The Traps of Black Swan

Aarvi noticed the curious cat that didn't have a tail hence she introduced, "Zachary Barnes aka Josh Simpson, son of…"

Dax cut in trying to guess, "The Simpson companies which were ruined due to chemicals found in milk products?"

Zachary aka Josh's brows knotted, he clenched his fist tight controlling from saying anything wrong or harsh.

Aarvi hummed as she served food to Dax who was recalling the old news from the past five years. She also noticed Zachary pausing but she didn't speak. She wanted both men to understand each other to the extent Zachary could work as Managing director of Craft companies as a representative of Skylar and report to Dax.

Dax again guessed, "I am not sure about the details but as long as I know they were too good and had the largest cattle farm in the country rearing best breeds of cows... So Leon Harmon?"

Aarvi noticed Zachary easing up so she hummed. "Let's talk about this after lunch. I don't want a heavy topic."

Dax hummed gazing at Zachary. He could guess there is a huge story behind the Simpson companies closure which wouldn't be suitable while eating. So the rest of the talk was about the announcement of Skylar acquiring Craft companies and Zachary as Managing director.

The program will be held in one hour, Dax and Zachary will attend and hold the press conference with Aarvi in the background.

After filling their stomach, Aarvi got down to the point, "Dax, Zachary Barnes is a Ph.D. holder in the Department of Animal Science, he was studying abroad when the Simpson company faced false accusation. When Mr. Barnes returned, he didn't only lose the whole company, factories but also his father. He suicided in prison unable to bear the accusations ."

Dax nodded at Zachary as a 'sorry for your loss.' and heard Aarvi continue, "Zachary was twenty-four I guess, he was naive and didn't have a connection. Leon Harmon's network was too wide to get him."

Dax knew that so he nodded and asked, "How did you get him?"

Zachary answered this time, "It's been two years, I was working as a lecturer for my and my mother's living expenses. President Evans didn't meet me but sent a person to talk. When I got a choice if I wanted to win the case that is under the law failing to win on Leon Harmon's team or continue working as a lecturer, I accepted her offer. I was working in Rivas Industries from a trainee to a manager before I was notified to take over the Craft business."

Dax asked in a dilemma, "How did you patiently wait for two years without seeing her?"

Aarvi shook her head in resignation. She knew he was doubting the loyalty of Zachary. Dax never believes anybody who could be sold for power or money.

"To be honest, I almost thought I was being fooled. But my training for two years is hard as a rock and I was receiving emails frequently about the Craft business and Leon Harmon's tie-ups with them."

Paused, he glanced at Aarvi in admiration and continued, "I had Craft business each project, investments, agreements copies with me hence it became easy for me to restructure the company with President Evans's help."

His fingers started tapping on the table, his lips curved to a lopsided smile, "Now I need to hit Leon Harmon's pride. Stop him from doing what he wants."

Dax turned to Aarvi squinting his eyes, "Devil Dum Dum!" He hissed. He couldn't believe she had the main outline of her plans as soon as she decided to live as Aarvi Evans.

Aarvi chuckled, punching his stomach seeing him sulking for hiding everything from all but Aaron knew Zachary Barnes because she had requested to vigorously train Zachary for two years. It's just that he didn't know why she had such a request when she was not really talking to him.

Dax was about to pinch her cheek to stop her from laughing but both heard a question, "What is your enmity against Leon Harmon?"

Dax's face turned cold swiftly, "Zachary Barnes, you don't have to know what doesn't concern you. You have a chance to clear your family's name back, mind on it, and the business."

Zachary long back knew that Dax is a man who he shouldn't mess with. Dax was stern as a judge, he should obey Dax's orders as much as Dax listens to him without hesitation. Hence working under Dax isn't only a much-needed experience and learning process but also hellish.

He respected Dax and also looked forward to working with him despite the hardness and difficulties he will have to face in the near future. He turned to Aarvi without changing his aloofness.

Aarvi would never tell about herself to the third person so she pronounced, "The less you know about us is better for you."

Zachary stood up and bowed his head in an apology which both Aarvi and Dax hadn't expected and that wasn't required either, "I will not repeat my mistake."

However that didn't change the grimness of Aarvi who stood up signaling that she accepted his apology, "Zachary Barnes, never think of double-crossing me. The day you do, trust me, I will make you regret the same day."

Zachary straightened his blazer uttered each word clear as day, "My loyalty will die after my life."

Amused, Dax rested his elbow on her shoulder as he mumbled hearing Zachary's words of the oath, "Honeybun, he will probably die for you if you ask. Don't start messing your brain."

Aarvi gave a nod after watching Zachary. She knew she could believe him and he wasn't acting or wasn't a man to go back on his words. However, she wouldn't let her guard down around anybody other than very few.

Then she held Dax's ear and strictly said, "Don't you dare make some more media companies as foes." Then she left his ear seeing him grin and instructed both as she walked out, "Coordination is very important. The press conference is about the company so keep the media on it instead of my identity or the information about Zachary Barnes."

She suddenly paused and turned around to face Zachary, "Leon Harmon will come for you as soon as you start opposing his every move of withdrawal. Never step in his territory. I repeat, Never. Step. in His. Territory."

Dax continued after her words, "Don't idiotically stand in front of him and expect us to save you."

Zachary knew that "President Evans, your training won't go in vain."

Zachary was strong-headed so Aarvi hoped he could sustain in the business world, also save his family name back and get what belonged to him. She bid them and hopped in her car before following them. She went to the nearest mall to the Craft companies to be available if anything goes wrong at the press conference.

---

Aarvi wore the earphones and heard the press conference questions and responses through the conference call of Dax and Zachary.

She had expected Zachary to be naive as he never handled direct press conferences other than studying through the videos or lurking in other's press conferences as an audience. But Zachary outdid her expectation, his poise and presence were too good for the first time even though Dax dazzled with his every response.

Aarvi's most awaited question popped up, "CEO Grant, we have information that Harmon Industries will withdraw all the investments due to Billy Craft's reputation. How are you going to handle it? Will that be fulfilled by Skylar?"

Zachary nodded at Dax for permission to let him speak, "This is business, not a child's play. Skylar is a parent company, not a free world bank. Investors will have to go through the formalities and consequences."

Dax liked his direct yet indirect threat to Leon Harmon. He continued after him, "We are ready for the new battle to win."

Both heard in their earpiece, [Oh god! You two are crazy. Leon Harmon will be gnashing his teeth ready to smush Craft business.]

Zachary's lips slightly curved and heard Dax who acted drinking water to speak, "President Evans, chill, complete your shopping." He knew well Leon wasn't an idiot not to realize what they were up to even if they hadn't provoked him openly.

"Are you declaring Skylar is against Harmon Industries?" A reporter asked and got the men's attention.

Dax smirked, "Do we look like musketeers to go on a war?"

Zachary continued, "We are doing business, when did business become a talk of loss?"

Dax was expecting Aarvi to comment on it but realized her breath turned irregular and took deep breaths. Dax turned aside to ask her what was wrong or he was overthinking but heard a known female voice on her end.

[Y-You... You... How are you still alive? How could you be alive? Y-You died and we buried you… Who are you?]

'Crap Crap Crap... Why does it have to be her? Dum Dum...' Dax thought.

Dax signaled Zachary to continue the press conference and ran out without caring about the reporters taking his pictures or spoke about him.

Dax's secretary too ran behind him cuing Zachary's secretary to handle the things as he thought about what could have gone wrong seeing Dax so worried.

Zachary hung up the call respecting the privacy of the two especially after hearing the words like, 'Alive', 'Died'. Even though he was curious to know Aarvi's past, he knew where to put his attention.

Dax anxiously uttered, "Dum Dum, walk away from your mother now... Dum Dum, are you listening to me?... Aarvi Evans, move away from that woman... Speak damn it."

Dax's secretary stayed by to control anybody from tracking Dax hearing him utter, 'Dum Dum'

Dax hated the elevator as he continued to speak, "Dum Dum, please hear me out..." then he realized Aarvi hung up the call.. Cursing the elevator, he started alighting five stories of stairs.