The Traps of Black Swan

Aarvi wasn't new to dislike and distant gazes on her. She could easily say Jordan didn't like her presence around Aaron hence going to meet him wasn't a good choice. They were in Aaron's office and Jordan couldn't go against him but it was completely different if they go to the family mansion.

She hesitantly asked, "Is it necessary for me to meet him so soon?" She didn't want to tell him what she was looking forward to if they go and meet him directly.

Aaron stated the reason thinking she was afraid to meet his family, "Since he already saw us together, isn't it better to clarify about our relationship to him?" He didn't want his grandfather to misunderstand her.

She wasn't afraid of rejection but she knew his opinion will definitely affect Aaron, eventually them. 'Why am I expecting so much?' She had forgotten Aaron wasn't limited to her and they won't have only happiness.

She knew her world is too limited but she had forgotten Aaron's world is huge. He had a big family and friends' circle, he couldn't possibly restrict his world just to tend to her.

She always isolated herself even in the crowd, she was used to being alone but now she saw people adding in her solitary life and Aaron wasn't really reachable for her. She had a huge wall around herself which separated them despite standing together.

She knew that for a long time, she had thought she didn't have to cross it even after accepting Aaron but now, she felt the need to break that wall for the one who was ready to stand against the whole world. She can't avoid everyone like before to be with him.

Nothing is easy to get, while everyone struggles with others, she has to struggle with herself to stand with him. She has to face unpredictability or maybe she already knows what is coming but she didn't know how to handle it.

Aaron cupped her face seeing her stare at him, Aarvi jolted making him realize she was again in her own thoughts. His deep voice sounded gentle, smoothening her furrows which she didn't even know existed, "You don't have to change for others or for me. Be as you like, as you want. I will manage it if you don't want to meet my grandfather."

She was really content knowing he understands her without a word so accurately but she doesn't want him to handle the problems and walk alone where she should be with him. She tried to voice herself but failed to break her walls and changed the subject. She looked at him cautiously squinting her eyes, "Do you know how to read a mind?"

Aaron pulled her cheek, he wished he knew it to read her problems. Aarvi doubted if he loves her or her cheeks, 'My poor cheeks...' She sobbed inwardly rubbing her cheek as she spoke, "I will come for ten cupcakes." She spread her fingers in front of him.

'Cupcakes?!' Crossing his arms on his chest, he asked in all seriousness, "Ms. Aarvi Evans, tell me the truth, you accepted me because of cupcakes, didn't you?"

Aarvi peeked left and right in the vacant meeting room then whispered to him going closer, "Don't tell this to Doctor Rivas otherwise he won't bake cupcakes for me. It's a secret between us."

Aaron: "..."

'Doozy!'

She giggled looking at him word struck and asked, "When are we meeting your grandfather? Should we get some gifts before going?"

Aaron didn't expect her to be formal in meeting his grandfather. Snaking his arm around her waist, he pulled her to him while Aarvi couldn't understand why he enjoys to keep her in his arms all the time, 'Is he afraid that I will run away?' She felt it was possible.

"Alright, we will grab our marriage certificates then buy some gifts." He said and watched her, She frowned hearing 'Marriage certificates', then recalled what she said, fathomed it, and pushed him away causing him to chuckle.

"I didn't mean that. When I went to Hays villa for the first time, they laughed at me for going e..." She told in fluster thinking he misunderstood her words then realized she spoke about Hays and he might not like it.

This was the part Aaron wanted her to ease up. He didn't want her to think and weigh each word she speaks with him. That composition is suited for others but he wanted her to say it out. He probed her to continue, "For going?"

Aarvi watched him in amusement seeing no repulsion about the topic so she continued awkwardly, "I didn't know we should carry gifts while going for the first time, they had laughed at me telling everyone." Then her parents had scolded her for that too.

Aaron held her hand grabbing her bag as he took her out. He knew well her parents didn't tell her about it and she was young to know those things, "If you want, we will grab some but it is not required. We should take them when he starts pampering you."

He knew his grandfather wasn't going to easily acknowledge Aarvi. Firstly, Jordan loves his grandchildren so much that he doesn't find anybody suitable for them. Secondly, Aarvi had no name in the world. She doesn't want to reveal her current or birth identity unless she feels like it.

"I thought we should shower fake love to get an approval of elders as in the dramas." Aarvi thought that's how the world worked and she wasn't capable of showing fake love.

Aaron bobbed her head to bring her out of stereotypes she heard or seen, "Be you." It might be Ava or Aarvi Evans, She has her uniqueness, he is sure once his grandfather gets to know her, he will coddle her as his granddaughter.

She hoped she shouldn't become the nail between Aaron and Jordan's relationship.

---

At the Rivas mansion

The Rivas family was completely from a medical background. Nearly a century back, they had started with traditional medicine practice incorporating the plant, and mineral-based medicines. Then they slowly evolved with the modernization.

To grow the medicine plants, they had bought a huge land space that they used to grow herbs and also kitchen necessities with marketing goods for extra income. A small house in the estate became a villa over time and that villa became an outhouse bringing up a modern mansion opposite to it.

The Rivas mansion was no less than a contemporary palace from outside but she had never gone inside. Each car or person entering the estate has to go through monitoring even if they are family members and that's the security protocol of entering.

After the fingerprint scan, Aarvi saw Aaron entering digits on a digital panel before the main gate opened, she noticed the detector machine as the car passed to check if the car was bugged or any critical things are attached to the car. Then the second gate electronically opened letting the car out.

Aarvi mumbled, "I am feeling like Alice in a wonderland." Aaron chuckled and left her to look around. The car drove for five minutes at medium speed as Aarvi watched outside liking the surroundings filled with greens. She would love to live there alone... Perhaps with Aaron.

In the mansion,

As soon as Aaron entered, the butler of the mansion excitedly announced to all about his arrival. Jordan didn't show his emotions putting on a grim look whereas he was little... only a little happy thinking Aaron was finally going to talk to him leaving that girl away without having any idea that she is coming too.

Megan Rivas, Shawn's mother quickly went to the door to welcome him. Megan or Aaron's mother, they never differentiated between Shawn or Aaron, hence she was equally affectionate to Aaron.

As soon the Maybach halted in front of the mansion, Megan who was excited about Aaron stood there frozen looking at the shotgun seat. A girl? Her eyes widened witnessing Aaron caressing the girl's head. The butler who was standing behind Megan was surprised too.

Megan's smile broadened identifying the girl as Aarvi. They had met many times in the country S. She had shipped Shawn to her but the duo didn't have any such feelings.

The butler was in shock looking at the elegant graceful lady quickly proceeding to the car while Aaron alighted. Aarvi had just unlocked the door when Megan pulled the door for her, "My Gigglemug finally found a way to come here."

Aaron went around looking at them. Aarvi faintly smiled as she alighted, "Aunty Megan!" Megan was delighted but she controlled knowing Aarvi couldn't handle the physical contact hence she just spoke.

Aarvi knew Megan was fond of her. She didn't want to diminish her happiness hence she held Megan's arm as they walked towards the entrance of the mansion, "Aunty Megan, you need to tell me about your skin secret."

Megan Wilson aka Megan Rivas, a famous dermatologist in the country. She wasn't retired but worked on her required time and days. She was a flawless beauty and looked like a woman in her late thirties or younger in the age of fifties.

The butler greeted Aaron and he was unaware of Aarvi, "Young master..." Aaron acknowledged it with a nod, "Aunty Megan." He greeted her earning a lovely motherly smile from Megan who patted his arm as she took Aarvi inside whinging about her "Gigglemug, do you know I missed you?"

By this time, they had reached the formal living hall where Jordan was glaring at them. Megan didn't notice him and continued, "I will come in a bit, go inside." Then she went towards the kitchen with the butler letting Aaron take care of her.

Aaron's hand went to her back as he guided her to sit while her face lost the little expression she had looking at Jordan who ordered, "Send her out." His heavy deep voice unknowingly increased her heartbeats in a jerk.

Aarvi stilled, Aaron's brows furrowed but his tone was still respectful, "Grandfather, listen to us first."

Jordan didn't give him a chance and sternly warned, "Aaron, don't you dare cross my words."