The Traps of Black Swan

Aarvi looked at Martin who had replaced his blazer with a fancy leather jacket. His formal hairstyle was changed to stylish. One could easily say he cared a lot about his appearance and preferred to stay presentable all the time and on occasion.

Her eyes went to the woman. She had an athletic physique and was very tall. So tall that she reached Martin's height with her one-inch platform shoes. Her caramel blonde medium-length hair was styled in waves. Her skin had a honey tint saying loudly she spends a lot of time under the sun.

She had a faint smile on her lips that had no color but lip balm. Her cheeks had faint freckles that gave unique beauty to her gorgeous face. There was no make-up, probably some sunscreen that moisturizer that shone under the room light.

She was wearing a solid white crop top and jeans. Even though Aarvi didn't turn, she recalled there was a jacket on the couch. Her expression slowly softened trying to put her puzzles together. When the lady stood in front of Aarvi, she was glad to wear the high heels, else she will have to lift her head to speak with her.

"Ms. Evans." Aarvi greeted her with a little uncertainty. Aaron had long back told her Allie Evans death was all rumors and she was alive and kicking jumping from one place to another.

Allie was surprised. She knew it was the first time Aarvi was looking at her and Aaron had no pictures of her or anything. "Do you have to sound so distant, Little sister?" She had expected a polite smile and little closeness considering the Evans identity but there was a smile that couldn't be weighed.

Aaron was surprised at how accurate she was with her guess. He forced his wife to get close to her. It was her choice so he let them speak. His eyes shifted to Martin, who was still scrutinizing his wife. He couldn't understand why Martin thinks Aarvi likes to take the place of Allie and enjoy the resources of Evans. Aarvi would never enjoy what doesn't belong to her. Well, he didn't care about that man's opinion.

Aarvi promptly responded, "We are strangers, Ms. Evans." She was thankful to them for letting her borrow their name. That doesn't mean she had the liberty to be a sister to Evans siblings and daughter to Evans couple. The relationship doesn't build that way.

Allie Evans smiled. Her brother was right. Aarvi Evans doesn't take Evans for granted. She neither uses flowery words to make them feel good nor tries to get close due to the names. "I am all excited to meet my little sister, Aaron Rivas, your wife giving me the cold shoulder." She complained to Aaron

Aarvi looked troubled and turned to Aaron. She didn't mean to be unfriendly. They weren't known in the first place. Aaron tightened his hold on Aarvi's shoulder, assuring her Allie Evans was just playing. 

"Allie Evans, I will throw you out." He simply said.

Aarvi: "..."

Allie ignored Aaron, she looked at Aarvi probed, "Let's get lunch. I am famished."

'Growl' 

Everyone turned to Martin whose stomach growled as if responding to Allie's words. Martin was planning to scare the little lady but he was embarrassed by his stomach.

"Yeah, let's eat," Aarvi uttered slowly looking at Martin's ears red under their gazes. She guessed Martin knew her but pretended to be unknown in Harmon Industries. And he was the friend of Allie Evans, Aaron had mentioned about. She had thought it might be some girl as they were practically together almost every day for nearly five years.

Aaron noticed Aarvi's gaze shifting between the two. He grabbed her wallet and his mobile from the table. He led her out as he mentioned, "You are guessing right. They will get married one day."

"Eww…"

"No freaking way…" The two friends voiced together and threw each other a distasteful look. 

"Let me die instead," Allie commented and shivered her body as if the thought was revolting.

"I better be a saint." Martin pretended to be horrified.

Aarvi watched their reactions and then looked at Aaron who gave her a knowing smile. She giggled understanding there is another shade of love. "They are so cute."

"Cute and she!!? The world is ending."

Allie Evans grabbed her jacket and pretended like nauseous, "Cute and him? I wish I was never born to see this day."

Then both bantered all the way to parking, in the car, till the restaurant making Aarvi laugh till she had tears in her eyes, cheekbones hurt and stomach ached.

By the end of their lunch, Martin dropped his prejudice against Aarvi and the latter spoke well with Allie. They were now acquaintances rather than sisters or friends. They dropped Aaron and Aarvi at the hospital, met Shea who was busy before. Shea and Allie Evans were more like good old friends. 

Then Aarvi was in shock to know the two were already going to explore a different city without rest. She could only send them off with the other two. When the car left the gate, Aarvi turned to Shea.

Shea stole her eyes and hurriedly spoke, "I will get back to work, see ya…" She practically ran away, leaving Aarvi in a daze. 

Aarvi had noticed the odd behavior of Shea and Shawn at breakfast. She knew she had to let them handle but she couldn't see them like that. She wanted to speak about Shea and Shawn with Aaron when Alex and the other four rushed up to them covered from all sides. Aaron was first to react, he pulled Aarvi close to him.

The Shadow team didn't have time to address them properly, "Move inside… Move… Move…." They rushed the two inside the hospital. 

Aaron didn't question anything and focused on getting Aarvi to a safe location. Aarvi could only think somebody was following them or targeting them. So she obediently stayed with Aaron without a word.

Outside, Roach, who was following them in a different car, had just parked his car when he saw Alex looking at the gates, taking the couple inside. He recoiled the bullet in his handgun and climbed on top of the car. In the next second, he jumped on the tall wall.

Shortly, Aarvi heard a bullet pierce through the air leaping her heart to her throat. The screams of the people followed immediately. She felt the need to rush outside afraid of innocents getting hurt but Aaron controlled her movements in a firm grip around her.

The hospital security was divided into two, one group rushed out while the rest guarded the hospital. The Shadow team focused on the two's safety as Roach was outside. The two of them entered the elevator with Aaron and Aarvi. The other three went to another elevator. If one elevator faces the problem, there will be immediate help from each other.

Aaron wanted to take care of his wife but she was already making calls to her team to check on things swiftly. So he stayed by her side making sure of the safety around them and the hospital.

Without knowing what happened outside the hospital, Aarvi started thinking if she was missing something. She planned the meeting in Harmon Industries because as soon as the cops arrest Leon, she could influence shareholders to pick Aeon for the president post.

Accordingly, right after sending Leon to prison, Aeon became the acting CEO. The news about Leon being under custody and Aeon becoming the President became breaking and shocking news. Leon didn't have a friend who could selflessly help him. Others would look for their advantage first before helping Leon. Leon couldn't offer anybody anything.. So she couldn't put a finger on who exactly was attacking her or them.