The Traps of Black Swan

Every corner of the enormous living hall spoke of luxury. It was big enough to hold a banquet of five hundred people. The huge chandelier in the center was an artistic piece, worth putting for an exhibition.

The living hall was divided into two sections, designed by professionals. The pillars were in the corner separating the living hall with the open dining hall on the left and the huge bar section on the left. The refined taste of the modern Parisian interior was worth admiring.

For Aarvi, luxury never attracted her. She felt it was indeed a mansion but it was lifeless. It was professionally made but had no soul. It was an empty block of walls. She likes the stupendous Rivas mansion instead.

Aeon entered the mansion right next to Aarvi. He wanted to protect her irrespective of if Leon would want him dead or alive. He was also curious to witness her mind-blowing acting. 

He could feel it wasn't just going to be an act, she had a plan which she didn't reveal completely to him. She just gave him a heads up so that he could play along or hold on to his emotions.

Her beautiful face had a hint of struggle in her eyes and her red lips pressed to a thin line as though she couldn't hold her composure. There were no other emotions. She was neither sad nor distressed. It was so hard to read why she was struggling and what was going on in her mind.

Being a director, who often does casting for movies and dramas, it was the first time he was able to witness such flawlessness. If he didn't know her well enough, he would have thought she might be missing out on some emotions. However, he knew she had herself under control, probably the whole mansion too.

A suspicious glint flashed in Aarvi's eyes before it disappeared. She had expected Leon to rejoice her presence in his den and be smug about it but he was displeased to the bones. 

'Why is he angry at Aeon?' She thought and glanced at Aeon.

Aeon was staring right back to Leon's eyes. Like challenging him. It was pissing off Leon further. Because Leon never considered Aeon was strong enough to stand against him. But Aeon had the guts. It's just that Aeon preferred not to throw a stone at the muddy water which would stain him back.

However, her eyes caught the men who jerked behind the wall. There was astonishment and confusion in those eyes. Astonished by looking at her and identifying her, confused because she was with Aeon Harmon. Might also be because Leon hadn't instructed them anything with their name

Then she heightened her senses. She could feel there were many men in the mansion as the dull noise of shuffling, dragging of feet and even gasps were able to reach her ears. She also heard the footsteps on the carpet but she couldn't identify where it was exactly coming from.

Aeon broke his staring game and whispered to Aarvi by slightly leaning closer to her, "Leon's men have surrounded us. Look at the reflective surfaces."

Aarvi hadn't noticed it. Since the interior style had lots of shiny surfaces like photo frames, metal design, and expensive flooring. When she brushed over the interior, she caught men hiding.

She responded calmly when her eyes moved back to Leon, "If he guessed I was coming, I expected a huge trap inside." 

Aeon couldn't believe it, she knew it yet stepped inside. The fear and uneasiness he expected from her didn't appear. Instead, she was pretending like she didn't know anything. So brave? Aeon could imagine younger Aarvi scared out of wits when Leon had tried to molest her, and beaten her black and blue. If that's what it takes for a woman to be so confident and brave, he hopes none could go through that experience. Not everyone could survive it like her.

His attention broke when a vexed voice reached his ear, "What are you doing with her?" For a second he imagined Aeon introducing Aarvi as his girlfriend. He hated that. He was revolted more for the reality - The wife of Aaron Rivas.

Aeon merely looked at Leon. He had so many words at the tip of his tongue, especially after knowing some crucial information about his own life, coming future. Anyhow, he held on to his disgust to let Aarvi do her work and get rid of Leon. He focused on anybody attacking them or her so that he could shield her immediately.

"And what do you think you are doing?" Aarvi questioned with a hint of aggression in her tone. She clenched her teeth and glared at Leon. Her fingers balled into tight fists turning her knuckles pale.

Leon's attention shifted to her little face. His mood immediately lifted looking at her fury. He would love every expression in her eyes except the emptiness. Even the thought was enough to give him goosebumps.

The fool knows after he's suffered.

Leon was careful there. He didn't want to get fooled by her again and again with her acting. "Come on Ava Kelly, I won't be fooled so easily this… time." His voice trailed away when he heard a bullet voice.

Aarvi's eyes expanded a little and she narrowed her eyes at Leon. Aeon subconsciously took a small step closer to her. Aarvi almost flinched at the distance. She wanted to take a step away but tried her best, not to show her weakness.

She had thought she trusted Aeon, a man who respects women. Feeling her heart shudder, her body instinctively shrinking away, she realized she was still far away from being normal to mere closeness with anybody. 

She didn't have time to worry about it. Looking at Leon's lips graciously curling up, "Don't gloat so soon. I can change your game anytime." Her voice was cold, warning him to back off before it's too late.

Aeon got two minds. He felt it was unfair. He wanted to look at her and also be careful about the surroundings because of the danger. If he watches her, he knows he will be lost in her amazing skills. He forced himself to gaze anywhere but Aarvi. He also focused on not sensing any of the emotions in her words. It was too distracting, pulling him to her like the strongest magnet.

Leon suddenly burst into hysterical yet heartfelt laughter. It gave goosebumps to his men. To everyone's eyes, he appeared like nothing but a psycho escaped from the mental asylum. He is handsome, he might have a killer smile but his sadist personality didn't suit that laughter. 

Leon had expected her to threaten him. So he curiously probed her, "Little Lamb, how are you going to do that?" There was amusement and anticipation in his tone.

'Little Lamb!!' It would have sounded nice if called sweetly by somebody else. Hearing it from Leon's mouth, Aeon instantly threw a disgusted look at Leon.

Aeon missed noticing the sly smirk on Aarvi's face. Leon was more intrigued about what was coming next. 

Aarvi's right hand reached the jacket of Aeon. It was truly hard for her. Yet, she managed to tug Aeon roughly and shove him on the sofa. She pulled the knife out of her boot and reached Aeon's neck.

Leon loses everything if Elder Harmon and Aeon Harmon loses a life. Was Leon expecting her to be threatening him like a mindless lamb?

How naive!

Meanwhile, Aeon stared at Aarvi in disbelief.