The Traps of Black Swan

Ava was enjoying her cupcake when she heard a girl exclaim, "He is so hot."

Glancing at them, she followed the girls' line of sight and her eyes landed on a handsome teenager who had folded his sleeves up, sweating a lot.

He caught her watching him, but this time she didn't smile at him. He picked a new dessert he had prepared for her, served it on a plate, and reached her table. 

She hadn't ordered it so her focus was on the words the girl had said. Being always alone in the house, she knew how it feels to have nobody to take care of her when she falls ill.

Hence her hand reached for his forehead to check the temperature and froze when his face darkened and glared at her. She felt hurt, not just because of his reaction, her mother's words replayed in her mind, 'Keep your filthy hands away.' Yes, she was dirty, she had forgotten it.

The handsome teenager who wanted to speak to her turned around and left. He was feeling wronged too.

Ava quickly rummaged through her bag and took out the medicine she always carries. Alighting the chair, she ran behind him and stood in front of him, which put him in a worse mood.

Extending her hand holding the small box, she suggested, "This is the medicine for fever. If you take it early, your fever will subside soon."

She genuinely looked worried for him. Nick and the handsome teenager looked at each other before the latter asked, still in a bad mood assuming she was making up for a chance of conversation. Else how could she have medicine in her bag?

"Who told you I have a fever?" He wasn't the same polite anymore. He sounded interrogating and irritated.

Being used to treated badly, Ava didn't mind it at all. She pointed to the table and promptly answered, "A senior sitting at that table said you are feeling hot and... you are sweating too." She dropped her left hand down.

Handsome teenager: "..."

The girls who heard Ava, choked up as they controlled their laughter. Nick quickly reached them and asked her curiously, "Our cupcakes glutton, is so caring. Tell me, what did that senior say?"

Ava's stiff face softened when she turned to Nick. She recalled and pointed at the handsome teenager, "He is so hot."

Handsome Teenager: "..."

Nick had to take a moment to control himself from bursting into laughter. He knew she was too innocent but didn't expect her to misunderstand such words. "Tell me, Ava, have you watched movies and dramas?"

Ava looked at the medicine in her right hand and then at the handsome teenager. She couldn't understand, instead of taking medicine, why Nick was asking such questions. Anyway, she responded, "I have never watched." She didn't have a mobile or computer and she wasn't allowed to watch television at home.

Nick nodded at her before looking at his friend. He pointed her to the handsome teenager, silently indicating she was really innocent to try anything on him and kind enough to share her medicine with him.

'Medicine?' Nick quickly placed his hand on her forehead. He let out a sigh finding her temperature normal before rubbing her head and going back to the counter.

Ava again looked at the handsome teenager. Her right hand lowered, biting her inner lip. She wasn't allowed to give or take anything from Jose so she thought the handsome teenager might be the same. "I am sorry for disturbing you." She nodded at him, then she lowered her head as she walked to her table.

The handsome teenager seemed to mull over a few things before he turned around. He noticed she had medicines for cold, gastric, with fever too before she zipped her bag.

She wore her bag, took the dessert tray which she hadn't ordered. Turning around, she contemplated whether to go near Nick or the handsome teenager. Since it was the handsome teenager who gave it to her, she went to him, "I didn't order it. I haven't touched it so you can give it to the customer who ordered."

She stumbled a step back when the handsome teenager sat on his one knee. Her craned neck rested down and stared at him while thinking if she did something wrong and he might punish her with a slap. 'I just wanted to help.' She thought.

Out of her expectation, he pointed his forehead at her but Ava didn't dare to go near. 

Anyway, he held her hand and felt her wrist was too small and almost bony. Then he placed it on his forehead over some hair. "Do I have a fever?" He was polite again and his gaze softer on her.

Ava blinked at him as she felt his forehead temperature. She shook her head and pulled her hand away in the blink of an eye. He saw her tremble slightly before a soft smile appeared on her face. "It's good, you are fine." Then she extended her other hand to give the tray.

By now, he already knew how she sports a smile to hide her emotions with a facade of a happy face. Sensing that he somehow left fear in her, he tried to ease her up, "That's for you. Would you like to try it and tell me how it tastes?"

She appeared to be thinking about it before wobbling her head adorably in agreement. The handsome teenager smiled at her action but it soon morphed to confusion when she placed the tray and ran to the cash counter.

The handsome teenager: "..." He realized she was paying for it when he gave it for free.

Nick, who already knew his friend's intention, tried to persuade the little girl but she was innocently responding to his question, "You shouldn't give for free in business." She said.

Nick tried another way saying, she could be their taste tester and the payment is their dessert. "I am below sixteen, working is illegal." She retorted trying to pay.

Nick: "..."

The handsome teenager went to her and changed a few words, "That's a new dessert. Could you please help me taste it and give me feedback?"

He somehow guessed the word 'help' will work on her. She again wobbled her, "Okay." He sat with her when she tried the snack, "Do you like sweets?"

Ava shook her head, "I like your cupcakes." Then she continued to try another spoon, "The tangy taste feels good but this is too sweet." She completed her taste-tester job.

The handsome teenager nodded as he thought of taking care of the sweetness. He sat with her and saw her smile whenever she lifted her head and saw him looking at her.

When she was done, the handsome teenager asked, "Ava, right?" He continued after she nodded, "Why do you carry medicine in your bag?"

"Oh." She said, glancing at her bag, "Because maids throw them away if I keep them in my room."

A faint frown passed on his face. He wanted to know about her family, they had maids and drivers which means they are rich and Ava has a good amount of cash with her every time. The woman picks the younger boy and ignores Ava purposefully. 

Nonetheless, he didn't want to scare her by asking about family. "Do you fall ill frequently?" He doubted she might just answer as yes, so he quickly added a line, "My mother is a doctor. I could ask her suggestion for you."

She innocently believed him and responded promptly, "I do fall ill frequently when Mom punishes me. I make a lot of mistakes." She chuckled softly but she doesn't know what are the mistakes she does.

The handsome teenager knew there was something wrong with her family as she didn't look like one to make a mistake. She was so obedient. He didn't probe her further so that she doesn't feel awkward.

He nodded at her, returning a smile and that was enough to make her happy. "Do you know me?" She didn't ask his name.

Ava nodded without lying, "You are a topper from the sophomore. I have seen your picture on the school banner." Now he is a junior, 11th grade.

If she had said no, he would have caught her lie because he had noticed her looking at the banner. "Didn't you read my name?"

Ava nodded and tried to recall with the spoon on her lips, "I forgot... I remember your scores, you got only 2 points less. One is mathematics and one in biology."

Handsome teenager: "..."

He realized what she was looking at. Smiling to himself, he extended his hand, "Aaron, you can call me by name or senior."

He saw her little hand hesitantly reach his and smiled at him through her eyes, "Senior Aaron, I am Ava Kelly."

Then the little friendship boat started sailing with Nick being Captain of the ship.

As they got along, Aaron and Nick realized Ava wasn't a silent girl but cheerful and bubbly. She was mischievous and her adorable giggles were enough to make them smile and look for her every day.

Meanwhile, Aaron and Nikun slowly got to know how her family treated her, then Jose had blurted out everything for a toy car. So if she was missing one day, they would definitely meet her the next morning before the classes.

Aaron often took her with him for lunch and gave her a bento in the evening giving her a random reason. Many times, whenever she was locked in her bedroom or left outside the villa, she would eat from it.

In just six months, the skinny girl gained weight. Ava became prettier and a true head-turner, bringing many male customers to the cafe without her knowledge.

Importantly, she always had a reason to be happy, forgetting her family.