The Traps of Black Swan

At Butterfly valley

Aarvi had no idea where Aaron was taking her until she stood between the valley of flowers. There were literally hundreds of wildflowers blooming in the valley. Rich colorful flowers had carpeted the ground giving off a surreal vibe.

It was breathtakingly beautiful. The farthest her eyes could register, there were all covered with flowers. With the sunset reddish-orange sky, she loved everything around there.

Her enthusiasm was obvious in her voice, "This is the butterfly valley. Isn't it?" There were many kinds of flowers like orchids, poppies, primulas, calendulas, daisies, wild rose, and so on becoming the home for numerous species of butterflies.

Aaron rubbed her head as he hummed, "It is..."

As soon as she received the confirmation, she shook many plants and the butterflies flew up in the air coloring with its beautiful vivacious wings. As she played around in the dune, she disturbed the plants to see more and more butterflies.

Aaron's gentle voice carried mirth looking at her, "Be careful about your steps." He knew what he said went in the air seeing her explore trying to catch and touch the colorful wings of the butterflies.

Secretary Wen didn't expect Aarvi to still have the innocent side seeing her playing with flowers and butterflies like they were the amazing things on the earth.

He had first time seen her in a business meeting. He had thought she was going to be a business tycoon in the country taking over the Kelly International when she confidently won the project against many companies. 

But fate cruelly played in her life and the next time he saw her in the ICU fighting between life and death brutally injured.

....

At the end of the sunset, Aarvi's fair cheeks had numerous colors of the butterfly wings that she had purposefully swatched. She video called Shawn and Dax to show off the colors when they routed to the airport directly instead of the hotel.

Aaron asked her when she was done with the call, "Liked?"

Aarvi didn't lie checking her pictures, "It's so vibrant and beautiful." 

Aaron hummed and shamelessly boosted himself, "That's why you should listen to me."

Aarvi and Secretary Wen: "..."

---

Another secretary, manager and his assistant had left in the evening on a public flight back to Mocon. Aarvi, Aaron, and Secretary Wen took the private jet to city J which was six hours long air time.

They left after dinner so Aaron asked her to sleep in the resting room. He and his secretary worked a little while before taking some rest.

They landed at the dawn, Aaron packed Aarvi in warm clothes before taking the three hours road trip. After some nutritious food, Aaron forced Aarvi to rest and went to the worksite.

---

In Mocon city

With a downheart, Vance sent Grace to the rehabilitation center ignoring her endlessly cry as soon as they returned to Mocon.

Mother Hays got to know about it and quickly took the chance to set him up on a date. "Son, do you remember I had told you my friend's daughter is a designer? She returned from France just last week and she is checking on companies to join. This is her card." She handed him her card and continued, "I have already asked her to meet in the Highlands. I have reserved a private room, please meet and hire her."

He wasn't in the mood to do anything so he wanted to reject but her mother noticed his bruised face, "Vance, what happened to your face? Did somebody hit you?"

Vance avoided his mother's touch and pressed on his jaw. The previous day, he was sitting on the beach for a long time before he was returning to the suite in city M. He felt somebody tap his shoulder so he turned behind to check but nobody was there, he was turning back when somebody punched him that ended him on the ground.

When he turned to check as he cursed loudly, there was no one around him. He was all alone on the beach. It wasn't a dream because he had real pain and he didn't know what to tell or explain either.

"It's nothing. I slipped and fell on the face." He lied without batting an eyelid.

Mother Hays didn't read too much to it and reminded him, "Alright, don't forget the dinner meeting. I have some work, I will leave." She didn't let him turn down and left hurriedly.

"Mom..."

He leaned back and closed his eyes to rest. If he wasn't a design department director, he wouldn't have cared but he had no choice because he lacked some good designer in the company.

...

Highlands Bar and restaurant

In the evening, he entered the Highlands before the specified time and went to the bar counter. Shawn who was at the bar counter, had to control himself from beating Vance into pulp.

He felt his blood boil when Vance greeted him with a fake smile, "Second young master Rivas, it's been a really long time."

Shawn didn't care even if he was the customer, he raised his both middle finger at him then he stormed off. He instructed a waiter, "Make sure to get proofs if he does anything he shouldn't. My hand is itching to whip him off."

Vance sighed internally and drowned his drink. He couldn't understand how Ava got acquainted with Shawn Rivas who was named as the Prince of the Mocon whereas Aaron was named ruler right after his one year in the business industries.

Hays family never could reach Rivas or Harmon's level. He had tried to get along with Shawn Rivas and Dax Grant but they had openly shown their disgust towards him right in front of Ava who had convinced them back. He couldn't understand why Ava didn't choose them but heard her parents.

After some drinks, he went to the private room and a lady entered inside right on time. "Young master Hays, I am sorry for being late. I hope I didn't make you wait for too long."

Vance lazily raised his gaze. She had a stunning figure wrapped in the body-hugging dress swaggering her curvaceous and voluptuous body. In no angle, she looked like she was there for a formal meeting.

Swaying her hips with the clack of her heels, she reached the table hearing him say, "No, I just came now."

That lady found him a little rude seeing his eyes away from her and talking. She introduced herself first, "I am Libby Madden. We have a media company. Since my major is fashion designing, Aunty Hays asked me to know about Hays International and join so the dinner is planned."

Vance selected the dishes and passed her the digital menu for the order. After it, Vance's voice sounded void of emotions, "Your portfolio?"

Libby gently hit her forehead like punishing herself for forgetting, "Oh, I left in the car. Young Master Hays, shall I show it to you when we go downstairs?"

Vance frowned and asked directly without care, "Is this your professionalism? Meager state."

Libby stood up and Vance thought she was going to leave but she sat next to him and worriedly asked, keeping her hand on his chest while the other hand was tracing his wine flute tip dropping a capsule inside, "Young master Hays, you seemed to be distressed. What's wrong?"

Vance flung her hand away and ordered, "This game doesn't work on me."

Libby stood and disbelief was written all over her face, "You? What are you thinking? Just because you are Mom's friend's son, I came here to respect her and I was worried looking at your state and you are..."

She stopped when three waiters entered with food. They quickly arranged the table while Libby clenched her fist tight and stood emotionlessly watching Vance taking sips of his wine.

Vance started thinking if he misunderstood looking at her seething in anger but as soon as the waiters and manager left, Libby smirked, "At least shouldn't I do something to get that tag of lewd?"

"What?" Before Vance could realize what she actually meant she sat on his lap and locked his lips.

Vance tried to push her away but she tasted amazing like candy and on top of it, she started grinding her hips rubbing her blossoms against his chest tearing his shirt buttons off.

He initially resisted and tried his best to control guessing it was all the plan by Libby Madden but she forced him to lose control by forcing his hands to touch and feel her.

She had almost thought drug didn't work and Vance was going to throw her on the floor but he laid her on the table swiping the bowls off the table and ripped her dress off.

He was a man with a weak state of mind so it's Libby or another girl, he would easily fall for it.

Libby wickedly smiled for successfully completing Madam Hays and her plan when he started feasting on her like a beggar finding food after days. He vented all his frustration falling deeper into their trap.