Zelda who ignored her and went to the kitchen.

Aarvi: "..."

She didn't want to provoke the old lady so she waited for Aaron.

'Beep.' Her mobile received a message. 

She checked, it was a message sent by Dax. He had sent her a link, so she checked to see what news could catch Dax's attention.

[Is President Kelly giving up on his son and daughter-in-law?]

Aarvi furrowed reading the headline. She had no idea what was happening at the Kelly family other than knowing Zain had locked Shane and Maisie after a round of treatment by Jordan.

Her eyes quickly scrolled through the content. Maisie's studio was seized, the Kelly Villa was raided, and found big cash in the house. All the accounts under Maisie, Shane, and Jose were blocked. The investigation on the source of money was being tracked which was showing they hadn't paid tax. Not just that, Shane and Maisie might lose the villa for never paying the property tax over twenty-five years. The amount had nearly reached the rate of the property.

A cunning smile appeared on Aarvi's face instead of feeling bad for them. Aarvi dialed Dax's number.

The man was on business, [Dum Dum, I have shortlisted three designers. We will hire one after acquiring the design studio.] He meant Maisie's studio.

"Perfect." Even though Maisie's studio wasn't famous country-wide, it was well known in a few cities and had some good clients.

Aaron left the bags in the living hall and reached her. He leaned on the glass wall in front of her, and she leaned on him while her sly smile replaced with a cutesy pout looking at him.

Aarvi's main reason for the call wasn't for the business. Aarvi sounded adorable when she said, "Dax… I want some pets." 

Aaron soundlessly kissed her cheek, nuzzling her little face while Dax sinisterly laughed at the other side understanding Aarvi's attack on Maisie and Shane.