The Traps of Black Swan

Zain still appeared lazy as though he knew the guy they were going to meet.

Aaron simply stated how a person with no influence could get a penthouse there, "Leon Harmon bought this house for that person."

Aarvi promptly accepted, "Yep."

Zain's voice finally came, "Jose's friend."

Aarvi again nodded her head in response even though Zain didn't ask but told others, "Yep."

The rest: "..."

Taking her previous innocent self, of course, she had all the reasons to trust Jose's friend. One pulled her hair, another one twisted her ear for being so dumb in the past.

Aaron shrugged their hands and pulled his wife to him as though he was protecting her from bullies. He petted her head, "Dummy."

Aarvi: "..." They were using their hands and her husband used his tongue.

The other men chuckled seeing her getting bullied by all of them. And she had no words to retort. Yes, she was dumb.

Zain asked, "How did he fool you?"

'Fool!?' Even her brother was bullying her. She sobbed in silence, mourned a few seconds for her past self.

She revealed another secret, "When I was running from the military base, he offered me a lift in his car. His elder brother was in the military. I- I believed his words." She had numerous times seen him with Jose and met him when he was coming to the Kelly villa. He had greeted her many times so he was like a younger brother to her.

Now, this was so embarrassing to think. How could she be so clueless and believe just anybody?

They reached the top floor. Aarvi told them, "He is hiding in the penthouse for a month now. He won't open the door if he sees us through the peephole."

"So?" Dax asked as none of them bought any disguise.

Aarvi slowly pressed her thumb at the scanner, "My team had long hacked his house."

The rest: "..."

The door unlocked but Aarvi pressed the calling bell to alert the man. She wanted to see the panic. Shawn pressed his ear to the wooden door and nodded. Aarvi pushed the door.

A twenty-one yeas old, the young man froze. He was in comfortable home clothes but that comfort was gone as soon as his eyes fell on Aarvi. He did lust over her picture but he wasn't stupid. So all he had was fear as she slowly made her way inside.

His face lost all the colors when he recognized four men behind her. Of course, he knew Zain, Aarvi's friends, and her husband.

'Run,' He ran with all his might. He went upstairs and shut the room door with an ear-piercing thud.

None of the five seemed to be in a hurry. Aarvi carelessly commented while looking at the villa. She liked her penthouse more even though this one had an amazing view of nature.

"See, I could crush him like an ant. So I am clueless about what to do with him." She threw her hands in the air. She had no idea how to handle Sebastian, doing anything was just overboard taking his weak personality.

Zain pushed the main door to close and uttered the name of the young man. "Sebastian Dome, the third useless son of Domes. They have a school that could feed them for a few generations."

Aarvi turned to Zain in surprise. She hadn't told anyone about Sebastian as he was just a tiny prick. Seeing Zain having the information, only meant he had looked into every possible person who could have hurt her in the past.

"So you knew about this penthouse too?" If Zain knew, he would have checked the records of it and knew about Sebastian a long time ago.

Zain ignored her question and went inside. He liked the penthouse but just to watch. He was going to live in his villa or Kelly mansion with Hayden as Zara hoped they could accompany the old man and bring less loneliness during the remaining years.

Aarvi understood Zain didn't know about the penthouse so she turned to the other two men, "Little Prince, don't hurt yourself. You big boy, be careful of the wound. If Sebastian calls anybody to save him, let him do it. Enjoy yourself." She motioned her hand towards the stairs.

The two went upstairs to drag the little kid out. Aarvi pulled Aaron's cheeks when his eyes were wandering around. "What was your date plan today?"

Aaron had a faint smile looking at her new way of trying to get his attention. He planned a candlelight dinner in a special restaurant. Since her brother and friends were also with them, he changed the plan. Looks like their date plans weren't meant to be enjoyed, "Let's have a party here to celebrate the beginning of the end." He meant they should have fun with all as they didn't have much time with them. They were flying away in a month.

Aarvi was ready to leave Sebastian to the other three and go with Aaron. Since he considered everyone, she rewarded her husband. Bounced on her toes, she kissed his forehead, "Perfect." She pointed to the vast balcony which had a pool and lounges facing the lake, "Let's arrange there. I will call everyone."

'Thud.' They heard the door break and Sebastian cry out. She ignored them and got into arranging everything.

---

Upstairs, Sebastian was trying to reach his elder brother to save him. He jumped in shock at the loud noise. He was trembling so badly, he appeared to be freezing in the summer. The beads of cold sweat were rolling on his back, as he went to the corner of the room, frightened to the bones.

He wanted to shout but no words came out. He stared at Shawn who broke the door without knocking or trying to open the door even once. That was monstrous.

Dax and Shawn looked at each other. They couldn't believe a man like him dared to help Leon.  "I had thought the last person was some evil person," Shawn mumbled. He wanted to beat the man and understood why Aarvi was doing nothing to him. Sebastian was already living in so much fear that he couldn't even enjoy living in the penthouse.

Dax imagined slapping Sebastian with all his strength. He was sure the young man would faint by just a strike. Probably before the strike, he will fall unconscious.

Both lost the mood to beat him. Dax cued the man, "Come here." His voice was cold and authoritative.

Sebastian didn't want to go but followed the orders looking at their oppressing gazes, He stammered, walking hesitatingly, "Do-Don't h-hit m-me."

Shawn beckoned him to get closer. When Sebastian reached him, he lifted his hand and Sebastian crouched down in horror, "Please… Please… Don't hit me…" He yammered.

Dax and Shawn: "..."

Shawn didn't want to hit him. He lifted his hand to put it on Sebastian's shoulder. They didn't expect him to be such a coward. It would be tainting on ants if they compared him to them.

Dax grabbed the collar of the shirt Sebastian was wearing and pulled him to stand.

Shawn sniffed loudly and moved away. His eyes looked at the young man's pants and glanced at Dax. They were truly inarticulate.

Dax left him and both friends moved away. They had the urge to calm the young man. "Sebastian Dome, we will not hit you. Change your pants and come downstairs." Shawn sounded like he was speaking with his friend.

"You can call whoever you want. Be downstairs in five minutes. Are we clear?" Dax's commanding tone sounded.

Sebastian wanted to say 'Let me off.' But the Dax's narrowed eyes made him swallow hard and nod repeatedly.

Bewildered friends went downstairs, becoming clueless just like Aarvi. What in the world was happening? They understood Aarvi meant it when she said Sebastian was a sissy.

After alighting the stairs, Shawn asked in dilemma, "He won't suicide, will he?"

Both looked at each other and ran upstairs. They highly doubted it. To their shock, Sebastian was indeed on the balcony looking down at the ground.