The Traps of Black Swan

Imagining Amiah in the pool of blood, Aeon changed his mind. He didn't want to suicide anymore even if it's going to be hard for him to get over the fact Amiah isn't with him anymore.

Aeon's voice suddenly changed chilly and Aarvi could only notice his one eye from her position. He was holding intense hatred and anger towards… Leon?

"Leon Harmon acted like he was searching for me everywhere before he reached there. I asked him if there was Amiah on the floor…"

Aarvi clearly remembered both brothers turning towards her, she knew they were talking but what? She had no idea. Due to a hit near her ear, all she was hearing was a monotonous ring in her ear. In other words, she was deaf at that time.

Aeon continued to say through his clenched teeth, "Leon made me believe there was none. I should have believed the smell. I wish I knew his true colors that time." 

He sighed faintly, "In the morning, I saw bloodstains on the car mat. Then checked my shoes to realize there was really somebody on the brink of death. I checked all the warehouses in that area but found nothing."

After that, he had heard his brother talking about the missing dead body from the warehouse. He had fought with him, threatened him, and did everything but nothing was useful. He didn't have proof anyway.

That was the time he left the house, loathing his brother for his real colors.

In the end, both breathed out almost at the same time but Aarvi's every reaction was under control and Aeon didn't care.

'Freedom.' That's what Aeon felt after sharing it. His lips faintly curved in amusement. It was hard for him to believe he actually shared with the one who tortured him in the beginning. 

His brows suddenly ceased and turned to her. His eyes widened at the realization and stared at her. Even though she didn't mention the date, other than Leon none knew he had been there. 

"You- You…" He was afraid to confirm. He felt like a sharp needle piercing his heart at the thought of Aarvi Evans, who looked like an untouched goddess, who looked like she had no worries about life had been through that.

He didn't want Aarvi to be that girl who didn't even have the strength to bat her eyelid or move her finger.

Contrary to his expectation, Aarvi smiled a beautiful one. 

She doesn't need his pity, nor his repentance. If he had saved her, probably Leon would have killed her for real with a more tortuous method. In fact, nobody could have saved her other than Aaron and she didn't hold Aeon responsible for her fate.

Aarvi finally answered his question, 'Why did the Golden Trio disappear?'

"You are absolutely right. That's the reason Golden Trio disappeared before they made the name." But they will be back very soon, bolder and dashing.

There was no pain, no sadness in her eyes which put his heart at ease yet he apologized, "I am sorry, I had…"

"You don't have to." Aarvi cut in as she took a step closer, "Thank you for teaching me that hope is more hurtful than a sword."

Hope gives a little relief, and snatching it away was truly painful.

Aeon: "..."

He didn't understand her words.

Aarvi turned around to leave and almost reached the door when a voice sounded in her ear and the door opened, [Dylan Harmon…]

Aarvi paused, Aeon instinctively stood between them and Dylan was surprised.

Aarvi looked at Aeon's sturdy broad back. 'Shouldn't I have revealed it?' She thought looking at him turn protective as though she was his responsibility.

She stepped aside to walk out but her lips twitched looking at Dylan's eyes shining bright looking at her and Aeon repeatedly.

She deduced his reaction and glanced at Aeon. Even if she didn't have Aaron, she would never be with Aeon. Both were hollow at the same place, their heart, for different reasons. Aeon might be a gentleman but he never could handle her emotional stress as Aaron.

Thinking of Aaron, she missed him.

She uttered as she walked towards Dylan, "A daydream is an illusion. I have a boyfriend, Assistant Harmon."

Dylan could feel the glass shatter in his mind but still believed he didn't give out his thoughts. 

Aarvi paused next to Dylan. She contemplated before uttering, "I am going to play in a few minutes. You are welcome to watch the show." She whispered and walked out.

Dylan had gone to call Aeon to the party, seeing him standing in shirt and trousers, "Get ready and come downstairs soon."

"How…" The rest of his words faded away looking at Dylan rushing out. "... do you all know Aarvi Evans?"

He got ready while thinking about Aarvi Evans and how she survived.

Dylan, who rushed out, saw an empty lobby and sighed. What was she going to do? He was very excited to witness thinking who could be her target. 

President Harmon?

President Dawson?

He felt the need to find a good position to watch the show but his eyes landed on Leon who signaled Dylan to reach him, "Double-headed Moron." He cursed under his breath praying 'Ava Kelly' breaks Leon's confidence more.

---

Aarvi asked her team while alighting the stairs, "Ready?"

[Let's wipe the smile off.] Her team said in unison and she heard the sound of their fists punching.

The Shadow team had no complete idea yet so they had a question, 'Whose smile is it?'

Entering the hall, Aarvi found known silhouettes. She slowly walked back and went around the pole.

The Shadow team members who were a little far but around her were confused thinking they might have forgotten to report somebody's presence.

The team who were behind the screen became more cautious.

None got the time to ask anything and watched her hand grab the olive green blazer of a man, pulled him aside, and pinned him against the pillar.

Aarvi untied the thread which left the thin layer of drape that covered the camera, all the while looking at the man's emotionlessly raised a brow at her.

She heard the handgun slide unlock and her gaze swept past the burly man who had a murderous air moving towards her on the other side.

"President Rivas, Your DRIVER has a plan to kill me." 

Why hadn't she noticed in previous years his driver is the one who follows Aaron to crowded places or different companies other than Milo Wen?

'DRIVER?' Aaron's personal bodyguard was speechless to her words.

How could he stand still and do nothing when somebody ambushed Aaron from the side when he was making way for Aaron?

Aarvi's eyes had shifted on the stunning man in front of her so she missed the bodyguard staring at her in dumbstruck. She coldly waved her hand without moving her eyes away from Aaron whose eyes turned dark, losing the golden hue from his hazel eyes, absolutely disliking his bodyguard's reaction. 

When the bodyguard turned around that blocked the other's view, Aaron spun and pinned her on the large round pillar. 

Aarvi pulled him closer with a sly smirk on her lips, "President Rivas, I'm versed in taming the wild." She wasn't offended by the bodyguard rather appreciated how his guard is always up to protect Aaron.

"My Lioness is out to hunt." He was proud. Her confidence and craftiness were sexier than her dress.

Her lips hovered next to his temptingly, "One week," She uttered with her gaze never leaving his penetrating hazel brown eyes.

"People forgot I am a ferocious predator." She smirked for their silliness.