The Traps of Black Swan

Chapter 144 - [Childhood] Maisie Burnett

Aarvi smiled hearing Aaron's words, she didn't find his words funny, not at all. She was fascinated by how easily he found out her inner turmoil despite seeing her smiles. Anyhow she didn't want to increase his concerns and defer his work. 

"The big shameless child transferred into a gentle caring man…" She said casually and reasoned, "I am tired."

Even though he was reluctant to accept it, he could feel she was tired. He again wrapped his arms around her thinking what could have gone wrong. Businesswise, everything was in its place, his foes also hadn't raised any more trouble yet. 

He could only come up with, 'Did she see anybody?' But he didn't have the heart to ask her and make her uncomfortable if she didn't want to speak about it.

"Aarvi…" He heard her hum in response before he continued, "Talk to me if there is anything, alright?"

Actually, she wanted to speak about it with him but she didn't want to trouble him. She didn't want to put her troubles in front of him but solve herself. 

'Wouldn't he have his own tension, worries, and work? Why should I burden him more?'

He wasn't a folder where she should dump all her corrupted, messed files so she didn't feel it right when she was still unclear about her feelings towards him. Hence she nodded in acknowledgment without a word.

Aaron could only sigh inwardly and thanked her for the gifts before sending her to bathe, asking her to rest soon. He returned back to his work in the study room till late in the night working on his research papers.

---

At half-past twelve, Aaron stretched his arms and shoulders going towards his bedroom when he felt the need to check on Aarvi.

Just like he had expected, in the dimly lit room, she was huddled next to the bed headrest facing the darkness outside, leaning her shoulder and head on it.

He wasn't sure if she had dozed off in that position or awake due to her back facing him. He entered inside gazing at her without making a noise and saw a tear sparkling against dim light making its way down rolling on her cheek.

She was gazing at nothing and her deathly calm face made his heart tear without knowing what was troubling her.

Her hand moved, wiping her cheek when she realized his presence and saw him sit near her and heard him faintly say, "Come here."

Aarvi was still for quite a long time looking at his aloof face and the man patiently waited without pressing her. 

Her face had a stain of silent tears, lips curled down. She was weary and also sleepy but unable to rest either. So he gave her time because she will dodge if forced.

Aarvi took a deep breath before moving and reached his arms. Silently sitting for a few minutes, Aaron realized she actually didn't want to cry but she was failing to stop before she calmed down in his embrace.

"Let's get some fresh air," Aaron asked, wiping her face as gently as possible.

Aarvi hummed and drank water when he helped her hold the glass. He pulled her nightdress sheath and held it behind in ready to wear position for her to wear easily, then took her hand when she had to step down from the bed.

Aarvi saw him patiently tend to her instead of resting after a whole day of tiredness. Her previous thoughts on her family were replaced with the man in front of her. As much as blissful she felt for having him in her life, she was also miserable because he had to look after the broken side of her in his life.

Why should he take on her problems?

If she can't give him happiness, does she have the right to make him worried?

After the busy day, shouldn't she help him relieve the stress instead of troubling him more?

She knew he wouldn't say her as irksome which only increased her guilt. She clutched his hand tighter as she got off from the bed and uttered, "I saw mom."

Aaron froze for a few seconds looking at her eyes glistening with moisture. One thing he knew well was, Ava couldn't ignore anybody, Aarvi could ignore the whole world who throws curses, hateful gazes but not her own family.

How much ever they hurt her, she was too sensitive when it's family. Others were outsiders, whereas they should be called as her family even though they never treated her like one.

Aarvi stood in front of him without leaving his hand, "Do you want to know why I feel selfish for having you?" Her voice had cracked and too low looking at him in her lost gaze.

Aaron gently caressed her head before turning to the bedside table to grab a throw-over. Wrapping a hand around her shoulder, he took out as he asked, "Do you want to sip calming tea?"

Aarvi shook her head and stopped him from going upstairs to the terrace. "Swing." 

Aaron only nodded and they reached the backyard in absolute silence. 

The cool night breeze welcomed them, the sound of the rustle of leaves greeted them. It was a sound that could make the calm person even calmer but the disturbed one would be more upset. The moon was bright peeking between the branches of the tree but the couple was in no mood to admire it.

The lights of the mansion's backyard served as dim light for the whole backyard needing no extra ones. Aaron got on the swing bed after Aarvi. Leaning on the cage, he pulled her next to him as he spread the throw over on her.

Aarvi moved closer so that she could cover both of them. The swing was still in movement due to the disturbance caused while climbing on it. Aarvi leaned her head on his shoulder as the silence washed over for a minute or two.

Aarvi asked, raising her head to see him, "Do you know why my parents don't like me?"

Aaron promptly shook his head, his little Cupcake never told the main reason for her parent's hatred. Aarvi sighed, actually very few know about it and she never dared to tell, thinking all will laugh at her.

Her tone turned softer, filled with down spirit and self-mockery, "I shouldn't have been born. I was unwanted, I was hated. I earned the curses of death right after my presence was known."

Aaron soon pulled her to arms wrapping his arms around. As he guessed and he thought, she did nothing but become an object to endure other's mistakes, incompetence, and incapability.

Aarvi sniffled trying to curb her sorrow but tears didn't seem to listen to her, "I had a fate of death but I took birth in a world where I wasn't welcomed."

--- Ava Kelly's childhood ---

Maisie Burnett, a young, beautiful woman who had just cleared her graduation and entered the twenties with eyes full of dreams and heart full of hopes. 

Burnett family, a millionaire family in the clothing business. Born with a silver spoon and trendy fashion everywhere around her, she dreamt of entering the entertainment world and rule like a queen.

Every person has a villain to stop them from following their dreams, For Maisie, it was her family's belief and opinions. They objected to her, stopped her from entering the entertainment world filled with scandals, immorality, and unsaid dirty things.

Heartbroken by the continuous rejection for pursuing her dreams, it created a huge distance between the loving parents, siblings, and Maisie.

Shane Kelly, above average looking man in his mid to late twenties, was a failure in assisting his father with business and also in his love life.

Did he have dreams? Yes, he did. Becoming rich and richer. That sent him behind a wealthy heiress but stumbled on the way to reach his goal and fell into the world of love.

What did he gain? Rejection. From the girl he loved and from the father who was tired of teaching him business and stopped him from becoming President.

All he did was look where he gets more money and fall on his face losing the company's money. He wanted power to get the girl and the girl to have the power.

Is it love? Or obsession?

He believed that it's the love and dream of his life.

Unknown to each other exists in the world, both ended up drunk in the club sitting next to each other on barstools demanding drinks after drinks.

Drunk, Maisie got off from the barstool and posed next to Shane Kelly, "You- Hey you!! How do I look? Don't you think I can rule the Entertainment world with my beauty?"

High, Shane hazily watched her face before his eyes brightened misidentifying her. He grabbed her by arm and pressed her on him in a tight hug and pleaded, "Don't leave me, please accept me. I will listen to whatever you say, I will do everything you want. I will never stop you for anything. I will love you all my life..."

He continued to coax her in a slushy voice that sounded incoherent. 

The startled young lady tried to push him with the instinctive reaction but failed and heard him crying out and saying he won't stop her from doing anything and will love her.

She cut in and asked in surprise, "Will you let me be the queen of movies?"

Shane probably didn't understand her but he nodded vigorously cupping her face hoping to hear her accept him.

Happy with response, she said in a spur of movement, "Then I will also love you."

Excited for finally getting what he wanted, he didn't want to lose his chance again and hear rejection. A strong desire for power and lust took over him and kissed the young lady who cried out against his lips.

She hit him, pushed him for quite a few seconds before she found pleasure in the dominant sloppy kiss, and gave in.