The Traps of Black Swan

At the Kelly mansion

A black Audi entered the courtyard through large metal gates facing the majestically stood mansion against a lush green mountain behind. It was a picturesque worth being admired.

The cream coating of the paint shined against sunset rays and the lights of the mansion. The mansion had antiquity in its structure without losing its style giving the mighty vibe, spontaneously arising the respect towards it.

The car circled around the massive fountain where water was sputtering down creating soothing natural music to the listening ears. The car came to a halt in front of the mansion's main entrance that had a huge wooden double door.

First to alight was a young man in his early twenties, short brown hair groomed stylishly, wearing jeans and a trendy jacket on, his black orbs captured the light of mansion dazzling in his phoenix eyes socket.

Plenty of people will like Jose Kelly, but the fact that he is egoistic, the self complex is just the tip of the iceberg. To make things worse, his competitiveness and the urge to prove himself right never let anybody hang on to him for a long time.

Pampered by the parents, he never had a restriction while growing up carelessly, hardly cared to hear anybody or do what he doesn't like.

The goal of his life: Get a limitless cash card and enjoy life

A smirk on his thin lips faded as he opened the car door for the woman. Maisie Brunette stopped talking and alighted the car smiling at her son, "Jose, my son…" She fondly patted him for being so sweet to open the door for her.

She had made sure to wear a plain short sleeve, knee-length dress. Her makeup was pale achieving her look for the day, a delicate fragile woman.

A middle-aged man alighted another side of the car with frowns imprinting on his brows as he muttered holding his mobile, "This rascal isn't answering my calls. He is turning audacious." 

Chestnut, curly hair awkwardly hanging over a long, friendly face. His small brown eyes were set elegantly. His furious morphed to affectionate watching his beloved son and pretty wife. 

It won't take long to dislike the pretentious man after spending a little time. It's incredibly difficult to maintain a healthy relationship because of his dishonest and scornful behavior.

The obvious belly had popped out a little failing to hide behind his blazer of the suit, "Let's go." He cued saying it.

The family of three entered the mansion and sat in the living hall hearing the butler greet and state, "Master, the Elder master will soon reach. Would you like to drink or eat anything specific?"

He asked politely looking at the three, but the two ignored him, and Shane moved his backhand to shoo him away without caring the old age of the butler. 

However, the butler was used to their behavior and left them in the living hall and went to the kitchen to inform Hayden Kelly over a call.

Half an hour passed, three were pissed off when Hayden didn't reach the mansion at his usual time. They kind of knew he purposefully made them wait but they had no choice but to sit.

Soon a black Mayback silently pulled in front of the mansion, and the driver opened the door for an older man. "President Kelly!" The driver probed looking at the man's eyes shut with his forearm on the forehead resting his head on the backseat.

President Kelly aka Hayden Kelly reacted before alighting the car in the complete composition without revealing his complete day's tiredness or the new stress of his family members.

Well-groomed grey hair, stern fair face highlighting his black orbs. His gaze was sharp and predatory by the thought of three sitting inside the mansion.

A lot can be assumed when you first see Hayden Kelly, but at the very least you'll find out he is calm and sympathetic. Despite his old age, he looked strong and energetic.

His calm nature though is what he is pretty much known for in the business world. People often count on this and his reliability especially when they need support.

Nobody's perfect of course, Hayden has his own priorities and limitations, he was known as heartless for keeping his sons away from him. Some guesses as he changed after his wife's death and some states as he got to know his sons' aims for the company and fakes affection.

He had two sons, a younger one fell in love and got married early that he attracted hatred from the elder brother assuming the younger one married to give birth to a grandchild of Hayden to loot some Kelly family wealth.

Failing to tolerate their mindless squabble, Hayden had set them in different luxurious villas, however, he was fated to lose his younger son and younger daughter-in-law leaving Zain Kelly alone.

Shane Kelly, an elder son, next to be patriarch who is incapable of doing anything right. On one side Hayden wanted Zain to be head of the family and Ava Kelly to be the chief of business.

However, he can't meet or see his granddaughter despite knowing she is alive and he is failing to convince Zain to handle the family. Hence the only choice left for him was to write a will before passing away.

As soon as he stepped into the mansion, the three stood up like obedient comrades and greeted "Dad" Shane and Maisie in respect. "Grandfather!!" Jose with a smile.

Hayden merely glanced at them before going and sitting on a luxurious couch, "Why are you three here without asking me?"

Shane and Maisie could only grit teeth at his bland words. They see Hayden treating everyone good except them which only raises their hatred towards their dead daughter.

Jose feigned ignorance, he was used to that behavior for many years and learned to smile for everything just like how his elder sister used to do. He had thought and thinks that how his elder sister always got favor from Hayden. "Grandfather, why are you so serious? Isn't this our home too? Why do you sound like we are not welcomed here?"

Hayden glanced at Jose before cueing the three to sit, "Take appointment next time. I don't like anybody disturbing my resting time."

The three could only gulp down the words without daring to voice because Hayden had cut off their extra source of income to control them. Hence willingly or unwillingly they have to tolerate Hayden.

The living hall filled with awkward silence for a few seconds before the butler reached Hayden and asked, "Master, shall I ask in the kitchen to prepare dinner?"

Hayden hummed in affirmation and added, "Only for me. The guest will see them out soon." He didn't show an ounce of pity to his blood but his voice wasn't commanding while instructing the butler.

The butler didn't bat an eyelid and bowed Hayden before going to the kitchen. However, Hayden sneered looking at his son and daughter-in-law's dark face, "Are you perhaps here for free dinner?"

Maisie clenched her teeth to control her bubbling anger, cursing the Ava Kelly faced woman for showing up in front of her in the mall that ended them to reach the old man.

"Dad," she laughed awkwardly and continued, "We already had dinner, don't worry about us." Then she bit her lips gazing down for a second.

Hayden witnessed her transforming into a sad lady, tensed, fingers fidgeting, "I- I wanted to tell you, there is a girl who likes my daughter."

Hayden's eyes widened, failing to be in complete composure. Maisie observed his changes as she continued, "This girl looks like our Ava, I was so shocked and surprised that I hugged her and started crying forgetting I was in the shopping mall."

Hayden's fingers curled into a tight fist realizing Ava went face to face with her mother. He just hoped the woman in front of him didn't hurt her again. He accurately knew Maisie must have cursed her instead of what she was telling.

Jose patted his mother's back and requested, "Grandfather, please bring sister home. We all miss her."

Hayden who always controlled himself from contacting Aaron felt himself lose longing to call him and ask about Ava's health and if he could meet and talk to her.

Seeing the restlessness of Hayden, Shane butted in, "Jose, that girl didn't recognize your mother, you are still a kid, you don't understand the business world. What if the Navier company planned this for Kelly International? Not to mention the Hays family is always behind us. That Lukeman always eyed our company. I am sure she is just a dummy to fool us."

Maisie had started sobbing, "If- if she was my daughter, I wouldn't have felt distant when I hugged her. My mother-heart, it can't lie." She sniffled louder as she dabbed a tissue on her cheeks, "I do wish she was my daughter, I am missing her terribly." Maisie covered her face and started her painful cries.

"Mom, please don't cry…" Worried, Jose moved closer to his mother and rubbed her back, "Mom, sister is no more, you are repenting for three years, I am sure my sister would have forgiven you long back. Mom, please stop crying and take care of your health."