Chapter 474 - Spine-chilling

When Tia's name registered in Aarvi's head, Aarvi exclaimed, turning to Tia, "You are Princess Wells who wanted to beat me in chess." Aarvi couldn't believe she knew Tiana all along but didn't identify her. 

'Did I forget many people, not just Aaron?' Aarvi turned to Aaron. The latter knew what was going on in her mind. All he could think was that his departure and an unknown incident had a greater impact on her, causing her to forget other insignificant people.

Tia awkwardly chuckled as she nodded at Aarvi. She used to be arrogant and self-centered when she was in school. Aarvi was playing a game or two with her if their instructor were telling. Since she always lost to Aarvi, she used to strode away without letting Aarvi spare a word or two. Her nickname and her behavior make her cringe now.

Tia had practiced the whole summer to beat Aarvi in Chess, but Aarvi had stopped playing it. Remembering the past, she was about to ask Aarvi why she was trying to jump to the lake in that summer holiday, but Aaron's words caught their attention.

Aaron read the biography of Tiana Wells to distract Aarvi from the past, "Third daughter of the Wells family. She ran away from the house when her parents forced her to do major in medicine." Then she lived alone and away from them.

Shawn pointed his finger at Tia as he guessed, looking at Aaron, "She is Doctor Wells's youngest sister."

Aaron nodded at his brother when Tia wanted to find a hole to hide from her family. Aarvi and Shawn understood why Tia avoided mixing with the affluent families, but she had to involve with them.

"Doctor Hand… Doctor Rivas, could you please not mention me to my Sister?" However, her request met with silence as Aaron hadn't forgiven Tia yet.

Tia pleadingly looked at Aarvi, who shrugged, indicating she won't be of any help. She was reaping what she sowed.

Milo Wen suggested glancing at Tia, "President Rivas, if Ms. Wells leaves her job, she could be a good candidate for Ms. Evans's bodyguard." He was silently recommending Tia to leave her job.

Aarvi: "..."

Aarvi vigorously shook her head at Aaron, understanding he was looking for a bodyguard and an assistant once her identity will be out to the public. Nonetheless, Aaron flashed her smug smile that said he wasn't going to listen to her.

Meanwhile, Tia thought about what she heard, "I will resign after the current mission." She anyway wanted to escape from Clark.

Aarvi: "..."

Aaron's blank gaze brushed over Tia before he looked back at Aarvi, "I will appoint the best." So Tia might not be the most suitable.

Aarvi felt an itch at her teeth to bite the man. She never had an assistant because she wanted to keep her private life confidential. Yet, here her boyfriend was, already preparing to ease her path.

Shawn explained to Tia the requirements to be Aarvi's bodyguard to be prepared for it if she is interested. 

'Prince, why aren't you angry at her?' Aarvi thought.

Aarvi sent Aaron with Milo Wen for the work. She also kicked out her friend, Shawn, who was brainwashing Tia to join the Rivas security team as they lacked women guards.

Then she sat with Tia. Tia apologized, tried to explain her situation, which Aarvi ignored. Even though Aarvi was speaking typically, Tia could feel Aarvi wasn't warm anymore. It was like an invisible wall built between them.

First and foremost, "Stop calling me Sister." It felt weird to her sister from the one who was jealous of her in school and who is older than her. Yeah, Tiana Wells from the school disliked Ava Kelly because she couldn't win over her skills. 

Earning the broken trust isn't easy, even if she swears her life to Aarvi. Aarvi needed more time than usual as she had just seen people stabbing behind her.

"Why did you accept to be Dax's girlfriend? What was your motive?" Her voice was calm, without any emotions.

Tia pursed her lips, forcing a smile. Aarvi, who treats her like a little sister, is different from the cold one who was sitting in front of her. "I like him."  She didn't explain more as it wasn't necessary and excessive words will irritate Aarvi instead of earning the trust back. She knew they wouldn't believe her so quickly or probably never believe her.

"What is your relationship with Clark William?" Aarvi asked again. She wasn't interested in Tia's personal life. Instead, she wanted to know them because of Dax. 

Tia didn't hide anything from Aarvi and promptly revealed, "After I left home, I didn't have much savings, so I was sharing a flat with a friend. My roommate's brother is Clark William. He always helped me and protected me. I saw him as a brother, but… (Sigh) He ordered me to marry him a few months back." It was apparent that she turned him down.

Taking Clark's personality, Aarvi wasn't surprised Clark threw his orders instead of confessing his feelings. Nodding her head, she asked to confirm, "Why did you choose to be Tia Spencer?"

Tiana, who had no idea about Spencer and the Harmon family, innocently responded, "It was a pure coincidence." 

Did Aarvi misidentify Clark as a smart, intelligent man? He pushed Tiana to the deep well by making her Tia Spencer without knowing Leon would go berserk by Spencer's name. Due to this coincidence, Aarvi had to rack her brain so much.

Shrugging off her thoughts, Aarvi instructed Tia as Dax wanted them to follow her third plan. "If you fall in trouble because of my identity, protect yourself, reveal about me and act along to keep yourself safe."

Tia was confused. Falling into trouble is understandable as Aarvi was the daughter of Evans. However, why should she reveal Aarvi's identity? Won't that put Aarvi in danger?

"But Sis…"

Aarvi cut in, "Is it so difficult to do that?" Her voice had a hint of sarcasm.

Tia bit her lips and nodded her head, accepting she will do as Aarvi needs without knowing she will be kidnapped soon.

She thought that Aarvi would work inside her office, but Aarvi took her bag and walked towards the door. "Sister Aarvi…" She paused, remembering she shouldn't call that, but she had treated Aarvi like a sister, so it wasn't easy to change so quickly.

She asked when Aarvi turned around, "Won't you come here anymore?" 'Because of me?' She didn't complete her words. Her voice said she was unhappy with the events and also helpless.

Aarvi wanted to tell the truth but paused. If Leon kidnaps Tia, he would like to know her location, "Going to M.O.M to shop for Aaron's grandfather." Then she walked away.

Tia felt something amiss with the 180-degree change in Aarvi's behavior. Nevertheless, she assumed she was overthinking and got back to work as she tried to reach Dax. She knows he was a stubborn man, and she will have to work harder to cool him. Or, her life might go back to the gloomy work as an officer. 

Even though she liked the challenging job, it was uncomfortable for her to face Clark, and it wasn't easy for her to escape him.

-----

In the cafe,

Aarvi smiled at Leon, who was confused about how Tia, girlfriend of Dax, could easily escape his men. Then, Tiana, aka Tia, turned to Leon and smirked sinfully, "You should have known who I am, Leon Harmon."