The Traps of Black Swan

The only sound heard in the room of four people was the paper flipping by Aaron who was checking Shawn's health reports and other files. Secretary Wen tapping on the keyboard, Aarvi silently watched the city from the glass wall on the seventh floor.

It was about an hour, Shawn stood up and placed the book on Aaron's desk announcing, "I want to do all these before I die."

Before anybody could react, Naomi entered inside hurriedly after a knock. "Shawn, What am I hearing?" Her panicked voice got everyone's attention.

Shawn put on a serious face, "Fate is cruel."

Naomi: "..."

She tried to compose and spoke, "Don't worry, you are strong and healthy, cancer can be cured soon. I will be..."

Shawn hummed, "I will accept fate. Sister Naomi, go back to work."

Aarvi realized Shawn wasn't waiting to confirm in fact he decided to himself that he has cancer.

Naomi tried to speak but she could only leave seeing them give a cold shoulder. She wanted to show she was sad but somehow everything changed.

In another five min, an admin team member knocked on the door breathing heavily. "Doctor Rivas, there is huge confusion. I have the clip in here."

Aarvi and Aaron's voice sounded in unison, "Did you flirt with lab tech?"

Shawn was amazed, "You two are so cool."

Secretary Wen too was surprised hearing how their words matched.

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Shawn saw both glaring so he forced laughter tussling his hair and asked, "Cancer doesn't spread like that, doesn't it?"

An admin team member spoke awkwardly, "Shawn Sir, while you were holding the lab tech hand complimenting her and passing her the tube, you have passed another patient named bottle. Chairman fired that lab tech now for carelessness."

Shawn was happy he doesn't have cancer but saw Aarvi and Aaron deadpan faces. He awkwardly laughed, "Hehehe... I am fit and fine. Oh ho. I'm off..." He quickly ran out seeing Aarvi stand up.

Aaron breathed a sigh of relief leaning back on the chair. Aarvi was glad Aaron took action checking Shawn's reports and asking the team to check. The admin team member left the room and Aarvi took the book from the table to see what Shawn wrote.

Skinnydip!

Dirty, epic sex!

Aarvi: "..." She understood it was a wishlist.

Visit Graveyard at midnight one!

Run out of the mall frantically screaming!

Aarvi didn't notice she started smiling reading those. Aaron who glanced at her froze looking at her bright smile which he never saw in three years.

Walk away with somebody's coffee in Starbucks!

Crash into the unknown's wedding!

Punch someone in the face for no reason!

Put orange cones on a random street and control traffic for a day!

See a ghost!

Gift my wax figure to bro!

Shawn remembered the book ran inside and saw Aarvi holding, "Little heart, give it back..."

Aarvi instinctively ran away from him and what she was silently reading started saying it loud, "Bear hug my bro! Ahh... Sexy pole dancing!..."

"Little heart..." Shawn ran behind her around the vast office.

"Hug my Little heart!... Bumshots to Dax!... Play a horror scene!... Stripping in a club!" After finishing she started laughing her heart out realizing Shawn hadn't changed an even little. Her laughter with mirth was too real.

Aaron, Shawn forgot to even breathe looking at her. Shawn felt like he was back to his university days because her laughter sounded the same. Only Aaron knew how much he yearned to see her happy every day, how many times he imagined himself about her smiles and laughter.

Her laughter in the silent room was like a finding oasis in the desert, sunshine in the darkness captivating his heart. Her soft unrestrained laughter was soothing to hear. It was hearty and contagious laughter bringing smiles on the faces.

Secretary Wen was facing her back, he smiled seeing her cheerful and lively for the first time but his eyes widened, jaw dropped looking at Aaron.

Does President Rivas know to smile?

He doesn't have facial paralysis!

He has emotions too!

For him, shocking was Aaron Rivas as he doesn't know anything about Aarvi.

Aarvi didn't realize how much her candidness affected the men around her and said, "I want to joi..."

Her smile slowly faded looking at brothers intently watching her. She didn't complete her line and turned to go back to the couch feeling slightly awkward and amused about herself.

She had thought she didn't have the right to be happy anymore.

Shawn cheered, flipping the page of the book. "Bro one completed, she laughed happily."

Aaron glanced at his cousin then at Aarvi's back, "Take her out."

Shawn smiled, getting permission. He held her hand and ran out.

Aarvi: "..."

She couldn't pull her hand back and without choice, she too ran behind him without her mobile and bag.

Shawn didn't let her talk when they reached the elevator, "First we will go to Starbucks across the road. Then we will go to the mall, I will ask Dax to reach there. I will punch someone random..."

Aarvi cut in, "You want to punch someone for no reason but you have a reason to punch that is fulfilling the wish list."

Shawn was delighted hearing her and it wasn't 'no', "Nahh, I will change it..."

He scratched the line and rewrote.

Old Aarvi always made everyone happy. She had changed a lot thinking she might go easy on the three families in her target list but seeing Shawn happy just by the thought of fulfilling the wishlist with her, she didn't have the heart to disappoint him.

She never felt the happiness from acquiring a business or winning projects' bid that she feels in making others happy. She released her hand from him repeating in her mind, 'He is my friend.' to stop herself from feeling repulsiveness.

Aaron wrapped up his work at the speed of the fastest train, "Suspend all my work." He took his and Aarvi's mobile before following them closely.

If he had known, he would have long back prepared a fake report for Shawn to overreact in front of Aarvi.

---

In Starbucks,

"Ready?" Shawn asked excitedly.

Aarvi's eyes brushed at the counters, "Got my prey."

"Start."

Both walked to different counters, Shawn reached a girl, "Hey Baby, it's been a long time."

That girl was confused and also surprised seeing his handsome face. She pointed at herself and asked, "Me?"

Shawn put on a disappointed face melting the girl's heart. He grabbed the coffee noticeably while saying, "I didn't know you will forget me so soon."

He faked a sniff and sip of coffee and continued, "How can you hurt me?" Then he turned around and walked out.

Aarvi smiled at a late-twenties man at the counter, "Excuse me?"

That man heard her sweet voice and turned to her. He looked at her toe to top, her black strap short dress with an uneven trendy cut hem made her look a lot younger. Her beautiful black orbs captivated him, unable to withdraw his gaze.

Aaron who just entered saw Shawn flirting but his face darkened looking at the man who was savoring Aarvi from his eyes.