The Traps of Black Swan

As soon as Shawn pushed the door open, of the penthouse "Little Heart," He uttered loud enough to pull someone out of sleep.

Standing at the door, Shawn was glad he pressed the doorbell when he looked at Aaron's accusing gaze while standing next to Aarvi.

He nervously gulped, thinking what punishment he would receive when he saw flushed Aarvi in front of the grand piano. Even though she looked serene and he wasn't stupid to assume she was blushing for playing the piano.

'I deserve to drown in a glass of water.' Shawn repented for not using his mobile.

It wasn't like he forgot the mobile or wanted to disturb the couple. Aarvi was worried about Dax, and she won't let others know her plan. If he says it face to face, he will get to know what she has in plan. In that way, he could be of some help.

Before she could mentally decide to punish him, he put on a super sad Prince face. His Little Heart won't be cruel after it.

Aaron muttered, looking at Shawn, "We need to change the passcode." There were no more restraints holding him. They were at home. He wasn't a saint to let his beautiful girlfriend off when they were sitting together closely. Anyway, he had stopped a few minutes back to let her focus on practicing the piano.

In contrast to Aaron, Aarvi was thinking of Shawn's presence. More than anybody, Shawn would never want to disturb her and Aaron even though he likes to tease them.

Shawn: (ᵔᴥᵔ)

Looking at him, making a puppy face, she motioned with her head to get in as she stood up from the stool. "Looks like I won't be free anytime soon." She jutted her lips, looking at Aaron. She had thought she could take another break and be with Aaron.

Aaron took her to the couch, where Shawn was feeling like the third wheel. Aarvi tugged his hand, "Complete your work." She didn't want Aaron to sit with them, and later, he would work into the night.

Aaron didn't insist. He thought to complete the work so that she won't have to wait for him and he could cuddle her to sleep, "Call me if you need anything." He flashed a faint smile when he saw her nod obediently. He went to the study to complete his pending work.

Shawn pulled Aarvi to sit before he handed the laptop that was in his hand. Shawn saw her tie her hair up in a bun before she got into the business while hearing him explain everything. "Tia is from a different gang. She and Leon have no connection. His men are looking for Dax's girlfriend to have control over Dax and eventually you..."

Aarvi heard his plan. He wanted to carry out alone so that Aarvi and Dax don't show any mercy on Tia. So Aarvi made some changes that won't put negative attention on Rivas or Dax. Shawn was against it but eventually agreed when she included him and Dax in the plan.

He got to know his Little Heart tells and includes them in the plan only if they are victims of the situation. Of course, it also made him realize she was all alone enduring the pain when she was in trouble.

It was around eleven when everything was planned out and arranged. Aarvi started yawning after she closed the laptop and faced Shawn.

Before she could read the regret in his eyes, Shawn recovered from the past, "Little Heart, you strike at the man's ego and pride." As far as he studied her plans, that's where his conclusion was drawn.

He or others hurt people's status, power, and sometimes physically to make them weak. However, she was malicious. She leaves the status power and leaves them intact physically. Yet, she makes them feel powerless and vulnerable to the bones.

Aarvi blinked at his words before she smiled. She doesn't want them to be protective of her, but she couldn't stop them either. She pretended to be whispering to him, "That's where it hurts the most."

However, Shawn knocked on her head, "Not to everyone." Ego and pride were important to the ones who would be self-obsessed and care too much about their public image. Taking him as an instance, he would prioritize family and friends over everything.

Aarvi snorted, rubbing her head, "You and your brother are the same. Attacking my head every time." And she finally saw him chuckle and ease up.

Giving him a friendly, quick hug, "Go to bed. Don't worry unnecessarily. I won't let anything go wrong again." Even if somebody dares to reach them, she won't think of running or looking for help. She wasn't the same helpless Ava Kelly anymore.

Shawn shook his head in resignation. He knows she has grown stronger. "Go and rest." He tried to send her upstairs to the bed. Anyway, she grabbed the throw over from the couch, waved at him while yawning wide, and went to the study room.

Curious if she was going to drag Aaron upstairs, Shawn reached the study room. He silently chuckled when he witnessed Aarvi sit on Aaron's lap and close her eyes leaning her head on his shoulder. Then, she murmured to Aaron, "I won't disturb you."

Even though she was wicked against foes, Shawn still found her cute, innocent Little Heart. he stretched as he left the penthouse, proud of his friends.

Shawn was going to bed when his mobile beeped. He was astonished to see Shea's name appear on the screen. He clicked it open and saw an image of a boy at the age of 8, posing for a picture in swimming shorts, pretending to be a model.

His ears turned red in embarrassment because it was his picture, and Shea had sent an emoji of rolling on the floor and laughing at his pose. His family wouldn't show those images so easily. He couldn't believe Shea got those to her hands.

He was thinking of calling Megan; another message came in from the contact named 'Mom.'

His mother had sent him a tongue out; eyes squeezed emote with a few words, [😝 Sorry son, I didn't know that picture had snuck in my wedding album.]

Flabbergast, Shawn didn't respond to Shea but Megan, [Woah, Mom, when did you get so close to Shea to show the wedding album so late in the night?]

Megan's response came in quick, explaining she was innocent. [Shea is helping me prepare a gift for Dad. A video with the pictures of Dad.] She meant Jordan.

Shawn thought of rushing to the Rivas mansion to avoid other pictures getting to Shea's hand. But, by the time he could reach, they would be off to bed.

'Mom won't touch my albums.' He hoped his mother wouldn't take the photo albums from his room. He buried his face on the pillow after dropping a message, [Good night, Mom.]

-----

The next day, at the Harmon mansion.

Leon had accepted the treatment format his psychologist had suggested to him. So he didn't only have to work out physically; his mental and emotional exercise had also started.

After the first session, Leon looked so relaxed that he had never felt so light in a long time. It was also because his low-profile plans were working. He got a picture of Dax's girlfriend on the previous day.

Soon he got a call from his men. He answered it to hear a brief report, [Boss, we found the girl.]

Leon snickered in his mind. So what if he couldn't get Ava Kelly? He will find hundreds of ways to control her. "Kidnap her and reach the villa.." He ordered and went to get ready without a hint of suspicion.