The Traps of Black Swan

'Knock Knock.'

Shawn and Karsen turned to the door when it pushed open. Shawn sighed loudly looking at Aaron joining the crew to unnecessarily worry about him. If he didn't know them well, he would have definitely thought as they were looking down on him.

"Bro, Dad, I am totally fine. There is no pressure. When I had decided to study business, I knew one day I will have to take this job."

He had shown maximum interest in music because Ariel was studying business management and planned to take care of the company. He thought he could learn more, try new things. Ariel's accident came as a massive shock, followed by her mother. Before he could recover, he saw Aarvi's brutal state. Hence he wasn't in the state to worry or think of the company, which caused too much burden on Aaron.

Shawn saw Aaron's poker face and Karsen's worry. He questioned, unable to hold back, "Do you all think I couldn't do as good as Bro?"

Aaron's face turned cold at his question. Aaron was able to learn and handle the company so quickly because of Shawn. He was sure Shawn could handle the company better than him.

Karsen stood up from the armchair, displeased by Shawn's question, "Shawn, you exactly know that's not what I am speaking about." He didn't care about the company. He wanted Shawn to enjoy his life with less worry about the company.

Aaron interrupted before father and son could start arguing. "Uncle, it's late. Why don't you rest today and speak tomorrow?" His voice was neither loud nor ignorable.

Karsen looked at sullen Shawn and breathed out, shaking his head in resignation. He patted Shawn's arm as he went to the door, "Sleep soon." He didn't mean to shout at him.

Aaron closed the study room door and went to sit on the armchair while Shawn was leaning on the desk. Aaron could guess, Shawn wasn't in the mood to argue with anybody or speak of the company.

Aaron propped his head on his hand looking at Shawn, "Do you like Shea?" Aaron didn't beat around the bush.

Shawn almost choked on his spit hearing Aaron speaking something so random. He kept his poise looking at him as though he saw an alien.

Aaron didn't look like he was joking. He was rather serious. It was hard to say how Aaron might react to Shawn's response. Shawn felt dealing with Dax was better.

"Bro, did you leave your Cupcake to ask me this question?" He asked in bewilderment.

Aaron noted Shawn didn't answer the question and changed the topic. Seeing his reluctance to directly speak out, Aaron decided to go roundabout. People don't like easier paths. "Do you think anybody is doubting your capability in the home?" This question was concerning the company.

Shawn couldn't understand why Aaron jumped from Shea to family, in regards to the company. The question was a little tough though.

Every time his family always supported him to do whatever he liked. His variety of interests are widespread. He had been a teen model, went crazy to create an esports group for competition. He learned pottery and every different dance form. The list doesn't stop there. In comparison, Aaron knows very few things.

Sometimes he felt like his family was letting him be the acting CEO just like letting him try what he wants. But he knew dealing with those calculative and cunning businessmen needs more than smartness. He often doubted himself, yet he had the determination to manage the company, balancing his life without troubling Aaron or other family members.

Shawn pulled a long face, "You all overestimate me." He didn't mean his words. The problem is, they worry about his well-being too much, they want to protect him. He can understand that as he is the youngest Rivas.

Aaron deciphered the meaning behind his words. So Shawn knows none underestimates him. He nodded and lied, "Since that's troubling you, I will better stay back."

Like mercury reacting to sudden high temperature, Shawn left the desk and went to Aaron with displeasure written all over his face, "Bro, don't even think of it."

Aaron was amused how Shawn and Aarvi gave so much importance to his profession and studies. Without showing his emotions, "But you are unsettled from a few days." He countered cooly

"I am not." Shawn least wanted Aaron to stall more years because of him. The more Aaron delays, he would lose the chance of joining one of the best research centers.

"It's alright, Shawn. I understand." Aaron was in control while Shawn flustered. "Mom told me that you didn't have an appetite."

Taking Aarvi and Aaron's support for each other, Shawn was damn sure Aarvi will stand by Aaron's side if she hears Aaron's decision. "Bro, it wasn't because of work. I was confused about Shea." He blurted out.

Aaron fell silent and watched his brother. Shawn saw his every-so-calm brother and his lips twitched uncontrollably. Aaron started with Shea until he ended with Shea.

"It's about Shea." Shawn realized the topic hadn't changed. He went to the other chair and sat down. His disturbing behavior due to Shea was what made others think he was stressed with the company workload.

Aaron watched his younger brother, enjoying his rare embarrassing behavior.

----

In the dining hall,

Shea had mulled over Aarvi's words. Convincing with a lie doesn't give us relief. She felt true, feeling uneasy. So instead of speaking with her sister-in-law, Mehak, she chose Aarvi.

Aarvi patiently waited to sip her hot tea which she had prepared during the silence of Shea. The latter didn't know where to start.

After much contemplation, Shea lowered her head and uneasily confessed, "I was rude to Shawn." And he always helped her with everything she calls and questions about the city. He had even taken her around the city, searching for a particular medical book.

As Shea guessed, the expression on Aarvi's face changed. She did look calmer but there was coldness. She was expecting her to scold but heard, "Continue."

Aarvi hadn't expected it to be this way and realized why Shawn was confused with his feelings. Since she wanted to help Shea, she wanted to hear her side before concluding.

Shea didn't want more complications with the Rivas family members when they were treating her so well, "I- I become very negligent when I am with Shawn. I am not liking that…" It was her self-reflection.

Shea noticed her words piquing Aarvi's interest and the cloudy mood clearing out. She became a little braver to share, "So I ran away from him, deciding I should avoid him and focus on my studies."

Aarvi nodded, discerning Shea didn't like her behavior with Shawn. "And you are not satisfied with your decision." Aarvi wanted to state it as 'You don't want to avoid Shawn.'

Shea accepted her words with a feeble hum as though somebody might hear her response.

"Solution is simple. You should apologize to Shawn… Properly. He will understand. I can assure you that. Then you should think about what is good for you." Shawn's tolerance for the people he keeps around him is far higher than one could guess.

Shea: "..."

'That's it? Shawn won't treat me badly?' Shea gave a thought.

Aarvi continued, "About being careless, you can't even guess how stupid I could be with Aaron. So it's not an issue. You have to trust Shawn."

"Ohh…" Shea pondered about it. 'So Shawn won't let me get hurt.'

Aarvi added, "Very importantly, treat Shawn how you want to be treated. Give the respect to earn yours. A good relationship is always a give and take." One can't expect love in return for rudeness. Or else, just love the person expecting nothing.

Shea was so absorbed in her thoughts hearing Aarvi, she didn't realize the obvious hint in Aarvi's words. It took a few minutes before her beautiful face was mortified and Aarvi had gone to her room long back.

She paced in front of Shawn's room, pondering if she should apologize right away. She would be uneasy and guilty all night for being an ungrateful brat.

On the other side of the door, Shawn stood watching Shea's shadow at door. He wanted to sleep but knowing Shea was wandering right in front of his room door. He couldn't even close his eyes.

He couldn't behave like nothing happened when she ran away fearing him.. He might scold her if he initiated the conversation so he started wasting time.