The Traps of Black Swan

The new day started, with the drifting dew shining under the warm welcoming sunlight. The smell of the wet earth and lush green around the mansion was soothing and tempting to cuddle and nestle in the arms of loved ones.

Aarvi held the cup of coffee warming her hands at the window seat. Aaron sat wrapping them in the blanket, warmly covering them, sharing his warmth with the little frame snuggling him. Both shared a cup of coffee, too lazy for their morning workout.

Aarvi held the cup for him to sip the hot coffee and turned to watch outside. Their silence was soothing, they wouldn't mind spending each of their mornings doing nothing but sitting together.

Aarvi sipped the coffee and lowered the cup. Her head tilted with a questioning and surprised hum floating in the air. "Hmm!?"

Aaron's thoughts broke and followed her line of sight. He had to lean to the window and caught Shawn walking on the pathway towards the guest house. Then he saw her curiosity.

After the coffee, there was a lot of time left as they didn't have to cook or do any chores.  He carried her up in his arms as he probed, "Let's sweat it out." His soothing voice was void of other thoughts.

Aarvi's lips curled to a mischievous arc, "On the bed!?" She tried to make him smile. From the time he returned to her side after meeting Elder Harmon, he seemed to forget he was a human. She saw no expression on his face even though he was gentle with her.

Aaron entered the bathroom to go walk in. He gazed at his wife who could ignore the world when around him. He deadpanned, "In the gym."

Aarvi pouted, "So boring."

He let her down and picked the gym wear for her. He changed and stood watching her use mobile in great excitement after she changed. She bounced in front of him after finishing her research, "Let's do this."

Aaron's gaze fell on her mobile, It was a video of the couple's workout routine. He deadpanned yet again, "Here?" He meant the Rivas mansion where many others are present.

She skipped out, with her ponytail swinging side to side, "Shawn and Shea won't be coming today." Other elders don't use the gym.

Does she mean Shea and Shawn are in a relationship? However, Aaron wasn't in the mood to think that. He wasn't certain if he could keep her smile the whole day. He neither wants to be overconfident nor keep her trapped in the house or next to him.

He followed her out, watching her, occasionally whirl and point at different exercise videos for the whole body workout. He knew he could turn her down but he didn't want to affect her enthusiasm with his worry.

-----

In the guest house, Shea was restless. She tried to bury herself in the bed under the duvet but tossed and turned. She got out of the bed, chewing her lips, she paced until she felt dizzy. She groaned without knowing what to do or how to handle the spilled milk.

She had woken up at dawn in Shawn's bedroom, nestled in his arms, as if she belonged there. Cuddling after sex was never in her books. There are always unsaid rules in nightstands, don't linger around afterward. If she can't leave early, she will leave as soon as she wakes up.

Despite feeling the need to speak, she was afraid of having any expectations. What if it was just another night for him? She didn't want to get more embarrassed. Hence she grabbed her nightdress, ran out of his room, his mansion, and locked herself in the guest house.

She knew it wasn't just another no-strings-attached one-night stand for her. It wasn't about her body but him. To feel him, to touch him, and to have him. There was more content and satisfaction than just her body.

She had for the first time whimpered somebody's name. And she never heard anybody moan her name in pleasure. Because nobody ever knew her name. Her body turned warm even recalling the night and her name lingering in her heart.

Shea slapped her cheeks, "It's only because he knows my name." She muttered to herself.

She suddenly jumped when she heard the doorbell. Pulling her robe, she looked at the mirror to make sure she wasn't looking like some crazy woman. She indeed didn't look insane but speechless at the blush on her cheeks. Little redder, she will look like a strawberry.

Another ring came almost popping her heart out of her chest. She ran downstairs and opened the door without checking the peephole. She felt her heart skipping a beat and her breath freeze, looking at Shawn.

She wanted more time to decide on how she should behave but seeing him at the door, she stood frozen with her mind running far and wild.

Something struck her. He was cold as ice. If the morning breeze didn't shake her, his stance dropped her heart to the button of the abyss. She opened her lips to speak but didn't know what to say. She closed them back.

Shawn brushed past her and went inside. His eyes grazed over the living hall before halting at the dining table which was in the open dining area. She strode there without a word. Grabbed a glass, carried the mug of water, and poured it into the glass.

Shea just turned around and watched him and his every move. She never thought he could be so cold-blooded. Her head hung low and started chewing her lips.

Suddenly a glass of water appeared at her gaze. She looked up without understanding why he was giving her water. She was about to question him when she sensed his left palm spread in front of her.

Shea looked at the tiny white tablet on his palm and her face stiffened. It was a contraceptive. She always made sure of protection but the previous night, she cared nothing but him. She didn't even know it. Now she realized he didn't wear the protection and whatever happened the previous night meant nothing to him. She assumed.

She should have been glad he brought her the pill and let her know. But somehow she was angry and disappointed. She wanted to hell at him but held back. She grabbed the pill, tossed it to her mouth. She took the water and took a mouthful of a sip. She shoved the glass to his hand, strode towards the stairs without looking at him. She felt hurt, she didn't know why.

She was yet to vanish from the sight, there was still a little hope in her, to hear him call her.

'Thud,' is what she heard. Turning around, she saw Shawn had left the glass on the small wall table and left the house.

She sat on the stair and shakily blew out a breath through her mouth. Her eyes filled up, she never wanted their relationship to strain to this extent. She suddenly felt left out. Placing her chin on the knees, she hugged her legs, watching the door.

Was she still expecting him to come back? She felt like an idiot.

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Outside, Shawn jogged in the cold, around the estate, in the name of inspection. To check the estate ready for the rainy season. Nonetheless, his mind was flooded with Shea.

He wanted to speak with her in the morning with a clear head. He wanted to know why she was unwilling to date. Waking up to an empty bed, he got off the bed to see no trace of her left in his bedroom. It was like he got a wet dream about everything. So he naturally assumed it was just a night of pleasure for her.

He didn't want to seem clingy by looking for her. He stubbornly tried to focus on his daily routine. However, he suddenly recalled he didn't have a condom. He guessed Shea might take care.

Nevertheless, he couldn't focus in the gym thinking what if she forgot. She still wanted to study and he didn't want his negligence to affect her plans and dreams. So he drove out, got the medicine, and reached her place. He expected her to speak but her silence seemed ruder. He wasn't a toy to play with as she pleased. So wordless, he made sure she took the medicine and he left.

----

At the other end, Aarvi met Elder Harmon and let him know the plan for the day. He gladly obliged her arrangements.

At breakfast, everyone noticed Shea's joyless face. Whereas Shawn seemed to be in haste. He took quick bites and left home without sparing even a glance at Shea.

Aarvi and Aaron looked at each other and stayed quiet.

'Did I suggest wrong? Apology really doesn't work?' Aarvi thought.