The Traps of Black Swan

Aarvi stepped out of the Hennessey Venom when Shawn forced a smile on his face, opening the door for her. His forced smile turned surprised seeing her wearing white with the black.

He had almost lost hope after seeing Aarvi had seen her mother but was excited to know she was trying to bring changes slowly.

Aarvi's gaze brushed on the giggling ladies before smiling at Megan who was coming out of the mansion.

Shawn pinched her cheeks before giving her a friendly hug, "Looks like My Little Heart is here for an interview. So formal huh?"

Aarvi smiled for it before pouting. Shawn sighed, he had planned to spend quality time with family so he knew why she pouted. "They invited themselves here. We can't send them away from the gate." He shrugged.

Aaron reached them and three stepped towards the mansion door as Shawn continued, "Fiona deep bowed for a whole thirty seconds until Grandfather irritatingly forgave her. She will soon put on a show again."

Aarvi and Megan hugged before the latter confessed, "I missed you… Gigglemug, why don't you and Aaron stay here from today?"

Aarvi bit her lips awkwardly smiling at her. Megan continued after a thought, "No, not now. Romance a lot and get married. Then romance a lot and come here once you guys plan a family. That's better."

Shawn bet he saw Aarvi's cheeks turn pink but she composed in a matter of seconds, "That sounds fun."

Aaron's head tilted hearing her, "Are you saying yes to the marriage?"

Naomi and Fiona: "..."

Aarvi was momentarily speechless before standing next to Megan, "We were speaking about staying together. Who are you?" Her calmness didn't flatter for a second.

Megan and Shawn were chuckling when Aaron walked away indifferently as he added, "Father of Laze."

Shawn and Megan were surprised, The former asked, "Laze accepted him?"

Aarvi nodded with a sigh, "He was cuddling Laze to sleep."

Megan and Shawn took her inside ignoring the two ladies as she said, "Happy family of three."

"Laze?" Fiona Knox and Naomi looked at each other in bewilderment. "What Laze?"

"Aunty Megan said as 'the Family of three', does that mean Aarvi has a child? And it's a nickname of a lazy child?" Fiona trembled by the thought of it while Noami's face was dark as coal thinking if it's true.

Naomi had befriended a maid in the Rivas mansion. The maid was very innocent and too simple. Seeing Naomi care about her and be good with her calling or messaging every day like a friend, she had said in a flow 'Young master is coming home tomorrow with Young madam, so all are busy preparing for tomorrow.'

Before that Naomi and Fiona had met at a common friend's party. Fiona doubted herself if she liked Aaron or Hassan or Aaron's family, the Rivas. 

If it was the teenage boy she liked, then she should like Hassan Fisher, or else it should be the Rivas name. She never really spoke to the teenager Aaron who hardly stayed at home when she was visiting the Rivas mansion, in fact, she doesn't even remember seeing teenager Aaron but Hassan who always hung out with Ariel Rivas and took care of her.

Growing up as she will marry Aaron Rivas, she couldn't suddenly replace the name Hassan Fisher even though he was hot and handsome. So she ignored and tried to forget her old-time crush to concentrate on her career

Anyway, she was confused when she heard the gossip in the socialite circle that Naomi is the girl who is going to marry Aaron and they are dating for a long time.

She went face to face with Naomi coincidentally and asked in curiosity, "Did you really date Aaron for so many years?"

Naomi didn't make up a lie, "Don't you know the truth? Why bother asking me?"

Fiona had shrugged off having no interest in others' business but Naomi had blocked her and asked, "You don't want Aaron anymore?"

Fiona thought for a few seconds before responding, "I have no interest in another woman's man." She meant to say Aaron loves Aarvi and it makes no sense to fight for him. 

Fiona framed it that way so that the Fisher family don't misunderstand her as she is interested in Hassan Fisher. She didn't want to face him in her life. 

Naomi smirked, cooking up a plan. She has to keep her image clean so she needs somebody who could help her yet keeps her secrets under wrap, "Help me, I will help you get the permission to open the hospital." 

Naomi had already heard Fiona requested a cosmetic dermatology department in Rivas hospital because obtaining permission for a new hospital to open a dermatology hospital for both cosmetic and plastic surgeons is difficult.

Naomi didn't want to take a risk with Fiona if in case she had to keep meeting Aaron in the latter days for opening a new department under Rivas Hospital so she thought to help her with opening a new hospital.

It was hard to reject so Fiona accepted her offer to give it a try as her other ways were hard and deadlock.

Both had discussed it for a pretty long time at the party. Fiona didn't bother correcting or changing her plans other than hearing and humming to Naomi before they had dispersed.

And here they are in the Rivas Mansion like well-bred ladies, Fiona apologized to all by digesting their disgruntled look. She didn't do it for Naomi but for her grandfather and to earn a helping hand.

Fiona's grandfather at home was happy to know she accepted her mistake and sought forgiveness without severing the long friendship of the Rivas and Knox family.

Naomi doubted if it was Aarvi's child, and convinced herself as they were talking about something else. She was also disappointed how Aaron went inside ignoring them but she was used to his behavior.

"Aaron, I didn't see you around the hospital for the last few days." Naomi probed to get some attention.

Aaron glanced behind him before asking a question back in his cold tone, "Why are you here? Who is on shift?"

Fiona looked down, biting her lips hard to avoid the threatening chuckle from escaping her lips. She was glad she backed off sooner than later. 

It's so obvious Aaron doesn't give a damn about Naomi's presence much less her emotions. His body language while walking next to Aarvi was enough to display how protective and caring he was towards Aarvi. Hence Fiona couldn't understand what Naomi was up to.

Naomi awkwardly laughed searching for a lie. "I was feeling weak in the morning hence I swapped my shift to the night."

Aaron just glanced at her before they settled in the living hall where Aarvi greeted both Karsen and Connor before sitting on a single armchair.

Connor asked with a hint of delight, "I saw Aaron's car at the cemetery when I exited, did you guys meet Aniyah and Ariel?"

Aarvi faintly smiled hearing him mention it as 'meet', "Yes, Master Rivas, we had reached there when you left."

Connor nodded smiling to himself, "Ani liked you then. I am sure she would have entrusted our son to you."

Aarvi and Aaron glanced at each other before she nodded faintly. They were generally talking when Jordan returned to the living hall from the study room.

Aarvi instinctively stood up and greeted with a modest bow of her head, "Elder Rivas."

All expected him to ignore her including Naomi but Jordan hummed in acceptance of greet before signaling her to take the seat as he sat down next to his grandson.

Aaron didn't greet instead looked at his grandfather's stoic face. Jordan wasn't how he showed to the outsiders. Aaron really wanted him to accept and be warm with Aarvi.

Jordan felt hard to maintain his grim look due to Aaron's stare, he slapped his leg and hissed, "What's with your look? Are you asking me to leave now?"

Aaron didn't comment other than faintly smiling at him to provoke. All heard Karsen's bored voice, "Are we going to sit like this?" He needed some fun and entertainment.

Shawn irritatingly looked at two ladies before revealing, "I gave ta day off to all the maids thinking we could all cook together and have fun for lunch. Should I call them back from their quarters?"

Aarvi was surprised by hearing him. Like in the movies and novels or her own house, she had thought they order around the maids, and elders prefer to stay away from the fun of youngsters. 

Her eyes gazed at others and saw how Karsen and Connor liked Shawn's idea before her eyes landed on Jordan. 

Jordan stood up as he said, "It's been a long time since I entered the kitchen." He turned Aaron and ordered, "You brat, help me prep now."

As though she was in a whole new world, Aarvi was totally surprised even though on the outer surface she looked too calm. This was no way near what she had expected.

Aaron placed his hand on Aarvi's back while she was thinking if Jordan will let her be with them in the kitchen. "Accompany us…" His gentle voice sounded easing up her dilemma. 

They were leaving discussing what to cook but Fiona's voice sounded, "Grandfather, please give me a minute, I will apologize to Ms. Evans too. I was rude to her that day and she deserves an apology from me."

Megan furrowed realizing Fiona was showing it off to Jordan as she is apologizing rather than showing her sincerity to Aarvi.

Shawn instantly turned to Aarvi feeling alarmed. He wanted to cue her to slip off but Aarvi was gazing at Fiona.

His lips arced realizing the prey of Fiona and Naomi is actually a predator, ready to hunt.