Aarvi glanced at Aaron before greeting Connor, "Master Rivas."

Connor nodded with a smile on his face, he probably wanted to tell something but controlled, "You guys cook, we will not disturb you two."

Aarvi nodded and saw two leave before turning to Aaron and cheekily said, "I didn't see Master Rivas when I ran inside."

Aaron's fingers grazed her cheek saying, "He won't mind that."

Aarvi was taking eggs when Aaron turned her to face him pulling her closer. She spoke before him, "What's wrong? You look... a little lost." Then she embraced him feeling he needed it.

"Have you met my mother?" Aaron asked wrapping his arms and he didn't hide his emotions from Aarvi.historical

She understood Aaron was missing his mother when Connor and Melia were watching them. He was alright before it so she guessed. Unwrapping her arms, Aarvi nodded multiple times and smiled, "I had seen her yearly once when they used to visit the drop to Shawn."

Aarvi noticed Aaron's face brightening so she continued, "The first year, we just met for a few seconds and greeted each other. The second year, she had drank the coffee I had made and the snacks I had prepared for all. She had said she was desperate to meet me and talk than her sons due Shawn and Aunty Megan who had told her a lot about me."

Then she hummed for a few seconds adding, "I could say she liked me and was sweet to me."

Now Aaron was jealous and pinched her cheeks, "How dare you meet all but not me?"

Aarvi didn't know if she should chuckle or whine and scold him. Since he was missing his mother, she chose to be a sweet little cheeky lady, "Because I wanted to embezzle you away from all."

She slayed her hair back and asked smugly, "Don't you think I took everyone's favor and gave them no choice but to accept me when I am taking you away?"

Aaron chuckled, brushing his nose against her. He had thought his family has to accept her because he loves her. Think of it, she had long back won everyone's heart.

"Sly girlfriend." He uttered and asked about another one, "What about Ariel?"

Aarvi darted her eyes around scuffing her nail at the corner of her brow, "She was a little hostile to me and Dax." She told the truth.

Ariel wasn't only beautiful but was self obsessed with her family. She doesn't like anybody getting near the family members and always saw them as a threat.

Even though she wasn't showing her hostility around her family, she had mocked Aarvi saying she is putting on an act of virtuous and happy lady to enter the Rivas family. She had said Dax wants to enjoy the lavish life being around Shawn.

Aarvi didn't tell all these to either Shawn or Aaron but chose an incident to divert the attention of Aaron, "She had caught me smacking Shawn. No sister will like her little brother being bullied."

She giggled and saw Aaron shake his head helplessly with a smile. If not everyone, Aaron knows his sister better. Ariel had ranted out to him saying the girl around Shawn has ulterior motives and they have to keep her away from Shawn.

He also knew Ariel had warned Shawn's Little Heart but hearing Aarvi put it humorously, how could he accept his Cupcake changed and is evil? She was still the same Cupcake, pure by her heart but doesn't shows her true self to all.

He didn't reveal anything to Aarvi when she was already fine with it and Ariel is no more, "By the way, Little mom is already missing you."

Sunday she didn't have any plans so, "Alright, first we will meet your mom and sister, then we will go to Rivas Mansion."

He had actually wanted to take her to the cemetery on the weekend but after hearing her say she had already met his mother, he dropped it but hearing it from her, he was about to peck her lips but landed on her cheek and heard her giggle. "Cook."

Aaron still wanted to talk to her. Nope, he just wanted to talk to her all day, all night but they got back to cooking before it's too late. With four hands, the work was a lot faster and smoother, finishing it on time.

Aaron liked cooking with her hearing her talk to vegetables, randomly say something to him, pecking on his cheek a few times, running around him looking at him cook or pass the ingredients to him, overreact and exaggerate eating the cupcake, then sit and whine asking why her cupcakes don't taste the same.

Connor felt like a third wheel eating with the two even though they had stopped playing around him but sat elegantly and ate. Probably he noticed his son was too happy to believe it easily even though he wasn't smiling.

---

After dinner, Aarvi didn't disturb the father and son and went upstairs to the bedroom seeing them talk about random things in her presence.

Aaron spoke about the main reason behind Connor's presence in the mansion. The mirth in his eyes replaced with coldness which Connor noticed.

"What happened at the lake deck that day after I was taken away? Where was Cupcake that day?" Aaron asked straight going to the point.

'That day.' Connor just looked at his face without saying a word. He was contemplating whether he should reveal to Aaron or not. If yes, how much should he tell? He can't tell Aaron who might take it negatively and stay away from Rivas family.

He wanted to lie but it would make the things worse so he chose to be silent and handle his son's animosity alone.

Time ticked by but only silence enveloped, Aaron now strongly felt his Little Cupcake didn't only face unfairness from her family but also his. How? Why? What extent? He didn't know.

He also knew Connor was protecting somebody and he couldn't choose to put anybody at danger, whether it's physically or mentally.

Who was he protecting? His family? Or Aaron?

If his Little Cupcake got injured by those attackers, undoubtedly Aaron would blame himself for putting her life in danger. Was she kidnapped? He felt as possible because Aarvi was missing for more than a day.

If Connor was trying to protect Aaron, the latter still wanted to know it even if he regrets, gets hurt, and blames himself all his life.

He didn't force Connor again but asked, "Is it your man who sent Cupcake back home?"

Connor hesitated but nodded promptly. "We waited if her parents lodges a missing complaint but they didn't and President Kelly had no idea she was missing."

At least, that made sure little Ava was saved and safe with his father. Although his anger bubbled, he controlled knowing her life was safe.

Aaron clenched his fist as a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He didn't ask the next question directly but speculated, "You knew Cupcake doesn't remember me hence you hid that Little Heart is Ava Kelly and my Cupcake."

Connor hid it because he didn't want his son to get hurt knowing about it and hoped he could move on and like another girl without hanging on Ava Kelly.

But he never tried to stop Shawn's Little Heart from meeting Aaron. He wanted to see if fate wanted them to meet again but fate played cruelly in her life.

It wasn't only Aaron and others but Connor also blamed himself when Ava Kelly was fighting between life and death. He knew well if she was with Aaron, his son would never let anybody endanger his Cupcake's safety.

Connor nodded with a light hum. He was ready to accept if Aaron was going to be angry with him but he wouldn't let him be away from the Rivas family.

Aaron sighed pinching between his brows. He can force Connor to talk but that would permanently leave a mark on their relationship and he didn't want to damage any relationships when Aarvi could get the family love from them.

Alright, he was going to wait for some more time to let them make mind and speak it but... Aaron opened his eyes to look at Connor and asked directly, "Are you hiding all these for our good?"

'Our' Connor didn't know if it had only Aarvi and Aaron but he presumed it as the whole family including Aarvi, "Yes." His voice was resolute and firm.

Aaron hoped it's for good and stood up. He walked towards stairs saying, "Rest early."

Connor: "..."

Connor had thought Aaron would be angry and he will send him off like every time but was surprised hearing him say 'Rest early' in the mansion. 'Is this change due to Aarvi?' He knew the answer and hoped everything to be solved but... Will Jordan make his mind and be ready to face Aaron?

He went to the guest room on the ground floor where Melia merrily arranged for him. It had been so many years Aaron chose to ignore his father mercilessly, now everything was clearing out slowly so she was happy for her master and young master.

---

In Aarvi's bedroom,

She exited the cloakroom in her black silk short slip dress and a long sheath but momentarily froze seeing Aaron sitting on her bed, leaning on the headrest.

She had forgotten he had told her they will 'literally' sleep together. But the world she knew doesn't have innocent cuddles and she wasn't weeping or there wasn't freezing cold.

She didn't want to use Esme's tricks but had no choice.

Her fingers ran through her long hair making it slightly messy and sassy, seductively gazing at his eyes, she bit her lower lip before releasing it slowly and sexily grabbing his gaze on her reddened lips.

Aaron's Adam's apple bobbed gulping the nonexistent saliva looking at his enchantress.