บท 6: Apple Pie

Master Rivas wanted to continue about her health, Aaron's precautions for possible complications of her heart condition but Aaron's glare irritated him.

As her personal physician and cardiologist, nobody knew her body conditions better than Aaron. He wanted to ask her to rest, recover completely and she doesn't have to work but Aarvi's personality will never let her do that.

Aarvi lost her appetite hearing it. She glanced at her left chest and internally sighed. She never felt that heart inside her was hers. That heart belonged to the Rivas family, Aaron's younger sister who was found brain dead in an accident of drunk driving.

She always felt burdened by the Rivas family thinking they worry and care about her due to that heart in her. Her small cold, cough, and fever bring those two men at her due to that heart.

Even though she never expected anybody to care about her, she never wanted the concern and care which was meant for somebody else.

Lost in thought she didn't hear Aaron speaking to her. When she felt somebody touch the bare skin of her hand, she pulled back at lightning speed and her eyes instantly turned dark and dangerous.

Aaron and Master Rivas weren't new to her reaction. They are seeing her revolt against skin contact for two years.

Initially, they had thought it was OCD but after some time they got to know from her therapist that she feels extremely dirty by anybody touching her. Aaron had found her numerous times rubbing her skin to the state of bleeding.

And the only one who crossed that line is Aaron but only if she allows and knows why he was touching her. Aaron's voice turned gentle to relax her consternation, "Aarvi..."

Realizing it's the doctor and seeing his palm extended gazing at her right hand, she let him check her wound.

"How did you get hurt?" His voice was full of concern which elevates her guilt for having his sister's heart. Master Rivas saw and understood it was due to the pressure of a rough object.

She promptly answered, "A small unexpected in the plan."

Both men knew she was against the Harmon family but they had no idea about the reason because none of the investigation reports pointed to a connection between her and the Harmon family.

They guessed it might be because everything was cleaned up by Harmons to keep their public image as 'ideal'.

Master Rivas thinks she doesn't remember a thing about her past but only Aaron knew she wasn't ready to tell them about it. Aaron didn't nag thinking to treat her wound later, "Be careful next time."

Aarvi retracted her hand back as she hummed. Until she could manage to separate her ways from Rivas, she had to take care of herself for the heart inside her. She wanted to leave the table but forced a little food down her throat to avoid Master Rivas coaxing her to eat more.

Other than himself, nobody knew why Master Rivas is good to Aarvi, why he treats her so well.

They were almost done with dinner when Master Rivas spoke about the main reason behind his visit. "Shawn said this villa isn't safe due to the river waterfront which can't be guarded. Aaron, move back to your mansion or come to the main mansion." Master Rivas meant it for both.

Shawn Rivas, Aaron's cousin. Only Rivas member Aarvi knew from her past.

Aaron glanced at Aarvi while saying, "Aarvi won't be comfortable in the main mansion... ..." 'and my mansion is far from the city.'

She wasn't anyway related to the Rivas family. Taking his patient with him doesn't make sense. Aarvi frowned and cut in, "You can leave. I will..." 'stay in the villa.'

Aaron didn't let her finish and blandly declaimed, "I am staying with you. Any objection?"

Aarvi didn't speak. Even though she bought the villa to move out of his mansion, everything at the villa was handled by Aaron and he readily put himself down to take care of her.

She knows he was protective of her but she thought it was due to the heart. Now she is against Harmons, she is very sure that he will arrange people for her safety in the shadows.

It wasn't her mistake to assume he was doing it for the heart, it was Aaron who used it on her from the past two years to keep her next to him.

Master Rivas was speechless. Seeing two stubborn sitting opposite to each other, he gave up the thought of coaxing them.

After dinner, Aarvi savored the cupcakes sitting alone in the patio while Aaron and his father discussed the medical case of a confidential VIP patient of Rivas Hospitals.

After it, Master Rivas glanced at Aarvi and delivered another piece of news to Aaron.

"Father is furious knowing you are living with Aarvi and thinks you bought this villa for her. Meet him when you are free and importantly, don't let him meet Aarvi privately."

Aaron's poker face asked the unspoken question, 'Why?'

Aaron wasn't like that with his father. They used to be very close.

When Master Rivas forcefully moved Aaron to abroad, he had promised to look after Aarvi but Aaron didn't know every message of 'She is doing good.' was a complete lie all those six years.

Aaron used to be very warm but when he found Aarvi after his return and realized he was betrayed by his own father, he turned aloof, unapproachable, and stony-hearted.

Three years! Master Rivas failed to appease his dear son.

"Father thinks Aarvi seduced you to live a lavish life. Shall I tell him about her real identity or her current identity?"

Aaron heard the footsteps entering hence he finished the topic in annoyance, "No."

After gobbling seven cupcakes, she was going upstairs, Aaron reminded her, "Fruits."

Aarvi wanted to turn down but wasn't ready to hear his lecture on health or maybe due to the guilt of their endless pamper which she wasn't reciprocating back with anything, she accepts their reasonable to unreasonable requests most of the time.

Slicing the fruits, she passed to both men and she also ate. Soon enough, her mobile screen went off displaying a contact name, 'Apple Pie'

She slightly nodded at Master Rivas to excuse and answered the call on speaker due to wet hands.

A pleasant and masculine voice sounded, "Pumpkin, you are right. Leon Harmon is looking for your details. Any change in the plan?"

Aarvi was going against a great player of Mocon so she knew his games, "Nope. Follow the same."

"Alright, Invisible brat. Your game is fun. Lots of hugs and kisses. Bye." The caller hung up the call after saying it.

Aaron and Master Rivas heard the caller. Both had no idea about 'Apple Pie' who is really, really over the top with his words whenever they heard him speaking with Aarvi.

Master Rivas highly doubted him as her boyfriend.

Aaron saw her sly smile. 'Harmons' Aaron could guess her next day's plan for 'Aeon Harmon'.