Putting her on spotlight

Dean Davis raised one of his eyebrows and asked tentatively, "I wasn't aware that you two already know each other. Why didn't you tell me, Ava?"

Ava was wondering how she was going to answer when Oliver said in a light tone "Yes, we do," Oliver was still staring at Ava who happened to sit opposite him.

Ava almost choked and looked at Oliver but seeing him staring at her with a smile she blushed and looked away.

Seeing the pink shade on Ava's cheek Oliver had to hold back his laughter. In the previous encounters he had with his woman, he has seen her being alluring, he has seen her being fierce and angry but he never knew she could be so shy that some simple words could bring such lovely color to her cheek.

Dean Davis looked back and forth from Oliver to Ava, and from the subtle interaction between them, he seem to understand something. He smiled and said in a proud tone, "Dr. Green is a young and very promising doctor, even though she just joined our hospital a few months ago, she has already proved herself as an important part of us. It's really an honor to have her join the team."

Ava felt even more embarrassed being praised in front of everyone while that evil man was staring at her. She really wanted to punch him in the face. Ava forced out a smile and said in a soft tone, "Thank you, Dean Davis, the honor is actually mine to be able to work alongside all the respected doctors as a team. Thank you for giving me the chance to be a part of your hospital.

Before Dean Davis or anyone else could say anything, the waiter came and started to serve the dishes, Ava heaved a sigh of relief and lowered her gaze. If this kept going on, she didn't know how she would keep up, she cursed Oliver in her mind for always making things difficult for her.

The waiter opened bottles of Lafite 1982 and Ava instantly gulp down her glass, she was so stressed lately, she felt like she really needed the alcohol. They started to eat in harmony, and the whole time Ava's eyes were stuck to her plate. She was afraid if she raised her eyes, she would find that man staring at her again.

"Mr. Knight, I would like to thank you on behalf of the hospital for your investment." Dean Davis stood up and toasted while everyone followed along.

"Well, Dean Davis if you want to thank anyone, then you should thank Dr. Green. After all, she is the one who operated on my uncle, it's because of her my uncle is safe today." Once again Oliver looked straight at Ava and said with a smirk.

Ava who was eating peacefully almost choked on her food when Oliver mentioned her again. Ava really wanted to punch the man in the face, why he was doing this? What animosity she had with him that he was putting her in the spotlight again and again when all she wanted was to be left alone? However, she knew she could only bite the bullets so she forced out a smile and said in a soft voice, "Thank you, Mr. Knight! That's very kind of you but I was just doing my job."

"Come on, Dr. Green. Let's have a toast." The crowd roared.

Ava gulped down another glass and sat down. Oliver didn't make things difficult for her afterward, he and Dean Davis talked about business until the end of dinner. The dinner ended with lots of chattering and laughter, everyone looked happy but Ava was distracted the whole time. She came here tonight just to give Dean Davis some face, now that her task was done, she just wanted to leave. Ava was looking for a chance to slip away when Oliver spoke again.

"Dr. Green, you seem very distracted, do you need to be somewhere more important than here?"

Ava's eyes once again widened in shock as she looked at the man speechless. She cursed him in her mind for catching her intentions. Ava quickly said, "No, No Mr. Knight, I don't have anything important."

"I don't either," Oliver said lightly.

Ava choked, What! Why was he telling her that, did she ask? What will everyone think? Ava lowered her head and didn't dare to look around to see anyone's reaction. Why Oliver was doing this? Can't he see that he was giving away a wrong impression? Everyone will think now that something is going on between them and Ava was very uncomfortable with that thought.

"Let's go to the karaoke club! Since everyone is here tonight, we should have a good time," Oliver suggested.

Ava didn't want to go and thought it would be a perfect excuse for her to leave. She was about to refuse, when Dean Davis said excitedly, "That's a great idea, Mr. Knight. We all would love to go to the Karaoke club." Ava's face fall but what could she do now? In the end, they all stood up and went to the Karaoke club next door.

Everyone went through the VIP entrance of the club and entered a luxurious two-storied VIP room. Oliver sat down on a huge round sofa on the ground floor and several female doctors and nurses took the chance to get close to him, they all sat down surrounding him. Seeing that everyone was busy, Ava took the chance and got out of there to have some fresh air.

Ava walked along the corridor and found the stair to the rooftop. The evening wind was light but chilly, the air was filled with a damp smell from the rain earlier. In recent days, the weather here has changed a lot, it was rainy and messy most of the year.

Ava looked at the dark gloomy sky and felt distressed. These past few days she could barely eat or sleep when her family was in such a mess. All she could do was, distract herself with her work, while everything else in her life was falling apart. She still didn't know how she was going to fix everything.