The Traps of Black Swan

Hearing the lively voice halt at the question, Aaron and Aarvi looked at each other. They didn't know what to consider for the silence. Aarvi might be pulling down Leon, she was also helping the Harmons hence the couple felt they had the right to know about the truth. They didn't want to be in trouble due to Harmons. They didn't want to have another battle due to helping them. They had their own life to live instead of attacking and protecting themselves daily.

However, the couple stayed quiet, giving silence as a pressure on the old man. The latter took time, he loudly breathed out the held breath with a long sigh. "How did you guys know?" Then he self mockingly chuckled, "I couldn't keep it a secret."

Aarvi and Aaron looked at each other hearing the old man's words. That meant one of the Harmon is adopted and Elder Harmon was hiding it from everyone.

Aaron chose to lighten the burden from the old man, "Leon Harmon gave out the clue.." It wasn't something they uncovered. They couldn't have gotten to know either so Elder Harmon had well hidden it.

Then Elder Harmon's regretful voice sounded over the call, briefing everything the couple might want to know. "My second son and his wife were facing difficulties conceiving for many years, so my first son and his wife delayed having their second child so that they don't get emotionally hurt. Hence my wife suggested adopting... Leon was probably six then, Dylan was 2 years. We thought he was just a kid, probably he knew from the beginning."

Aarvi and Aaron looked at each other. For the whole six years, Leon had undivided attention and love of all six members of the family. As soon as the two-year-old came out of nowhere and everyone focused on him, Leon would naturally get jealous.

The question is how did it grow so huge?

Elder Harmon's voice continued after he drank some water, "Leon always troubled, hit Dylan. We always scolded Leon because he was in the wrong. After a few years, he had left Dylan in the market and came home. When we asked, he had told us, 'I left Dylan where he came from.' He was a smart kid, he knew Dylan wasn't born like Aeon or Sean."

Elder Harmon deeply sighed recalling the past. He hadn't thought of it before. Now he got the idea why Leon turned so obedient in their eyes but evil by heart, "In anger, my first son said Leon was the one who we brought from out and Dylan wasn't. From that day on Leon behaved but…" He deeply sighed.

Aarvi gently slapped her forehead after knowing how a moment of anger made Leon into a monster. Who should they blame? The old man or the dead? Or the choices Leon made. Scolding the old man or dead parents won't change anything.

"I am sorry for bringing the past, Elder Harmon. Do you perhaps have any idea if Dylan is aware of these?" Aarvi questioned. There was no mirth but a plain voice.

She was thinking how small things could grow huge due to the parents. She hoped she and Aaron would be calm-headed and take care of their future babies well.

"I am not sure, Aarvi." Elder Harmon responded. That was the reason he always asked Aarvi to beware of Dylan Harmon. They loved Dylan like their own child but when he became one with Leon, he had no choice but to choose Aeon.

The call ended soon. Aaron turned to Aarvi who was puffing her cheeks in and out while in deep thought. "Couldn't you free your brain for a moment?"

Aarvi turned to him. She had stopped thinking of Harmon by the end of the call. At first thought she wanted to counter Dylan tonight, then she thought to meet him later.

"I was thinking, what if I face complications for pregnancy? I had been through many operations, medicines, and whatnot. And… We should be good parents if not best. Our babies shouldn't feel ignored or jealous of their siblings or cousins." She let him know what was on her mind.

Aaron's brows raised hearing her new worry. They were speaking a lot about babies nowadays. Were they going to have an unintended pregnancy?

He thought of speaking with her without hiding about her health. "We can't say if we would face any complications. But if you get pregnant soon, we will have to be very careful throughout the nine months. The three old men have checked your recent medical reports. They firmly ordered me to wait a year or more." He cupped her little face and continued, "... so that my wife could be in her best form. And you won't fall weak after the birth of a baby."

Aarvi heard his coaxing voice. She understood Rivas family elders were more concerned about her than in need of babies. Then why did Grandmother Zelda ask me about babies?

Never mind.

She gave a nod in understanding and acceptance to their arrangements before she grinned mischievously, "Ronron, protection gives only 99% certainty. What if we fall for 1%? You know, we are rare and unique."

Aaron flicked on her nose, "That's called being unlucky." He couldn't believe she made it sound special.

Aarvi didn't like it. She lifted her hands, asking him to hold her. She easily sat on his lap between him and the steering wheel. He repositioned the seat when she pulled his cheeks, "I will call it unexpected fortune."

Aaron suddenly remembered Aarvi's birth. It was unexpected. So she was mentally prepared for everything. So he stopped calling 1% unlucky and changed his view, "Then we should be blessed with a little cute baby girl like you."

Aarvi was happy to hear it. She didn't want them to think even for a second 'Why' for the arrival of the baby.

'Baby girl!?' He has a baby wife.

Aaron watched his wife, peacefully sleeping, on him while he was on tortoise race, driving the car slowly to avoid disturbing her.

-----

It was soon the dreaded morning for Leon. Friday.

In contrast to Leon's mood, the sun was welcomed with a light drizzling of rain. It brought freshness in the air, the coffee was more enjoyable to start the morning. The temperature was cool and relaxing when the sun rays were lighting the top floor office room.

Leon unexpectedly had a good sleep but as soon as he opened his eyes, Aarvi and her warning resounded in his ears. He tried to encourage himself as she was bluffing but a question remained, was she? He probably knew the answer to it.

He turned to the door when it opened without a knock. Dylan peeked inside. The dark circles were obvious on his face due to a lack of sleep. His eyes were tired and his body movements looked exhausted as he went inside after seeing Leon awake.

Dylan placed a file as he stifled a yawn. He didn't get a wink of sleep. he reported, "Brother Leon, I have checked everything once. The government bills, old complaints, everything is included. Have a look once. I will get your black coffee." He turned around and yawned as he made his way out.

Leon went through the file very carefully to avoid leaving out any critical words. Dylan left the coffee with some cookies. He went to his office room, got fresh, changed to a new set of clothes, and returned. The shower had reduced his sleepiness and exhaustion.

Leon shut the file finding no such issues. Yet he was pretty sure Aarvi was up to something and if he really loses against her, he wants one of his men to take his place for the time being or until he resolves the issues. He hated to think of the worst-case scenario but had no choice. He has to be prepared for it.

"Dylan, demand my position if I have to step down." Nevertheless, Leon had no idea what Dylan was planning behind his back.

Dylan hid his smirk while appearing to be shocked and flustered. "No, no, how could I?"