The Traps of Black Swan

At Maple Regency,

Sean ignored his brother at the door and went to the living hall. He grumpily sat down without speaking or saying hai to anybody. Eliza lifted her brows at Aeon asking why Sean's mood was spoiled. Aeon shook his head in response. 

Aeon had expected Sean to burst in joy after spending so much time with Aarvi. Then he thought Sean might have confessed to Aarvi and got rejected. Keeping his calm, he sat next to Sean and asked. "How was your dinner with President Evans?"

Eliza frowned hearing Aeon mention dinner with Aarvi. She didn't prefer Aarvi meeting Sean which would give false hope to Sean. She stayed quiet to listen to two brothers.

Sean knew he shouldn't be angry at his brother. It was Aarvi's choice if she wanted one to have her contact details or not. Anyhow he displayed his displeasure for Aaron's presence, "Everything was great, till that man came. He definitely knows I like Aarvi, yet he treated me nicely. Was he trying to mock me? He is so annoying. Ugh."

Eliza and Aeon didn't have to use many brain cells to guess the annoying man as Aaron Rivas. Aeon was surprised not just Aarvi, Aaron took his time out despite knowing they put Aarvi in trouble. That unconditional support to Aarvi was something only Aaron could give.

Sean continued to throw his frustration out on Aaron, "I am sure that man was jealous because Aarvi was with me. He came to announce his claim over her. He is so devious." He tried to make himself feel good.

Eliza could feel the envy of Sean. But she felt like Sean was misunderstanding the couple.

Aeon grunted, "Sean…" He had thought Aarvi must have told Sean about his life in danger. Hearing him blaming Aaron for his time with Aarvi, he chose to let him know the reality, "Who told you President Evans was there to spend time with you?"

Sean stilled and turned to his brother hearing his serious tone. He could have argued back given a chance but Aeon continued without a pause.

Aeon neither raised his voice nor became angry. His voice was firm and pressing, "She was there because Leon planned to kill you as soon as you step out of the institute. She wasted time there with you because she was waiting for Leon's men to leave. Of course, her husband would be there to protect her. Respect Sean, they saved us from falling into Leon's hands and they aren't obliged to do any of these." Aeon knew he and his family owed Aarvi so much that he wouldn't be able to return with anything. If not being helpful at the moment, he didn't want to talk rubbish behind their back. He valued each of their actions.

Sean's head buzzed hearing Leon planned to kill him. He heard no other words. He recalled Leon smoothly slitting the throat of his men and shivered. The fear clutched his throat, making it hard to breathe. His eyes stared at the void, visioning Leon doting on him and then killing him.

Eliza was shocked to hear everything Aeon mentioned. She didn't know what to say or how to react. She should have expected such incidents to arrive but she couldn't help but get scared all over. She had thought Leon let go of them when he didn't try to do anything for so many days. 

Now that Leon started his hunt, "He will kill us." She mumbled. She had seen Leon for so many years and how he deals with people, "He won't stop until he kills us." She mumbled again, fear gracing her beautiful face and her cracking voice.

Aeon watched Sean frightened and Eliza losing her confidence. He couldn't believe those two were back to zero with their fear as soon as something happened.

The rest of the evening went on coaxing the two and encouraging them to be brave. He couldn't promise them cent percent safety but he gave them hope that everything could be alright.

He was able to convince Sean, helped him pack his clothes, and sent him with a man who had gone to pick up Sean for his week-long trip away from the Mocon. 

But Eliza was far too weak and needed more time. Her counselor now had to start from zero and build her personality. At this rate, Aeon didn't know how Eliza would react looking at Leon when he would be taking her to sign a divorce. He won't be surprised if Eliza runs behind Leon at his threat or just presence.

With all these, Aeon started to wonder why Leon wasn't killing him. Aarvi stressed him, to keep Eliza at home, sending Sean away from the city, and Elder Harmon would stay in the Rivas mansion. But she never said anything about his life. He was very curious about it.

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At Skyarc penthouse,

Aarvi didn't go to her penthouse but Shawn's. She was surprised to see Tia around and working on her laptop. Dax was laying on the couch and watching television while Shawn… He was in the study room.

She went behind Dax on her tippy toes to see if his eyes were on Tia or television but, "Little Heart!?"

Dax turned around, so did Tia. "Dum Dum…" 

"Sister Aarvi…"

Aarvi threw her heels on the floor and chased after Shawn, "You Little Prince, didn't you see I had some plans?"

Shawn was flabbergasted. When he saw her, she was wobbling on the toes of her leg hence he called her in confusion. He tried to escape running in the living hall, arguing with her and got kicked twice before both slumped on the couch to catch a breath.

Dax watched Aarvi. She wasn't talking with him. She was doing whatever he asked, she helped him, made sure he was doing fine but not a single word came out of her lips for him. He knew he scared the wits out of her, if he had listened to her the previous day, things would have stayed very calm.

The silent treatment was going out of his hand when his gaze fell on Tia who was chuckling looking at Aarvi beating Shawn for teasing her. He was also giving Tia a silent treatment, barely responding to her words. He could guess what she might be going through now.

The realization slowly hit him, Aarvi never preferred silent treatment. She would scold them, or cry out complaining to them. It was the first time she was giving him the silent treatment.

"Dum Dum…" He watched Aarvi turn to him but no word came out. He shifted his legs down as he extended his hand towards her, "Help me…"

Tia, who was close to him, lowered her head and pretended to be working. She felt unrequired when she was there for him. 

Aarvi looked at Tia before going to Dax in absolute silence. She helped him stand and took him towards the guest room.

"How long are you going to stay mute with me?" He waited but heard no response.

"I am sorry, Dum Dum. I am sorry for breaking my promise. I will listen to you." He and Shawn had promised her when it was about Leon and their safety, they would listen to her. 

Aarvi glanced at Dax and spoke indifferently as though they didn't concern each other, "You aren't obliged to listen to me. You are free to do what you feel right." 

Dax paused hearing her and balanced himself leaving his weight on one foot. He held her shoulders and turned her to face him straight. "Dum Dum, could you please get angry and then scold me for mistreating Tia?... Please."

Both together were a torment to him. He felt Shawn was right titling her as Queen of Torture.. She knew how to make them suffer by little actions.