Black Swan's

Tears (Fourty Three)

            Sian sighed, sipping his coffee once more while reading the reports strewn across Aciel's table. He thought the man had indeed given him confidence all along, apparently not. Aciel has secretly hired a detective to investigate Eden's life for four years of living apart from her. Instead of waiting for him who was collecting various information, it turned out that Aciel had already moved to dismantle all the theatrics that Eden was playing.

            “Let's bet, how will their relationship continue after this.”

            Jessica, who was busy painting her nails, looked to turn around for a moment to see how Sian's disheveled face looked. Tonight they plan to visit Aciel, and do their regular agenda to get together as usual. But unexpectedly, Aciel was spending time in the hospital playing with her daughter. And finally here they are

this, gathered in Aciel's study to find out the truths that Aciel had always hidden from everyone. Even two years ago Aciel had received reports of Eden's existence, but he was reluctant to seek it and only let Eden live with his own world.

            “They will of course get married, because there is Ciara as their liaison now.”

            “Really? After Aciel hurts Eden and destroys the woman? I'm not sure Eden

will accept Aciel.”

            “You say it as if you weren't involved in all this. Remember Sica, you too once had ambitions to get rid of Eden because she had taken over all of Aciel's attention from you.”

            “I know.” reply Jessica quiet. Then the woman continued on with a calm face and a cold aura that had always been her trademark. “But time has changed everything. Now I have Kris, so there is no reason for me to take Aciel from Eden. Trust me, I'd rather they be together.”

            This time Jessica said it earnestly and full of sincerity in every sentence. Seeing Aciel who looks to suffer for four years makes Jessica realize that until anytime the happiness of Aciel is only in Eden, not others.

            “Then what will we do to make them together?”

            “What? I don't want to interfere in their problems. Let everything go naturally. Besides I have a lot of business before my wedding day and Kris next month. Oh, do you want to be a bridesmaid?”

            Sian immediately threw his regretful gaze at Jessica as he walked up to the woman to sit next to her.

            “Huh, how cute Sica is. I'm not interested!”

            “Why? I'm concerned about you, you're handsome, but why isn't any girl interested in you? Oh. I suggest that you do not get too close to Aciel, he can cover the whole aura of your good looks.”

            Jessica fluttered beside Sian with the joke she had just thrown. Funny indeed if tempting Sian, because since the first man was always the object of ridicule between the three of them. It was inconceivable how if they did not have Sian, their friendship would definitely run grim and cold.

            “Maybe from now on I won't follow Aciel wherever he goes. Ciara's presence in her life will definitely make Aciel forget us. And you, your position as a friend, bedmate, and sister will soon be displaced by Eden.”

            “Huh, I'm not afraid. I don't give a shit about that. Everything has passed, and now all I want is to see a bright future, with Kris. You should also find your own partner Sian. Do not let you grow old, and no woman is interested in you.”

            “Oh, thank you for reminding me Jessica. It was very menohok.” said Sian while pretending to be offended. The man pressed his own chest in a dramatic style that made Jessica unable to resist throwing the sofa cushion at Sian's face.

            “Your face is so disgusting Sian.” snorted Jessica rudely. The two then laugh at each other, laughing at the ridiculous attitude they did at their no longer young age. Oh come on, who would care about age? As long as they are happy, then even silly things will not be a problem for them.

            “Sian, is Zyan really dead?”

            Suddenly, Jessica stopped her laughter and changed the subject of their conversation to become more serious.

            “Why? Aren't you sure and think it's all just Eden's wits? This time I swear it wasn't just Eden's bullshit. Zyan's real death occurred three years ago due to a car accident in California.”

            “Then why did Eden not be honest with Aciel? The woman let Aciel suffer from her regrets, and suddenly she returned with a child who managed to melt the heart of Aciel.”

            “I think it's all beyond Eden's will. He actually did not intend to meet with Aciel again, but you made him do that.” accuse Sian of being thorough. Instantly Jessica rounded her eyes in surprise while looking at Sian not understanding. “I? How could it be me? I never even wanted to interfere in Aciel's affairs. Although I admit, I used to be jealous of Eden. He took Aciel's attention from me and made Aciel no longer my bedmate since seven years ago.”

            “So it's been that long you guys didn't do it?” Tanya Sian was astonished.

            “Yes, it's been that long. Actually we only did it three times, that's because we were both frustrated with our stifling lives. You know for yourself how hard I'm trying to be a great designer, and Aciel, he's just as dizzy about office problems and Brexton's daughter. So in the end we decided to share the warmth in bed to relieve the fatigue we felt. You must have been thinking too far about us.”

            “Of course. I even thought you liked Aciel a long time ago. But for Aciel, I'm sure he doesn't have any feelings for you and is just a friend. His heart was though hard, yet sometimes he was very predictable.”

            Jessica laughed at Sian and decided to nod her head in agreement. Sometimes Aciel is like a book that is very easy to read by others.

            “Hahh..” Jessica suddenly wasted her breath heavily when they had both found no interesting topic to discuss. He then took his can of soft drink on the table while looking away at Sian who was closing his eyes for a moment.

            “Aren't we friends for a long time? I don't believe this.” murmured Jessica softly. There was a bitter tone mixed within her sentence, and Sian herself felt at a loss as to why Jessica had suddenly turned into this melancholy.

            “Why? You have a problem?”

            “No. Sometimes I like to remember our memories from the past. We were very young. Fight together to conquer the world, and become great people. You, me, and Aciel, we both fail in family relationships. My parents divorced when I was fifteen and decided to live each other. Every month, in turn, I had to go to my mother's house in Carson City and come back to my father's house in Las Vegas. It feels so exhausting. And sometimes I have to endure envy at my friends who have a complete family that is very harmonious. Then Aciel came. Ah no, I went to Aciel first because he was a quiet man who always got a lot of attention from the female students at school. And after I managed to gain her trust, I realized that we were

same. Then we met you, the man in the head who tried to steal Aciel's wallet while we were walking around in the shopping mall.” Jessica recalled slightly chuckling. Sian who heard that also chuckled while looking away at the ceiling of Aciel's workspace.

            “I'm honestly embarrassed to remember that. I tried to steal for the first time because I didn't have the money to take my mother for treatment. Unfortunately at that time I was actually found out and almost died silly because of being beaten by the people who arrested me. But thankfully, Aciel forgave me. I don't know

why do I always think if Aciel is not that bad, he only has a fairly complicated thought in his head, so he often makes others misunderstand.”

            “You're right, it's not that bad. But sometimes he is annoying and makes others want to abuse him. Ah. It's all been a long time, but I still feel like it just happened yesterday. Now how old are you?” jessica asked. Although he knew very well how old Sian was now, he was eager to tease the man.

            “Do you want to mock me? You want to make fun of me who until now has no partner, while you and Aciel have had a partner. Even Aciel has had a child almost four years old.” replied Sian annoyed. He then slammed the sofa cushion next to him and riled towards Jessica and decided

to go back to his apartment. Being with Jessica all night would really only hurt her because the woman would definitely continue to make fun of her with all sorts of scathing words that were extremely annoying to hear.

            “Sian! Hey, you left me?”

            “Fuck with you! I want to go home! Go have fun with Kris and do not disturb my solitude.” reply Sian ketus as it passes away, out of the magnificent mansion of Aciel to avoid the attack of Jessica's spicy mouth that always stuck her heart.

-00-

            “What is this? You bought Ciara an electronic object like this?”

           Eden ruffled his waist in front of Aciel as the man was sitting back and watching Ciara playing a game on the new tablet he had gifted to Ciara.

            “You are too much Eden, it is just a tablet.” reply Aciel relaxed. He was annoyed by Eden's excessive attitude, but he was not wanting to fight with Eden. For once he wanted to feel like he had a warm family and without any fuss.

            “Then you as his mother should educate him so that he does not become anti-social. Shut up Eden, you made Ciara piqued with your screaming voice.”

            “Ck, don't overindulge my son.”

            “But he's also my son.” jolts Aciel does not accept. And for the first time they fought just because of a minor problem that was actually not important at all. But Eden felt the need to rebuke how to educate Aciel which was very contrary to him. Within three days the man had given Ciara luxury items. He seemed not to want to lose to Sian who gave Ciara a large barbie house, complete with its contents. And now the corner of Ciara's treatment room has been transformed into a

storefronts with many of Aciel's trademark branded goods are very excessive.

            “Look, you have even filled the corner of Ciara's room with such useless items.”

            Aciel looked offended by Eden's words. As his father he felt entitled

give any gift to Ciara. And it was actually a form of penance because he had never been a good father to his little girl.

            “Did you deliberately want to provoke my anger?”

            “I just want to educate my son to be an independent girl who does not struggle with luxury. Besides who knows with his future, I want Ciara to be ready with all the unexpected situations in the future.”

            “Your words are like mocking me Eden. You think I can't afford Ciara's life until she grows up?”

            “It is not like that, I just want to make Ciara as a tough woman so that she is not easily trampled by others.”

            “Then you need not worry, because I will always protect Ciara from anyone who dares to disturb her life.”

            “Cih, protect? Even you have ruined the lives of others without the slightest mercy.”                              “I know, in the end you will only bring up your dark past and have me cornered like this.” Aciel replied fiercely with a sharp gaze that directly led to Eden's bead of eyes. After that they stopped. They were both speechless with their respective thoughts and chose not to continue their ridiculous debate. Especially since Ciara was actually watching the action of the debate of his parents, but he chose to remain silent while hiding his face behind the new tablet given by Aciel.

            “Mommy... don't scold daddy. Here, Ciara return this toy to mommy.”

            Aciel felt annoyed when he saw Ciara who actually felt guilty for Eden's actions. And Eden, the woman just took the tablet that was proffered by Ciara while putting it in her black handbag.

            “I'm sorry dear mommy, Ciara can play with this tablet, but Ciara can only play it at certain times. Well, now go out with daddy to the park, mommy will take care of your clothes.”

            After that Eden then glanced at Aciel, and with a movement of his eyes he asked the man to bring Ciara to the garden because he would clean up all the belongings of Ciara. Today Jensen has allowed Ciara to return home after seeing Ciara's condition gradually improve.

            “Princess let's go to the park. We will see birds together.” said Aciel firmly while glancing towards Eden. The man was unceasingly staring at the movement of Eden to and fro who was tidying up Ciara's belongings. And without Eden knowing at this time Aciel was sneering cunningly behind him. You were wrong to have decided to go back to Eden....

-00-

            “Are you kidding?”

            Eden stared dislikefully at the magnificent mansion that looked so haughty in front of him. This is not the place where he wants to go home. He wanted to return to his apartment, not to return to the mansion of the brown-eyed man who had so far incised so many wounds in his heart.

            “From now on you guys are my responsibility.” break up Aciel unilaterally. Not caring about Eden's unwilling facial expression, Aciel got out of his car and held Ciara, who seemed half-asleep in the passenger seat.

            “What responsibility? Not because you managed to touch me, you have the right to rule my life again. Forget it Ace, all it was just a momentary pleasure.”

            “Down, I don't accept rejection. Your apartment has been frozen in my name, and your boutique in France is in the process of transferring ownership in my name.”

            “What! Can't, you can't do it without my permission.” reply Eden didn't accept. All of his assets could not just fall into the hands of the man. He built it all from zero. And he arbitrarily took over hers which he had so hard earned all along.

            “Anything I can do dear..” whispered Aciel horribly. Instantly Eden moved his face slightly back so that the man could not intimidate him with the position of his body that was very inclined towards him.

            “Remember that you have a past crime record. And I hold all the evidence. All your assets are automatically owned by the state when I provide evidence of your past crimes, such as poisoning Jessica, defamation, hmm ask Aciel chuckled. Then the last he whispered a word of provocation that made Eden's face instantly pale. “And you've made someone lose their life because of your vilification dear Eden.” He really liked to see the pale face of Eden who looked dominated next to him. Not in vain he became a rich man with many relationships, because now he can make Eden back to his knees under his feet.

            “You should thank me Eden, because all your assets have been secured. I bought all your assets from the French government for a very high price, so be nice to me.” firmly Aciel before he entered into his mansion with some servants who had been ready to wait for his return at the front door. Meanwhile, Ciara seemed not to be disturbed at all by the small quarrel that occurred to both people. The little girl was still faithfully coiled comfortably in her father's arms with her body swaying due to Aciel's movements. The journey far enough from the hospital to the mansion made Ciara exhausted and eventually fell asleep with the barbie doll that Sian gave her. But fortunately the little girl was sleeping, because Eden did not want Ciara to know the quarrel between her parents.

            “Welcome back miss Eden.”

            Eden who was taking down Ciara's belongings was immediately greeted by Mr. Kim in a friendly manner. The man bent his body slightly towards Eden, then tried to help Eden to bring Ciara's possessions very much.

            “I'm glad you stay at this house again miss.”

            Eden smiled wryly at Mr. Kim's words and just followed the man inside the house. He felt that God too soon gave him freedom because now he had to be locked in a golden cage belonging to Aciel with various regulations that always harm him.

            “Master Aciel has prepared a room for Miss Ciara, right here.”

            Eden, who was about to step up to the stairs, immediately turned to the right, leading to a room that was located adjacent to the workspace of Aciel. He thought his little girl would sleep with him, upstairs, in his old room.

            “Since when did Aciel prepare a room for Ciara?” ask Eden curious. He did not think that Aciel would make new scenarios for his life, such as being a whole family and ending up happy. Oh, that sounds very fairy tale.

            “Yesternight sir asked me to redecorate his reading room into a room for Miss Ciara. But I do not know why you chose the former reading room that became the room for Miss Ciara.”

            “Isn't it better if Ciara sleeps with me on top?”

            “You can ask that to Mr. Aciel miss.” replied Mr. Kim while opening the brown door in front of him. And when the door was opened perfectly, Eden was amazed by the room decor Ciara dominated by baby pink and white. This is so typical of a Ciara! Then in every corner of his daughter's room Eden can see various princess-themed ornaments from a very beautiful fairyland. It's like my old room, in my house. Eden was heartbroken while remembering her past that was too beautiful to remember. And no tears now welled up in his eyes, ready to drip.

            “Do you like?”

            Suddenly Eden felt a warm gust on the surface of his nape that came from the roar of Aciel's breath behind him. The man is seen standing stiffly behind Eden while putting both hands in his pants pocket.

            “Ciara will definitely love it when he wakes up later. What do you mean by doing this to us? Did you deliberately decorate Ciara's room like my old room? Please don't do this to me.”

            One tear escaped from Eden's round eyes unbeknownst to Aciel. The man did not know at all if this decision would make Eden hurt like this. Though he only followed his instincts as a father, without any intention to hurt Eden.

            “I just follow my instincts as his father. Why do all the things I do always mean something negative? Looks like you have to clear your mind of all sorts of prejudices about me Eden.” said Aciel flatly as he passed away going out of Ciara's new room. As for Eden, he still survives in the same place with increasingly heart-wrenching sobs. He felt defeated in front of the man. And for the umpteenth time he had to admit, if he could never destroy an Aciel.