The Traps of Black Swan

In the living Hall,

Once Aarvi and Aaron left, later Shawn and Hassan too went to the entertainment area to waste time like spoiled princes, chatting, gossiping, and video gaming.

Fiona heard her father and mother talking about Aaron and Aarvi's wedding and even heard them give ideas about registering the marriage and getting the marriage certificates then they could plan the wedding slowly.

Naomi and her parents weren't only on the seat of needles but also Fiona. Naomi was smart enough to know how to behave so she was silently sitting watching the patriarch of Rivas family hoping he would talk for her.

Just like how Naomi silently followed Aaron hoping for him to notice her and realize her feelings, she again hoped that her good side would definitely be noticed by Jordan and ask her to be his granddaughter-in-law just like the fantasy in her mind.

However, Fiona Knox, the pampered and spoiled daughter of the Knox family couldn't hold it knowing the Rivas family forgot the promise and her parents were on the boat. Her voice carried a hint of scorn asking Megan loud enough to be heard by all.

"Aunty Megan, I didn't know Rivas family breaks promises they made and even forgot and behave as if nothing happened."

The lively atmosphere between elders suddenly soured and grimace surfaced hearing her but, of course, the Rivas family wouldn't treat their guest at low grade so Megan forced a polite smile to ask her while Jordan's face was turning ugly by every second gazing at the Fiona's scorning face.

The first one to speak was Madam Knox, she held her daughter as she guided her worriedly, "Honey, you shouldn't talk that way."

Megan's voice sounded after her in a very polite manner, "Fiona, please tell us, how we wronged you? I will make sure the things will be cleared out." Fiona wasn't a kid to joke around about it and also she didn't look like poking fun. Respecting Knox's relationship with the Rivas, Megan behaved uprightly.

All changed their line of sight from Megan to Fiona who rolled her eyes openly. Madam Knox was glad Megan or others didn't get angry at Fiona's behavior but she hadn't expected to witness Fiona rolling eyes disrespecting all elders.

Fiona blurted out asking for justice as though she was really a victim of the situation, "After promising me, how could you all forget me and the promise just because I was away and brought a clown to be Aaron's wife?"

The Rivas family members including Jordan's face twisted with an ugly frown. He warned her first, "Ms. Knox, mind your words. Think before you choose the words to speak." He wasn't taking Aarvi's side but corrected Fiona about her way of speaking.

Whereas Naomi would have been happy hearing Aarvi as a clown but 'A promise?' If Jordan Rivas or Aaron had really made that promise, they would keep their promise at any cost. Naomi started worrying Fiona was going to be a tougher opponent than Aarvi.

Master Knox stood up quickly and bowed to Jordan in apology, "I am sorry Uncle Jordan. We have spoiled my daughter too much. I will take care of her."

Jordan wasn't a man to throw one's stupidity and look down on their parents so he gestured at him to sit. 

Connor stood up when Master Knox turned to them, "Hugo, you don't have to apologize, please have a seat. If it's a mistake from our side, we will rectify it." 

Connor hadn't even finished; they heard a snort from Fiona and Master Knox immediately warned his daughter feeling embarrassed, "Fiona, mind your behavior."

Connor patted Master Knox as he pointed him to sit and cued Karsen and Jordan to be calm, Karsen wasn't as calm and composed as Connor to tolerate such behavior so he sat and controlled himself from teaching Fiona a lesson like an elder.

Connor turned to Fiona and patiently asked, "Ms. Knox, we don't remember any such promise being made to you or the Knox family so please be more specific about the promise you are talking about." Instead, it was more like they would never ever make such promises.

Fiona knew all were angered with her but she was also angry. They forgot her and the promise so easily when she had persisted so long to match Aaron in every way. She uttered haughtily with her chin high up, "It was Aaron, he had promised me to marry." 

Jordan clenched his fist without believing her words. If it was Shawn, he might have considered to ask him but Aaron. Jordan knew well Aaron would leave anything for his Cupcake and never had anybody else in his heart. 

Karsen wanted to laugh at her while Megan controlled herself from slapping her own forehead. 'Who was she trying to fool?' They thought. Connor was tongue-tied by her response.

While Madam and Master Knox were frozen, Madam and Master Fisher's jaws had deep down almost believing her words. 

Naomi controlled from squealing at Fiona and sweetly asked, "Fiona Knox, I don't remember you coming to country S when I was with Aaron over there..." She made sure to highlight she was with Aaron in the same country but it sounded more like she was living with Aaron. Naomi continued, "... Nor have I heard you were here in Mocon for the past three years. If you don't mind, will you be more specific about the details?"

Fiona saw the judging gazes on her. Aaron had promised her, Jordan and Connor were right there that time with Connor's late wife and daughter. Yet Fiona couldn't believe they were trying to find fault in her. She jeered without clarifying it, "Ask Aaron, I will see how he dares to deny it."

Jordan grunted to call Butler Chen, "Chen…"

But Naomi spoke elegantly as she stood up, "Grandfather, I will bring Aaron." After a modest head bow, she quickly went towards stairs hoping there shouldn't be any promise and Fiona's chapter should end on the same day.

Due to Fiona's behavior, the living hall fell into complete silence. The Knox family was afraid their daughter would cut their nose and their relationship with Rivas would fall off. They were thinking about how to handle if Elder Knox gets to Fiona and created such big drama in the Rivas Mansion.

…

Naomi heard faint music and reached Aaron's room door to see Aaron wrapping Aarvi's hand around him and embracing her as though she was his life. His gentle expression filled with affection and tenderness was like a dagger jabbing her heart repeatedly.

'Will I really get Aaron even if Fiona Knox gets out of the picture?'

Probably she knew the response but wasn't ready to accept. She watched Aaron slowly move to the music as he rotated. As though she was watching a beautiful voiceless movie she was frozen. Her eyes admired them, ear enjoyed the music but her heart wished to replace Aarvi with her. She really wanted to know how it would feel to be embraced by Aaron.

'It will be warm, fulfilling, and content. Won't it?' She imagined asking herself and noticed Aarvi's eyes on her.

Just like how Aarvi had halted before kissing Aaron in the office, Naomi thought Aarvi would care about her presence and let go of Aaron. However, it didn't happen other than she saw Aarvi's blank gaze on her. It wasn't mocking, nor dominating but empty, so clear that Naomi didn't know what to do or what to feel.

As soon as Aarvi's vision moved away from the door as Aaron moved, Naomi left from there and sat on the couch at the secondary living hall to collect her dispersed thoughts. 

She felt a cold run down her spine just by remembering the gaze of Aarvi on her. It was like she had no life, that lifeless gaze wasn't easy to be handled by her.

After a few minutes, she stood up, determined to create more and more distance between Jordan and Aarvi. She went downstairs and said the truth with some twists in her hesitant tone, "Ah- I- Grandfather, Aaron is a little busy with Miss. Evans in his room, they might take time…" Then she said at a fast pace as though she was managing it for the couple, "They will be here soon."

Fiona wanted to object but her mother clutched her hand tight to remind her to shut her lips. Jordan turned to Connor and glared but Connor behaved as though he didn't notice. Then again the living hall fell silent waiting for Aaron.

The Fisher family cursed Aarvi with whatever words they could get but in their mind having no guts to voice it. 

---

Bored after some time, Shawn and Hassan returned to see a deathly silent living hall with a lot of tension brewing at two ends. Shawn raised his brows at Megan to avoid speaking oddly at the wrong time.

Megan patted the seat next to her to call him as Hassan sat next to his father. Megan started narrating in a mild tone to Shawn, "Fiona Knox is stating that Aaron had promised her for marriage. She…"

Megan was expecting Shawn to get angry so she was also ready to calm him down before he could lash out at Fiona but Shawn burst into laughter, "Mom, are you all pulling a prank on us? My Bro chose the best long back."

'The best!?' Jordan's brows twitched hearing it. He couldn't believe Shawn was calling Aarvi, a nobody as best. A flicker of doubt started but in favor of Aarvi.

Karsen's voice sounded while Fiona's face was ugly as a pit, "Shawn it's serious."

Shawn's voice died down right after his words and he smirked that didn't reach his eyes, "People have wrong dreams." Then the rest he mumbled that heard by Megan, "I would love to break them." He stood up and went upstairs to bring Aaron.

Contrasting the situation downstairs, he found Aarvi asleep in Aaron's embrace like a baby for beauty sleep.