The Traps of Black Swan

Mrs. Spencer entered a minimalistic, cozy bedroom. It used to be her real daughter's bedroom, but now she had rented it to another Tia.

As soon as she entered the room, she was again concerned. Tia was at her computer desk with her headphones on without drying her dripping wet hair that was rolled in a white towel.

"Aish, this girl... How many times have I told you to dry your hair before working? You will catch a cold, Tia." She kept Tia's bag on the single occupant bed. She placed the milk on the desk as she quickly took the hairdryer from the dressing table.

Keeping the headphones away, "I was late to work, Mom." Tia uttered without stopping her fingers which were typing on the keyboard.

Tia drank her milk while Mrs. Spencer started blow-drying her hair looking at the weird codes on the laptop screen. Mrs. Spencer smacked her head once Tia kept the milk glass down, "You should leave this computer job. Just sleep and rest your eyes."

Tia chuckled looking at the screen but her eyes turned sharp and predatory at the information she was reading. Anyway, while responding, she sweetly told her, "I can't, Mom."

Mrs. Spencer got confused about why Tia can't leave her part-time job. She held Tia's head and moved aside to look at her face, "Why? Did somebody trick you into something? Take me there, I will beat cr*p out of them up. How about…"

"Uff, Mom, relax. None tricked me into this. It's my job… Hmmm, like a contracted job." Even though what she said was right, the last words weren't true. It wasn't that she couldn't leave, she didn't want to leave.

Anyway, Mrs. Spencer shook her head in disapproval for her ways, "Why did you sign the contract? What if they start bullying you? Will you bear it and work? You should always have the independence of choosing your job."

Tia had a smile hearing the nag. When she was thinking Mrs. Spencer would leave after drying her hair, she started massaging her shoulders attempting to relax her stress.

Tia held her hands and turned to face Mrs. Spencer, "Mom, you don't have to do all these. You must be tired, go and sleep. And Thank you for drying my hair." She flashed an innocent smile before she stood up and took Mrs. Spencer to her room under her protest.

After making sure Mrs. Spencer went to bed, Tia checked on the old man and helped him to the bed. Then she locked the gates, door, and windows as though she was the real daughter of the house.

Nevertheless, as soon as she entered her room, her face darkened and deep frowns made way on her dainty face. Sitting back at her desk, she wore her headphones and typed something on her keyboard before she sat back.

Tia heard the other end greet but she went straight to the point and sounded irritated. "I don't understand what the hell we are waiting for. We have been wasting time for more than a year now. why shouldn't I take control?" She sharply demanded an answer.

Anyway, her face further darkened hearing she has to continue her act and she shouldn't raise suspicion at any cost. Until further notice, she has to be in her fake identity.

----

Back to the video call of three friends. The audio was played only when there was important information that needed their attention so it was over soon in less than five minutes.

They didn't need an explanation about Tia's relationship with the Spencer family. So Dax questioned immediately, "Dum Dum, did your team tap her call?"

Aarvi shook her head looking at the screen while ending her laptop shared screen, "They are too clever. It was a virtual private network. Even though my team was able to enter the network before they could track what Tia was working on or tap the call, the network closed and her laptop lost the internet connection." And it isn't possible to hack a device that wouldn't be connected to the network.

"Little Heart, how about I join you? Tia sounded really irritated."

"Dum Dum, work from the company."

Aarvi facepalmed and loudly breathed out. "Do you guys know why I let you guys hear these?" She asked patiently.

Shawn and Dax knew Aarvi never included anybody in her plans. She included them and told them the plan because she didn't want them to blame themselves or worry unnecessarily or stop their work.

"You have to be very careful, Dum Dum/Little heart." Both said almost simultaneously.

Aarvi: "..."

They are still worried about her and that's the main reason she avoids telling them anything. She didn't want to meet them or look at them filled with worries.

Aarvi kept her laptop down, she flexed her fingers and arm, "Who should I choose first?" She meant to beat them up.

Shawn choked on his drink. Dax was glad he wasn't living next door.

Shawn was quick to swear that he won't worry unnecessarily. He trusts her capabilities just like his brother. Dax too swore on it.

Probably because they had been with her when she was their innocent friend, they unknowingly worried and became anxious right after knowing she was stepping towards danger.

----

Aarvi didn't feel like sleeping so she stayed in the living hall, sharing Dax's pending work while waiting for Aaron. It was almost eleven when she heard the door unlock. She quickly stood on the couch looking at the door open.

Exhausted, Aaron stepped inside holding his laptop bag and blazer on his arm.  A faint curve appeared on his face when he noticed her eagerly waiting for him and her eyes shone at the sight of him.

She looked like a child eagerly waiting for its father who was going to get candy. But the difference here as he was the candy she was waiting for.

Aarvi spread her hands asking for the hug.

He had a very long tiring day, "I will get fresh and…" He paused looking at her stomp her feet and pout in negligible anger demanding bossily for a hug.

Powerless against his Cupcake, he reached the couch. Due to her leveraged height by standing on the couch, it was him who was buried in her chest.

Well, he behaved. He wrapped his arms around the slender woman, pressed his ear on her chest, and listened to her even heartbeats. She slowly rubbed his back trying to relax him, "I have filled the bathtub for you. Take a quick bath, I will get you supper."

'Bathtub?' Aaron squinted his eyes at her and she looked around, stealing away from his gaze.

She wasn't going to tell she made a deal with Milo Wen who will be going to inform her about all Aaron's unhealthy habits of skipping meals, overworking, and also when he would be stressed out due to whatever reason.

Aaron hadn't given her time when he would reach home so the bathtub and supper were right on time at his arrival, 'My Cupcake is keeping an eye on me.' Anyway, he wasn't disappointed by the attention. He didn't blow up her secret informant either.

He obediently listened to her else she would be awake for a long time running behind him.