The Traps of Black Swan

Jordan frowned upon hearing Naomi, Karsen and Connor looked at each other in dissatisfaction.

After a few moves of Aarvi, they easily guessed Aarvi was playing reverse psychology tricking Naomi's mind while trapping her, so what Naomi said made her look more pathetic than the loss of the game.

Aarvi agreed without a word as she started to place the pawns back to the place to start a new game. There wasn't a hit of happiness for winning the game or a hint of annoyance by how Naomi framed Aarvi's win and her loss.

Shawn was controlling his laughter and Aaron remarked crossing his arms, "Now Cupcake will chase after her king and queen." He had played with his Little Cupcake who had won each time with him so from the beginning he knew the winner of the game.

Just like Aaron guessed, Aarvi killed Naomi's pawns and chased after her on the board running from one side to another like a mouse being trapped by a wild cat.

In the end, Noami had very few pawns and Aarvi ended the game with a checkmate without uttering a word the whole time or showing any change in emotions while Naomi had a hard time understanding what Aarvi was doing.

Shawn couldn't control and burst into laughter before revealing, "Little Heart is a chess champion at the age of twelve." She was never allowed to play outdoor games or learn some skills so the only game she had played against the computer was chess.

Aarvi shrugged at his words before silently going next to Aaron like an innocent little one. She didn't have a silver line of victory instead it was like she never played a game or her opposition wasn't her match to celebrate her victory.

Jordan completely ignored Naomi and opened his lips looking at Aarvi but closed. He didn't accept her yet and he didn't know if he could do it. If he did, will she and Aaron understand and forgive him?

Despite having an urge to play a game with her, he silently entered the mansion lost in his thoughts. While others were talking with Aarvi, Aaron noticed Jordan's hesitancy and complex expressions gazing at Aarvi. He really wanted to know why Jordan was stopping himself from accepting or speaking with Aarvi.

Aaron had seen him impressed even though Aarvi never tried to impress any of them. Aarvi had filled the emptiness of Ariel Rivas, Aaron had caught Jordan smiling to himself seeing her helping them in the kitchen.

He wanted to ask Jordan but oddly felt his father and grandfather are hiding the same thing from him and Jordan might not speak about it. He could only sigh and wait for the time.

He couldn't believe they are hiding so many things from each other and they also know another one is hiding.

He was hiding his and his Cupcake's past from Aarvi, her birth identity from his grandfather. Her grandfather and father hid the same thing. Aarvi hiding who is the main culprit of her whole situation.

He was glad she is slowly speaking about her past so he has to think about his father and grandfather. About the secrets he was hiding, Aarvi will reveal herself to Jordan once he accepts her heartily.

Lost in thoughts, he didn't hear what others were talking about and was extremely surprised seeing Aarvi scurrying away with a flushed face and others chuckling looking at her back.

Shawn called her aloud in between his chuckle, "Sister-in-law, why are you running away?" Then he turned to Aaron as they went inside, "Bro, we are expecting genius babies from you two. Work hard."

Aaron: "..."

Naomi awkwardly smiled when Megan and the other two elder men patted her back to comfort her for losing. She understood she was underestimating Aarvi but her wicked mind started to think about what else she could do to shoo Aarvi away.

'Misunderstandings.' Her eyes brightened by her next plan.

...

Aarvi couldn't believe the Rivas family members were already expecting them to get married and have babies. Even though those were teases, she knew they actually looked forward to it.

She damned Shawn in mind for starting his tease of Sister-in-law. She likes the nickname 'Little Heart.' as in 'Little Sister.' Sister-in-law makes it sound like she is so elder. 'Ugh'

Pouting, she had cupped her red cheeks for imagining herself carrying and cuddling little cute version of Aaron, she bumped into somebody. She couldn't believe she started to lose her composure for teases that she straight bumped into someone.

Her hands were still on her cheeks when she raised her head to apologize but her eyes widened in shock. Out of all, why did she have to bump into Jordan? She felt like crying looking at his aloof face.

She lowered her hands quickly and apologized, "I am sorry Elder Rivas, I was careless."

She slightly bowed her head chiding her stupidity but froze. She felt a hand caress her head like a gentle pat. She jerked her head up to see Jordan's hand dropping down and walk away without scolding her.

Her hand touched the same place his hand had touched her head looking at Jordan's back in astonishment. She was sure she didn't mistake anything, 'Did I melt Elder Rivas by bumping into him? That's weird.'

Aaron and the rest had seen Jordan faintly smile seeing Aarvi apologize for bumping into him. But as soon as Jordan saw them, he left with his stoic face purposefully.

Shawn skipped front and tapped her chin up to close her mouth, "Sister-in-law is showing some magic."

Aarvi pouted and corrected him, "Little Heart."

Shawn shrugged imperiously walking inside, "My dear sister-in-law!"

Aarvi walked past him flashing him a sweet smile with a smug tone, "Alright, I am not taking you tomorrow, my beloved brother-in-law."

Shawn started to coax her calling 'Little Heart' while others started to chuckle looking at them.

At a corner of the living hall, Jordan who silently heard Shawn and Aarvi sighed deeply. He understood he had a very deep misunderstanding of Aarvi due to what he heard from Naomi, he believed Aarvi could fill the emptiness of Ariel Rivas and also accompany Megan like Aniyah.

However, he was still afraid of losing Aaron so he left there to go to his room silently asking the butler to relay that he needs rest and won't accompany them for the rest of the day.

Naomi soon left unwilling to lose her face more. She felt outcast with Aarvi being around.

The movie plan was canceled instead Aarvi was surprised when Shawn started to arrange little fun games with all. The surprising factor wasn't games but Karsen and Connor actively suggested and participated with them and had fun till dinner.

---

Monday,

After a good peaceful sleep, Aarvi and Aaron were awake early on time and started their morning routine. Aarvi's mobile was on speaker as she continued her yoga.

Since she had stopped her team to report anything about Leon Harmon the previous day, none had dared to ping her. She had seen a message indicating there is a crucial matter that she might have to know.

So she called and heard a complete report on the Harmon and Dawson families' coming celebration with the reports on how Leon was keeping an eye on three men but failing to get Zain Kelly's location.

After relaying some instructions, Aarvi lapped in the swimming pool before she sat inside water for her breath-holding exercise with her focus on breathing and heartbeats.

She had already taken countermeasures before Leon's action so today's plan will be smooth. She had taken a breath third time before going back into the water when Aaron went downstairs from the gym dabbing the precipitation with an absorbent towel.

A mischief curve appeared on his face before he entered the swimming pool and swam underwater to see her peaceful dainty face sitting on the floor of the swimming pool in ease.

Aarvi could feel the presence in the water nearing her and shot her eyes open when Aaron was about to touch her cheek. She slapped his hand with a pout before she opened her mouth by mistake to scold him and lost her breath, losing her calm posture in the water.

Aarvi quickly tried to get out of the water, nonetheless, Aaron was quick to hold her arm and pull her up the water before she could gulp water.

Aaron wrapped his hand around her waist to hold her above water if she felt her limbs. Aarvi wrapped her arms around his bare shoulder as she coughed to catch a breath.

Once she started to calm her rapid heart beating, she punched his bareback for entering the water while she was focusing on her exercise.

Aaron calmly waited for her to relax, rubbing her back, "Were you scared looking at me?" He asked to tease.

Aarvi chuckled, still keeping her eyes closed as her head rubbed against his. If she gets scared of his godly stunning face, she will have to scream the whole day by looking at anybody's face.

Unawarely enjoying his warmth in the cold water, she pulled her head back to face him but her cheek brushed to his cheek and her heart again started to beat a little faster. Their eyes closed unthinkingly while their warm breath continued to strike on each other.

They were savoring the moment in silence with their foreheads resting on each other and their noses grazing softly. They unknowingly moved in sync, his head slightly tilted and her hand smoothly moved to his dripping wet hair.

Before they could realize it, their lips perfectly molded with each other.