The Traps of the Black Swan (Book 2)

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Jennie didn't know feelings can be controlled but tears never lie.

Lisa couldn't believe it, even after getting caught while crying, Jennie tried to appear unaffected and smile. But this time, she didn't smile to mask it. She was genuinely happy to see him again. When her eyes formed crescents, the leftover teardrops in her eyes rolled out sparkling under the sunset reddish-orange rays.

His hand involuntarily made up to her little face that was tear-stained, flushed like red cherry, making her look more delicate and heart aching.

Jennie slightly moved back from his hand and wiped her tears away, clumsily. She wanted to lie so that he wouldn't ask her anything about her tears. She just wanted to be a simple girl in their mind, without having to tell them about her terrible life at home.

As though he could read her intention, he didn't ask why she was crying, instead, "Are you hurt anywhere?" He questioned looking at her slender limbs to find if she was physically hurt.

Jennie dropped her legs down the bench and sat properly like a lady, the society and her uncaring mother expect her to behave. She again flashed a smile to forget the reason for her tears. "Nope... Senior, did you come looking for me?" She knew neither Lisa nor Nikun live in that regency.

He sat down next to her thinking why she was so stubborn that she never shares her problems. People could easily misunderstand her as the happiest person on the earth. Whereas she was the strongest, he ever came across.

"Did you enjoy your day?"

Jennie excitedly nodded her head. Enjoy? That was a small word for a girl who most of the time spent her birthday locked in the bedroom. "It was the best day." She cheerfully accepted. It was the day she would never forget.

He extended her the envelope which had pictures. "Here you go." The envelope was the same as she gets from her grandfather, filled with notes. She never wished for money, so she misunderstood as Lisa was giving her money as another gift.

She shook her head to deny it, "Senior, you already gave me a pretty dress." She brushed her hand over her skirt pointing it for him, "I don't want anything else."

Lisa was confused without knowing her thoughts. So he teased, "Are you sure, Jennie? I won't give this to you later."

Jennie nodded in determination, still thinking of it as money. "I am certain."

Lisa opened the envelope and took the pictures out as he responded, "No problem, I will keep it."

He started shuffling the pictures and Jennie's eyes widened in surprise. She shifted close to him, her eyes were literally sparkling looking at her pictures. She often exclaimed in amazement and giggled, pointing at Nikun, "Brother Nick looks so funny."

When it flashed to her that those pictures were for her and there was no money in the envelope, she immediately regretted rejecting it. She sheepishly grinned at Lisa. The latter was having fun anyway, he teased her more. Jennie knew he was playing her, so she tried to snatch it away, chased after him in the play area. She laughed, whined, pretended to be sad before she got her hands on the pictures.

Both had totally forgotten the time. The sun had reached the horizon and the lights were flickering on. Jennie hid the envelope behind her, catching her breath after a lot of running. She wanted long legs too.

Lisa was sitting on the swing when she stood in front of him to ask for his suggestion, "Senior, what could be a good choice for return gifts?"

Lisa didn't think it's for them so he asked her back to help her, "What is your budget? And the age of the person."