The Traps of Black Swan

At Harmon Manion, in the evening

Charlotte Parkinson sat opposite Leon in the huge living area. She wasn't sure why she was there either. Leon had personally called her and mentioned that he didn't know who to reach and he couldn't trust anybody with the information he had.

So here she was, to know what he was up to. Leon didn't waste time speaking. He cued the butler to pass a file to Charlotte who was still in uniform.

"I got the information by chance. I didn't want to give to the local cops who would do anything for money. It's unavoidable that sometimes military families do favors for their family friends. So I thought- I thought you would understand and don't be biased."

Leon played the good man, perfect civilian, and helpless businessman role very well that wavered Charlotte's opinion on him.

Charlotte skimmed through the file as her face darkened. It was a very crucial document. She needed time to decipher everything so she stayed rational.

"Why should I believe you?"

Leon continued his drama, making Charlotte believe him even if it's a little before seeing her off. Then he started to take care of other attacks on Aarvi.

----

At the Highland club,

By the time three reached Zain, he had introduced the lady to Aaron, the latter introduced Shea as his little sister.

The three friends scrutinized the lady as they went closer. For a military woman, they had unknowingly expected her to have a cold face, tasteless choice of clothes, and tanned skin. In total, they expected a rough and tough lady. But the lady knew to separate her personal life from her duty.

Her mid-length dark brown hair was softly curled where a hoop earring was twinkling with the lights. She had a very light layer of makeup on her fair skin and her plump lips were painted in a shimmering nude color. Her eyes were sharp and she was smiling through her eyes which softened her appearance furthermore. The smokey eye makeup was giving her a seductive look.

Neither her fair skin nor a gentle smile made her look delicate. She was the one who protects. She had a well-fit physique that had molded her body at right curves. She was truly tall. Wearing kitten heels, she almost reached Zain's height.

Aarvi realized why Zain always teases her for her height.

She was wearing a wine-red colored mini dress. Her easy movements meant she was comfortable and wasn't going the extra length to impress anybody.

Her dress had a loose-fitting top with sloping shoulders giving it an off-shoulder look. Her smooth skin looked healthy and glowing. The bottom of the dress was in a bodycon mini skirt style accentuating her stunning curves with ruching details on both sides. It clearly highlighted her long legs, making her body shape look glamorous.

Aarvi looked right and left, her two friends nodded, "Sister-in-law is beautiful and stunning."  Just like her, they had expected Zain's love to be a strong, stern woman.

Zain didn't have to give an introduction of the three and the lady spoke, "Aarvi Evans, I heard you were pestering your brother to see me."

Aarvi scratched the back of her neck because she had no idea about her name. So Zain came to her rescue, "Ziva... My colleague and friend."

Ziva smiled but the three faces were baffled. Aarvi was asking Zain about his love, her sister-in-law. Hearing him mentioned as a colleague and friend, they understood Zain still hadn't confessed.

A stiff welcome greet came from the three, "Hello…" Then the two walked away to the music system while Aarvi stayed behind.

Ziva saw three friends' reactions before she chuckled, glancing at Zain. 'This man loves to disappoint everyone.' She thought.

She knew Aarvi can't touch everyone so she just spoke, "I have heard a lot about you. You are a fighter." They went closer towards the Bar counter.

Aarvi smiled at Ziva while Zain rubbed her head trying to cool her down from her expectations. Aarvi skipped to Aaron and gave a sad smile standing between his legs.

Aaron helped her drink water as she was dancing for quite a long time. Aarvi asked next, "Shall I make a drink for you?" She asked, seeing his empty glass.

Aaron didn't know she had stolen some skills from Shawn. He had to help her climb the bar counter and go to the other side. The bartender who was serving them, left his boss to handle her friends.

Zain, who helped Ziva to sit, took his chance, "Miss. Bartender, one old-fashioned, please. Thank you."

Aarvi muttered under her breath, "Be old-fashioned, get friend-zoned, die alone." Then she smiled at him as she hammered the ice cube.

Shea who was closer to her chuckled telling Aaron what Aarvi said. The more time she spent with Aarvi, more she started liking her more and found reasons why Aaron wasn't ready to live on without his Cupcake.

Aarvi was pretty slow as she didn't have experience but only knew how to prepare. She just wanted to prepare for Aaron but others were willing to wait for her to serve.

One by one, she started serving. She placed a fancy Whiskey cocktail for Aaron, Martini for Shea who wanted light, Manhattan for Ziva, who warmly thanked her.

"Pumpkin, this is not fair." Grumpy Zain didn't get his drink yet.

Aarvi stuck her tongue out at him before checking if the ice cube she kept for shaping into a sphere was ready.

She grabbed a whiskey glass, tossed in a cube of brown sugar, adding two dashes of bitter syrup. She left it for a few seconds for the sugar cube to saturate with bitters while she grabbed a muddler.

Ziva sipped her cocktail without reminding Zain that Aarvi was doing it purposefully so that he could watch and learn. He had his whole attention on her flawless moves.

Aarvi crushed the brown sugar cube. She went through the stack of whiskey and took an old rye whiskey. She poured two ounces and again crushed the sugar for ten seconds until it could dissolve half of it.

She twirled a cocktail long-handled spoon between her fingers before stirring whiskey a few times. Then she removed the circular ice cube and chipped it around for better dissolution.

Dropping ice into the whiskey glass, she stirred for a long time until she could smell the spirit, sugar, and bitters blending perfectly.

Taking a fresh orange, she peeled circularly. She squeezed the citrus oil on the whiskey and decorated it with the orange peel and two cherries before pushing it towards Zain.

Before Zain could be proud of his sister, Aarvi behaved like a Bartender and the owner of the Highland, "Here is your order, sir. Your bill will be multiplied by a million for especially served by the boss. Have a good evening."

Shea and Ziva burst into laughter while Aaron just smiled. Zain didn't want to touch the whiskey anymore. '15 million for a drink.'

"Pumpkin, are you looting me?" He reacted swiftly and held her ear before she could escape.

"Ouch, Apple Pie, it hurts…" She rubbed her reddened ear and snorted, "Such a stingy brother. Learn from my boyfriend, he will sell his company to me for one cocktail."

Aaron almost choked on his drink hearing her. 'Ahem.' He cleared his throat and corrected her, "The company isn't in my name."

Embarrassed Aarvi: "..."

The rest burst into laughter.

After bullying his sister with Aaron. Zain took Shea to the dance floor looking at her bored. He already knew why she wasn't daring to approach anybody.

Aarvi stood in front of Aaron with her back facing him. She was facing Ziva who was unhurriedly sipping her drink watching Zain and Shea, "Miss.. Miller, do you like my brother?" She couldn't hold back anymore and asked out.