The Traps of Black Swan

The Dawson family and Harmon family sat in the living hall with warm smiles on their faces. The butler of the house took care of refreshments and they started to talk generally and about the families.

Madam Dawson spoke looking at Sara stealing glances at Sean, "Aren't you guys bored with us? Go and spend time together."

Sean felt alarmed, he was sure he would throw her out of the mansion or slap her in the face if he was left alone so he turned to Leon and Eliza with a faint pleading look, 'Help me… please please…'

Leon signaled him to calm just by signaling through his eyes and modestly smiled, "Madam Dawson, it's lunchtime. Let's complete the ring ceremony and have lunch."

"What!?" President and Madame Dawson's voices sounded in unison. Before President Dawson continued, "President Harmon, isn't humoring, right?"

He coughed lightly, realizing why Sara received a grand gown for lunch. He continued in a polite tone, "We thought today is a simple lunch date to talk about engagement and wedding celebration."

Sean was alarmed by it while Sara continued to blush. Leon knew what President Harmon was getting at but he didn't want that to happen. 

"We didn't want the media and friends to name the relationship a business deal. Sara loves Sean so we wanted the families to celebrate and have fun without tainting their relationship as compromised."

Leon's calm sweet words swayed Sara but President Dawson shook his head. He agreed to the wedding because he can reap lots of benefits in the business, why will he be willing to hide it?

He looked at his daughter longingly and spoke, "President Harmon, you don't understand the pain of father. I have only Sara, if I can't celebrate her important days, whose… Sigh…"

Madam Dawson hummed too, "We always dreamed of a grand engagement and wedding of our daughter. We don't care what the media and people say, we want to give our daughter a grand celebration no one ever gave in the Mocon." She had a pure yearning gaze towards Sara who weakly smiled.

Leon wanted to keep the things low so that when he breaks them, it would be easier to clean. Hearing the adamant voice, Leon decided to give no face to the Dawson family after winning the project successfully.

'Tap…' A sound at the bar parlous grabbed everyone's attention as the old man counted, "Second." He meant Dawson offended Leon Harmon for the second time.

Firstly, for asking for a wedding against a business deal. Secondly, for choosing a different idea against Leon Harmon's wish.

Sean was going towards his grandfather when Leon's voice sounded, "Sean, I will check on him."

Sean nodded while Leon went to his grandfather, "Grandfather, why are you drinking so soon? The doctor had said no for drinking." 

Then his voice lowered as the distance closed down, his gentle look was dark and his voice was cold as ice, "Grandfather, I don't want any drama here."

However, Grandfather smirked, "You want to kill me? Go ahead, I am tired of living anyway."

Leon's head tilted as his hand gently caressed his grandfather's arm, "Kill you? No, I will amputate your dear grandson's leg or… a hand."

The old man's eyes turned red glaring at his eldest grandson. He said through his teeth, "Don't you dare touch Aeon. Don't forget, you will be on the roads if anything happens to him."

Leon shrugged and said in nonchalance, "Of course I know that. He can still be alive without a leg, you know. So don't create any drama here." He patted his grandfather's back before turning around like a gentleman.

"He hadn't touched alcohol for a long time and he is just very happy today looking at Sean getting the beautiful bride." He said sweetly, causing Sara to blush and the other two to nod in understanding.

President Dawson continued from the topic where they had left, "This celebration will also divert the netizen and media's attention away from that blur image scandal of yours. So why not?"

'Tap…' Another ice cube fell on the floor and the old man counted mumbling to himself, "Third offense."

Leon Harmon clenched his fist glared at President Dawson who was looking at the old master. If he was somebody else, he might have strangled the man by now.

This time all ignored the old man while Eliza's teeth chattered in fright. Since Leon's mood was ruined by the Dawson family, she was sure she would be the one to endure the wrath of Leon's fury first.

Yet she tried to handle controlling her shaky voice, "President Dawson, I hope you could differentiate between scandal and rumors. Please don't bring up unnecessary topics."

Leon controlled his anger when he felt the cold palm cover his tight fist. He heard Eliza's words looking at her trembling hand which he covered with his other hand and smiled at the Dawson family.

"I hope you don't mind. My wife is very protective of me." He flashed Eliza a charming smile.

Sara exclaimed, "Brother Leon, nobody could say you two are married for so long."

Eliza and Leon smiled together at Sara but they didn't get the chance to speak. President Dawson was smart and controlled the situation, "Sean, son, I am sure you have a large circle of friends and you would love to throw a grand party, how about we arrange the engagement in our estate? Sara has picked some designs, she will show them to you."

Leon's face started to turn darker shades and unawarely started to squeeze the hand. Eliza bit her lips due to the excruciating pain but was afraid to make any noise.

Sean's friends will obviously know Sean is engaged as Sara Dawson will show off hence Sean, the party animal would love to throw a grand party to all hence Leon felt like President Dawson was hitting the nails at the right points.

Sean knows the vast Dawson estate and the flashy Sara so he was obviously enticed to shine in the party, "Sure Uncle." He accepted without looking at Leon.

Just like that things were out of Leon's control and Leon had no voice but to see them plan and ask him for formality before they decided on things.

Leon saw his grandfather's smug smile and his wife trembling in fear but none cooled his anger.

Dylan Harmon who was a spectator the whole time was pitying Leon Harmon. If Ava Kelly is really alive and is targeting Leon Harmon, he is sure things will never fall in place for Leon Harmon.

----

At Rivas mansion,

Naomi was bored soon by staying in the guest room so she went in search of Aaron but ended up hearing the couple chuckle and saw them cuddling on the daybed.

She had seen both Aaron and Aarvi unemotional or utmost, faintly smile when they were with all. She realized Aarvi is just like him.

He is cold and aloof with everyone so Naomi had expected the same with Aarvi nonetheless Aaron's chuckle and tender tone is unrestrained and hearty.

How could she not be jealous? She was very envious of Aarvi. Naomi stayed by Aaron's side for so many years yet she never heard a warm greet from Aaron, whereas Aarvi earned everything just because she has Ariel Rivas's heart.

Naomi wanted to scream at them to make them realize heart is just an organ.

Storming away, she noticed Jordan reading news on his iPad, she put on her sweet little lady look erasing her envy and anger before sitting next to him, "Grandfather, I am bored. Let's play something."

Jordan glanced at her with a nod before completing the article he was reading, "What do you want to play with an old man?"

Naomi thought for a second before excitedly revealing, "Your favorite game, chess. Grandfather, we haven't played for a long time."

Jordan liked her suggestion and stood up, "Let's go."

Naomi went downstairs and both went behind the mansion where there was floor chess with the pawns of height 5 feet. "Grandfather, I am going to win this time." 

Jordan put on a smug smile and started the game seriously. 

...

They were on their second match after the first game with Jordan's victory when the rest of the family members reached there one by one and watched them play.

Naomi waited before speaking, "Grandfather, why don't you rest for some time? You have been standing for a long time… Ms. Evans will play till that."

Shawn sighed next to Aaron, "Bro, who do you think will win?" Brother looked at each other before shaking their heads.

Jordan was tired of walking on the lawn moving the pawns so he nodded and went to sit. And he was curious how Aarvi would play the game so he purposefully cued Aarvi to take over his place.

Aarvi shoved her mobile into Aaron's pocket before stepping to the ground. It was her turn so she started to study the board. She took time to cleanly study without hurry.

Naomi was a good player but she chose the wrong opponent.

Aarvi moved a soldier for Naomi to kill, her move disappointed Jordan and Naomi celebrated. And the game continued, Naomi kept killing Aarvi's soldiers while Aarvi let her rejoice in victory.

After some time, Jordan excitedly stood up understanding Aarvi's plan and as he guessed, in a few more moves Aarvi killed Naomi's queen when Naomi was about to scream in victory. Then Naomi's king was caught between Aarvi's pawns ending the game with Checkmate.

Naomi understood she was celebrating the win by killing Aarvi's pawns thinking she is a noob but Aarvi was spreading out her net to aim at her queen and king.

"I… I was going easy on you." She blurted out to ask for a rematch unwilling to accept her loss.