The Traps of Black Swan

Dax didn't bother coaxing Tia. He bent and went inside the car. Tia gasped in shock, staring at Dax forgetting her panic.

Dax easily unbuckled the seat belt she was clutching for her dear life. Encircling his arm around her waist, he smoothly pulled her out, carefully protecting her head from bumping into the door frame of the car.

Tia was frozen staring at Dax when the cameras continued to flicker at them. The reporters hadn't expected Dax to enter the venue with his girlfriend. They were clicking pictures trying to guess who she could be.

A man who was standing aside to help the guests pulled the hem of the long skirt out of the car and arranged it on the ground before standing away.

Meanwhile, "Would you like to be carried inside?" Dax questioned when Tia didn't leave her weight on her foot. If he unwraps his hand, he was sure she will wobble to the ground.

Tia snapped out of her thoughts. She knew he was overbearing but to this extent. Tia quickly stood on her heels before he secured his blazer on her shoulders.

She had thought she would get a chance to speak with him, but as soon as she reached his office, he took her to the boutique, made her choose a dress, and got ready quickly. She had assumed he was taking her out for dinner when he didn't respond to her questions.

She remembered the party when the car went closer to the Morris hotel. She probably spoke thousands of words but his response didn't cross more than fifty words.

Dax finally gave a response to all the yammers, "If you think you can't handle your parents being next to me, you should go back to your chief. He will help you hide." His voice carried no emotions as though he was speaking with a rock.

She had really thought he forgave her but this was a new kind of punishment. She thought to take her time to persuade him slowly.

Facing her parents? She knew Dax wouldn't let them raise their voice at her or scold her so there was nothing to worry about. It's just that she wasn't ready to face them, especially her mother.

Seeing him turn to the entrance and take a step without waiting for her or offering his hand to her, she realized he was dead serious with every word he uttered.

She had no wish to go to Clark. She quickly held his arm and sensed his speed drop until she could walk right beside him. Biting her lower lip, she took a deep breath and put on a feeble smile disregarding the cameras flashing on them.

She hadn't expected Dax to go public about them. Her hand tightened around his muscular arm and looked at him. He glanced at her but his eyes held no emotions. He moved his hand to her back and guided her to stand next to him in front of the cameras.

She had thought she liked him because of his outgoing, humorous personality with his friends. She felt that wasn't the reason. It was because of his strong personality and stubbornness. It unknowingly makes her feels safe around him.

Dax who looked at the cameras for the pictures heard the cameramen say, "Miss… Here, please look at the camera…"

Turning to Tia, he caught her staring at him. Tia blinked before she hesitantly asked, "Are you really going public about us?" She also knew many brought their secretaries or any accompaniment to the parties so she didn't want to have high expectations.

To her dismay, Dax didn't bother responding to her question. "Let's get this done first." His grave voice was chilly as though he was annoyed.

When Tia turned front, a few reporters quickly caught up with their memory as she was a lieutenant but didn't know her name.

The reporters who wanted a complete picture of them, again put up a request, "CEO Grant, could you wear your blazer and pose for a picture to us? Please."

Others repeated. Dax wanted to ignore the request but Tia removed the blazer from her shoulders. Dax didn't get angry as he knew she was uncomfortable with the media. He wore the blazer with her help while the reporters were cheering at how harmonious they appeared.

When they stood again, the media got their next favorite couple. Dax had added a twist to his suit. He was wearing a Chinese collared white shirt unbuttoning a few buttons. Skipping the vest, he had layered with a navy blue blazer with distant checkered design in cream color. His slim-fit pants were of the same pattern as the blazer, dropping the belt. With brown loafers and a funky hairstyle, he was a stylish gentleman.

Contrasting to Dax, Tia was wearing a white lace crop top and high-waist plain silk skirt in nude pink color. The circular hem of the long skirt swept the floor behind her adding a graceful look to her stunning figure. Her makeup was kept more natural and her hair was styled to free and bouncy on her back. There was no adornment to label her as rich yet she was classy standing next to Dax.

After a few clicks, Dax was leaving with Tia when reporters started questioning them. When he heard, "CEO Grant, is the lady your date for tonight or...?"

"My girlfriend." He cut off the question and responded, answering the reporters and also the woman next to him.

He initially wanted to hide about her because of Leon, now that Leon won't be able to touch her easily, there was no need to play hide and seek about his relationship.

Tia got the urge to stomp his leg and complain, 'Couldn't you answer me when I asked?' But she controlled and flashed a smile at the reporters before he took her away without answering the sea of questions.

Tia was drowning herself in the thoughts of how to speak with Dax without angering him when she heard Dax ask out of the blue, "What is your relation with Grace Wells?"

Tia looked at him and uttered the name, "Grace?" She shook her head, "There is none in our family with such a name." She paused trying her best to remember that name in the chain of relatives. She again shook her head as she continued, "There are numerous Wells families in the country. Not everyone is connected." She wanted to ask who Grace is, however she didn't as he wouldn't be answering her question.

Dax led her to the elevator in absolute silence. He was yammering 'Tiana Wells' in his mind when 'Grace Wells' name appeared. So he asked her without thinking. And anyway, before Aarvi taught Grace Wells a lesson, Tia was already with them so he knew there was nothing else to worry about.

Dax saw Shawn flashing him a teasing smile for the lady next to him while entering the banquet hall. He knew Shawn and Aarvi were worried about him, but now their worry changed to mischief.

Shawn was going towards Dax when the latter heard Tia grit her teeth while her grip unawarely tightened around his arm. He followed her line of sight assuming it might be her family and caught Leon Harmon talking with a businessman.

Dax knew Tia didn't fear Leon, instead, she probably craved to splash the wine on Leon's face and kick him out.

When Dax turned to Shawn, the latter quickly raised his hands in the air silently saying it wasn't him who invited Leon.

Meantime, Leon couldn't stop himself from turning to the entrance, feeling a strong gaze at him. He met Tia's eyes and saw her give him a finger.

Leon: "..."