The Traps of Black Swan

Sean felt his throat run dry looking at Aravi, his ears turned red as he hypnotically looked at her. He was fascinated when her lips curled to an enticing smirk. He slightly angled his head following her actions.

'Pak.' Sean came to his senses when Aeon smacked his head and Aarvi was already sitting at her place. "Idiot."

Sean felt everything was a dream just now. The affection and longing in her eyes had vanished. Everything that left was extreme, bone-chilling serenity.

"Bro…" Sean turned to Aeon, he wanted to tell him her acting was flawless and he should cast her. Aeon cut in, "She isn't interested." He sighed internally.

Aarvi saw Sean sulking again for losing in the challenge. He wasn't serious about his life and had no hopes for himself. She didn't want to give any chance for Leon to escape by pinning his activities on Sean as fooling Sean is very easy.

Mission - Find an interest for Sean to keep him busy and far away from Leon

She cued Sean, "Come with me." She took him in and around the villa. If she was seeing a car, she asked if he likes racing. For the house, if he was interested in architecture, interior designing, and so on.

Sean was over the moon seeing her trying to help him for his better future so he listened to her and gave a response promptly without trying to take advantage of her or wasting her time.

If not Aeon, she was the only one who cared to think about a better future for him whereas Leon always ignored everything and asked him to enjoy life. Well, he still liked it but the fear of Leon had rooted inside him.

By the end of ten minutes, Aarvi lost count of how many careers she had remembered in such a short time. Sean had skills of spending money and enjoying life. In them, nothing was useful to life. If any, he didn't really fancy them.

Leaning on the dining table, she sipped water without believing that she was talking so much with Sean. "Have you ever tried cooking?" She hasn't dropped her mission yet.

Aeon, who was working on his laptop, turned to them after hearing Aarvi's words. He remembered how Sean was enjoying cooking with him and Eliza, "Actually... He enjoys watching us try his dishes. And he is creative and experimental in it."

Sean was still thinking about his opinion about cooking when Aarvi continued, "Then you can try cooking classes ."

Sean didn't reject the option but he wasn't sure. Whenever he thought about any career, he focused on what was bad and unsuitable for him. "Will I have to work in a restaurant then?"

Aarvi felt like he had a problem working under somebody. He didn't like people bossing him or probably pointing out his mistakes. "Sean, you have to learn to accept your faults and deficiency. Only then can you achieve something by learning from your mistakes."

Aarvi hit the bullseyes. Sean wasn't confident about himself in anything. He was always exempted from using the money because it was deep-rooted in him that he can't do anything and has no talents.

Aeon continued after her in a coaxing and convincing tone, "Sean, how about you try cooking a meal every day at home for this week. If you would like to improve professionally, join a cooking class. If you don't like it, don't continue. We will choose to try another one."

Aarvi hummed in agreement with Aeon and the duo noticed Sean was nervous thinking of taking cooking as a profession. As though Aeon could read his worry, "Sean, enjoying cooking instead of taking it as work. Don't worry, I can hire you and pay you." He added humorously.

Sean chuckled accepting it, "Alright, but you aren't allowed to scold me if I burn the kitchen."

Aarvi and Aeon: "..."

Aarvi looked at the European gourmet kitchen one last time. She might not be able to see it again.

Find an interest of Sean to keep him busy - Checked

Aarvi turned around to the living hall when Sean left her side. The trio looked up where the two voices of ladies came from. Eliza was following the psychologist downstairs. Since Eliza had a smile, things seemed positive.

Eliza noticed Aarvi and quickly recalled seeing Aarvi in the beauty salon last week. Nonetheless, she bid the psychologist first before standing next to Aeon watching Aarvi.

"I have seen her…" She reported to Aeon, "She reminds me of Leon." She added what she felt. She wasn't sure why Aarvi's face was repeatedly reminding her of Leon. Hence she was guarded against Aarvi.

Her voice wasn't low and traveled to Aarvi too. Shocked, Sean and Aeon glanced at Aarvi. The latter didn't react, she wanted to see how the two brothers would react and solve the confusion. She sipped more water watching them.

Aeon started thinking whereas Sean was quick to react. Sean held Eliza's arms and made her sit as he sat next to her. "Sil, do you remember where you might have seen her?"

Eliza promptly shook her head and that's the reason she had asked Aarvi in the Beauty Salon.

Aeon who recalled Eliza and Sean's conversation, questioned Eliza, "Sister-in-law, Could you try to remember if you had seen Ms. Evans on Leon's laptop screen?"

Sean was the one who had told them that so he remembered it, "Yeah, she is My Beauty in Black. Brother Leon has Aarvi's picture as a laptop lock screen."

'My Beauty in Black? I am not yours.' Aarvi wanted to give a hard kick to his ass.

Eliza slowly let her guard down as she tried to recall and understood Aarvi wasn't from Leon's side. Her uncertain voice sounded, "I think yes. If I was sober, Leon used to close the laptop. I had fought with him, seeing her picture on his laptop whenever I was drunk. He- he used to beat me because he was actually angry at... her." Her finger pointed at Aarvi.

Aarvi knew it for a long time hence she was willing to give a hand in order to save Eliza.

Eliza forced her to remember the name Leon was screaming, "Av- Ava Ke-Kel... Ava Kelly." A glint of anger flashed in Eliza's eyes when she looked at Aarvi but she concealed it quickly.

"..." Aeon remembered Zain Kelly instantly. If Aarvi is Ava Kelly, the piece perfectly fits with Shawn and Dax, the real Golden Trio. Then Zain Kelly isn't a boyfriend but brother of Aarvi. Aeon was quick to analyze it. 'Then who is her boyfriend?' Without awareness, he already had a question in his mind.

Sean was totally clueless.

Aarvi went towards the living hall as she probed Eliza, "Why don't you tell them the whole truth, Mrs. Harmon?" Eliza knew why Leon was getting angry at her picture and venting his frustration on Eliza.

Eliza's eyes widened as it confirmed she is Ava Kelly, 'She is the reason for my hellish life.' Eliza thought.

Every torture Eliza had been through due to Leon's anger and impotence became raw and painful. Realizing Aarvi was also playing Sean as Beauty in Black fueled her anger.. Eliza strode to Aarvi and flung her hand right across Aarvi's face.