The Traps of Black Swan

In the study room, Rivas mansion

Aarvi had already taken a peek at this room when she was with Aaron. Unlike the vintage-styled study room with a library that had an entrance from upstairs, this was more like an office room in the home. It was modern with a touch of royal luxuriousness.

The chair behind the off-white wooden desk looked like a throne chair against a black semi-matte finish wall. One side of the wall had a bookshelf and opposite to it had a window for the daylight and fresh air lighting the room. The two armchairs at the window were separated by a coffee table. The room gave off cold and officious air.

Jordan sat on the chair behind the desk and instructed her in a neutral tone, "Close the door."

Aarvi pushed the door shut without making a single noise. She didn't go to the couch but stood opposite Jordan on the other end of the desk. Since he was the one who invited her for a talk, she didn't initiate it but stood gazing back at his eyes.

Jordan's mind unintendedly compared the girl in front of him with other girls he met, Aarvi's behavior was too odd compared to any of them. She wouldn't try to get unnecessarily friendly, nor she tried to give him a good impression, nor she was afraid of him. One thing he commended was, she wasn't forcing their relationship on him.

His hand moved, pointing at the armchair that was at the side as he turned his chair towards the window to face her. Aarvi didn't turn down, she quietly went and sat with back straight and mildly said, "Thank you."

Aarvi wasn't expecting any special questions and Jordan was right on her guesstimation. "Ms.Evans… That is not your real name." 

'Was he trying to bring up her past? Doesn't he know?' Aarvi didn't know but her voice was clear as crystal, "It's my identity." Real or not, how does it matter when she already accepted she is Aarvi Evans.

Jordan didn't see even a faint change in expression on her serene face. His husky voice sounded again without carrying any emotions, "Do you think you can match my grandson?"

'Match?' She wasn't sure what Jordan was trying to know by that question but she didn't answer the question, "We respect each other and are harmonious." And those are really important for any relationship.

Jordan wanted to hear an overconfident response of saying she suits his grandson who stood above everyone in his view. Yes or no to his question would have really weighed heavy but she slipped away.

"State your price." He commanded and his voice was cold showing dominance.

He was a grandparent after all so she knew he was trying to know where she would fall behind. Aarvi lips slightly arced up which brought a victory smile on Jordan's face, "Let me hear what you quote."

Jordan pulled his bank checkbook out of the drawer to show he was serious and he would send her out. She was just a simple girl who used to walk to her home from school, a girl whose parents hadn't filed a complaint when she was missing. So he tried to know if she could be bought with money. 'She is a poor girl trying to climb the ladder.' became his view.

He scribbled his sign writing long digits. Tearing the cheque off he placed it at the end of the table and ordered, "Disappear from the country."

Aarvi nodded as she stood up. Tilting her head, she counted the zero and smirked, 'Five Billion, that's pretty big.' She thought.

"Elder Rivas, let's talk business then." She strode back to the armchair to sit.

Jordan thought she wanted shares so he gritted his teeth and said, "I will transfer 2 percent shares to you." 

Aarvi nodded in acknowledgment but Jordan didn't see the required reaction, 'Where is the excitement?' He felt like prey being lured to a lioness's den.

"I will transfer sixty billion to you in less than an hour. Forget Aaron."

"Aarvi Evans" Jordan grunted slamming on the desk. 'How dare she?' His breathing had twitched due to anger and looked at her as though he was going to cut her tongue if she said a word extra.

What he faced was an extremely calm lady who had a smile contrasting with his mood. Aarvi didn't flinch at any of his reactions and justified her statement.

"I am sure 5 billion wasn't what your grandson is worth so let's keep that view aside. You priced 5 billion for three years of my presence in Aaron's life. Hence for 27 years of Aaron in your life is 45 billion, 5 billion worth shares so the total is 50 Billion."

She paused seeing the darkening face of Jordan who realized why she said 'Let's talk business.' which wasn't to ask for shares of Rivas Industries.

Aarvi continued, "Since you turned this into a business involving money, profit is a must so I am giving you 10 billion profit. How is my offer? Elder Rivas!" She ended with an enticing smile.

He couldn't discern why he always gets wronged when he is around Aaron and Aarvi. He was angry at the same time.

Aarvi didn't stop there and spoke after a brief pause. This time she wasn't talking professionally like how she offered the business deal but like a teacher, "3 years or 27 years, you can't price the feelings. You can't buy Love when it's real. I hope you could respect your grandson's feelings if not mine."

Even though he expected her to stick up with Aaron at one point, he had expected her to make a ruckus, cry and create a huge fuss but it was totally the opposite. He clenched his fist and calmed down, damning the lady in mind for affecting his temper before justifying her words.

He soon composed and uttered his next words in poker face. "You two grew up in totally different worlds." He didn't ask the question expecting he will get the required response from her.

Aarvi knew that. They were like the opposite end of the world, he had everything she didn't. She had those things one shouldn't. "I agree."

One second…

Five seconds…

Ten seconds…

Aarvi realized what he was expecting but waited for his reaction. Jordan kept himself calm clearly forcing himself down seeing her always go against his thought process. He didn't want to talk negatively when the voice recorder was recording their conversation but she left him at a dead end.

'Damn this girl.' He thought and spoke, "Things are new hence you two are getting along. You will fall out sooner or later." He said with respect to the atmosphere they grew up in and the problems they will have to face.

"We grew up in different worlds but I am not living in his world nor he is living in mine. We live in our world where even you are not allowed." She gave the response which he had expected for his previous statement and saw his mixed emotions understanding her response.

"Falling apart?" Aarvi uttered thinking 'Will we fall apart?' She was sure Aaron wouldn't mind her past when she could bring herself to tell him about it. "If that's what you are hoping for then you will be proved wrong."

Jordan knew he was already accepting the lady in front of him. Her composition, confidence, way of clearing the things, the respect, and many more but he knew those could also be used against them.

A genius can build a country or destroy it with his same talent so Jordan held back showing any reaction. "What happened to you three years back?" That's when he noticed the shift of emotion just a second before calming.

Aarvi had expected him to ask that yet those events still brought the changes in her, "I am sorry, ask me this question when you could accept me wholeheartedly for who I am."

Jordan's brows furrowed hearing her. He wanted to hear her lie as she doesn't remember anything so that he could reveal her fakeness right on her face.

"Who are you?" He asked back without realizing his voice had turned slightly soft from the seriousness. "Who are you? Why should I accept you?"

Aarvi stood up and straightened her overcoat black dress with a smile on her face, "One who your grandson loves."

Jordan felt like she was putting her hand in his head to kill all his brain cells. He understood taking any information out from her, against her will is impossible. She was meticulous to leave him tongue-tied like how Aaron leaves him on the edge.

On top of it, he couldn't understand how she got to know he was going to leave after that question, 'She is unbelievable and I am going crazy.' He thought and stood up.

"Please make sure to delete the recording. Others won't like it." Aarvi said seeing him take a step. She had noticed his hand in the drawer as soon as he sat down. 

Jordan: "..."

Aarvi innocently waited by looking at him who took his time, deleted the recording, and walked ahead feeling embarrassed. He was about to open the door but turned around, "Did Aaron seduce you?"

Aarvi: "..."

Both had no idea many ears were pressing on the door to overhear them and the last question ended up reaching those ears.