The Morning Run

Ava was surprised to see so many morning runners on the street. She loved to run once but hated to go for it alone. Ava dragged Sarah a few times to accompany her but Sarah didn't like to run and would run like a turtle with drowsy eyes so Ava had no choice but to let her sleep and eventually she gave up running too.

"Oliver, are there always so many people run here every day?" Ava asked while she was running beside Oliver.

"Probably, I hardly come for a run here."

Ava thought, Oliver was always so busy maybe that's why he didn't have time to run but now that they were together, she could ask him to accompany her whenever they have some free time.

"Oliver, slow down. I can't run that fast." Oliver regularly exercises in the gym so he had good stamina. He was running very fast and it was very difficult for Ava to keep up with him. Ava slowed down and started to breathe heavily.

Oliver stopped and turned to look at her. He chuckled to see Ava was covered in sweat already. He came to her and wiped the sweat off Ava's forehead with the back of his hand. The action was so sweet and caring, that it attracted many envious eyes around them. There were hardly one or two couples were running there, most of the people looked single so they were a bit annoyed to see them so affectionate in the early morning.

"Let's rest for a while," Oliver said in a deep and pleasant voice, laughing and holding Ava's hand.

Ava nodded, still panting. She suddenly asked, "Oliver, your posture of running looks like a professional runner, do you take part in any sports competition or something?"

"Well, yes I do. Every year my company organize a charity running competition and I take part in the one kilometer and three Kilometer run." Oliver said shrugging his shoulder as if it was nothing.

"Wow, I never imagined you were into running and also participate in any competition." Ava's face was astonished. Was there anything this man was not good at?

"Actually, I wasn't always interested in running but back at school I was forced to participate in the sports competition and I got into it later," Oliver explained.

Ava suddenly remembered that Oliver was at her school. "Hey, you were my senior at school. When I was a freshman, you should be a junior. Why didn't I ever see you at school?" Ava asked suspiciously. If Oliver was at her school then she would definitely notice him, he was so charming it's hard to miss someone like him.

"I skipped and went to the USA when you were a freshman," Oliver said in a light tone.

"Oh? You skipped?"

"Yes, in fact, I studied in high school for about a year and a half only." The smile on Oliver's face did not change as he looked at Ava.

"Wow, you're awesome," Ava said with admiration.

"You must have been very popular at school back then, I bet you got a lot of pursuers when you were at high school."

"True! At that time, my bag used to be full of love letters from different girls." Oliver smiled faintly.

When he was at school, no one knew he was the heir of KNIGHT International and he was not cold or indifferent at that time. He was actually very warm and friendly like Ella, so he got along well with his classmates.

"Wow Mr. Knight, I just realized I found the treasure for myself." Ava smiled widely and thought she was really lucky that an excellent man like Oliver was her boyfriend.

"Well then you should cherish the treasure, you know," Oliver said teasing Ava.

"Shouldn't it be my line, you narcissist!" Saying that Ava started to distance herself from Oliver, her face had a mischievous smile on it.

"Oliver catch me." Ava suddenly was full of energy and started to run.

Ava ran as fast as a rabbit and from time to time she looked back to see where Oliver was. Although Oliver could catch up with her easily but he wanted her to win against him so he didn't run that fast.

Ava was laughing loudly and running, suddenly she bumped into a man's chest very hard. Ava felt pain in her head and stumble back a few steps. Oliver rushed up and caught her before she fell to the ground.

The man who was hit by Ava was running in peace with his head lowered wearing a cap and headphones in his ears. Suddenly, the interruption made him very annoyed but when he saw who bumped into him his displeasure changed into pleasure.

"Good morning, Miss Green," Ethan said in a relaxed tone, and his face had a charming smile.

Oliver put his arms around Ava possessively and looked at Ethan with a warning in his eyes.

Ava's head was dizzy with pain. She was holding her forehead when she heard Ethan's greeting and raised her eyes. She suddenly remembered the threat Ethan made at the wine party. She didn't have the chance to tell Oliver about it because he was drunk that night and later she completely forgot about it. Now seeing him her faced twitched remembering it. However before she could answer Ethan, Oliver spoke.

"I didn't expect to meet Mr. Smith on a morning run here." Although what Oliver said was a simple statement but his tone was full of hostility.

"Yes, Mr. Knight, we met again," Ethan said with a gentle smile completely ignoring Oliver's warning.

"If it was up to me then I would rather not see your face again." Oliver looked at him coldly and said sharply.

The fight between the Smith's Group and The Knight International for the land was getting fiercer. No one was willing to give up. Although in terms of power Smith's Group could not stand in front of Knight International but they have been manipulating the share market illegally which was affecting the whole business market including Oliver's company. So naturally, he was not very happy about the situation. He already asked Uncle Joe to find dirt against John Smith, once they find evidence about his illegal dealings, he will make the Smith's Group disappear from this city.