The Traps of Black Swan

When Hayden spoke, there was pin-drop silence in the Kelly Villa, "I am not going to help them." He meant Shane and Maisie. "So please do the need." He stood up and elegantly buttoned his blazer, "Is there any question I need to respond to?" He sounded so casual that it felt like they were in a restaurant for a casual chat. 

The officer shook his head in a daze because they got the information, much more than needed, without any effort.

"May I take leave with your permission?" Hayden asked just for the formality when he already knew his presence wasn't required anymore.

The officer stood up suddenly and flashed a smile filled with high honor to the old man. With Hayden's connection, he could have turned all the officers' hard work into ash. He respected the old man for it. After a short bowing to Hayden, "I am sorry for the trouble we caused, President Kelly. We won't bother you anymore. Have a good evening."

Hayden and his secretary were leaving when the former paused looking at the lost child in the corner. Turning back to the officer, "May I take Jose with me, only if he is allowed to go out?" He didn't sound dominating or requesting. It was a general question.

The main officer didn't respond to it immediately. He turned to his subordinate who was checking all the details of Jose from the morning.

The subordinate responded, "We have tracked every detail of Jose Kelly. Every penny he spent was from his parents and has zero income. So there is no problem, I guess. Anyhow, he isn't allowed to take anything from here."

Maisie weakly smiled when her eyes met with Jose, whereas Shane was scowling at his son for his better luck every time.

So, only with the clothes Jose was wearing, Hayden took Jose to the Kelly mansion. Jose tried numerous times to speak for his parents but Hayden looked truly scary with his eyes closed, resting. 

Jose decided to behave and avoid angering Hayden. However, he didn't get the freedom he was hoping for.

Jose heard Hayden instruct the butler in an unyielding tone, "Nobody is allowed to give him a penny or let him go out."

Jose: "..."

He had nothing in hand. He also didn't know the mobile number of anybody as he never cared to memorize them. 

Hayden ignored Jose's gaze on him, "The reporters are everywhere so don't hand him the phone and tighten the security." 

It wasn't to avoid the reporters, it was to avoid Jose from escaping. Jose also knew Hayden was putting him under house arrest to avoid seeing him do anything stupid. To be more precise, he can go around the Kelly estate but is not allowed to step out of the gates.

Hayden passed his last instruction as he went towards the stairs, "He will stay in the guest room with three meals." He meant the maids, chef and the butler didn't have to take Jose's orders. It was also a warning for Jose to behave.

The butler accepted the orders and left to carry out the work. 

Jose wanted to retort but he could only surrender to his grandfather, or else his life would get harder if Hayden got angry. He decided to wait for his mother to take him out of the luxurious prison. 

Jose obediently went to the guest room with no electronic gadgets to pass time. Looking at the lifeless room, he recalled how Maisie always locked Ava in the room and put Ava on house arrest for the whole school holidays. He felt like it was his turn to bear the punishment for being born as Shane and Maisie's son. 

Hayden went to his bedroom upstairs. After changing into home clothes, he sat on the wooden rocking chair. He opened the message on his mobile that he had received from his granddaughter. 

[Aarvi here. Get Jose out of the mess.]

Only he knew how much he overjoyed reading 'Aarvi.' Even though he wasn't sure if it was her personal contact number or any secretaries, he was over the clouds thinking his granddaughter finally contacted him.

It had taken him all his might to stop himself from calling the number. He didn't want to force her into talking to him or meet him so he had dropped a reply to her, suppressing his emotions. 

[Alright.]

"Aarvi!" He started chanting the name to get used to it so that he doesn't anger her when they meet next time. 

He had the hopes that she would meet him at least once before his old age could take him away from the cruel world.

----

At Luxembourg,

Aarvi had checked out the upper floor and took a seat on her husband's lap. 

Aaron let her cuddle him before asking her, "Why are you curry favoring me?" He sounded suspicious.

Aarvi unwrapped her hands and pretended to be wronged, "Honey, why are you saying like I never cuddle you?" She blinked innocently.

Aaron nodded at her words without falling into her trap, "Cupcake, you do know I am your husband, right?"

Aarvi sheepishly grinned. This time she had a motive to cuddle him and cool him down. "Don't get angry at grandmother. It's alright, I will handle the situation. I don't want anybody to think I have my husband wrapped around my finger."

Against her seriousness, "When wasn't I?"

Aarvi: "..."

His attempt to make her laugh failed. She slapped his arm multiple times when he faked being in pain. Acting as though strangling him, "I don't want you wrapped around my finger." She never would like to have complete control over him.

"Cupcake, I was kidding." His woman doesn't understand getting spoiled.

A sly smile appeared on her face as she straddled him, "I can wrap myself around you though." 

Chuckling, Aaron had to adjust himself on the armchair for her to wrap her limbs around him to prove she could wrap herself around him.

"That's not fair."

"This is completely fair." Then she giggled.

Aaron rubbed her back thinking how Zelda might treat Aarvi. He was aware Aarvi didn't want anybody to point their finger at him. So he could only accept his wife's orders, "Alright, Young Madam Rivas, I won't meddle. But if Grandma bullies you, then I will take you away."

Aarvi agreed and was laughing when they heard a knock on the unlocked door. Aaron saw her skip off him and stand quickly as though she was going to get caught having an affair, as though she did nothing till then.

Aarvi went and opened the door after composing. She saw Zelda holding a tray having snacks and two cups of tea. Aarvi offered, stretching her hands towards the tray, "Elder Madam, let me help you."

Zelda ignored her and went inside. Aaron's face went blank while Aarvi bit her lips. Instead of feeling Zelda was angry or dissatisfied with her, Aarvi felt like Zelda was throwing tantrums so it amused her.

Zelda placed the tray on the coffee table and sat down on the other armchair. She sighed loudly as she pressed her knees, "Sophia went out saying some emergency. My old bones can't stand in the kitchen."

Aaron: "..."

Aarvi silently chuckled. She never in her dreams thought she would be tested for culinary skills. Something Maisie did to control her was finally coming to use.