The Traps of Black Swan

In the guest house, Shea wrapped her forceful study time. She was closing the curtains when she saw Aaron twirl Aarvi while coming towards the guest house which was on the way to the mansion. Opening the window, she heard Aarvi giggling. She could make out the faint curves on Aaron's face.

Aarvi suddenly stopped and pointed at the swimming pool of the mansion. Shea couldn't make out what she said but noticed Aaron speechless and denied it. Shea thought Aarvi might get angry or sad but she started running around Aaron saying something dramatically to convince Aaron.

She stepped out onto the balcony. As the couple neared, Shea heard Aarvi's voice due to the silence of the night, "... You have never tried it so you don't know, Ronron. Ice cream in the rain, Bike riding in the sprinkle of rain, diving in the cold is always fun…"

Shea chuckled, deciphering that Aarvi suggested jumping into the pool. Aarvi and Aaron were stark opposite. When Shea had seen Aarvi for the first time, she had thought Aarvi might have a serious personality like Aaron but she was wrong.

Aarvi and Aaron looked up and saw Shea when they heard her. Shea looked dull despite her laughter. When she had left the dining hall, Shea was normal, enjoying teasing her. Aarvi pointed out straight, "Shea, is everything alright?" Her voice was back to calm and composed.

"Huh?" Shea was confused about the question out of blue.

Aarvi cued Shea to come downstairs and turned to Aaron, "Go, my dear husband, warm my bed." She ordered her husband, pecking on his cheek. Then she threatened near his ear in a whisper, "If not, be ready to jump into the pool."

Aaron: "..."

He unwillingly left her hand when Shea came out of the guesthouse. He rubbed Shea's head when she flashed a mischief smile pretending to be fine.

Aarvi pointed at the chairs in the garden next to the guest house. Shea started thinking if Shawn said something to Aarvi so she silently followed and both sat down.

Aarvi repeated the question, "Is everything alright? You look... troubled, Shea." Aarvi oddly felt it wasn't because of work. There must be pressure from her family or somebody or something disturbing her.

The elders had taken responsibility for Shea's stay in the Mocon. Being a Rivas, Aarvi felt the responsibility to give a hand to her.

"No, no…"

Aarvi cut off, "A lie!? If you don't want to share, it's alright, Shea. I understand. I am sorry if I poked my nose too much." She could understand they weren't close. She could take the truth on her face instead of brushing her off with a lie.

Shea didn't lie, that's what she thought. She has decided her path to be strong, careful, and independent, so there is nothing to bother. "I have no such difficulty... Hmmm, I might look dull without makeup." She chuckled, making fun of herself.

Shea's smile turned even more awkward when Aarvi didn't react to the joke. The latter stood up. When Aarvi worked her ass off to master her acting skills, she learned human expression very deeply. So could make out what's the truth and fake especially when Shea didn't know to hide.

Shea stood up with her, "Aarvi, I- I know you are concerned about me. It's just small mood swings." She hastened to clear if there was any misunderstanding.

Aarvi sighed, hearing another excuse. She nodded in response accepting her excuse. They took small steps towards the entrance of the guest house, "Eyes don't lie." Aarvi glanced at Shea, especially her eyes. Even though she had met Shea only countable times, she had seen her sad, happy, scared, confused, and most of the main feelings in the short time. It was the first time Shea appeared lost and she wasn't even realizing it.

Aarvi looked away, "Shea, convincing with a lie doesn't give us relief." The only advice she could give to her. "Since everything is fine, then it's time for your beauty sleep." She flashed a faint smile and waited for her to go inside, "Good night."

Shea forced a smile back, wished her the night, and went inside. She was confused about why Aarvi spoke those words with her.

Aarvi went inside the mansion, fixing her mood. She was about to run upstairs, she caught sight of her husband at the corner. She went to him and saw Megan was peeking inside the study room while Aaron stood silently.

Aaron saw her brows up, "Shawn."

Megan tip-toed away and reached them, "Mom, is everything alright?" Why was she asking the same question to all?

Megan shook her head, "Karsen thinks that Shawn might feel burdened by the company. So he is talking if they should share it. We don't want two Aaron's in the house."

Aaron: "..."

He understood what Megan meant. They were afraid Shawn would become serious and aloof. Shawn has diverse interests, he is fun, talkative, encouraging, and shows he loves everyone.

Aaron was a man of action to everyone but Aarvi. He was level-headed in every emergency that makes him unemotional. The business field has shown him how cunning people could be, yet handles them easily. To handle all that, Aaron lost his naiveness, laughter, and preferred silence.

So if Shawn becomes like Aaron, the Rivas family would lose the spark of excitement. More importantly, Aarvi couldn't imagine her friend being what he wasn't.

Aarvi and Aaron looked at each other. They were busy planning their stay in country S and forgot to see how much it would influence Shawn.

Aarvi didn't want Aaron to leave his dream, at the same time, she wanted Shawn to be under lots of pressure. She didn't want to let Aaron go alone either.

Megan looked at the study room door and whispered, audible to her and Aaron, "I think this... isn't work pressure but... Shea."

Aarvi and Aaron: "..."

Aarvi didn't know what to do with these two idiots. "Mom, I will talk to him." Not just about Shea, about the work too. If he was forcing himself, she wanted to find a better solution to the situation.

"Wait, why aren't you surprised?" Megan suspiciously gazed at the couple, thinking they might be hiding something.

Were they supposed to appear surprised? The two looked at each other. They never thought to hide things when Megan always stood supportive of them. "Mom, if there is anything as such, Shawn would be first to tell you. Won't he?" Aarvi asked.

Megan hummed in agreement to her words and she fell into deep thoughts of Shawn.

Aaron cut off her worry, "Mom, we will take care of Shawn. Don't be so anxious." He tried to ease her.

Megan immediately shook her head understanding what was going on in their head, "No, you don't change your plans. Karsen would help Shawn if needed. Let him walk his path and reach his destination." She wouldn't let one sacrifice for another.  She patted his arm and smiled at Aarvi before going upstairs.

Aarvi could only hope she and Aaron don't fall to opposite sides while making any decision regarding family, company, and career.

Before she could say anything, Aarvi and Aaron heard footsteps and saw Shea in the mansion. Looking at Shea's eyes on Aarvi, Aaron greedily thought what if they had stayed in the cabana. He would have got his Cupcake wholly for himself.

He wasn't selfish though. He placed his hand on Aarvi's back to get her attention, "I think she wants to talk with you, Cupcake. I will see what Shawn and Uncle are up to.." He kissed the side of her forehead and went to the study room hearing her hum.