The Traps of Black Swan

After being inarticulate, Aaron could feel her anticipation of his next move. He tilted his head to reach Aarvi's faint blushing cheek to efface the cream when he sensed the presence of somebody. His eyes landed on Tia whose jaws had dropped and frozen without moving.

He really wanted to chide Tia for ruining the mood but accepted his Cupcake is going to avenge him for leaving her hanging. Without reacting to Tia's presence, he lifted Aarvi to sit on the kitchen counter, another time leaving her dumbfounded.

Aarvi really wanted to know if she thought too much or understood clearly when his one arm wrapped around her and another one wiped the cream off her cheek.

Aaron asked, caressing her cheek, "What else did you want to ask?"

'Oh' Aarvi gave a thought before asking, "You are a doctor, how did you manage to shield by Apple Pie's attack, other companies' conspiracy and make it huge in three months when most of the businessmen and companies expected your fall?"

Aaron was expecting such questions sooner or later so he wasn't' surprised nor offended. He tugged her close and tilted his head, landing her curled lips on his cheek. He is aware that she wants to know everything about him slowly and there was nothing he wanted to hide.

Aarvi smiled for his move when he wanted to turn and check the timer of the microwave. She pulled him closer and fondly pressed her lips on his cheek and added, "Here, here, don't be shy, I can give you more."

Aaron smiled helplessly as he responded choosing to tell from the beginning, "I didn't really know anything about the Rivas company. I had no plans to sit as President. In fact, none in the home wants to be a President of a conglomerate. We have the company to protect our hospitals."

Aarvi nodded. She knows the main reason behind the Rivas Industries establishment and the growth. However powerful the hospital chain grows, the private multinational companies try to poach it, if failed, taint it to remove it from the field.

There are numerous small to medium scale businesses including hospitals and education that are backed by strong business companies. Some forceful backend themselves to improve their worth and some got the opportunity to stand by.

The Rivas family didn't want to link with anybody and didn't trust anybody when they started facing trouble. So Jordan had to stand strong to protect the hospitals from commercializing by other companies.

Once in the market, the competition starts, the growth and downfall are common. The Rivas family faced the growth with the sole purpose of protecting their all hospitals which still have affordable charges and many foundations relating to health.

Aarvi nodded showing the indication of listening and Aaron continued, "Shawn was a naughty child. Ariel was spoiling him with no limit. She didn't want him to fret over business or medical field so when she got to know I will be going to the medical field, she voluntarily chose finance and management asking Shawn to choose whatever he likes."

Aarvi enviously smiled, nodding her head as she added, "Such a doting sister." She didn't know this and weirdly craved how Ariel Rivas would have treated her if she had accepted her as Aaron's girlfriend.

"Anyway, Shawn didn't join the music university but business studies so that he could help Ariel."

Aarvi had a big pout of her lips thinking why all the best brothers and sisters are staying in a family and she got the bratty little brother. She sighed internally knowing it depends on the family too.

There was a line on the tip of her tongue, 'Let's get married, I want to be a Rivas.' But she wanted to get married for love and for Aaron so she pushed the thought behind and heard him.

"Three years back, it was total chaos."

Aarvi had heard about every Rivas family member coping up with the pain excluding Aaron. She thought to hear him about it some other day.

"Dad Karsen had to stay with grandmother and little mom, Grandfather is old, Dad's spirit was too down. Shawn was too young to take off the responsibility of hundreds of thousands of employees and he couldn't stay strong after seeing you, so as an elder son of the family, I decided to leave the medical field for business."

"Huh?" Aarvi unknowingly let out a confused questioning tone with a worried face. Aaron liked to be in the medical field so she couldn't imagine how strong he had to be for his family and her.

Aaron knew her anxiety so he held her cute straight nose and indulgently revealed, "I didn't quit the medical field for you."

Aarvi pulled his hand away and asked in dilemma, "So… Should I be happy that you are pursuing your career in your busy schedule because of me? Or angry for making you work a lot?"

Both heard the beeping sound of a micro oven before Aaron could respond to her. Aarvi wanted to get off to take it out but the man pushed her back to be seated before going to the micro oven.

Aarvi started preparing for icing without getting off the island kitchen counter while Aaron cut the spongy bread in layers as he responded to her question, "I am glad I held on to medicine because of you."

Who wouldn't be happy to hear the woman is the reason for her man's career?

Despite knowing he struggled a lot, she was happy to know he didn't give up. 

Aaron's lips arced seeing her pleased by the response. His finger tugged her apron pulling her closer. He captured her lips for a quick and sweet kiss leaving her heart fluttering.

She liked how he pulls her for kisses whenever he feels like it. She wanted to get used to it but she likes how it feels. 'Another dilemma to solve.' She thought.

"Shawn was lost after Ariel. He was broken after seeing you but collected himself quickly and stood by me."

Aarvi revealed what Aaron didn't know, "Ariel and I made him weak and vulnerable. You make him strong." Aarvi knew Aaron always thought Shawn stood strong to protect Aarvi. But he didn't know Shawn's strength is Aaron.

Aaron paused his actions before continuing his work and also the main response Aarvi was waiting for, "I was just a name when I took over the President position. I had Dad Karsen, Milo Wen, and importantly Shawn."

Aarvi wasn't convinced just by hearing Shawn, "Shawn? Isn't he the director of the Security department?" Aarvi never checked on Rivas industries so she had no idea how they were working before or after she was in comatose. 

Aaron pulled her down the kitchen counter and both iced on the cake as he responded, "He is. I was learning and taking control while he stood by me guiding me throughout until I could handle everything myself."

Aarvi wanted to suggest that Shawn should handle company affairs and Aaron to focus on the hospital and his research paper which are delayed but she didn't. 

She knows her friend loves to be a careless happy prince instead of a cold president and face the people's cunningness. Aaron was strong-hearted and capable to handle the crafty people indifferently.

Aaron glanced at her in deep thought before a faint smile appeared on her face. He really wanted to ask what she was thinking but continued, "So to answer your question how I was able to handle everything, My wings are Shawn if I am addressed as a dragon."

A beautiful smile appeared on Aarvi's dainty face hearing him. The Dragon President who conquered where his eyes laid isn't a one-person but the brothers. 

She was proud of Shawn and the brothers' bond.

Everyone struggles in their life in different ways and the problems come to each one, they are not unique.

…

Dax and Shawn who had to cook dinner reached the kitchen and saw the lady standing in the arms of the man while icing the cake.

Dax had heard the whole story of teen Aaron and Ava Kelly. He almost felt like he was going to be the deity of Aaron just like Shawn. 

Tia, who had run away, slowly peeked in the kitchen and blushed by looking at Aaron standing behind Aarvi with a hand controlling the cake holder and another hand holding Aarvi's right hand as both discussed the color suited for Dax's cake.

Shawn and Dax were speechless glancing at Tia and understood girls like silly things and Aarvi/Tia are no different. Dax and Shawn low fived planning to leave the couple for cooking dinner too.

"Dum Dum, why don't you guys cook?" Dax asked but failed to get the attention.

Aarvi blandly responded, "Nope, I am tired."

Dax and Shawn had no comeback. 'Tired' word from her was enough to bring changes on Aaron's face and they were sure Aaron might cook alone but he won't let her cook. 

After shooting the couple to a guest room, the three got busy in the kitchen starting the war just to decide what to cook. They didn't know how to cook their favorite dishes and their known dishes were disliked by each other.

...

In the guest room,

Aaron had a medicine book in one hand and another hand caressed Aarvi's petite face on his lap.

Aarvi asked her next and most curious question, "Then why most of the businessmen are so afraid of you? It can't just be because of your and Shawn's skills at acquiring and winning."

She didn't feel necessary to mention how the Hays family had frightened hearing his name as her husband… Ahem, she had just introduced Shawn as her brother-in-law.

Aaron paused reading and looked at her anticipating gaze, he hesitatingly asked, "What if I am into the illegal business too?"