The Traps of Black Swan

"Does Shawn have a history of drug addiction?" After asking, Aaron realized she will have her reasons to avoid speaking anything. He didn't assume anything and put her in a tight position. He cupped her face, "I will make sure Dax is safe from Leon. I will be right here, call me if you need anything."

Aarvi nodded before she pushed the door open of Shawn's office. She didn't bother locking the door as Aaron would wait for her.

Tia peeked at her mobile when Clark took it from her hand. There was a faint light in the room and Shawn was sitting on the couch. He was pressing his hands on his ear while keeping his head down. He was nervously tapping his feet on the floor when he carefully lifted his head to the noise of the door. "Little Heart!?" His voice sounded exhausted with a hint of uncertainty.

Clark ended the call before Aarvi could do that. He instructed Tia as went towards the other team who was checking the security footage, "Ask him to give a statement tomorrow."

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Inside the room, Aarvi breathed in relief when she saw him sitting on the couch. She was about to hang up the call, it had ended. Shawn didn't identify her in the darkness where she was standing, "Little Heart!?"

Aarvi clicked on the lock button of her mobile and reached Shawn faster. "You fool, haven't I told you to call me immediately?" She tossed her mobile aside and hugged him.

The nervous foot taps of Shawn stopped. He leaned left in her arms while she gently rubbed his arms. He took a deep breath through his mouth as his shoulders slacked. His racing heart started to slow down as he closed his eyes, let his guard down around her as he tried to calm down his mind.

Silence enveloped them for a long time while he focused on his breathing and Aarvi accompanied him in support. She had expected his condition to be worse. After seeing him, she understood he was dreaded mentally, emotionally. It wasn't because he found drugs in the club. She could guess as he probably sniffed it or tasted it.

While trying to have himself in control, Shawn had forgotten to keep track of time. He knew she ignored the most important project of Skylar, just to be with him as support. "Six years, Little Heart. You still treat me like a kid."

Aarvi weakly chuckled, "Because you are a kid."

To prove her words, he complained, "I asked her not to call you." 'Her' meant Lauren, the manager of the club.

Aarvi shook her head in resignation. That's why Aarvi calls Lauren the most capable and appointed to the job of club manager which is usually handled by males. Lauren knew to weigh the tones and see the needs, so the first thing she did was call Aarvi without letting anybody inside Shawn's office room.

"I should increase her pay," Aarvi responded and heard Shawn snort.

With light talk, Aarvi kept him distracted until he felt he was alright to face anybody.

At last, Shawn breathed a long sigh. Patting her hand, he made her sit next to him as she was standing by his side on one leg while supporting the other leg knee on the couch.

"I am sorry, I made you worried." He apologized in a flow.

'Pak' Aarvi swung her hand, slapped his head harder than ever.

"Ouch," He rubbed his head, scolding himself in his mind. He told himself to avoid apologizing else his Little Heart would beat him but still, he did it. It wasn't only because of worrying her, it was also for losing the project.

Aarvi drew a deep breath and breathed out loudly while shaking her stinging hand, "Leon is doing all these. Should I apologize to you daily?"

Shawn furrowed his brow when he heard Leon's name."How does he know about me?" Other than Aarvi and Dax, none knew about his problems. Not even his family. He shook his head to remove his thoughts recalling Leon couldn't just toy him and sit quiet, "If Leon knew, he did it bring you here. You aren't allowed to use a flight, how did you manage? Are you uncomfortable? We should visit the hospital. Are you an idiot? Why did you take the risk? Did Leon attack you on the way?..."

Aarvi was shocked hearing the rain of questions which she wasn't able to keep track of. She shook his hand to stop him but when it didn't work, she tried to pinch him but the leather jacket would do nothing so she pulled his hair, "Shhhhhhh…"

"Little Heart…" He cried out till she let go of him. 

Aarvi felt her head throb at the loud voice however she ignored it. "Since I am here, obviously I and Aaron are alright. But Dax… That idiot didn't…"

"Dum Dum, are you talking ill behind my back?" A strained voice sounded at the door.

Like a heavy stone lifted off her chest, Aarvi felt a relief wash over her. She turned to the door and saw Dax leaning on the wall pushing the door close.

Aarvi felt her eyes sting for seeing everyone safe but the emotional damage wasn't any less. Aarvi grabbed the magazine from the side stand and marched towards Dax, "Behind your back? Dax Grant, I will say it on your face. You donkey-brained goof, do you have any idea how scared I was?"

Shawn who was still feeling slightly down, burst into laughter hearing her scold Dax. Her scoldings never felt like rebuking but fun to hear if the person wasn't him. Nonetheless, he also realized Leon's plan. He pressed him to bring each one out. Unfortunate to Leon, they were able to escape his hands. He thought to ask the situation after Aarvi takes Dax's class.

"When I say something, couldn't you just hear me? What do you expect me to do if anything has happened to you? You pigheaded man, I want to…" She swung her hand to hit him with the magazine Dax held it quickly.

Under the darkness, they weren't able to see Dax clearly and why he was standing still at the door. Aarvi heard him breathe in exhaustion but she didn't get to ask, He hugged her suddenly and rubbed her head. "I should have heard you, Dum Dum…" His apologetic tone had exhaustion and heavy breath.

Aarvi smelled blood as soon as she took a breath in his embrace. She suddenly felt Dax was leaving his weight on her. "Dax!!?" Her voice came out loud in fright of something happening to him.

Shawn noticed the oddness in the darkness so he immediately rushed up to them.

Aarvi heard no response from Dax. She wanted to call Shawn for help but the name that left her lips, "Ronron…" As he was a doctor. Meanwhile, she tried to balance the big man, Dax.

Aaron who was close by to the door rushed in. He was over a call when he saw exhausted Dax going inside the room. He had heard Dax say he was tired when Tia was worriedly asking him. He understood Dax wasn't just tired.

Aarvi abruptly fell on her butt without being able to balance the fainted Dax. "Dax… Dax… What happened to you?"