The Traps of Black Swan

In fright, Aarvi jumped to Aaron's arms and wrapped her limbs around him as tight as she could. Squeezing her eyes shut, she yammered, "Headless ghost... headless ghost..."

Aaron wasn't prepared for it. He stood like a statue in a stupor.

When he heard the trio screaming the first time, he was worried about Aarvi so he entered the graveyard to bring those fools back. He had almost reached them but they ran away and again ran back screaming on top of their lungs that even bats and owls flew away in fright.

"..." Dax and Shawn looking at Aarvi flashing light at them.

Then they saw Aaron's deadly calm face who was thinking whether to hold her or not keeping his hands in the air. The duo looked at each other who were scared of the ghost that she didn't even rely on them.

Scolding themselves in mind, they were ready to speak, an unknown hoarse voice made them jump and stand behind Aaron.

"What is going on here?"

Aarvi came to her senses hearing a man's voice and saw Dax and Shawn. She flushed, realizing she was hugging to Aaron. She really wanted to dig a grave for herself and sleep inside instead of facing them, especially Aaron with whom she fought to go inside the cemetery.

Flashing their light at the man in the front, they breathed a sigh of relief. The cemetery guard was dwarf and he was wrapping himself in a rug from top to toe which looked like he didn't have the head in the faint light.

Aarvi didn't dare to look at Aaron and got off from him feeling utterly embarrassed. Aaron silently helped her to stand back on the ground without being able to see her face in the dark.

Dax passed the bags which were in his hand, "We brought some fruits and snacks for you."

That man took it and waited for them to speak.

Shawn spoke, "We just wanted to feel how it is to be in the graveyard at midnight. We will get going."

The security hoarsely grunted.

While Aaron followed three, Aarvi was facepalming hearing Dax and Shawn.

"Little heart, I was the one who wrote bear hug my bro."

"Dum Dum, I didn't know you were into that kind hug."

"Hey, where is my hug?"

Aarvi punched Shawn when Shawn forcefully wrapped his hand on her shoulder.

"Good my wish list is almost complete."

"Heh?" Aarvi tossed his hand away, "Dirty, epic what?... Sex? We didn't get a girl for you so... With him?"

Dax: "Are you into men? No doubt you wanted to hug your brother."

Aarvi and Dax laughed but it echoed in the graveyard giving them goosebumps so both shut their lips and ran out chased by Shawn, "Muppets! I'm bloody straight. How dare you say that?"

Aaron rolled his eyes. If they were joking and walked in, they wouldn't be scared as much as they concentrated on the sounds.

The three were tired and Aarvi started yawning while Aaron imperiously walked at his right speed and reached them.

They were dispersing to the three cars, Aarvi called, "Shawn!"

Shawn paused to look back then he smiled when Aarvi hugged him to fulfill his wish.

Rubbing her head, "Little heart, I or Dax couldn't change whatever happened. We will be there to hold you this time. Be happy."

Aarvi hummed with a nod. Both heard a disgruntled voice, "So mean."

She didn't give in, "You haven't prepared a wishlist yet."

"Hey! Do I need a wishlist for that? Do you even have a heart?... No, you don't. Do you even have a brain?"

Aaron realized her psychological irritation of touch is resolved after the full day of activities seeing her getting along well with friends.

Aarvi made both of her friends happy and bid them. Yawning she sat on the back seat of the car with Aaron while the driver drove the car.

Aarvi broke the pin-drop silence, "I'm sorry about that, I was scared and it just happened without my control."

She yawned again as she heard, "Are you fine in the dark?"

Making herself comfortable to sleep, she responded, "Unsure. We had a mobile torch and I wasn't alone."

Aaron hummed and saw her doze off in no time due to strain and late in the night.

He checked the time and instructed, "Route to Avron mansion." It was closer to their current location than her villa.

Seeing her asleep, he carried her to her bedroom in the mansion. After making sure everything is set according to her requirement, he went to his room.

Unbeknown to the effects Aarvi had created by her unplanned and random visits to the place, she rested well during the weekend.

--- Twelve hours ago in the Mall of Mocon ---

A group of ladies seemed to be from the socialite circle were shopping, gossiping and enjoying the afternoon after a sumptuous meal in the restaurant of the mall.

The look of disgust towards other people was common in their eyes. For them, the one who should interact with them should be a mannered, well-bred lady. They just gave a side-eye to the shopkeeper and the salesgirl who wished them courteously.

A sweet voice sounded by the lady in the yellow summer dress, "This collection is unique."

The store manager quickly told the handbags, "Miss. Wells, this is the new collection released just today. There are only fifty bags in the whole country. Our store got five and only one left in the stock."

Other ladies looked on in amusement to know what so special about it. It's finishing, the elegant look and the feel was perfect. They were thinking at least one of them should buy but the lady in the yellow dress sneered at the store manager.

"Do I look so cheap to you? I'm not one in fifty. Did you forget I am the young madam Hays? How dare you show some shitty designs for me?"

Even though other ladies found her totally unreasonable, they didn't show it on their face. A slender lady in red dress spoke for the lady, "Yes, how dare you look down on soon to be young madam Hays?"

If nobody understood what she actually meant, The lady in the yellow dress and other ladies understood it. Those ladies were just tired of hearing that 'Young madam Hays' because she hadn't married Young master Hays from two years yet she uses it every single time.

The store manager wasn't new to his job and he knew about every young miss standing over there. He knew well the one knows the value of money and time respects every type of worker and their job.

Burying his frustration, he apologized to them respecting his job, "I am sorry Miss. Wells. Please take a look at other bags that might get your attention."

The ladies behind Miss. Wells silently snickered hearing, 'Miss. Wells' instead of what she was showing off as 'Young madam Hays'.

The lady in yellow dress sneered, "You just have garbage in here." Then she strode out trying to manage her composure.

She had just reached the open space and a beautiful lady caught her attention. Her eyes widened identifying the beauty, her heart rapped uncontrollably the fright hit her senses and the bags in her hand dropped.. She felt like the ground beneath her feet slipping when she stuttered, "She… She is alive."